11/20/2008 - Genoa, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Genoa president Enrico Preziosi claims he has rejected an approach from Real Madrid for striker Diego Milito.
The Spanish champions are desperate to boost their striking options after losing Ruud van Nistelrooy for the remainder of the season through injury.
But the Argentina hot-shot, who scored 51 goals during three seasons in La Liga with Real Zaragoza, will not be leaving the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for a return to Spain.
"Real Madrid came for Milito and there was contact with the Spanish club," claimed Preziosi. "But I responded to them and I simply said that Milito was our striker and that he wouldn't be leaving Genoa."
Milito has been in stunning form for the Italian side this season, scoring 10 times in just 11 appearances for the club he joined in the summer.
(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)
<< Crew's Schelotto wins MVP
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Columbus Crew midfielder Guillermo Barros
Schelotto was named Major League Soccers Most Valuable Player on Thursday.
Schelotto, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, led MLS with 19 assists - tied for the
second
<< St. Mirren's Barron suffers setback in recovery
Paisley, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - St. Mirren right back David Barron has
suffered a setback as he continues his recovery from a knee ligament problem.
The 21-year-old suffered medial ligament damage in his left knee during a
fri
<< England's young stars impress captain Terry
Berlin, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - England captain John Terry was relieved to
head in the winning goal in the 2-1 friendly success against Germany after his
earlier blunder had allowed Joachim Low's side to grab an equalizer.
Dithering by
<< New Boss: Hal Steinbrenner officially takes control of Yankees
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Major League Baseball owners approved a shift
of control of the New York Yankees from George Steinbrenner to his son Hal on
Thursday.
Steinbrenner's sons, Hank and Hal, had been named co-chairpersons of the
UCA's Hart, ASU's LeGree named to Buchanan Watch List >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Central Arkansas defensive end Larry Hart
and Appalachian State free safety Mark LeGree have been named to the final
Buck Buchanan Award watch list.
The pair will join 14 other players on the ballot f
Everton's Moyes wants more respect from the FA >>
Merseyside, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Everton manager David Moyes has called
for more respect from the Football Association following his fine for improper
conduct.
Moyes was hit with a $7,400 fine relating to the charge which follo
Morse clings to slim lead at Champions Q-School >>
Coral Springs, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - John Morse struggled to a two-over 74
Thursday as his lead dropped to one stroke after three rounds of the Champions
Tour National Qualifying Tournament.
Morse, who led by three shots after two ro
Inter's Adriano not headed to Brazil's Fluminense >>
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Unsettled Inter Milan striker Adriano will not
be joining Fluminense in January, according to his agent.
The Brazil international remains out-of-favour at the San Siro following
reports of a fall-out w
The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.
While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.
For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.
1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.
2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.
How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.
Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.
Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.
How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).
Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.
Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting