ValleyFan

I met Sandberg 3 weeks ago at a bar near wrigley watching the Bears game, kind of random.

So I want to bet $300 on the Bears to beat the Packers. Which I would have taken the moneyline, however looking at the current payout of 5/1, would it make sense to just take the futures bet and then hedge the $300 by betting on the opponent (Pitt or Jets) ML assuming they met in the superbowl? Either way I'm just out the original $300 plus juice. It seems to me I would be sitting on a risk free bet with a nice payout come Superbowl sunday. It certainly looks better than betting the Moneyline on the Bears twice. What am I not taking into account? 

1) I'm a Bears fan looking to find a large book that will have the  cheering and excitement of a playoff game. After doing some quick research, Hilton's book looks like it might be the play. Any thoughts?

2) How early do I have to get there to get a seat with 3 other buddies?

3) Do all the books hand out drink tickets if your wagering?

4) Random question- if i wanted to watch a college basketball game on Fox sports midwest would I be able to do that or am I SOL?

Thanks in advance!

Vegas sets the line to facilitate equal betting on both sides, I want to know who the hell is taking the Lions and why?

How is this line only -4? Detriot is not a good team, they will be starting a 3rd string quarterback and are pretty dinged up and have struggled pretty bad this season.

The Bears are clicking on all cylinders right now, particularly Cutler, who is playing smarter and the Bears defense has been lights out recently. Bears fans always travel well to Detroit, and now that we're in first place plus NIU played in the MAC championship game last night (at Ford field) expect the crowd to be atleast 30-40% Bears fans and vocal.

Yes I'm a Bears fan, but I need someone to talk me out of making a very large play on the Bears. I just don't understand the line.

ISU is a great 3 point shooting team as well. I like this play

I would be careful with this one, perhaps bet on Indy State as part of a teaser as this will not be a blowout either way, but the Sycamores are playing horrible to start the season.

SIU -3.5

Game is in Carbondale, SIU is unraveling its newly renovated arena.

Northeastern is only returning one starter from a 20 win team last year (point guard that finished runner up for POY). Northeastern just squeaked out a victory over Boston U.

SIU is losing I think 3 or 4 starters as well, ncluding their prized recruits Booker and Dillard from a couple of years ago via tranfers. However, they have a solid bench to step up and even though they got beat up pretty bad during the second half at Illinois Saturday, I think Illinois is a sleeper this year and that speaks to their talent.

With that said, I don't see SIU losing this game at home, 3.5 or 4 points should be enough to take the Salukis. SIU will strugle in the Valley but should take care of Northeastern at home.

I am... Also, want some action on the game since its going to rain.

I use Bodog and Bookmaker, I don't see any lines up for games against FCS schools. Do these typically go up last minute or am I SOL for these games?

Quote Originally Posted by remdaddy21:

Not the best Friday selection, but with that said Northern Iowa -1.5 is your easy money tonight. Fire it up and thank me tomorrow!! Also like Cornell alot. Bet em large and make it another sweat-free night. Holla!!!!

I agree that UNI wins but do note that UNI's best player and potential POY candidate Jordan Egleseder will not play due to supsension because of a DUI. He's a dominent big man. UNI has the shooters to compensate but if they come out shooting cold, the Panthers are in trouble.

Both lines have moved...

ISU -2

WSU -8.5

Northern Iowa at Illinois State, ESPN2 3 PM Central

UNI has definately proven to be the better team this season. HOWEVER, ISU was 0-3 against them last year, including 3 close games, a double OT loss and another OT loss in the Valley championship game in St. Louis. The team is pissed off about the way the season ended and UNI is to blame. ISU's point guard who has been on a tear the past 3 games was quoted in the paper this week...

“I don’t know about everyone else, but my fire has been burning for
them since we left St. Louis,” said Phillips. “We can’t wait. Don’t
worry – I’ll have the whole team ready for this one. If I see
someone not ready, we might have to fight.”

UNI has 2 solid big men in Adam Koch and Jordan Egsleder are solid big men. At closer look this season they won a bunch of relatively close games in which they oversized thier opponents. ISU has two studs named Dinma Odiakosa and Jackie Charmichael (freshman). Jackie is on a tear the last few games, both will butt heads with UNI's slow tempo and will pose serious problems for UNI on offense on defense. On the perimeter ISU has a pissed off point guard senior (see quote above) who had two career nights in the past 3 games and preseason POY Osiris Eldridge, by far the best player on the team who almost single handedly won the game for ISU last year against UNI in St. Louis.

Bottom line, I am not a big believer in retaliation games or momentum but this team has had this game circled since the first weekend last March when UNI stole their chance at dancing in OT. I'll admit UNI is the best team in the Valley (ISU is top 3) but there is no way ISU loses this game at home on national TV after what happened last year.

ILSTU   Pick

WSU   -7.5

Stay away from everything else in the Valley today.