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Stanford Oregon Betting – Saturday, October 2nd, 8:00 PM ET

The No.9 Cardinal (4-0) showed a great killer instinct, scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter of a 37-14 romp at Notre Dame. Andrew Luck didn’t have his best game, going 19-of-32 for 238 yards, a touchdown and a pair of picks, but Stepfan Taylor stepped up with 108 yards on the ground for the Cardinal, who had 404 yards of total offense. The Cardinal also committed three turnovers, but they forced two and held the Fighting Irish to 351 yards, including a mere 44 on the ground. Nate Whitaker also nailed all five of his field-goal attempts for Stanford.

The No.4 Ducks (4-0) managed to escape Arizona State with a 42-31 win, mostly because the defense forced an outstanding seven turnovers out of the Sun Devils. That’s the only way they could have won because Arizona State hung 597 yards of offense on the Ducks, and they never let Oregon run away with it. Darron Thomas was 19-of-33 for 260 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, while LaMichael James had 114 yards and a score on the ground for the Ducks. Some online football betting players thought that the Ducks would take a step back when Jeremiah Masoli was kicked off the team, and while they’ve done very well, the Arizona State game brought up some concerns.

Betting services have the Ducks as a 7-point favorite at home, where they’ve won four of their last five against the Cardinal, and they’re a decent 3-2 ATS in those games. The Oregon defense showed some weaknesses last week, but they’ve probably had an intense week of practice, and they’ll look to take away James, forcing Thomas to beat them. But Oregon’s biggest advantage is Autzen Stadium, where they’ve won their last 12 and haven’t lost since falling 37-32 against Boise State back in 2008. Pound for pound, Autzen may be the loudest stadium in the country and the Ducks put up tons of points there. They also distract the opposing team, and if Luck can steer the Cardinal to a win there, he’ll be in the running for the Heisman. However, we think James will have a big day, whether Stanford keys in on him or not. Take the Ducks to cover when you’re betting online on Saturday.

When Pittsburgh starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for the first four games of the season for being a sexual predator, many NFL betting experts left the Steelers for dead. Based on past performances, the Steelers cannot win without Roethlisberger and there was a genuine fear that the Steelers would be 0-4 and out of the playoff hunt by the time Ben got back.

In the first game of the season the Steelers tried veteran Byron Leftwich at quarterback, but Leftwich was injured early and third-year man Dennis Dixon came in. The Steelers won that game. To keep the good vibes going the Steelers started Dixon in week two. Dixon played very well but he was injured for the season and Charlie Batch came in to win the game.

When Leftwich was ready to play in week three, head coach Mike Tomlin decided that playing the momentum game was working so he put in Charlie Batch for week three. The Steelers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-13 with Charlie Batch throwing for three touchdowns. There is no question as to who will start at quarterback for the Steelers against the Ravens in week 4; it will be Charlie Batch. The only question is whether or not Tomlin will sit batch after the bye in week 5 and put Roethlisberger back in, or if Tomlin will keep playing the momentum game and let Batch keep starting.

The football betting in Baltimore was pretty gloomy for the first two weeks of the season. With the first snap from center of the season, Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco dropped back in the pocket, held the ball way too long and was hammered by the Jets defense. The Jets went on to hand the first game of the season to the Ravens. The Ravens lost to the Bengals in week two behind a four-interception performance by Flacco. Linebacker and team leader Ray Lewis was angry, and things were not good in Baltimore.

Flacco pulled it together for week three and the Ravens beat the Cleveland Browns 24-17. The Browns showed a lot of improvement over last season, but the Ravens were just too much for Cleveland as the Baltimore defense smothered the Browns offense.

In this game Charlie Batch leads the Steelers against the Ravens, and this will be a very tight game. The NFL predictions surrounding this game will jump back and forth between the Ravens and the Steelers. The Steelers need to continue to establish their offensive identity in this game and that identity is running back Rashard Mendenhall. The Ravens will continue to lean on Flacco and the Baltimore passing game.

This will be a smash-mouth defensive struggle that will be a joy for any football fan to watch. The determining factor will be poise on offense, and that belongs to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers 21-10

South Carolina Auburn Betting – Saturday, September 25th, 7:45 PM ET

The No.12 Gamecocks (3-0) got the job done in a 38-19 win over Furman, but to be honest, the scoreline should have been a lot higher in favor of South Carolina. Stephen Garcia was 13-of-20 for 150 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw a couple of picks on the day. The Gamecocks got another solid game from freshman running back Marcus Lattimore, who had 19 carries for 97 yards, and they’ll probably look for him a lot against the Tigers. But there are a couple of worries for online football betting players looking to back South Carolina, namely, their passing defense: they’re 101st in the nation in that category, and they gave up 274 yards against Furman.

The No.17 Tigers (3-0) fell behind 17-0, managed a field goal by halftime, then fought back to tie it up before a 39-yard field goal gave them a 27-24 overtime win at home over Clemson in a battle of the Tigers. Cam Newton was 7-of-14 for 203 yards, two touchdowns and a pair of picks, while running 17 times for 68 yards for Auburn, who had 221 yards on the ground. Newton is still obviously still a work in progress when it comes to passing, but his scrambling ability buys him time, and his passing will improve throughout the year. Those who make NFL picks will have their eye on Newton throughout his college career.

Football betting odds will show that the Tigers are a 3-point favorite at home, and the Gamecocks have visited Jordan-Dare Stadium just twice, a 28-24 loss in 1996 and a 48-7 trouncing in 2005. In four meetings, Auburn has come out on top, and they should make it five as the Gamecocks won’t be able to control Newton, who takes at least two players with him wherever he goes. That will challenge a South Carolina rushing defense that is 6th in the country, and if they stack the line, Newton will pick them apart. The Auburn defense is more balanced and they’ll be able to keep Garcia quiet, leading to what should be a comfortable win. Steve Spurrier’s South Carolina teams have never been great on the road (3-7 in their last 10), so we’re taking Auburn at home for a victory in your online sportsbook.

The NFL betting experts picked the Baltimore Ravens to be one of the favorites to emerge from the AFC and perhaps find themselves in the AFC championship game. That hinged on the continuing development of quarterback Joe Flacco. In the offseason, the Ravens spent money on players such as wide receivers Donte Stallworth and Anquan Boldin to give Flacco more options to throw to. After the first two games of the season, it seems as though Flacco prefers to throw to opposing players rather than his own re-vamped offense.

In two games this season, Joe Flacco has already thrown five interceptions. Despite a lackluster performance in week one by the Baltimore offense, the Ravens won their opener against the New York Jets 10-9. But with a four interception performance in week two against the Cincinnati Bengals, and another uninspired showing by the Ravens offense, it may be time to start thinking about Marc Bulger running the Ravens offense.

The Ravens need to be careful that the NFL scores after week three are not deceiving. The Cleveland Browns defense is capable of giving up a big game to Flacco and the Baltimore offense, but that may not mean that all is right with the Ravens offense. Joe Flacco has looked indecisive, uninspired and confused playing in this Ravens offense this year. He holds the ball way too long, and many of his throwing decisions are ill-timed with his throws being off-target.

This week the NFL picks crowd will have to wait and see who plays quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Seneca Wallace played a respectable game against the Kansas City Chiefs in week two, but a lack of a running game seemed to hamper the Cleveland chances of putting points on the board. Starting quarterback Jake Delhomme is still nursing a bad ankle, but his status for week three is not yet known. Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy did not show anything in the preseason that would make him considered the starter over Seneca Wallace.

This Ravens defense will attack the Cleveland offense hard in this game. The Baltimore defense may be able to win this game on their own with points off turnovers and keeping the Browns down to a limited number of scoring chances. The only thing the Ravens defense may have to content with is their own offense giving the game away through turnovers.

The Ravens should win this game easily, but it is important that the Baltimore coaching staff not let a good showing in this game make them content that their offense is on the right track.

Pick: Baltimore Ravens 31-10

"The recipient of the New England Patriots, Randy Moss had a receiving touchdown in the defeat of his team 28-14 to the New York Jets. With this, Moss reached 150 touchdowns in his career by joining the members of the Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (208) and Emmitt Smith (175) and the Jets running Daini THE TOMLINSON (153) as the only players in history the NFL betting with at least 150 touchdowns.

"Since joining the Patriots in 2007, Moss has 48 touchdown receptions in his first 50 games with the club. This total represents the most touchdown catches for a player (rookie or veteran) in a new team in NFL history.

"The rookie running back Detroit Lions, BEST Yahweh got 78 yards and two touchdowns and nine catches for 154 yards and a touchdown in the 35-32 home loss to Philadelphia. Best is the first rookie with at least 75 yards rushing, 150 carriers and three touchdowns in one game. The corridor is also the first player who achieves this feat since 1981 (Joe Cribbs).

"In his first two games the rookie has scored five times, and as such is the only rookie to do so since BILLY SIMS did in 1980.

"The Best 154 yards are the highest total for a rookie receiver in the era of the Super Bowl.

"Houston receiver Andre Johnson had 12 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown in the victory of the Texans and now has 14 games with at least 10 receptions and 100 yards in his career, tying Marvin Harrison as the second most of these games in NFL history. The Hall of Fame Jerry Rice holds the record with 15 games of this type.

-Antonio Gates, tight end for the San Diego Chargers had two touchdown receptions in San Diego's 38-13 victory over Jacksonville. With these two, Gates came to 62, surpassing Jerry Smith (60) and tying Shannon Sharpe (62) as tight ends with the second-most touchdown receptions.

Iowa vs. Arizona Betting – Saturday, September 18th, 10:30 PM ET

The No.9 Hawkeyes (2-0) rolled to a 35-7 rout of Iowa State at home, dominating the Cyclones on both sides of the ball. Ricky Stanzi was 11-of-18 for 204 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Hawkeyes, who had as many yards on the ground as the Cyclones had overall (275). Adam Robinson averaged 11.1 yards on 14 carries to go with a score, and with that kind of balance, the Hawkeyes can go far. Defensively, they’re as tough as ever as the Hawkeyes forced three turnovers and didn’t allow points until 1:51 left in the fourth quarter. Those who keep track of NFL scores may compare Iowa to Baltimore: they’re as physically tough as anyone in the country, and their offense has the ability to get points when they’re needed.

The No.24 Wildcats (2-0) trounced Citadel 52-6 at home, and this game was essentially over by halftime, when Arizona was up 24-0. Nick Foles was 17-of-22 for 214 yards, a touchdown and a pick, but it was on the ground where the Wildcats mauled the Bulldogs. Arizona ran for 214 yards, including 107 yards on 11 carries by Nic Grigsby, who added three scores for the Wildcats. Arizona outgained Citadel 489-171, and the Wildcats also forced three turnovers, while committing one themselves.

Betting services have the Hawkeyes as a 1.5-point favorite on the road, where they have won seven of their last nine games, which is the mark of a well-coached team. The Hawkeyes have won two of their three meetings with the Wildcats, including a 27-17 victory at home last year. The Hawkeyes wore down the Wildcats by holding the ball for over 37 minutes, and while Stanzi didn’t have his best game, he managed it well, which is all Iowa needs with a defense like there. The Wildcats have played Toledo and Citadel, so it’s tough to get a read on what they’re really like. Iowa hasn’t had much to test them either, but we know what they’re all about: a veteran team who isn’t going to beat themselves. We’re not sold on the Wildcats to be able to handle the moment, which is why we’re taking Iowa to cover the spread when you’re betting online.

But since 2007, Anderson seems to have lost his touch as an NFL quarterback. The man with the rocket arm uses that rocket arm for 50-yard passes and 5-yard passes. His accuracy has been suspect, and his decision-making has been questionable. He had enough talent to beat out Matt Leinart for the starting job in Arizona, but that does not mean that Anderson has re-gained his Pro Bowl abilities.

The Atlanta Falcons are still fuming after their overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in week one. Quarterback Matt Ryan seemed to make the transition from being a part of NCAA football betting results to the pro game easily in his rookie year. Ryan even managed to avoid the sophomore slump last season by having a decent year. But something seemed to slip between Ryan’s first and second year, and now that slip seems to be happening again in 2010.

The Cardinals won their opening game of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals more based on the mistakes made by St. Louis rookie quarterback Sam Bradford than on anything the Cardinals did. Bradford did throw for 253 yards in his NFL debut, but he also threw three interceptions as well. Each interception gave the Cardinals good field position, and each interception was the result of a poorly thrown ball.

The online football betting experts expect Sam Bradford to improve. For everything that Bradford did wrong in his debut, he did show signs of progress. Derek Anderson made many of the same mistakes in the Cardinals’ opening game that he made all preseason. The Cardinals defense held the team in their opening game and allowed Anderson and the offense to make the plays they needed to barely win the game.

The Falcons defense really only made one glaring mistake in their opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately for Atlanta, Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall took that one mistake to the endzone for the game winning touchdown in overtime. Luckily for the Falcons they are not playing an offense like the Steelers in this game.

The thing that will help the Falcons secondary is Anderson’s accuracy problems. Arizona wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston would be a threat to any defense if they had a quarterback that could get the ball to them.

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan will be looking to get back on track in this game against the Cardinals. He still has a potent offense around him that should be able to put points on the board against the Arizona defense. Atlanta running back Michael Turner will also be looking to put up more than 42 rushing yards this week, which is what the Steelers held him to in the opening game.

Pick: Atlanta Falcons 35-23

Miami Ohio State Betting – Saturday, September 11th, 3:40 PM ET

The No.13 Hurricanes made short work of Florida A&M in a 45-0 thrashing that was over by halftime, when Miami was up by 35 points. Jacory Harris shook off the rust by going 12-of-15 for 210 yards and three touchdowns for the Hurricanes, who had the ball for only 24:37 of the game, but they racked up 405 yards and 23 first downs against the Rattlers, who managed just 110 yards and eight first downs against Miami. College football is a much better place when “The U” is involved in the national picture, and they have a massive chance to stake their claim this weekend in Columbus. Those who are betting NFL odds will remember what kind of factory Miami was for the pros, and the talent level is getting back.

The No.2 Buckeyes rolled to a 45-7 victory over Marshall, and like Miami, Ohio state had this game wrapped up by halftime with a 35-7 lead, which allowed them to save their starters for this week. Terrelle Pryor went 17-of-25 for 247 yards and three touchdowns, while Brandon Saine ran nine times for 103 yards and a pair of scores for the Buckeyes, who hung 529 yards on the Thundering Herd. Defensively, the Buckeyes are thought to have one of the best defenses in the country, and they held Marshall to 199 yards on the day.

Football betting odds have the Buckeyes as a 9-point favorite, and these two have split a pair of meetings in their history: a 23-12 win for the Hurricanes in Columbus back in 1999, and of course, the Fiesta Bowl win in Arizona in 2003. The Buckeyes are solid at home, but they’ve struggled in big games in recent memory, either in non-conference action or in bowl games. Last year’s win in the Rose Bowl was seemingly their first big win in years, and while they’ll probably go on to win the game straight up, a nine-point spread is a lot against a Miami team that can play with anyone on both sides of the ball, as they showed by going 3-1 last year while playing four ranked teams to begin the season. These Hurricanes are tough and won’t allow the game to get away from them.

Online sports betting pick: Miami +9

Boise State Virginia Tech Betting – Monday, September 6, 8:00 PM ET

The No.3 Broncos ended 2009 unbeaten, edging TCU in the Fiesta Bowl to go 14-0, and 21 of the starters from last year’s team are back, including quarterback Kellen Moore, who figures to be a Heisman candidate. But he’s got a lot of help with him, like running back Jeremy Avery and his top six receivers. The offensive line has been kind of shaky for the Broncos, and that’ll be the one area to watch at Boise State. Defensively, the Broncos lost cornerback Kyle Wilson (those who are betting on NFL lines will recognize him from the Jets), and coordinator Justin Wilcox bailed for Tennessee, but the Broncos should be fine without either.

The Hokies were 10-3 after romping over Tennessee in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, and strangely, offense may be their strength. Tyrod Taylor is going into his senior year, and only two current quarterbacks have won more games in their career (Boise State’s Moore is one of them). He is one of seven starters back for the Hokies, and they’ll have to carry the team for the first part of the season as there are only starters back on that side of the ball. One of those starters, linebacker Barquell Rivers, may not even bet ready for this game as he is slowly recovering from a quadriceps injury that happened months ago.

Online football betting odds have the Broncos as a 2-point favorite at a “neutral site”, although FedEx Field is much, much closer to Virginia Tech than it is to Boise State. The Hokies have tried this before, inviting USC to play them at FedEx Field in 2004, and they lost 24-13. This game should go something like that, as the Broncos are just too deep, and the Hokies have a lot of questions on defense and special teams. The latter is something that the Hokies pride themselves on, and while Taylor has a lot of wins and is improving a lot as a throwing quarterback, he can’t do it on his own against a team like Boise State, who have a knack of never showing nerves in big games.

Online sports betting pick: Boise State -2