1. Mike Shanahan

Mike Shanahan is a sexy choice for a number of teams right now, because his track record is one of a very successful coach - and there are plenty of teams with worse coaches right now. How good would Shanahan look in Buffalo? Consider some of the previous coaches: Gregg Williams, Wade Phillips, Mike Mularkey and Dick Jauron. Sports betting fans would again start backing the Bills.

2. Jon Gruden

This is probably an outside candidate, especially since he just signed an extension with ESPN to stay on the Monday Night Football crew, but he did immediately say that he will coach again in the future. Would he coach in Buffalo? Probably not. He seems to like the warm weather programs and the Bills don’t have a quarterback to mentor.

3. Mike Martz

Now this is a move that would actually make sense, to some extent. While the Bills don’t have an offensive line, they do have plenty of weapons such as Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch. Yet one thing the Bills have failed to do in recent years is be entertaining; Martz could do exactly that. You know that it’d take him about two weeks to find a quarterback, and if they got a line that would protect, the Bills could be a high-scoring outfit in no time. If you bet sports, don’t bet on it happening but this is one move that would make sense.

4. Some Guy You Don’t Know/Expect

It seems like the Buffalo Bills do this more than any other team. Not many NFL picks saw Mike Mularkey coming or even Dick Jauron, so they will probably do the same. With Ralph Wilson keeping his hand in the cookie jar, he’s likely to find someone that we wouldn’t expect. Tom Walsh, anybody? What about Sherman Lewis? Maybe it’s time they give good ‘ol Bobby April a shot.

5. Terrell Owens

Why not? NFL betting fans know that there’s no other real reason why the Bills signed him. Owner Ralph Wilson even said that he made the move to make headlines, so why not make some more by putting Owens as the coach? Yes, it would be a train wreck, but how would you describe the Dick Jauron era?

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1^st Overall – Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The sportsbook favorite at this point would be Ndamukong Suh, who is the best defensive tackle in the nation, but as we all know, a quarterback has more value than a tackle. Jimmy Clausen has arguably been the best quarterback in the nation this year, even if the Fighting Irish have been struggling. He’s smart, he’s efficient, he comes from a pro style offense and he’s worked with a coach who was an excellent offensive coordinator in the NFL. That will appeal to many teams.

2^nd Overall – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska Cornhuskers

This might be high for Suh, who is an excellent defensive tackle. The NFL has turned into a passing league, and NFL betting fans have to agree that a great defensive end is more valuable than a great defensive tackle nowadays.

3^rd Overall – Russell Okung, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Going with the previous point, a potential bookend left tackle will provide plenty of value to NFL teams. When you look at who may be drafting near the top of the board – teams like the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs – you quickly see that they would snatch up a star like Okung. Although Oklahoma State has been a huge disappointment this year, their stud left tackle has been as advertised.

4^th Overall – Eric Berry, Tennessee Volunteers

Internet betting cappers are well aware of Eric Berry, who is one of the best defensive backs in the nation. On top of that, he spent his last season at Tennessee under the tutelage of a great defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, which is only going to help his value out even more. There isn’t much that Berry doesn’t do on the football field: he’s a ball hawk, he’s a sure tackler and he’s got blazing speed. He is the type of player that will be a Rookie of the Year candidate early on.

5^th Overall – Jake Locker, Washington Huskies

We all know the value of quarterbacks, so online betting cappers shouldn’t be too surprised to see Locker in the top five. Teams like St. Louis, Cleveland, Washington and maybe even Oakland will be looking for a new starter and Locker will provide a good option. Even the Buffalo Bills might be in the mix. If Sam Bradford were to leave college early and if his healthy concerns checked out, he could be in line for this slot instead of Locker.

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Sportsbook players know that the NCAA basketball betting season is pretty slow until the conference portion of the schedule begins, but there are usually a handful of games involving the nation’s best. Here’s the cream of the crop to fill up your December with.

Michigan State at North Carolina (December 1^st)

In a rematch of last year’s national-championship game, the Spartans will be out to exact some revenge on the Tar Heels, who no longer have Ty Lawson running the show. Instead, it’ll be Larry Drew III who has the task of chasing Lucas around, but the Tar Heels will have the advantage in the post. Carolina has won six of eight against the Spartans, including the last four, which is good sportsbook knowledge to have.

North Carolina at Kentucky (December 5^th)

Sportsbook betting players will get their first big-game look at Kentucky coach John Calipari and point guard John Wall, who some say will be the top pick in the NBA draft if he decides to leave school. Most will be watching  to see how the Wildcats adapt to Calipari’s dribble-drive offense that was so effective at Memphis, and they get to test it against another top-10 team in the Tar Heels, who have won their last five against Kentucky.

North Carolina at Texas (December 19^th)

The defending national champions will head to Dallas to play the Longhorns in the new Cowboys Stadium, and the last time they played basketball in a football stadium, it was during March Madness last year. These two have met only twice, and Texas has won both, although the highest margin of victory was three points. It’ll be interesting to see how Texas’ Damion James fares in the post against UNC’s Ed Davis. Unlike this Saturday’s Pacquiao vs Cotto odds, there won’t be a heavy favorite in this slugfest.

Michigan State at Texas (December 22^nd)

It doesn’t get easy for the Longhorns, as they host the Spartans three days later. This will be the first major test for Texas’ heralded freshman guard Avery Bradley, who will be going up against Michigan State’s Kalin Lucas, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year and the main reason for the Spartans’ Final Four run last year. As two of the top three teams in the preseason rankings, sportsbook players will want to pay close attention to this game. These two have played five times since 1999, with Michigan State taking the last three, including a pair at Texas. Only one of those games have been decided by 10 points or more, so watch the posted total in your online betting book.

Louisville at Kentucky (January 2^nd)

Purdue-West Virginia on New Year’s Day is a great matchup of college basketball betting sleepers, but it has to take a backseat to one of the best rivalries in college basketball that got better the second Calipari signed on to coach Kentucky. Louisville coach Rick Pitino won a national title at Kentucky in 1996 and lost in the ’97 title game, but his legacy has definitely been tarnished with Wildcat fans after signing with their state rivals. Calipari and Pitino are probably the highest-profile coaches in the nation, and oh yeah, there’ll be a ton of talent on the floor as both are ranked in the preseason top 20 and have solid internet betting odds for the national title.

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Pacquiao Cotto betting. Couture vs Vera. What a weekend for fight fans.

Dang it! Turns out the boxing world and UFC still can’t get along. They’re counter programming against each other this Saturday, forcing us to choose which event to watch. All we can do is break down the two events based on various fun factors and try to make a decision. Let’s see if we can come to a verdict by answer the following questions:

Which event is more significant for its sport?

The Pacquiao fight, without a doubt. Not only are Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto both putting titles on the line, many fight fans also feel this bout is the final bridge to the fight of the decade. If Manny Pacquiao wins, he’ll almost certainly draw undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. next.

UFC 105 features no title fights. The headliners, Randy Couture and Brandon Vera, are top-five guys in the light heavyweight division at best, though you never know if Dana White will just hand Couture another title shot. The bigger UFC fight is the Mike Swick/Dan Hardy bout, which will determine the No. 1 welterweight contender.

Edge: Pacquiao fight

Which event is easier on the wallet?

UFC 105 – because it’s free. It’s no coincidence that Dana White scheduled a cable TV event on Spike featuring Randy Couture on the same night as the Pacquiao fight. Sportsbook bettors should expect him to do that many more times.

Edge: UFC 105

Which event’s undercard bouts offer more entertainment?

UFC 105’s. Because the event takes place in England, Dana White has loaded the card with British fighters – pretty much all of whom are brawlers who like to do nothing but punch. Hardy, Michael Bisping, Paul Kelly and Paul Taylor should all be fired up in front of some very rowdy fans. UFC 105 thus probably offers more consistent entertainment over three hours.

Edge: UFC 105

Which event is better to watch with a big group of friends?

UFC 105. It seems like very UFC card in England has fireworks – the type of battles that result in big knockouts and make you and your buddies yell “OHHH!”

Edge: UFC 105

Which even is better to watch on your own?

The Pacquiao fight. It’s a pleasure to watch the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and you’ll appreciate Pac-Man even more if you get to watch him uninterrupted and just listen to the commentary.

Edge: Pacquiao fight

THE VERDICT

If you’re looking for a fun, cheap, wild affair, you should definitely opt for UFC 105. However, if you’re a die-hard sports fan or online betting sharp, Pacquiao vs Cotto is the “can’t-miss” event. It features two world-class fighters in their prime, each of whom has an exciting, aggressive style. If you miss UFC 105, no problem – UFC 106 is a week later. You’re better off spending the extra bucks and ordering the boxing match this time around. Enjoy the fights and don’t forget the Patriots vs Colts NFL odds this Sunday night! That could be the best sporting event of all this weekend.

Pick: Pacquiao fight

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Everyone in the sportsbook world thinks that they know who the participants in the BCS Championship Game will be: Texas, and the winner of the possible Florida-Alabama showdown for the SEC crown. Who else could sneak in through the back and overcome some major NCAA football odds?

Iowa (+1500)

The No.4 Hawkeyes are one of the biggest surprises of the year, and they don’t win pretty: seven of their nine wins have been by 11 points or less. This could come back to bite the Hawkeyes, especially as the Big Ten isn’t known as the power conference it once was (thanks for getting blown out in two straight BCS title games, Ohio State). The Hawkeyes first have to get past their visit to Ohio State next weekend, and then if they make it to the Rose Bowl as the Big Ten champions, they’ll most likely have to blow out their opponents for their NCAA football odds to be considered.

TCU (+2000)

The No.6 Horned Frogs, out of the Mountain West, should thank Utah for making a fuss about the smaller conferences being left out of the BCS title race after last year, and they’re powered by the No.1 defense in the country. They beat Clemson and Virginia on the road, and they also went to then-No.16 BYU and spanked the Cougars 38-7. Their last tough game comes next weekend at home against Utah, and if they get past the Utes, keep an eye on their NCAA football odds.

Boise State (+2000)

The No.7 Broncos are praying that Oregon keeps winning, because their season-opening win over the Ducks is their only strong victory. The Broncos are balanced, coming in 10^th in defense in 21^st in offense, but their schedule is weaker than a child with swine flu. Their conference, the WAC, has just hired a PR firm to help the Broncos’ bid for the BCS, but will that help Boise State be one of the NCAA football picks for the big bowls?

Cincinnati (+3000)

The No.5 Bearcats are quietly rolling through the Big East, even with an injury to quarterback Tony Pike. Their signature wins came on the road at Oregon State and South Florida, which isn’t all that great. But they have a great chance to sway from voters when they host West Virginia next Friday night, as well as their road trip to No.13 Pittsburgh to end the season. A win over the Panthers would surely boost their online betting odds.

LSU (+5000)

The Tigers have a loss to No.1 Florida, but they can blow the title race wide open if they were to upset No.3 Alabama on the road this weekend. Even the loss to Florida was only by 10 points at home, so it’s really not that bad. The Alabama game is their last chance to show voters what they have, because the road trip to Ole Miss isn’t as important due to the Rebels, well, sucking this year. Still, this weekend’s clash with the Crimson Tide could definitely shake up the internet sports betting lines in the NCAA.

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