August 24, 2006 (Chicago, Il) – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have been getting a ton of press this off-season with the return of Brady Quinn to the helm and the momentum that has been established under second year boss Charlie Weiss. They take to the road for their first tilt with a game in Atlanta against a very underrated Georgia Tech team and the line sits at ND – 7 ˝ .
I would assume most of those who like football betting are not going to be too shy playing the road favorite with their sportsbook of choice since the spread should hit 9 by game time. Considering the fact that this club was 5-0 on the road in 2005 including wins at Washington, Stanford, Purdue, and Michigan and are 11-2-1 lifetime in the Peach State and you can be guaranteed that the money will come rolling in thanks to the Catholic boys.
Weiss is a former assistant to Bill Parcells and Bill Bellichick and likes the idea of going into another team’s den as it comes with fewer distractions. It is basically the team in the dressing room mentality with none of the hangers-on or dignitaries distracting the young athlete’s focus. Weiss has even moved the team indoors and cranked the heat up to almost unbearable conditions to simulate the muggy conditions that will be prevalent in Atlanta come September 2nd.
Personally speaking, I think this line is a trap and has all the makings of an upset as the cupboard is hardly empty when referring to the talent that the Yellow Jackets possess. They have quite possibly the most talented wideout in the nation in Calvin Johnson and their senior quarterback Reggie Ball is no stranger to big games.
If the Yellow Jackets are to deliver the conference championship which their fans avidly desire, they are going to find six new starters including replacements for key personnel such as Eric Henderson, Gerris Wilkinson, and Chris Reis.
With the return of DT Darryl Richard from a knee injury that cost him the entire 2005 season, the Jackets appear to be set on the defensive line. So much so that coach Chan Gailey was comfortable enough to move DT Mansfield Wrotto from defense to offense for his senior season. Wilkinson is the lone loss at linebacker giving the Jackets a solid nucleus in their front seven.
The secondary, however, is a major concern.
Tech has been to eight consecutive bowl games, a school record, but since going 10-2 in 1998 the Yellow Jackets haven't enjoyed the kind of breakthrough season that would earn them a BCS bowl berth or top national ranking.
Gailey has been 7-6, 7-6, 7-5 and 7-5 in his four seasons. On paper the Jackets would seem to be in good position to break free of that monotonous mediocrity, but the schedule could work against them. Yes, it’s going to be another busy season in sports betting.
Be careful that the Leprechaun does not get ambushed!
Bob Acton
Sports Betting
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Bob is an experienced sports writer and handicapper, who has written for the sports industry for over 10 years. His years of writing for Sports Scene, sports consulting on 33 Made for Television and Major Motion Pictures and his work as an instructor at Pro Teach Baseball Academy, have made Bob a trusted and respected source in the sports world.
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