NCAA steps up and cracks down

NCAA Football Betting Lines

09/09/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The old adage "better late than never" does not always ring true. However, after years of turning a blind eye to the seedy practices at play in college sports, the NCAA has recently gone on a crusade for which the sport of football, in particular, is paying a heavy price this year.

Unscrupulous activities in college athletics have been a Hollywood punchline forever (i.e. One on One, Blue Chips, He Got Game, The Program, Johnny Be Good), and many years after those films were created, the NCAA has apparently amplified its effort to meet the issues head on, culminating in a record number of inquiries, investigations, suspensions and dismissals.

USC's transgressions during the Reggie Bush years, and subsequent punishment, represent just the tip of the iceberg it seems.

The SEC has now made its way into the NCAA crosshairs, and it looks like the body is intent on making an example of the nation's top conference. Illegal practices on the campuses of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina have come to light recently, and only time will tell what other programs join the party and what the fallout will be.

The Bulldogs will be without the services of perhaps the nation's top wide receiver for one-third of the season, as All-American A.J. Green has been handed a four-game suspension for selling his Independence Bowl jersey to an individual who is regarded as an agent by the NCAA definition.

Green is certainly saying all the right things, indicating he has learned from his mistake.

"I want to apologize to my coaches, teammates, and the Georgia fans for the mistake in judgment," Green said in a statement. "I very much regret all that has taken place and the distraction that's been caused. I've learned a valuable lesson and hope others can learn from my mistake. I can only focus my attention now on practicing and looking ahead to getting back with my teammates as quickly as possible."

It may be a costly lesson learned for head coach Mark Richt and his Bulldogs, especially since they open up SEC play this weekend against South Carolina.

At the same time, Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks have their own issues in terms of an NCAA investigation and sanctions, with the indefinite absence of tight end Weslye Saunders having brought the team unwanted headlines. The senior, who is linked to a national probe regarding illegal agent activity, is not the only Gamecock coming under scrutiny. At least six other South Carolina players are being investigated regarding their living arrangements at a local hotel.

The NCAA made a stop in Gainesville this summer as well, looking into possible impropriety surrounding money given to All-American center Maurkice Pouncey by an agent prior to last year's Sugar Bowl. It remains to be seen what impact that investigation will have on the Gators' program.

The focus of the NCAA's wrath has extended beyond the SEC, and the program hit the hardest has probably been North Carolina. Butch Davis was missing quite a few star players for the season-opener against LSU, and it definitely played a role in the narrow loss to the Tigers. All-American candidates Robert Quinn and Marvin Austin are regarded as two of the top down linemen in all of college, but both are under NCAA investigation for alleged interaction with an agent, as well as their work with a tutor who may have done papers for some UNC players. Davis was forced to use what amounted to a skeleton crew in the season-opener, as the team was also without RBs Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston, WR Greg Little, CBs Kendric Burney and Charles Brown and S Deunta Williams. The investigation has taken its toll on Davis' staff as well, with associate head coach John Blake stepping down.

The NCAA has also beaten a path back to its familiar territory of Tuscaloosa, with the two-game suspension handed down to star Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus the latest controversy for a program that has had its fair share of it over the years. Once again, it centers around alleged contact with an agent. The defending national champs will be just fine on the field awaiting Dareus' return, but an All-American candidate on the shelf for a defending national champion hardly enhances the positive P.R. profile of college football.

I guess the NCAA should be given some credit for finally deciding that enough is enough. Painting the problem with a broad brush and being heavy-handed in delivering punishment is way overdue. The pandemic of "breaking the rules" wasn't created in a day and it will take a lot longer than that to fix it.

For now though, at least the NCAA has made a stand.

Freeporm NCAA Football Betting News

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Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS

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NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.

Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

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