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Bob Acton Profile and Articles
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1). 02/09/06 Could Be a Betting Bonanza For Football Fans
September 2, 2006 will be a special day in college football as the PAC 10 invades the unfriendly confines of SEC country, for a tripleheader that will quickly define who has a powerful conference in 2006.
This is USC coach Pete Carroll's year to re-load and before anyone feels too sorry for him understand that the two players vying to replace Leinart were both regarded as the top prep quarterback in America their senior years.
2). A Vicious Cat Fight In The Desert Is Looming!
I’m falling all over myself these days as my mind is swirling 24/7 thanks to the upcoming College Football season and like all of you I am looking for that diamond in the rough this weekend. I have been all over the USC – Arkansas match-up for months and truly believe that the Trojans are walking into a hornet’s nest!
In Georgia, the line on the Notre Dame - Georgia Tech game has me looking the Yellow Jackets’ way as considering how much publicity Charlie Weiss, Brady Quinn, and the boys have been getting, I thought the Irish would be -10.
3). American Idol Betting Odds: when will you American Idol fans start listening?
Everyone snickered a month ago when there were still 8 singers in contention for the coveted American Idol crown and at 18-1, I must have been the only person in the world that suggested you plunk down so hard earned cash on Elliot Yamin. Yesterday highly touted publications were predicting the demise of my main man.
I mean even one of my own employer’s followed up my so called perceived ridiculous statement, with a rebuttal from another writer.
4). Are The Fighting Irish An Overlay In Georgia?
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 ½ .
5). Are The Padres Pulling Away For Good?
Whether it’s the AL West or the NL West in MLB, the level of play seems to drop off substantially when rating the various divisions. In the AL West, the LA Angels and the Oakland A’s are presently tied for the lead, but then a team like Texas drops four in a row and they still only find themselves 1 ½ games back of first place.
Over in the NL West, I have a sneaky suspicion that the San Diego Padres are about to make a definitive move on their rivals who are playing sub-par ball.
6). Baseball Betting: Yankees Bring Brooms to Motown!
The New York Yankees look like they flew to Detroit on a broom rather then a jet and they may leave the wooden sweeper when they depart the motor city just before midnight tonight.
The pinstripers have sent an emphatic message to the upstart bengals, that they are the bullies of the American East. I have been propping the Tigers pitching but both the starters and relievers have been awful this week, being outscored 21-7.
7). Baseball betting numbers that matter!
The good news for the LA Angels is that they are only four game back in the loss column in the wacky AL West. The bad news is that 2005 CY Young award winner Bartolo Colon is returning and has looked brutal in 2006.
In his third minor league rehabilitation start, Colon gave up six earned runs and nine hits against the Fresno Grizzlies. In three starts for the Angels this season, Colon is 0-2 with a 7.
8). Baseball Betting: bet on Phillies & Dodgers to continue streak!
The good thing about wagering on sports this time of year is that with a plethora of activity, you may fine a soft line here or there if you probe hard enough. Two teams who are beginning to get healthy and make some noise are the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Philadelphia Phillies seek to push their winning streak to 10 games for the first time in nearly 15 years when they wrap up a three-game series against resurgent Tom Glavine and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday.
9). Baseball betting: Diamondbacks latest Arizona team to impress!
Last week I praised Bobby Cox and his Atlanta Braves on their 6-3 road trip and suggested they were beginning to play like manager Cox’s previous NL East teams. Then the Dodgers and Arizona came to Turner Field and suddenly the Braves are 1-6 on this current homestand.
The Braves got swept by Arizona on the weekend and the Diamondbacks are beginning to play great ball and this comes on the heels of the Phoenix Suns getting turfed from the NBA Playoffs.
10). Baseball betting: did you bet the Reds on their road trip?
There has to be at least one gambling fan of the Cincinnati Reds in America who woke up May 31st after the Reds had lost their first two games of the road trip to the Cubbies and decided the Reds would win that day!
John Q Public then probably decided to take the Big Red Machine in Texas as they played the Astros and by the time they left the Lone Star state had compiled a nice big bankroll as Cinci swept Houston.
11). Baseball Betting: number’s don’t lie!
When betting major league baseball it is very wise to pay attention to the numbers, as teams and players seem to own certain pitchers or clubs, but also struggled mightily against others. We warned you at the start of the year about Johnson for the Yankees.
Randy Johnson is 5-2 through seven starts. But that's not as good as it looks.
Facing a Tampa.
12). Baseball betting: placing a bet on the white sox is risky business!
Any time you start think about investing money in a defending World Champion you do so with a great deal of risk as Las Vegas linemakers are going to make you pay a premium to back them.
Case in point is the Chicago White Sox who stunned the world last year when they knocked off the Houston Astros and stormed out of the gate this year, in impressive fashion.
13). Baseball Betting: the White Sox send the Twins a crystal clear message!
I mentioned in this space recently that I thought Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire could be the first to get the axe in the 2006 MLB season, as his team is grossly underachieving.
There were reports of lack of discipline in the clubhouse and on the field last year and it looks like things have gone from bad to worse this year. On Sunday the Twins scored 7 runs in the first inning, to answer the 3 that the White Sox had posted in the top of the frame.
14). Baseball betting: will the Cubs start winning or will Dusty get dusted?
The Chicago Cubs are on a mini two game winnings streak at the expense of the inept Washington Nationals and is this cause for optimism, or do we throw in the towel for the 98th year on the Cubs.
Yes the story has been told far too many times about the last Chicago Cub’s team to win the World Series in 1908 and most sportsbooks have them at 50-1 to win the October Classic, while their South Side neighbors the White Sox are 3-1 to repeat.
15). Basketball betting: now the Clippers are the flavor of the week!
As mentioned here yesterday the Phoenix Suns have once again teased the public long enough to the point that they are a very difficult team to bet at this stage of the season. After dispatching the Clippers in a wild shootout in game one, the Suns were annihilated on the boards in game two as the Clippers won by 25!
Game three goes tonight at the Staples Center where the Suns are brimming with confidence after winning a sudden death game last week against the Lakers.
16). Betting frenzy this weekend!
If your looking for wagering action this weekend, it doesn’t get much better then this as the World Cup of soccer, the Belmont Stakes, NBA, NHL, MLB, PGA and NASCAR are all front and center.
In Germany there will be 12 stadiums, hosting 64 games that will put 3 million derrieres in the seat and the host country tackles Costa Rica on day one. Staggering numbers reveal 1.
17). Betting Line For Rockies-Oakland Game Is Enticing!
The 2006 MLB season has been one of streaks for several teams and the most impressive recent one was the Oakland A’s 10 game streak prior to their trek to the Rocky Mountains! Oakland is one the verge of being swept by the surging Colorado Rockies and is you like playing home underdogs on the verge of a sweep tonight is the night.
In fact not only is Clint Hurdle’s team +112 tonight, the over/under is 9 and that is surprising considering the fact that the A’s have not scored a run in 22 innings.
18). Betting On Baseball Has Never Been Better
July 31, 2006 (Toronto, Canada) – The road show in Ohio has come to a halt and I am back north of the border where former NFL running back Ricky Williams is once again passing the time not playing football. With less than a month to go ‘till the start of the College Football season and with the NFL right behind the kids, bettors are rubbing their hands in gleeful anticipation.
19). Betting on baseball has never been better!
Now that we have put the Barry Bonds/ Babe Ruth blah, blah, blah to sleep, I think it’s time that we sat back and wagered a few bucks on our favorite MLB team. Parity is here and every one of the six divisions is up for grabs this year and handicapping these teams, takes patience and talent.
Let’s start with the glamour division and of course I am referring to the American League East where the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have been trading punches since the opening week of April and George’s boys are now sitting in the penthouse.
20). Betting On The Tigers This Weekend Gets Tricky!
Wasn’t it me that predicted that Twins manager Ron Gardenhire would be the first baseball manager to be shown the door in 2006? Yes I also think that Barry Bonds is being unfairly accused of using performance enhancing drugs? No Gardenhire is doing just fine these days as he and his troops prepare for a crucial three game set in the Twin Cities tonight.
21). Betting The Over On Atlanta Spells Money!
Day 19 of July, 2006 and to suggest that the Atlanta Braves are swinging the lumber would be a bit of an understatement. They have played 14 games in the seventh month of the year and are 13-1 on the over total in that span. Do you have your sportsbook on speed dial yet?
That, folks, is an astonishing 93% and I can live with those numbers any time of the year.
22). Bettors Beware - You Must Learn From Opening Night!
The defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers launched the NFL 2006-2007 season Thursday night, when they hosted the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field.
Normally, when a defending champion is playing in their crib, you would think that the host would be laying big numbers in the game.
It’s amazing what a whole lot of positive propaganda about a football team can do to affect a point spread by 3-4 points.
23). Bettors Have Their Hands Full With MLB Race!
Just when we thought that the L.A. Dodgers had begun to pull away from the pack in the wild, wacky and underachieving NL West the San Diego Padres pitching staff decided to put on a clinic. Now, judging by the way the Padre hitters are singing the lumber, it’s safe to say that of those of us who love sports betting, few will be playing the OVER totals any time soon.
24). Big Ben Spells Big Trouble For The Steelers!
I have always said that the ride from the penthouse to the outhouse is a matter of seconds in pro sports and the latest news out of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania supports my claim. Former Miami of Ohio Red Hawks QB Ben Roethlisberger has hit another bump in the road, with his emergency appendectomy that will shelve him for at least the first game of the season.
25). Big Ben’s Latest Injury Has The Books Scrambling!
It has been a wild year in Pennsylvania for Steeler sports fans as they waved goodbye to the ‘Bus’ Jerome Bettis and hoisted the Super Bowl. Just as fans were recuperating from their hangover, word arrived that Ben Roethlisberger handsome face had collided with a windshield, courtesy of his motorcycle colliding with a car. Once back on the field Big Ben looked smooth and the Steelers were looking forward to frying the fish on opening night of the 2006=2007 season in front of the entire football nation.
26). Bob’s venting: I tried to tell you in February!
Back in late February I was getting nauseous listening to the garbage resonating from the San Francisco Giants training camp in regards to drug user Barry Bonds. He was as usual complaining about his aching knees, when what it really was the withdrawal symptoms from all the “ROIDS” that were being flushed out of his system. I suggested at this time that Barry would not hit over 25 homeruns in 2006, and urged you to place a bet if it was available.
27). Cincinnati Gives Bettors Food For Thought!
The Cincinnati Reds sent the loud message to the rest of major league baseball that they are playing for keeps this season by completing an eight player deal just a week after acquiring Seattle’s ace in the bullpen, Eddie Guardado. Any time you ship out two starting position players, one who was an All-Star last year and the other who has 16 homeruns and 50 RBI’s, there must be method to your madness.
28). Defining Weekend In Major League Baseball!
The Minnesota Twins have rebounded from an atrocious start and are now positioned for a serious run at the wild card spot. Tonight, they welcome the World Champion Chicago White Sox for a crucial three game set that may have them sitting in the penthouse come Sunday night.
While all this is going on in the Twin Cities, the Boston Red Sox will host Johnny Damon and his teammates for an unusual 5-game weekend tilt.
29). Dirk Goes Wild And Suns Fail To Cover!
I was going to come on here yesterday and give you my usual dose about how the smart guys were begging the public to take the Suns and the +7 points as they knew the sharp money would be all over the Mavericks.
The problem for me this spring is that I have been burned (no pun intended) by the Suns far too many times against the Lakers, Clippers and the Mavs that I have stopped betting this series.
30). Do You Want Some Good Betting Advice? Buy Stock When It Is Low!
This is a very exciting time of year with College Football kicking off their season last night, the MLB playoff race in frenzy, and the NFL ready to pounce on us. These are anxiety-filled times for all of us when we are trying to figure out what teams are going to make us our next million in sports betting.
In the NCAA there are a few schools that fall into this category and it would be wise to pay attention to the games they are involved in.
31). Dodgers Will Be Giant Killers This Weekend!
August 11, 2006 (Los Angeles, CA) – The Los Angeles Dodgers have finally arrived in the penthouse in the underachieving, wild and wacky NL West division. Led by veteran outfielder Kenny Lofton, who always makes a habit of playing in the playoffs for whatever uniform he seems to put on, LA host Barry and his mates this weekend.
The Dodgers were in first place on June 26th and with the exception of the last few weeks, their record since then of 19-20 is not what you would consider eye-popping.
32). Dodgers Win 17 Of 18 But They’re Not In The Clear!
The wild and wacky NL has suddenly quieted down as the surging L.A. Dodgers have assumed a 3 ½ game lead over the Diamondbacks and Padres. With just over 40 games remaining in the schedule the fickle fans at Chez Ravine are beginning to bleed Dodger Blue once again.
While a lot of the attention is being focused on veterans Maddux, Lowe, Sele and Penny, there is a strong case to be made for pitcher Chad Billingsley.
33). Don’t Cash In Your Bonds Yet-The Giants Are Contenders In The West!
Has there ever been a manager in baseball like Felipe Alou who can get results while playing with less then a full deck? With all the swirling controversy in San Francisco, Alou has been able to keep his players focused long enough to post a 49-47 record, good enough for second place and just 1 ½ games out of first.
Tonight, they host the division leading Padres and unfortunately for the Bay area team, Jake Peavy will be standing on the hill.
34). Dysfunction Reigns Supreme In Blue Jays’ Clubhouse!
Just when I leave Toronto, all the fun begins. In Cincinnati, where I sit in the rain, the Reds finally ended up in the black against the Mets. On Wednesday the Jays gave the boot to .300 perennial hitter Shea Hillenbrand after manager John Gibbons reamed him out in front of the entire team. Just prior to the All-Star break, general manager J.P. Ricciardi blasted the Jays’ 3, 4, and 5 hitters as the reason for the Jays not being on top of the division.
35). England – Portugal rematch from 1966 will highlight World Cup!
The last and only time that England won the FIFA World Cup was in 1966 and of the obstacles they removed from their path on that journey was Portugal, whom they defeated in the semi finals. With the Brit’s victory over Ecuador and the Portuguese rugged win over the Netherlands, these two will get at it this Saturday.
While a win is a win the play of England was uninspired and it took a free-kick by overrated David Beckham to allow the lads a chance at redemption this Saturday.
36). Erica makes Shaq pay for smack talk!
Suffice to say the “Diesel” Shaquille O’Neal has the weight of the state of Florida on his shoulders as he prepares for game three in Miami tonight. After the worst performance of his career five points on Sunday, 22 in 2 games, 2 for 17 foul shooting and oh yes outrebounded 13-6 by Mavericks Eric Dampier.
Dampier came to the Mavericks three years ago and signed a hefty $70 million contract at which time O’Neal suggested that “Erica” would be a star but he would have to play in the WNBA to do it.
37). Faster College Games Mean Less Points!
College football betting early in the season can be a tricky proposition at best, but now that the NCAA has decided to speed up the game with more running clock, the point total (over/under) have been affected mightily!
The case in point is on kickoffs where normally the clock would not start until the receiving team had touched the ball. Now as soon as tow hits the ball, the clock is moving.
38). Florida State Players Must Check Their Guns Out?
July 25, 2006 (Dublin, Ohio)- Training camps are opening up all over America and two of the most celebrated ones in college football are the University of Miami and Florida State.
Disturbing reports out of the Sunshine State indicate that two of their players were involved in a dangerous shooting incident over the weekend. This is definitely something you should know about if you’re into sports betting.
39). Flying Way Beneath The Radar Is The Buccaneers!
The NFL is here and there are stories resonating from every city about the chances of their local teams, but somewhere lost in all the hoopla, is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I mean even with the superiority of the AFC over the NFC, it seems like the Cowboys, Redskins, and Panthers garner most of the public’s attention. They seem to be the favorites for sports betting.
40). Football betting frenzy begins in one month!
While you all are sitting around sucking on a Pina Colada, I hope you are doing your due diligence and keeping up with the goings on in the National Football League. The Hall of Fame game will kickoff on August 6th from Canton, Ohio and will mark the return of Art Schell to the Raiders family!
Also setting up shop in Raider land is former Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks and he will have some healthy wide receivers in Randy Moss, Jerry Porter and Doug Gabriel as well as talented running back Lamont Gordon.
41). Grand Old Saratoga Opens 36-Day Meeting on July 26
Saratoga Springs has been attracting travelers even before the American Revolution when wealthy pilgrims journeyed to the carbonated mineral springs running through the area.
It’s where decisive battles were fought during the American Revolution and Civil War. The 1777 Battle of Saratoga, considered the first Colonial victory and a turning point in the Revolutionary War, ended with General John Burgoyne surrendering his British troops.
42). Hey I’m In Cincinnati And The Bengals Have Some Troubled Players!
Just stepped off a small plane in Ohio as I begin my college football scouting trip and the Bengals are certainly raising the eyebrows of the locals in Cincinnati.
Why else would owner Mike Brown issue a public statement after the Bengals drafted former Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks? Second-year receiver Chris Henry and 2006 draft picks Frostee Rucker and A.
43). Hockey betting: Canes bettors are ecstatic with win and loss of Oiler Goalie!
I like many other fans were frustrated with the less then inspired by the play of the Edmonton Oilers early in the NHL season and that both veterans Mike Peca and Chris Pronger were grossly underachieving. The team was struggling to make the playoffs and as usual the inconsistent play of the goalies between the pipes, forced Edmonton management to make a move.
44). Horse Betting: Brother Derek is my bet for the Preakness!
"Barbaro was so overpowering in his Kentucky Derby romp that winning next Saturday's Preakness seems to be a foregone conclusion."
- Associated Press
"Unbeaten Barbaro looks invincible."
- Asbury Park Press
"I'd say he's the best horse I've seen in the past 25 years ... on the dirt, turf, any age group."
- Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens
The 131st Preakness Stakes will be run Saturday at Pimlico and most horsemen are fairly certain that Barbaro will show the rest of his challengers his backside in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
45). Huge Pointspreads In Meaningless Preseason Games?
We enter week three of the dreaded 4-game preseason schedule in the NFL and hopefully the sports betting public is not getting caught up in the hoopla, surrounding several teams. In Denver it sounds like the writers have witnessed the second coming of John Elway in Jay Cutler, the rookie QB out of Vandy.
I was scanning the odds for this weeks exhibition tilts and was quite surprised by the lines at my local sportsbook.
46). I Think The Chiefs Are In Trouble!
The Kansas City Chiefs begin the Herman Edwards era on Sunday at Arrowhead when they welcome the ferocious Cincinnati Bengals and this could be the start of a very long season for Trent Green and his mates.
When handicapping a team my first inclination is too look for an experienced offensive line that can run the ball and keep the quarterback vertical.
47). If You Live In These NFL Cities I Would Be Concerned!
When handicapping any football team, a lot of bettors will focus on the quarterback, running back, defense and even special teams, yet very few look at the offensive line. Yet without a line (not the football betting kind) the quarterback will not have time to throw to his gifted receivers and the star running back will have no holes to run through.
48). Is Ozzie Going To Blow A Gasket?
Last season, Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was making all the right moves and the Chicago White Sox stunned America with a World Series victory. The 2006 season started off in much the same way that the previous fall ended and the addition of Jim Thome had the South Side team ready to defend the title.
Suddenly the White Sox are about to be overtaken by the surging Twins of Minnesota and Guillen could be go off the deep end.
49). I’ll Be Betting The Redskins If The Newspapers Slam Them!
Week one is almost on the books and the team taking the most shots in the media certainly has to be Joe Gibbs’ Washington Redskins. With the addition of Al Saunders as the offensive coordinator, Brandon Lloyd and Antwann Randle El at wideouts, and an explosive defense, the Skins were highly regarded.
It is widely acknowledge around the NFL that running back Clinton Portis is the real deal and as long as aging Mark Brunell does not cough up the rock too many times, that Washington will be favored in the majority of the games.
50). Jose can you see that the gig is up!
With his career on the “Surreal Life” on hold, former major league baseball player Jose Canseco has decided to join a baseball team known as the San Diego Surf Dawgs. This is the lowest rung in professional baseball and you may recall that future hall of famer Ricky Henderson played for the same team last year.
Far too many times in the past we have seen athletes in usually baseball and boxing not have the ability to let the game go and they hang around one too many games or fights and then the door gets slammed completely.
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