Before Brandon Lang left that syndicated network of sports picks, their only winning handicapper went to the top football handicapping site. Tonight he has a nicer set of winners than Meghan McCain,

Matt Rivers, who was the winningest handicapper ever—nobody came close—on a large network of sites.

Your comp winner for Thursday is on Marshall.

Sure Terrelle Pryor is a Heisman Trophy candidate and Ohio State is by ridiculous proportions the superior team on the field today but why are the Buckeyes all of a sudden being deemed as the next coming? Jim Tressel certainly can coach and has a lot of talent but it’s not like this Ohio State squad has exactly been a dominant juggernaut of an offense. Will they win today? Of course they will but Marshall is far from being a cupcake and is a team that is not that bad. I have watched plenty of Marshall’s coming into the Horseshoe over the past few seasons and compete until late with Ohio a few seasons ago being a great example.

The Thundering Herd are a major program as we see the likes of Randy Moss, Byron Leftwich, Chad Pennington and many others in the NFL. No they can’t compare to today’s opponent but they have some blue chip athletes and I’m not all that sold on the Buckeyes. That Rose Bowl victory over Oregon was impressive as Pryor really came into his own but it was only one game. I saw this team last year stink up the joint a lot of times including that debacle in Bloomington against Indiana. One solid win doesn’t make a program, it just doesn’t.

The world seems to be crowing OSU as the best team this year right there with the defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide. I’m just not so sure that is the case. Tressel’s team is still more of a plodding run type team and without being sold on Pryor’s ability to throw all that great I can’t fathom OSU just going out there and winning by four touchdowns plus.

Doc Holliday has already said that they will try and keep Pryor in the pocket limiting his ability to run and make plays on the outside. I like that strategy because the guy is a gazelle who is more dangerous with his feet than his arm. If that plan comes to fruition and Pryor is forced to throw then I am just fine with this play. If not I will still take my chances getting back this much any day of the week.

Matt Rivers pick: OSU wins 31-13 but Marshall covers the point spread

For more information: The pigskin can’t be here soon enough. I’m running the gamut today and giving away the farm. College football, pro football and baseball for one low low price. Four plays as I have to have this day, I just have to. The year has been great. If you’re in it for the long haul I’m your man.

400,000* Pittsburgh-Utah, 200,000* Southern Mississippi-South Carolina and a pair of 100,000* Panthers-Steelers and Phillies-Rockies. Click now to purchase

It’s betting info hotter than Laura Michelle Prestin for Labor Day Weekend college football.

You can never do too much homework before you bet on NCAA football odds. We’ve covered some of the action for Week 1; let’s continue with the afternoon games on Saturday.  Don’t forget the video tip sheet with news and notes galor on this weekend’s college football games.

Colorado vs Colorado State

Colorado has plenty of football betting trends in its favor when it visits Colorado State on Saturday. The Buffaloes are 7-3 in their last 10 games against the spread. Meanwhile, Colorado State is 0-6 ATS over its last six games. The road team has beaten the spread in five of the last six meetings between these two teams.

New Mexico vs (11) Oregon

Both New Mexico and Oregon are trending hot against the spread entering this matchup. New Mexico has beaten four of its last five spreads and Oregon is 15-7 ATS over its last 22 games. The better bet may be the OVER, which is 10-2-1 in the Ducks’ last 13 home games and 4-1 in the Lobos’ last five road games.

(4) Texas vs Rice

This matchup could be a blowout no matter how you look at it – straight up or against the spread. Texas is 4-0 ATS over its last four against Rice and the Longhorns are 8-2 ATS over their last 10 against Conference USA teams. The Owls tend to get blown out in non-conference games (7-19 ATS over their last 26).

UCLA vs Kansas State

Here’s another betting matchup with very distinct non-conference trends. UCLA is 5-0 ATS over its last five non-conference games whereas the Kansas State Wildcats are 5-17 over their last 22 non-conference affairs. Then again, Kansas State is also 4-1 ATS over its last five at home.

North Texas vs Clemson

Think hard about betting the OVER when North Texas visits Clemson. The over is 5-1 in Clemson’s last six overall and 4-1 over North Texas’ last five road games. The Tigers like to win big at home; they’re 8-3 over their last 11 there ATS. Meanwhile, North Texas spooks easily early in the season. The Mean Green are just 7-19 ATS over their last 26 September games.

Connecticut vs Michigan

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more sportsbook friendly team than the Connecticut Huskies right now. Amazingly, they’re 12-2 ATS over their last 14 games. They’ve also beaten their last seven spreads on the road. Meanwhile, the Michigan Wolverines have lost against the spread five times in a row.

It’s the first day of ESPN college football picks but there is still plenty of money to be made against the sportsbooks in the NFL. Here is an actual premium NFL pick from ScoresOddsPicks, part of the OffshoreInsiders.com Network.

New York Jets at Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5) – Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET

The Eagles improved to 2-1 in the preseason after last week’s 20-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. NFL betting fans have been anxious for a peak at new Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb and, so far, the results haven’t been pretty. Kolb hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass yet and went just 11-25 for 103 yards and a pick against the Chiefs. Now Philly will probably rely on its back ups for most of this game and send Kolb into the regular season after three poor exhibition efforts.

The Jets lost 16-11 to Washington last week, dropping them to 1-2 during the preseason. Nobody is panicking quite yet, but New York has mustered just 36 points through three games. Considering quarterback Mark Sanchez was team’s weak link last year, it’s not exactly inspiring him to play average at best—and usually much worse than that—so far. Like Kolb, he probably won’t see much action on Thursday.

These are two similar teams—young, struggling quarterbacks who have their respective fan bases feeling a little nervous as the regular season approaches. New York can take solace in one thing, though: the defense is already in midseason form. From top to bottom, the Jets’ “D” has looked good. ScoresOddsPicks official bet and premium play: Expect more of the same and a New York cover on Thursday.

For more information: Professional gamblers are not going to let up. Get the first two of many NCAAF winners already up for the Thursday card. The pro bettors have also added two NFLX for Thursday. It includes the ESPN Best Bet, yes a “named play” USC/Hawaii. The biggest pick is the ESPN Best Bet USC-Hawaii from ScoresOddsPicks.

OffshoreInsiders.com has issued a point spread alert for the USC vs. Hawaii game. For NCAA football point spreads the best place to bet the South Cal Trojans is SBG Global where USC is -21 and -105.

The best place to bet the Rainbows is BetUs at +21.5 The top sportsbook to bet the under is also there at 54.

This game is Lane Kiffin’s first as head coach at USC.  They are on a 16-0 straight up mark outside the conference. Though just 15-34 outright to the Pac-10 Conference, the Rainbows of Hawaii are 19-15 in home openers.

Southern Cal lost five of their top 10 tacklers from last year.

To bet the over, the top choice is Bodog at 53.5

College football power ratings have USC -20, giving Hawaii a slight edge because the current line lands on a key number.

Top expert pick on this game: Professional gamblers are not going to let up at ScoresOdds. Get the first two of many NCAAF winners already up for the Thursday card. The pro bettors have also added two NFLX for Thursday. It includes the ESPN Best Bet, yes a “named play” USC/Hawaii. The picks from the lowest priced winning service are up from ScoresOddsPicks.

Marshall vs. Ohio State Las Vegas betting odds are up for college football picks and predictions.

The bookmaker’s point spread is Ohio State -28 with the NCAA point spread at 28.5 in some shop. The posted online sportsbook’s total is 47.

Doc Holliday is making his debut at Marshall head coach. Don’t assume it’s a blowout as in their only meeting in 2004, Ohio State won by a thin 24-21 margin. Ohio State returns most key cogs from the fifth ranked defense.

NCAA football power ratings say that the Buckeyes should be laying 24, hence an edge to the Thundering Herd.

Top expert pick on this game: There is nobody better in football than Center of the Handicapping Universe GodsTips. Baseball and football Wise Guy plays are a perfect 4-0 this week including underdog Arizona and Houston Wednesday. Get a college football Wise Guy, three CFB Majors and two NFL Majors. GodsTips is the winningest sports service in history in terms of units won going back to the 1980s scorephone days. Get GodsTips entire card for just $17 and also check out the incredible full-season pass.

Where to bet this game: Bodog has a 60% bonus on your first deposit plus a 60% bonus when you reload into your account. Other options include a 25% on the first deposit by anyone that clients refer to Bodog

This game is being broadcast on the Big 10 Network. For game tickets or to listen to the satellite radio broadcast, check out the OffshoreInsiders.com store.

College football odds and beating the sportsbook return Thursday. Ohio State and USC will be among four Top-25 teams kicking off their seasons that evening. The Buckeyes are primed to make a championship run; the Trojans have the talent but are ineligible after being slapped with NCAA sanctions in the offseason.

Marshall at No. 2 Ohio State (-28.5) – Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)

The Buckeyes are massive favorites on Thursday, as well they should be. Ohio State isn’t just gunning for another Big Ten title—it’s after the National Championship. OSU is primed to go, and its title hopes largely rest on the shoulders of Terrell Pryor. Pryor is a Heisman caliber player but he needs to maintain consistency from wire-to-wire. That begins with the season opener against Marshall.

The Thundering Herd, meanwhile, are embarking on a new era as Doc Holliday takes over the team. Not only does Holliday return 14 starters from a team that went 7-6 last season, he hauled in a pretty respectable recruiting class. Like OSU, Marshall is looking for a little more consistency under center, though quarterback Brian Anderson can’t hold a candle to Pryor.

Marshall has some talent on both sides of the ball, but it’s not ready to hang with a legit championship contender. Sure, the Buckeyes want a little more consistency from Pryor, but he’ll make mincemeat out of the Thunder Herd. Throw in a great “D” that will overwhelm Marshall’s inexperienced backfield, and covering the 28.5-point spread doesn’t seem like a stretch at all.  ScoresOddsPicks.com says take the Buckeyes to cover.

For more information: Yes this game is an actual premium pick, but not the biggest one. Professional gamblers are not going to let up. Get the first two of many NCAAF winners already up for the Thursday card. The pro bettors have also added two NFLX for Thursday. It includes the ESPN Best Bet, yes a “named play” USC/Hawaii. ScoresOddsPicks USC-Hawaii lock is up right now.

College football betting is finally back, with the regular season starting this week. Let’s have a look at the trends to watch for—starting with the Thursday games.

Marshall vs (2) Ohio State

They’re massive underdogs but can the Thundering Herd at least help bettingsharps by beating the spread in Week 1? Marshall is 4-1 ATS over its last five road games dating back to last season. It has a tall order against the BCS championship contender Ohio State. The Buckeyes are 5-1 ATS over their last six home games. And Marshall is a slow starter, going 4-10 ATS over its last 14 September games.

Southern Mississippi vs South Carolina

Southern Miss doesn’t scare easily away from home, having gong 5-2 ATS over its last seven road contests. But the Golden Eagles struggle against the SEC, winning just two of their last eight ATS versus that conference. South Carolina tends to start strong, having beaten the spread in its last four September games.

Minnesota vs Middle Tennessee State

The Golden Gophers don’t do so well when they stray from their lair. Minnesota is just 1-4 ATS in its last five non-conference games. Middle Tennessee State has the oddsmakers fooled; the Blue Raiders have beaten seven consecutive spreads. Expect the score to trend OVER in this sports betting matchup, as both teams are 4-1 over their last five games on turf.

Northern Illinois vs Iowa State

Something has to give when two hot September teams face off. Northern Illinois is 5-1 ATS over its last six September games but the Iowa State Cyclones are 8-3 ATS over their last 11 in September. Worth noting on this sports betting blog; Northern Illinois has lost five straight road games ATS and the trends strongly favor the UNDER. The under is 6-1 over the Huskies’ last seven non-conference games and 6-0 in the Cyclones’ last six home games.

(15) Pittsburgh vs (24) Utah

The Utah Utes usually treat bettors well in non-conference action, having gone 27-12-1 ATS over their last 40 against non-neighbors. But they also tend to play in more shootouts outside their conference; the OVER is 10-2-1 over the Utes’ last 13 non-conference games. With Dion Lewis in Pittsburgh’s lineup, we could see the point total spike again. Pittsburgh finished last season strongly, going 5-2 ATS over their last seven, but the Panthers are 2-6 ATS over their last eight September games.

Oh the football sports betting service picks are ready, but now the Dancing with the Stars cast has been named.

The CNN ticker people are giddy now that they have another excuse to have the name “Palin” in a front page headline 10-15 times a day. Oh the Huffington Post will have the venom spewing.

The Dancing with the Stars cast has been revealed and this season, it’s an eclectic bunch of characters that will be sure to get viewers tuning in.

Want to know what a conversation between Michael Bolton and The Situation would be like? Well, now we’ll get to find out. These two couldn’t be more different – and they’ll up against the likes of David Hasselhoff and Bristol Palin. What a crew!

Also included in the cast is former NFL quaterback Kurt Warner, The Hills actress Audrina Patridge (we’re guessing The Situation will try to tap that) and Dirty Dancing actress Jennifer Grey.

Recording artist Brandy Norwood, who hasn’t been heard from since her involvement in a 2006 car accident that killed another driver, will be strapping on her dance shoes in an attempt to make a bit of a comeback. Joining them in the lineup are comedian Margaret Cho, Brady Bunch mom Florence Henderson, actor and former basketball star Rick Fox and That’s So Raven actor Kyle Massey.

Who do you think will prevail this season? We’re thinking Jennifer Grey has a good shot since she was in the movie Dirty Dancing and therefore has a background in dancing. We’re also thinking that a ton of Jersey Shore fans will be tuning in to vote for The Situation, no matter what his dance moves are like. Florence Henderson will play the “I can dance well for my age” card, and she was on Broadway for a long time, so she must have rhythm, right?

How much longer with the Jersey Shore’s fame last? Bet on these and other fun entertainment props in the Bodog today!