South Korea’s largest Buddhist organization has seen six of its highest ranking officials resign when it was learned that the monks were taking part in a high-stakes poker game.
The Las Vegas sports books have released their odds for the college football BCS title game, and with the LSU Tigers favored by only two points, odds makers are expecting a close game.
Epic Poker started their poker league earlier this year, and now they are spearheading an effort to drive poker into mainstream America in the coming years. On Wednesday, Epic Poker announced a partnership with the USA Today.
After last season’s shocking home loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the 3-6 Philadelphia Eagles have left themselves no room for error: Win their final seven games or the one-time Dream Team can forget about the playoffs this season. Philly has a tough test tonight at the NFC East-leading Giants, with New York opening as a 3.5-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds with live betting available.
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The key injury here is to Eagles QB Michael Vick, who suffered two broken ribs in the Cardinals loss, in which Vick struggled by going 16-of-34 for 128 yards and two interceptions. As of this writing, it appears Vick will not play even though it’s a must-win game.
Thus Vince Young will start, but Mike Kafka could take over if Young struggles. Young, who has thrown one pass this season (an interception) came in for one play vs. the Cardinals last week. This will be his first start since Nov. 21 of last year. Kafka was inactive last week but completed 11 of 16 passes for 107 yards and two picks in relief of an injured Vick in two earlier games. It’s also not clear if Eagles No. 2 WR Jeremy Maclin will play in this game, but that doesn’t look good. Riley Cooper, who hasn’t caught a pass this season, would start in his place. WR DeSean Jackson, who was benched for the Arizona game for missing at team meeting, will start.
New York (6-3) lost at San Francisco 27-20 last week to see its NFC East lead over Dallas shrink to a game. The Giants thoroughly outgained the Niners and held the ball for nearly 10 more minutes, but Eli Manning had two picks and his fourth-down pass at the San Francisco 10 was batted down in the final seconds. Manning did throw for 311 yards and two scores. The Giants forced a turnover in their 22nd straight game.
New York lost linebacker Michael Boley, its second-leading tackler, to a hamstring injury against the Niners and he is unlikely to play tonight. Also expected out is RB Ahmad Bradshaw, who missed the San Francisco game. That means Brandon Jacobs will carry the load again with D.J. Ware also getting some carries.
The Giants won 29-16 at Philadelphia in Week 3. Vick left with a hand injury in the fourth quarter after helping the Eagles overcome a 14-0 first-quarter deficit to take a 16-14 lead; Kafka then replaced Vick and was 4-for-7 for 35 yards and the two picks. Manning threw two fourth-quarter TD passes to lead the New York comeback. That win was the first time the Giants had defeated their rivals in seven contests.
Philly is 1-6 ATS in past seven following a loss. Giants are a mind-boggling 1-11 ATS in past 12 at home vs. a team with a losing road record. Eagles are 4-0 ATS in past four meetings at New York.
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Thanks to last week’s impressive 53-30 win at previously unbeaten Stanford, No. 4 Oregon can clinch a spot in the first Pac-12 Championship Game with a win tonight against visiting USC while also keeping the Ducks’ national title hopes alive. Oregon opened as a 14.5-point favorite on Bodog’s NCAA football odds.
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This game would probably be a preview of the Pac-12 title game as USC leads the South Division, but the Trojans are ineligible for postseason play, meaning Oregon will either beat up on Arizona State or UCLA in that title tilt. The Ducks (9-1, 7-0) have been unstoppable since that season-opening loss to top-ranked LSU. Last week the Cardinal were no match. Oregon star LaMichael James, the NCAA’s rushing leader, ran for 146 yards and three touchdowns to end the nation’s longest winning streak at 17 games.
USC (8-2, 5-2) has bounced back from a triple-overtime home loss to Stanford with back-to-back wins. Last week the Trojans played perhaps their best game of the year, throttling a good Washington team 40-17. That blowout was even more surprising considering Matt Barkley threw for only 174 yards and a score and NCAA receiving leader Robert Woods had just two catches for five yards. Woods, who has 92 catches for 1,126 yards and 11 touchdowns, is questionable for this game with various injuries but most expect him to play.
Southern Cal has scored at least 40 points in the past three games. The Trojans will have to put up big numbers against the nation’s No. 3 scoring offense of Oregon. Of the Ducks’ 57 offensive drives resulting in touchdowns, 33 have taken two minutes or less and 12 have lasted 60 seconds or less.
Oregon has had USC’s number of late. The Ducks defeated USC, 47-20, at Autzen Stadium in 2009. Oregon won, 53-32, last season at the Coliseum. Oregon has won 21 straight at home and 19 straight overall in the Pac-12. USC is 8-2 ATS in its past 10 road games. OU has covered 11 of its past 18 at home (2-2-1 ATS this year). The favorite is 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings.
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