College football betting is my main focus until the NBA season heats up, even though many are dying to make a World Series bet, so here’s my three picks to watch this weekend, with odds from BetOnline.com:

No.13 Penn State vs Michigan - Saturday, October 24, 3:30 PM ET

BetOnline.com odds: Penn State -4.5

The Nittany Lions have lost five straight trips to the “Big House”, and they’re facing a Michigan team that is getting better each and every week. With two road losses by a combined eight points (one in overtime) and coming off an almost-criminal 63-6 destruction of Delaware State, the Wolverines have momentum. With the charges rallying behind Tate Forcier, bet on the home underdogs.

No.1 Florida vs Mississippi State - Saturday, October 24, 7:30 PM ET

BetOnline.com Odds: Florida -22.5

The Gators haven’t come close to being as good as they were last year, and they were gambling with their 16-game winning streak last week with four turnovers in a last-second win over Arkansas. They’ve lost their last two trips to Mississippi State as road underdogs, and their play hasn’t been convincing at all, it’s like Urban Meyer is in a gambling ring or something. Florida may squeeze out another win, but there’s no way in this world they’re covering that spread.

No.3 Texas vs Missouri - Saturday, October 24, 8:00 PM ET

BetOnline.com Odds: Texas -12.5

Colt McCoy says he’s fine after getting beaten up all over the field in last week’s 16-13 win over Oklahoma in the “Red River Rivalry”, and he’s surely better off than Sooners’ counterpart Sam Bradford, who re-injured his shoulder, is now out for the season, and may need to go into employment as a district attorney after turning down last year’s guaranteed NFL money. The Tigers have dropped two straight and are starting to show their stripes. They’re a very young team, which is usually  something to stay away from when you make a bet on sports. However, their defense is quick but small, and they’re starting to wear down. The Longhorns will make it six in a row over the Tigers, easy enough to cover in your sportsbook.

Word filtered down that Anderson Varejao has signed a six-year deal with Cleveland, reported to be around $42.5 million, with incentives to push it over $50 million. Shoot, I’m in the business of making sports picks, I should probably stretch myself out and grow stupid hair, right?

Now, Sideshow Bob is one of those dudes that you love him if he’s on your team, and hate him when he’s not. But he had amazing career highs of 8.6 points and 7.2 assists last year, and you pay $7 mil a year for that? Everyone says, “oh, he does stuff that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet”, and that’s all fine and good. But it Anderson Varejao really improving Cleveland’s betting odds this year. More importantly, if they had let him walk, how much better would another team be without him?

What he needs to do is take some of that money, and put it on UFC betting underdog Frank Mir on Saturday, spread some of that luck around. It’s either luck, or his agent game is tight.

March Madness betting has me so excited for the “Big Dance”, I can barely contain myself. There are so many games in my sportsbook this weekend, it’s insane. Saturday, No.1 UConn and No.3 Pitt go at it, and later that night, No.6 Louisville and West Virginia will battle, and the Huskies, Panthers and Cardinals all have a shot at the Big East crown. But the grandaddy of them all comes on Sunday, when No.2 North Carolina and No.7 Duke throw down.

The Tar Heels should be the online betting favorites in this contest, and they’ll be going for a season sweep of the Blue Devils, who can earn a split of the title with a win. The Tar Heels rolled to a 101-87 win at Duke on February 11th, powered by Lawson’s 25 points. Look for more of the same on Sunday, as the Blue Devils don’t have anyone who can keep Lawson from getting in the lane.  Tyler Hansbrough will also have a big game as it’s his last game at the “Dean Dome”. Bet on North Carolina to claim the ACC regular-season title as they head into the conference tournament, and cement their status as the March Madness betting favorites.

If an NBA betting player would have told me that the Miami Heat would be above .500 almost 60 games into the season back before the Beijing Olympics, I would have ordered them to seek therapy.  But that was before I watched Dwayne Wade, finally healthy, absolutely tear apart the competition and help lead the United States to a gold medal as the sportsbook favorites.

Sportsbook odds would have to consider D-Wade as one of the top MVP candidates, along with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. As of March 3, D-Wade is leading the league in scoring with 29.2 points, along with 7.4 assists, 5.0 boards, 2.22 steals and 1.42 blocks, which is phenomenal for a guard. But the big thing is that he has his explosiveness back. When he led the Heat to the title in 2006, Wade got to the hoop any time he wanted (the foul calls are another post), and he also had this when he made many March Madness betting players angry by carrying underdog Marquette to the Final Four in 2003. After battling various injuries from 2006 to 2008, it appears as though the Heat are players again, and they can thank their captain. However, Pat Riley will have to show D-Wade that he’s willing to improve the team before the 2010 sweepstakes, in which Wade will be a major figure. If so, the Heat will automatically become one of the NBA betting favorites.

LeBron James could probably have an NBA betting category all his own. The Cavs are already a sportsbook favorite to win the championship, and the threat of a James triple-double could be one of the daily NBA props. The legend of “King” James just keeps growing, too. Witness this February 20th destruction of the Bucks, in which James ended up with 55 points:

Then there was his pre-game entertainment for the fans in Memphis on February 24th:

And if you’ve never seen his dismantling of Detroit in 2006-07, when he hit for 29 of the Cavs’ final 30 points in a double-overtime win:

Seriously, if you bet on sports, James is coming up on that Michael Jordan status…..you know, where he gives you the look like, “bet against me, I dare you”. NBA betting players could be ready to annoint the Cavs as the kings of the East, and the scary thing is…..he’s only 24.  That’s insane.

NBA betting players will feel a bit better knowing that the owners of the league are in tough times as well. A report has trickled down that the NBA plans to borrow $175 million, and $11.66 million of that will go to 15 teams that are struggling with money troubles.

Sounds like karma for someone giving Steve Francis $19.8 million to do essentially nothing. Don’t get me started on Jermaine O’Neal’s $21.4 million, and you all know how I feel about Starbury. But at least he’s only getting the league minimum when he goes to Boston. I’m not saying give the players less, I’m saying evaluate better who deserves it. If these guys are making that, then don’t be surprised when LeBron James asks for half of your city in 2010.

NBA betting fans don’t know what to think of Stephon Marbury’s impending move to Boston, which has been more than two months in the works (see here). “Starbury” went to arbitration to get out of his contract with the Knicks, and it’s rumored that he had to give up at least $2 million. Of course, when you’re making over $20 million for essentially doing nothing.

If Marbury lands in Boston, he has to buy into the team concept there, or he’ll be gone. He’ll back up the ever-improving Rajon Rondo at the point, but the thought of Marbury in a backcourt with Eddie House must make the Boston big men a little nervous, as these two have never seen a shot they didn’t like. However, with injuries to Tony Allen, and Kevin Garnett’s recent knee injury, the Celtics need some backup if they are going to hold off Cleveland in the East. This trade probably won’t raise Boston’s NBA betting chances, but it won’t hurt them, either, unless Marbury goes crazy (which wouldn’t surprise anyone, especially former Minnesota teammate Garnett).

Side note: on the milk carton, LOL at “Last seen: missing a layup at the buzzer”.

Roy’s been heavy on super bowl betting lately because, well, it’s the biggest thing in online sports betting right now. And I’ve been thinking a lot about similarities between the Pittsburgh Steelers and last year’s NBA champions, the Celtics.

Both are defensive powerhouses, and are led by veteran players (Kevin Garnett, Troy Polamalu)….Offensively, Paul Pierce would be considered the Ben Roethlisberger of the Celtics (but with fewer turnovers), while Ray Allen is the wily veteran, Hines Ward-style (although Ward blocks better than Allen screens). Mike Tomlin and Doc Rivers are both quiet coaches, but when they speak, the veteran players show them respect. Furthermore, both lead or are tied for the lead in their respective pro leagues in championships, as the Steelers can leave San Francisco and Dallas in the dust with a sixth title, while the Celtics won #17 last season. If the Steelers want more inspiration (which is doubtful), all they need to do is look over to Beantown, and follow the Celtics.

Anxious to get super bowl betting on the go? Well, it looked like Houston and Arizona were ready to battle gridiron-style during the Wildcats’ 96-90 overtime win on Saturday.

To be fair, Houston’s Aubrey Coleman apologized to Arizona’s Chase Budinger immediately after the game for treating him like they were in a line scrum, and it didn’t look intentional. Plus, the Wildcats were inspired after their star was stomped, and if the Steelers try something similar to the Cardinals on Sunday, the results could be the same.

Those waiting to make their Super Bowl XLIII betting picks still have playing options this weekend on the hardwood, as a pair of Western Goliaths go head-to-head on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs in a nationally-televised game at 3:30 PM ET on Sunday, and this will be the second meeting of the season between these two. The first game was a 112-111 nailbiter won by the Spurs in San Antonio, as Roger Mason Jr.’s late three-point play was the knockout blow. You can bet that the Lakers want revenge, and they have dominated San Antonio at the Staples Center of late, beating the Spurs in their last five visits out west. Kobe on TV? Expect a show, and take the Lakers in this substitute for Super Bowl betting.