No. 9 Iowa hoping it won't kick away 2010

NCAA Football Betting Lines

08/27/2010 -

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -Iowa has become known for nail-biting finishes, which often leaves the Hawkeyes in need of a kicker they can trust in the clutch.

Coach Kirk Ferentz isn't sure he's got a reliable leg to lean on. He used terms like ``underwhelming'' and ``inconsistent'' to describe his kickers in the offseason, and he's yet to settle on a starter with the Sept. 4 opener against Eastern Illinois coming up for the ninth-ranked Hawkeyes.

Senior Daniel Murray, whose game-winning field goal against Penn State two years ago helping launch the program's resurgence, entered fall camp in a dead heat with sophomore Trent Mossbrucker for the job.

Ferentz might not settle on either one until Iowa hosts rival Iowa State on Sept. 11, and the competition between Murray and Mossbrucker could last until Big Ten play opens in October.

``It keeps you on your toes all the time,'' Murray said after a so-so performance during the Hawkeyes' last scrimmage open to the public two weeks ago. ``It kind of wears on you a little bit, but that's just something I've learned to deal with.''

It's not often that kickers get this much attention in August, but it's become a source of consternation for Iowa, which won four games by three points or fewer last season.

Iowa is deep nearly everywhere, despite battles at running back and for the job of snapping to senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi. All that returning talent from a team that went 11-2 last season has ramped up expectations in Iowa City.

But the Hawkeyes are still a defensive-minded, run-oriented bunch with a habit of making nearly every game a close one - and one bad kick could have major consequences.

Murray, who was supposed to be locked into the job by now, has been solid from short distances during his career. His career-defining kick against the Nittany Lions cut through a cold, biting wind and split the uprights from 31 yards.

But the farther the spot, the shakier Murray's been.

Murray did make a 48-yarder in a win at Wisconsin last year, but he was just 6 of 11 on kicks of 40 yards or longer in 2009. Murray has been working to keep his foot from hitting the ball too high and causing it to hook or fade away from the uprights - not unlike a golfer trying to find his swing.

Murray was 19 of 26 on field goals last season and hit 32 of 33 extra-point tries.

``It's easy to say more consistency, I guess. How do you get that?'' Murray said. ``The main thing I've been working on is, if you miss one, get back and make the next one.''

Mossbrucker was Iowa's starting kicker as a freshman two years ago, despite being pulled in favor of the more experienced Murray against Penn State. He led the Big Ten in field-goal percentage by hitting 13 of 15 attempts in 2008, but he redshirted last season when the coaching staff decided to go with Murray.

Mossbrucker has 2 inches and 20 pounds on the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Murray, but he has yet to even attempt a field goal outside of 40 yards.

``Iron sharpens iron,'' Mossbrucker said of the push for the starting job.

The Hawkeyes also have a freshman walk-on, Michael Meyer, who could push for playing time.

But that would likely be a worst-case scenario, so it'll be up to either Murray or Mossbrucker to solidify what has become Iowa's most precarious spot entering the season.

Murray's experience certainly helps his chances. But his famous kick from two years ago isn't putting Ferentz's mind at ease.

``If we have to play volleyball during the season, we'll do that,'' Ferentz said at the start of camp. ``They are both capable. That's the good news.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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