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Money talks: USC favorite for title Thursday, Jul 3, 2008 By Harry King LITTLE ROCK - The people who vote with Ben Franklins and Andrew Jacksons think more of the Buckeyes than they do the Sooners. Jay Rood, the new director of a dozen race and sports books in Nevada, found that out recently when he made Oklahoma the second choice behind USC to win the BCS title on Jan. 8 in Miami. He moved the betting line when the money came in on Ohio State, now the 4-1 second choice. Both Florida and Georgia of the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division are at 5-1 and the odds on OU are up to 6-1. "Great squad, good coach," Rood said of Georgia. "Florida ... could be a 10-win team every year for the next 20 years under (Urban) Meyer," he said. LSU is the next team from the SEC at 20-1. Rood only established a number on 30 or so teams and I was surprised that Arkansas was included, even at 125-1. Most of the others are the usual suspects, although South Florida is a newcomer at 60-1. Because of personnel and proximity, the Trojans are entrenched at the top at 2-1. USC is loaded on defense and sophomore Joe McKnight could be the next great Trojan running back. He carried 10 times or less in 10 of USC's 13 games last year, but made 206 all-purpose yards in the Rose Bowl rout of Illinois. McKnight missed part of spring practice and is listed on the depth chart as one of four possible starters at tailback. The MGM MIRAGE sports books are in business to do business and Rood knows he can slice a point or two off the price on the Trojans and still get action from the USC faithful a couple of hours away. "If Las Vegas was in Iowa City, USC would be about 7-2," Rood said. "We're almost 2-1 on money invested in USC vs. other schools." The stout backing of Ohio State reflects both that some people believe Michigan will struggle during its first year under Rich Rodriguez and the loyalty of folks in the Midwest. Reviewing future bets on baseball, Rood was shocked that the ticket count on the Chicago Cubs was about 4-1 vs. any other team. Rood believes it has been easier for a team to go undefeated through the Big 12 than it is the SEC or one of the other power conferences because of the disparity from top to bottom. That might change this year because of the emergence of Missouri with quarterback Chase Daniel. In fact, the Tigers are 12-1 to win it all and they are getting quite a bit of support. Texas, also of the Big 12, is 15-1 and getting less action than any of the Top 10 teams, Rood said. In the SEC, Auburn is 30-1, Tennessee is 40-1, Alabama is 60-1 and South Carolina is 75-1. The others were not deemed worthy of a number and were lumped in the field at 40-1. Rood, who took every gaming class UNLV offered while in Vegas on a national student exchange program, graduated from New Mexico State University. This is his first year overseeing the daily operations of the 10 books in Vegas and two in Reno, and he gives his predecessor, Robert Walker, credit for a new wager. It's the Big Three - Georgia, USC and Ohio State - against the other 116 schools eligible for the BCS title game. The trio ticket is plus 210, meaning a $100 bet yields a $210 profit. The field is minus 250 meaning a $250 bet yields a $100 profit. "We're getting some play on the Big Three," he said. No wonder. The Bulldogs, the Trojans and the Buckeyes for plus money. Before investing, remember that Rood and his employers are in business to make money. Strictly for value, the Longhorns might be the play, particularly if new coordinator Will Muschamp brings some mean to the defense. ------- Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media's Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com. |
