Lamar Odom Angry
Basketball star Lamar Odom was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence early Friday after a California Highway Patrol officer saw his white Mercedes-Benz traveling erratically on a San Fernando Valley Freeway.
The husband of reality TV star Khloe Kardashian was stopped shortly before 4 a.m. and was arrested after a field sobriety test.

The CHP said Odom's car was observed traveling in a ''serpentine manner'' before he pulled off the freeway.

''Mr. Odom showed objective signs of intoxication and was unable to perform field sobriety tests,'' the CHP said in a report. Authorities said he later
declined to take a chemical test.

Odom, 33, was booked for investigation of driving under the influence of
alcohol or drugs and jailed on $15,000 bail.

He was released Friday morning after posting bail.

A message for his agent, Jeff Schwartz, wasn't immediately returned.

The 6-foot-10-inch forward has played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers,
the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks.

Odom broke into the NBA with the Clippers in 1999, playing for them for four
seasons before spending the 2003-04 season with the Heat.

He had his best years during his six seasons with the Lakers, beginning in 2004-05.
The team won NBA championships in 2010 and 2011 and Odom won the NBA's
sixth man award in 2011.

After spending the 2012 season with the Dallas Mavericks, he returned to the
Clippers last year. He became a free agent at the end of the season.

 
ULL vs ARK Betting Preview

Preview: UL Lafayette at Arkansas

When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, August 31, 2013
Where: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Arkansas


Arkansas kicks off a new era under head coach Bret Bielema, and seeks a seventh consecutive season-opening win as it hosts Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday. Bielema comes to the Razorbacks after seven seasons at Wisconsin and a career record of 68-24 that ranks eighth among active FBS head coaches. Looking to erase the memories of a disappointing 2012 campaign that ended with three consecutive losses, Arkansas starts the season with 10 new starters, including sophomore quarterback Brandon Allen.

Louisiana-Lafayette is fresh off a second consecutive New Orleans Bowl victory and back-to-back nine win seasons, which tied a school record. The Ragin' Cajuns return 14 starters, led by quarterback Terrance Broadway, who set school records for total offense (3,611 yards) and completion percentage (65.4) a year ago. Broadway gives Louisiana-Lafayette a dual threat under center, with his 769 rushing yards in 2012 helping to elevate Louisiana-Lafayette's running game to 34th in the nation, averaging 193.5 yards per game.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, ESPN3  LINE: Arkansas -10.5

ABOUT LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE (2012: 9-4, 6-2 Sun Belt): The Ragin' Cajuns are looking for a third consecutive winning season under head coach Mark Hudspeth and have been pegged as co-favorites - along with Louisiana-Monroe - to win the Sun Belt Conference in a preseason poll of league head coaches. Broadway was named to the Davey O'Brien and Manning Award preseason Watch Lists, while center Andre Huval is another Cajun receiving preseason recognition as a candidate for the Rimington Trophy. Louisiana-Lafayette's offensive line protected Broadway well last season, allowing only 13 sacks.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (2012: 4-8, 2-6 SEC): Bielema's debut coincides with an extensive revamping for Arkansas on both sides of the ball, as the Razorbacks are one of just three teams in the country replacing its 2012 leader in passing, rushing, receiving and tackles. Allen takes the helm under center with just one career start to his credit, a 52-0 defeat at the hands of No. 1 Alabama. Defensive end Chris Smith, named to the preseason All-SEC first team, recorded 9.5 sacks in 2012.

Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin` Cajuns Trends:
When playing in August are 0-5
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing outside the conference are 6-4

Arkansas Razorbacks Trends:
When playing in August are 2-0
When playing on turf are 5-5
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 7-3

A few Ragin` Cajuns at Razorbacks trends to consider:
Louisiana-Lafayette is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Louisiana-Lafayette's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Louisiana-Lafayette's last 6 games on the road
Arkansas is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games at home
Arkansas is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Arkansas is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Arkansas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

Next up:
Louisiana-Lafayette at Kansas State, Saturday, September 7
Arkansas home to Samford, Saturday, September 7

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arkansas is 4-0 all-time against Louisiana-Lafayette, having last hosted the Cajuns in 2002.

2. Louisiana-Lafayette is winless in 36 previous meetings with SEC opponents.

3. Bielema is 7-0 as a head coach in season openers, while the Razorbacks have won 14 of their last 15.

4. Thin receiving corps ready despite rough camp

5. Linebackers Out To Prove 'We Can Play'

PREDICTION: Arkansas 27, Louisiana-Lafayette 17

 

NCAAF officially kicks off today and we have the best betting deals found online.

2013 NCAAF Betting

College football kicks off with a busy Thursday schedule, giving sports bettors their first taste of NCAAF action.

We preview the biggest matchups on the board opening night. We have the best lines and give you more ways to win. GET IN THE GAME!

North Carolina Tar Heels at South Carolina Gamecocks (-12.5, 57.5)

South Carolina has never received the amount of preseason publicity that's flooded its way this summer, putting the No.7 Gamecocks in the national conversation heading into their season opener Thursday against visiting North Carolina. South Carolina is at an all-time high in the preseason polls thanks to one of the country's premier players in junior Jadeveon Clowney, who was voted the nation’s top defensive end last season and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. South Carolina also returns starting quarterback Connor Shaw, who has never lost at home as a starter for the Gamecocks.

North Carolina also returns a talented quarterback in senior Bryn Renner, who has thrown for more than 3,000 yards each of the last two seasons. Renner also welcomes back his No. 1 target in wide receiver Quinshad Davis, a South Carolina native who set freshman school records last season for receptions (61) and receiving yardage (776). Protecting Renner’s blind side will be 6-7, 305-pound left tackle James Hurst, while redshirt freshman Jon Heck won the starting job at right tackle. Both figure to be tested all night against Clowney, who recorded 13 sacks last season.

Key betting stat: Tar Heels are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games.

UNLV Runnin' Rebels at Minnesota Golden Gophers (-14, 51)

Minnesota, coming off its first bowl appearance since 2009, hosts UNLV on Thursday in the season opener for both teams. The Gophers doubled their win total from three to six last season, including a 30-27, triple-overtime win at UNLV in their 2012 opener. This matchup should have a similar feel as the teams combine to return 34 of their 44 starters from last season.

Highlighting the Gophers’ 16 returning starters is defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman, who had a breakout season as a junior in 2012. However, Hageman and the Minnesota defense will have their hands full with UNLV’s rushing attack, especially senior running back Tim Cornett. The Rebels enter this season with new coordinators on offense and defense, including Tim Hauck – the younger brother of  coach Bobby Hauck – running the defense.

Key betting stat: Under is 8-2 in Golden Gophers' last 10 home games.

Utah State Aggies at Utah Utes (-2.5, 51)

Utah will look for its 13th win in its last 14 games against visiting Utah State as the longtime in-state rivalry continues on Thursday. The Battle of the Brothers is the 12th-longest standing rivalry in college football and heads toward its 111th installment. The Utes are 77-29-4 all-time against the Aggies and had won 12 straight before Utah State won 27-20 in overtime last season.

Utah sophomore quarterback Travis Wilson will look to turn the program around this season after starting seven games last season and throwing for seven touchdowns and 1,311 yards. The Aggies, led by junior signal caller Chuckie Keeton, are trying to build off one of the best seasons in school history.

Key betting stat: Road team is 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven meetings.

Mississippi Rebels at Vanderbilt Commodores (+3.5, 53)

Vanderbilt looks to build on the most successful two-year stretch in school history when it hosts Ole Miss on Thursday in the season opener for both teams. Senior Austyn Carta-Samuels takes over at quarterback for the Commodores, who were picked to finish fourth in the SEC East preseason media poll after a tumultuous offseason. Expectations are also high at Ole Miss, which aims to end a nine-game losing streak in SEC openers.

The Rebels signed one of the top recruiting classes in the country last spring, and several freshmen figure to play in the opener, including highly touted defensive end Robert Nkemdiche. The game features two of the top wide receivers in the conference in Vanderbilt senior Jordan Matthews and Ole Miss junior Donte Moncrief, who caught 10 touchdown passes last season. Matthews had a season-high 153 receiving yards against the Rebels last year, when Vanderbilt won its third straight game in the series.

Key betting stat: Rebels are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 meetings.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Fresno State Bulldogs (-10.5, 54.5)


Thursday’s season opener against Rutgers can’t come soon enough for Fresno State, which has been eager to get back on the field since its embarrassing loss to SMU in the Hawaii Bowl. Rutgers is looking to build on coach Kyle Flood’s successful first year, when the Scarlet Knights claimed a share of the Big East title. The teams are meeting for the second time ever, with Fresno State winning 24-7 in Rutgers nearly five years ago to the day.

The Bulldogs feature the Mountain West preseason offensive and defensive players of the year in quarterback Derek Carr and safety Derron Smith, and they were a near-unanimous pick to win the West Division of the Mountain West in the preseason media poll. Expectations are also high at Rutgers, which is playing one year in the new American Athletic Conference before joining the Big Ten next season. The Scarlett Knights will be tested at Bulldog Stadium, where Fresno State went 6-0 last season and outscored opponents by a total of 190 points.

Key betting stat: Bulldogs are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games overall.

USC Trojans at Hawaii Warriors (+23, 53.5)

The Matt Barkley era is over at Southern California and his replacement as quarterback is still in flux as the No. 24 Trojans visit Hawaii in Thursday’s season-opening contest. Coach Lane Kiffin said that sophomores Max Wittek and Cody Kessler will share the duties against the Warriors and that he won’t name a starter until after the squad arrives in Honolulu. Former USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow is head coach of Hawaii and is also running the offense.

The Warriors also feature a new quarterback as Ohio State transfer Taylor Graham – son of former NFL signal caller Kent Graham – beat out incumbent Sean Schroeder (11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions in 2012) for the starting job and is being counted on to rev up an attack that ranked 118th out of 120 FBS teams in total offense (297.4 yards) and scored only 21.2 points per game last season. While the Trojans are sorting out the quarterbacking situation, there are no issues with junior Marqise Lee, who finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting and won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver after setting a school record with 118 receptions. USC senior running back Silas Redd (905 rushing yards, nine TDs in 2012) will miss the contest after undergoing knee surgery five months ago to repair a meniscus tear.

Key betting stat: Trojans are 0-7 ATS in their last seven road games.
 

Barça wins 11th Supercopa De Espana with uninspired performance.

Messi-NeymarLionel Messi and Neymar before the match against Atletico Madrid
Barcelona FC managed to win their 11th Supercopa De Espana - beating Atletico Madrid in a scoreless match that ended 0-0. The game had everything to offer but goals. Lionel Messi missed what should have been an easy penalty kick for the world class player. Plenty of penalty cards (yellow and red) were handed out by the referees.

The takeaway from this match is that Neymar is still trying to find his place in the Barcelona offensive. The 21yr old Brazilian has been making great effort to show his amazing skills but has not been able to prove himself as of yet.

Barcelona wins 11th Supercopa De Espana beating Atletico Madrid 8/28
Barcelona wins 11th Supercopa De Espana beating Atletico Madrid 8/28/2013
 

Cali Rivalry heats up between Chargers and 49ers as Chargers lift Blackout.

San Diego, where the Chargers struggle to sell tickets to games that count, the blackout of the preseason finale on Thursday against the 49ers has been lifted.Bet on Chargers-Niners.

The team announced the development on Tuesday, a day after announcing the
72-hour deadline had been extended by 24 hours to sell 1,100 non-premium
ticket.

The preseason game also coincides with the team’s 25th annual Salute to the
Military, with the Chargers holding a walk-through practice on the USS Ronald
Reagan on Wednesday.

It’s unclear how many tickets were purchased by the team and/or sponsors at
34 cents on the dollar.  Still, it’s not a bad sign for the regular season that the
Chargers at a minimum got close enough to a sellout to enable someone to
write a check for the rest.

Chargers' TE John Phillips managed to make NFL preseason week3's top
highlight reel when he took some co-lateral damage with a mid-air catch to score
the bizarre touchdown. Can he repeat it against the niners?

Betting Odds Chargers-49ers 8-29-13
Betting Odds for the San Francisco 49ers vs. San Diego Chargers game on 8/29/13
 

Betting on Sports has existed since ancient Olympic times. Governor Chris Christie thinks it is time for New Jersey to legalize Sports Betting and cash in on the potential tax revenue. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and NCAA have challenged this proposed law stating that it will undermine the integrity of their sports.

Chris Christie Boss Time CoverGov. Chris Christie "The Boss" Time Cover
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Monday that he’s all in on allowing
states to approve sports gambling, which could bring generate hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue for his state.

Sitting in as a special co-host on the “Boomer and Carton in the Morning” show in New York, Mr. Christie said that it is “ridiculous” that New Jersey cannot legalize gambling on sporting events and that his administration is waging a court battle that he predicts eventually will be decided by the Supreme Court.

“I think New Jersey is going to be victorious ultimately,” the Republican
governor said on the sports talk radio program. “There is no reason why Las Vegas, the state of Nevada, should have a monopoly on sports gambling.”

New Jersey voters cleared the way for sports gambling in 2011 when they easily passed a referendum on the issue. The Legislature then enacted a law that allowed some bets at Atlantic City casinos and the state’s horse racing tracks.

The National Football League, National Basketball Association, National
Hockey League
and Major League Baseball, as well as the NCAA, challenged the law
in court and warned that legalized gambling would undermine the integrity of
their sports.

A federal judge sided with the leagues in March, ruling that Congress has the
power to regulate an interstate industry such as sports gambling and to treat
states differently. A 1992 federal law limiting sports betting to Nevada and
three other states. The state has appealed the ruling.

Mr. Christie is running for re-election in New Jersey and is thought to be
laying the groundwork for a presidential run in 2016.

Mr. Christie said that the leagues “have Congress” and that Senate Majority
Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, wants to keep sports betting “exclusive in
Nevada.”

Mr. Christie said states should decide whether to legalize and regulate
sports gambling — much as they do with casino gambling — and said that until
they do, there will be a thriving black market.

“That is the folly of the leagues’ argument — that somehow if you legalize
it, take it out of the hands of criminals, that somehow you are destabilizing
the leagues. I mean, only the commissions of these leagues and the NCAA can make
that argument with a straight face,” Mr. Christie said.

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

 

To Sports Fans in America, the sport of Cricket had always been an odd game for many reasons. For one, Cricket matches can continue for five consecutive days. It got a whole lot more odd this past Sunday after English Cricket Players celebrated their Ashes Victory by urinating on The Oval pitch.

English Celebrate Ashes Cricket Victory by UrinatingEngland's victorious Ashes celebrated their win over Australia by Urinating on The Oval pitch - 8/26
England's victorious Ashes team celebrated  their win over the old enemy Australia by getting drunk on the Oval
pitch before  apparently urinating all over the wicket.

Star players including Kevin
Pietersen,  Stuart Broad, and Jimmy Anderson reportedly queued to relieve themselves on the  strip while teammates cheered wildly.



A picture tweeted by England's wicket keeper Matt Prior showed the squad sat on the Oval after dark surrounded
by beer and  champagne.

In a distasteful display about five hours after the last Test was called off for bad light with England in sight of victory, the players gathered near the pitch celebrating and yahooing.

While the centre of the ground was quite dark, lights were on in the  grandstands with dozens of people still cleaning up after a late finish which saw the game go beyond 7.30pm. 

A number of players including Stuart Broad, Kevin Pietersen and Jimmy Anderson took it in turns urinating on the pitch to the cheers of their teammates.

This could be clearly seen from the outside overflow areas of the press box.

Matt Prior Twitter Photo showing English Cricket Players drinking prior to Urinating on The Oval pitch
 

It's a bird, it's a plane...no, it's Jaime Penedo's Superman save against the Whitecaps on Saturday Night. It could well win the new Galaxy star MLS' Save of the Year Award for the 2013 Season. Bet on MLS Soccer.

Jaime Penedo SupermanJaime Penedo Superman
Jaime Penedo has been a Major League Soccer player for less than a  month, but he could take home one of the league’s high-profile annual awards. 

The L.A. Galaxy goalkeeper made a stunning save on Saturday night, which could very well win MLS’ Save of the Year Award for the 2013 season. It also preserved a victory for his surging team.

Penedo spectacularly preserved his team’s victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 82nd minute.

Vancouver’s Kekuta Manneh shot from distance, causing Penedo to dive to his left. Manneh’s effort hit the post but fell invitingly to Jordan Harvey.




The Whitecaps defender appeared to have an open goal at his mercy when he 
tried to tap the rebound in from around eight yards out. But L.A.’s Panamanian 
goalkeeper had other leapt to his feet, dove to the right and batted Harvey’s 
shot away.

Landon Donovan, who scored the game’s only goal, said Penedo’s feat resembled
those of a certain superhero, according to MLSSoccer.com.

“In a game like this, you’re expecting to need one big play from a defender 
or a goalie, or someone’s going to need to make a play, because they were 
putting us under some pressure at the end.

“Fortunately, the first one hit the post. I was standing right behind it. 
I’ve played a lot of soccer games in my life, and when I see a play like that,
I can’t remember a time where a goal didn’t occur after [that kind of rebound].

“It seemed like he just came out of nowhere, kind of like Superman, and 
extended his arm and made an unbelievable save.”

After a strong Gold Cup with Panama’s national team, Penedo joined the Galaxy 
on Aug. 5 from Guatemala’s CSD Municipal. The 31-year-old looks might have 
supplanted Carlo Cudicini (a 13-year veteran of England’s Premier League)
as the Galaxy’s starting goalkeeper after appearing in his new team’s last three games.
If Penedo is indeed the Galaxy’s new custodian, he’s not acting like it.

“I’m not saying I’m the No. 1,” Penedo said after the game. “There are four 
goalkeepers that are working hard, and I have to work hard and learn. That’s 
what I have to do.”

Nice work, Clark Kent.

See Penedo’s “Superman” save in the video below.


Article by Marcus Kwesi O'Mard
 

Los Angeles Galaxy got their fifth win in a row after Landon Donovan scored early against the Vancouver Whitecaps to put them up 1-0 Saturday night. The two teams to watch in the Western Conference are the Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy. Bet on MLS Soccer

Landon Donovan Scores Against WhitecapsLandon Donovan of LA Galaxy celebrates scoring early against Vancouver Whitecaps on 8/24
Vancouver, British Columbia - Landon Donovan scored in the third minute and the Los Angeles Galaxy held on to beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 Saturday night for their fifth straight win.
 
Donovan got his fourth goal in the last three matches to help the Galaxy (12-9-4) secure sole possession of second place in the Western Conference.


 
Donovan scored after A.J. DeLaGarza's pass hit Whitecaps central defender
Johnny Leveron and came to him. The Galaxy captain planted a high shot in
the left corner of the net over Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted.

''It helps a lot when you're on the road,'' Donovan said of the early goal.
''It puts your team in a really good position, and even if they score a goal,
you're back where you started, so it's a nice way to start a game.

''We can play a little more cautiously and just worry about defending and
trying to counter - and it really played to our advantage tonight.''

Donovan needs four more goals to become the all-time leading scorer in MLS
history.

Los Angeles goalkeeper Jaime Penedo recorded his first MLS shutout in only
his second career league appearance and third overall with the Galaxy.

''It was a grind-out road victory, one that we haven't had all year, so it
was good to get one,'' Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena said.

The Whitecaps (10-9-6) lost their second straight overall and just their
second at home this season.

''It was obviously a bad start, the worst start you could have got, with the
goal so early,'' Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie said. ''That was
disappointing.

''But after that, I thought that we played well. We got forward and created a
number of good chances.''

Usually prolific offensively at home, Vancouver struggled against Los Angeles.
Whitecaps striker Camilo, who entered the game tied for the MLS scoring
lead with 14 goals, began the game on the bench due to a slight groin strain
sustained last weekend against Colorado, and stayed there throughout.

''So that was disappointing,'' Rennie said. ''And, obviously, in a game like
that today that was really tight, a player like Camilo is someone who could make
a difference and could perhaps get us a goal.''

It ended Camilo's string of 17 consecutive starts in league games dating to
April 27.

Darren Mattocks, who recently returned from a knee injury that required minor
surgery, started in his place. It was the Jamaican international's first start
since the last meeting between the teams at Vancouver on May 11, when he scored.
But he did not do much this time, rarely touching the ball before he subbed out
in the second half.

The Whitecaps almost tied it in the 10th minute, but Gershon Koffie's shot
from about 30 yards sailed wide of the right post. Vancouver had another chance
in the 15th minute, but Mattocks' pass to Kenny Miller inside the box
inadvertently hit him in the hand, nullifying the opportunity.

Los Angeles had a chance to increase its lead in the 25th minute, but Keane's
shot off a throw-in went just over the crossbar. The Irish international had another
chance from just outside Vancouver's box after a giveaway about seven minutes later,
but his left-footed shot went just wide of the right post.

 

Fantasy Football Leagues have been growing in popularity and marketers have taken notice. This is why the teaming of Yahoo Sports and Buffalo Wild Wings to create National Draft Day is branding gold and a major win for both companies. Is this Fantasy Draft Day more exciting for fan than the NFL Draft?

National Draft Day 2013Yahoo Sports & Buffalo Wild Wings team up to bring you National Draft Day 2013 on Aug. 24
Buffalo Wild Wings and Yahoo! Sports are creating the ultimate kickoff to fantasy football season. The Buffalo Wild Wings and Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football National Draft Day will be the first-of-its-kind “holiday” and will take place Saturday, Aug. 24, all across the nation.

This is branding gold!


With the integrated partnership, Buffalo Wild Wings is encouraging its 
guests to sign up for Fantasy Football through Yahoo! Sports, one of the
leading sites for fantasy sports, and hold their drafts at their local 
Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant where free wi-fi is available. Guests 
interested in hosting their fantasy football draft at a Buffalo Wild Wings
are encouraged to call their local restaurant to reserve a spot.
Registered groups of eight or more will receive an exclusive draft kit 
that includes $100 in free food (for a future visit). Guests who sign up 
to hold their drafts on Aug. 24 at Buffalo Wild Wings will also receive 
free t-shirts (while supplies last). 

“Fantasy football is not only a passion for our Guests, but a lifestyle.
We are proud to launch National Fantasy Football Draft Day with Yahoo! 
Sports to bring our loyal Guests expert tips, commentary and exclusive 
content,” said Benning.     

From 12-2 p.m. CDT on Aug. 24, the celebration will include a live 
streamed fantasy football show hosted by Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football 
experts Brandon Funston and Kay Adams. During the show, which will be 
shown exclusively in Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants, football fans at 
Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in Irving, Texas, and Oakdale, Minn. will 
have the opportunity to ask questions and interact directly with Yahoo! 
Sports Fantasy Football gurus Brad “Big Noise” Evans (Irving) and Andy 
Behrens (Oakdale), who will be reporting live from each location.