Sunday, September 03, 2006

Are you ready for some football? It's that time of the year again - and
lucky for diehard NCAA football fans - Week 1 already contains some key
match-ups with major bowl implications. According to odds makers at
Sportsbook.com, the world's largest online sportsbook and casino, Notre
Dame, University of Miami and University of Tennessee will all start their
season at 1-0, and will be one step closer to the big game in the desert
this January. Although there's a lot of hype coming out of South Bend these
days, the Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech are hoping to quiet the Fighting
Irish faithful with a big upset in Atlanta on Saturday night. The Yellow
Jackets will have their hands full, however, as Notre Dame is enjoying its
highest ranking since 1994, and under Heisman candidate Brady Quinn are a 7
point favorite to steal the show in Georgia. Meanwhile, in Knoxville, the
number 9-ranked Tennessee Volunteers will be eager to start off their 2006
campaign on a winning note as a 1.5 favorite over the California Golden
Bears. The Vols, who are looking to redeem themselves after a dismal 5-6
season last year, will need to shut down Heisman hopeful Marshawn Lynch if
they hope to be successful against the Bears.
Looking ahead to Monday night, all eyes will be on the state of Florida for
the highly anticipated in-state battle between the Miami Hurricanes and the
Florida State Seminoles. Marking the 31st time these two teams have squared
off against each other, the outcome of this game carries much more than ACC
and Sunshine State bragging rights. Both teams are looking to return to
top-10 status and although the 'Canes have lost some key players to
suspensions, they are still a 3 point favorite over Bobby Bowden's
Seminoles.

"It's the best time of year for football fans," said Alex Czajkowski,
Sportsbook.com. "Everybody bets on college football and Week 1 already has
some edge-of-your-seat match-ups. There are so many reasons to love
following college football this season - Notre Dame and Brady Quinn, Texas
replacing Vince Young and USC rebuilding. And, if Week 1 is any indication,
bettors are in for one amazing season."