Contrary to popular belief, Joe Paterno wasn’t around when Roman numerals were invented. But the 83-year-old coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions (his home since 1950) is proving once again that age ain’t nothin’ but a number. Paterno confirmed on Tuesday that he’s coming back to coach Penn State in 2011, the last year of his latest contract extension. We wish Paterno the best of health for Thanksgiving and well beyond. Meanwhile, here’s your latest 10-spot of useful sports betting stats and factoids.
NFL Betting Lines
1. Tennessee at Houston (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
The Texans have the worst defense after 11 weeks of any NFL team since 1993, according to the DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) stats at Football Outsiders. Rookie QB Rusty Smith (19.0 passer rating) starts for Tennessee in Week 12 after Vince Young (thumb) was put on injured reserve.
2. Philadelphia at Chicago (Sunday, 4:15 p.m., FOX)
The Eagles are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games on Week 12, with the OVER beating the NFL odds in each of the last four years. However, the UNDER is 14-1 in Chicago’s last 15 games on Week 12.
3. San Diego at Indianapolis (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
The Chargers are 21-6-3 ATS in their last 30 games as the underdogs. The favorites are 0-7 ATS in the last seven meetings between these two clubs.
Get all your NFL odds at Bodog.
NCAAF Betting Lines
4. Auburn at Alabama (Friday, 2:30 p.m., CBS)
Auburn QB Cam Newton is third in the FBS with 43 rushing plays of at least 10 yards (hat tip: cfbstats). Michigan QB Denard Robinson leads all players with 48 such running plays.
5. Arizona at Oregon (Friday, 7:00 p.m., ESPN)
The OVER is 13-2-1 in Oregon’s last 16 games as the home favorite. We’ve got the Ducks laying 20 points at press time with live betting available for this special Friday nighter.
6. LSU at Arkansas (Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS)
The Tigers have the best Field Position Advantage of all 120 teams in the FBS, ahead of Central Florida and Texas Christian. The Razorbacks are No. 64 overall in that category.
Get all your college football odds at Bodog.
NBA Betting Lines
7. Golden State at Memphis (Friday, 9:30 p.m., ESPN2)
The Warriors are 19-8-1 ATS in their last 28 games against losing teams. The Grizzlies are 5-9 (6-7-1 ATS) after dropping five of their last six games, although they did beat the Miami Heat (–5.5 away) on Saturday.
8. Orlando at Washington (Saturday, 7:00 p.m., NBA-TV)
Washington only has three players with positive plus-minus Roland Ratings (hat tip: 82games), and John Wall is not one of them at minus-1.9. Orlando has seven "positive" led by Dwight Howard at plus-15.6.
Get all your NBA odds at Bodog.
NHL Betting Lines
9. Chicago at Anaheim (Friday, 4:00 p.m., WGN)
The Blackhawks are 8-1 in their last nine games against teams from the Pacific Division, although only 2-1 this year – including a 3-2 overtime win against the Ducks (+148 away) on November 14.
10. Buffalo at Montreal (Saturday, 7:00 p.m., NHLNET)
Buffalo ranks just No. 27 in the league in RPI (Relative Power Index) as compiled by ESPN. Montreal is tied with Pittsburgh and Washington for 11th place; Detroit is first overall.
Get all your NHL odds at Bodog.
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