I didn't get home in time to catch all of the Navy-Memphis game, but I did see the fourth quarter. Early on I thought I heard one of the announcers make a subtle reference to the point spread on the game, but I figured I was mistaken. Later, he made another reference to suggest a lot of people (bettors?) were relieved when Memphis scored their last touchdown (which happened to cover the 11 point spread on the game).

Was I hearing things that weren't really there? Seems like in the past announcers went out of their way to avoid talking about betting on college football. Is that not the case anymore?

(09-27-2019 10:24 AM)ken d Wrote:  I didn't get home in time to catch all of the Navy-Memphis game, but I did see the fourth quarter. Early on I thought I heard one of the announcers make a subtle reference to the point spread on the game, but I figured I was mistaken. Later, he made another reference to suggest a lot of people (bettors?) were relieved when Memphis scored their last touchdown (which happened to cover the 11 point spread on the game).

Was I hearing things that weren't really there? Seems like in the past announcers went out of their way to avoid talking about betting on college football. Is that not the case anymore?

It’s definitely changed, and I think the dozens of states now allowing sports betting was the tipping point for ESPN. You have the daily wagers shows now and I’ve read that ESPN’s several year plan may be to turn ESPN News into a gambling centric channel.

(09-27-2019 10:24 AM)ken d Wrote:  I didn't get home in time to catch all of the Navy-Memphis game, but I did see the fourth quarter. Early on I thought I heard one of the announcers make a subtle reference to the point spread on the game, but I figured I was mistaken. Later, he made another reference to suggest a lot of people (bettors?) were relieved when Memphis scored their last touchdown (which happened to cover the 11 point spread on the game).

Was I hearing things that weren't really there? Seems like in the past announcers went out of their way to avoid talking about betting on college football. Is that not the case anymore?

Ever since the SCOTUS case that allowed sports betting nationwide, ESPN does talk about and reference the spreads.

They even have articles picking against the spread.


Best bets for Week 5 college football games
https://www.espn.com/chalk/insider/story...ball-games

(09-27-2019 10:24 AM)ken d Wrote:  I didn't get home in time to catch all of the Navy-Memphis game, but I did see the fourth quarter. Early on I thought I heard one of the announcers make a subtle reference to the point spread on the game, but I figured I was mistaken. Later, he made another reference to suggest a lot of people (bettors?) were relieved when Memphis scored their last touchdown (which happened to cover the 11 point spread on the game).

Was I hearing things that weren't really there? Seems like in the past announcers went out of their way to avoid talking about betting on college football. Is that not the case anymore?

ESPN now embraces betting. IIRC there was a federal law change that essentially left it up to the states on betting. Basically you can get Vegas style betting action in just about any casino across the country now. ESPN shows real time lines now on SportsCenter. They've fully embraced it.

I can see a scenario like this in the future. A 7 point favorite that is leading by six points doesn't attempt a 20 yard field goal that would put the game out of reach, and instead goes for it on fourth and two with 2 minutes left in the game.

I could see an announcer questioning whether somebody was making that decision for purely gambling reasons.

Duke lighting up VT in Blacksburg. Foster's defense getting trashed. VT fans may not miss him much after this season the way things have gone lately.

21-3 Duke. Awesome double-pass for the last TD.

(09-27-2019 07:24 PM)copycat Wrote:  Duke lighting up VT in Blacksburg. Foster's defense getting trashed. VT fans may not miss him much after this season the way things have gone lately.

21-3 Duke. Awesome double-pass for the last TD.

This is what happens when a disciplined team (Duke) runs into an undisciplined team (VT). This is pretty much what I expected. If this were a Frank Beamer team, I could expect a seasonal turnaround after a poor start but I don't think we're going to get that from a Justin Fuente team.

Even if the Defense turns around and play great in the second half, I have no confidence that the Offense can get 3 touchdowns. Willis is passing like crap tonight which I wasn't expecting.

Starting to lose faith in Fuente....

(09-27-2019 07:41 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(09-27-2019 07:24 PM)copycat Wrote:  Duke lighting up VT in Blacksburg. Foster's defense getting trashed. VT fans may not miss him much after this season the way things have gone lately.

21-3 Duke. Awesome double-pass for the last TD.

This is what happens when a disciplined team (Duke) runs into an undisciplined team (VT). This is pretty much what I expected. If this were a Frank Beamer team, I could expect a seasonal turnaround after a poor start but I don't think we're going to get that from a Justin Fuente team.

Even if the Defense turns around and play great in the second half, I have no confidence that the Offense can get 3 touchdowns. Willis is passing like crap tonight which I wasn't expecting.

Boy, Duke is looking good. And as I was typing VT scores!!

Bad late news for Temple ... the Patenaude QB wheel of destiny has been neutered. https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/lucas...KCVzJuojN/


And GT won't be sending in, at least at first, two to three walk ons in at OL like they did the past two games. https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/sligh...lPBCktVDK/

(09-27-2019 08:20 PM)EvilVodka Wrote:  Starting to lose faith in Fuente....

Starting to have doubts myself.

It's weird because some parts of the roster at least are actually improved, but it certainly isn't showing on the scoreboard.

(09-27-2019 08:24 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Bad late news for Temple ... the Patenaude QB wheel of destiny has been neutered.

https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/lucas...KCVzJuojN/

That’s too bad. Hate to see injuries on any player.

(09-27-2019 08:28 PM)texasorange Wrote:  

(09-27-2019 08:24 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Bad late news for Temple ... the Patenaude QB wheel of destiny has been neutered.

https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/lucas...KCVzJuojN/

That’s too bad. Hate to see injuries on any player.

Yes, but paradoxically like when Reggie Ball was declared academically ineligible in the Gator Bowl, it tremendously improves the odds of success on offense.

(09-27-2019 08:25 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(09-27-2019 08:20 PM)EvilVodka Wrote:  Starting to lose faith in Fuente....

Starting to have doubts myself.

It's weird because some parts of the roster at least are actually improved, but it certainly isn't showing on the scoreboard.

If I had to assign confidence points to my picks, Duke would have been near the top. The trajectory in Blacksburg has been down for the best part of two seasons now. And if you look around on the sideline -- what parts of it haven't entered the transfer portal -- it's hard to see something that's going to ignite change over there.

I’m sorry Hokies, Duke drink your milkshake. Any ideas on your next coach? Better find one before Tennessee does.

I'm not saying GT will beat Temple now ... but I am saying I'd now take GT with 10 points if the line is still that.

We had a decent number of games on the pick’em slate this week around a three point spread. I struggled picking a winner for some but didn’t spend much thought before picking Duke, despite them being a field goal underdog. Nothing the Hokies have done this year inspired much confidence to me that they would win tonight despite playing at home.

Picked Duke as the #2 team in the Coastal preseason. Figured it was a safe pick with all the uncertainty with most of the other teams in the division, except Duke is always tough, disciplined and consistent.

Fuentes is really struggling right now. He needs to right the ship no later than next year or the long knives will be out.

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