Post by mancowmilitia on Apr 9, 2008 16:46:56 GMT -4
www.sportspickle.com/features/volume7/2008-0409-notredame.html
A dreadful 3-9 season last year that offered precious little hope or improvement has clearly raised serious doubts about Notre Dame football going into this season, as Las Vegas oddsmakers have picked the Fighting Irish to lose their spring game next Saturday in a blowout.
“They are awful on both offense and defense. Special teams, too,” says Donnie Sabata, senior oddsmaker with Las Vegas Sports Consultants. “And the first-string and second-string suck equally. I realize this is an intrasquad game, but I confidently predict both Notre Dames will lose badly.”
Vegas oddsmakers agree across the board.
“Just think how bad Notre Dame was at the end of last season,” says Michael Riley, sports book director for Red Rock Casino. “Now consider that they haven’t practiced regularly in almost five months. We’re talking never before seen levels of football suck. Players who simply run towards the correct end zone when they have the ball will probably secure themselves starting jobs.”
While Notre Dame is heavily favored to lose its spring game, oddsmakers say the toughest call is setting the over-under.
“On one hand, zero points makes great sense based on their hilariously inept offense,” says John Gorman, chief of the Las Vegas Hilton Sports Book. “But then you have to factor in the fact that the offense will make a lot of turnovers. But is anyone on Notre Dame’s defense actually good enough to, for example, catch a pass that should easily be intercepted. And, if they are, will the defense just fumble the ball right back to the offense on the return? It’s all very confusing.”
Most books currently have the over-under set at 1/2 point.
Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen says the doubters fuel him.
“Brah, if I listened to all the critics who said I am a giant, enormous, colossal douchebag, would I have won three rings in high school?” he said. “By the way, do you want to see my high school rings? No? Anyway. The naysayers motivate me. Before the game, I’ll just sit at my locker, think about the doubters while listening to Maroon 5 on my iPod, and get fired up.”
A dreadful 3-9 season last year that offered precious little hope or improvement has clearly raised serious doubts about Notre Dame football going into this season, as Las Vegas oddsmakers have picked the Fighting Irish to lose their spring game next Saturday in a blowout.
“They are awful on both offense and defense. Special teams, too,” says Donnie Sabata, senior oddsmaker with Las Vegas Sports Consultants. “And the first-string and second-string suck equally. I realize this is an intrasquad game, but I confidently predict both Notre Dames will lose badly.”
Vegas oddsmakers agree across the board.
“Just think how bad Notre Dame was at the end of last season,” says Michael Riley, sports book director for Red Rock Casino. “Now consider that they haven’t practiced regularly in almost five months. We’re talking never before seen levels of football suck. Players who simply run towards the correct end zone when they have the ball will probably secure themselves starting jobs.”
While Notre Dame is heavily favored to lose its spring game, oddsmakers say the toughest call is setting the over-under.
“On one hand, zero points makes great sense based on their hilariously inept offense,” says John Gorman, chief of the Las Vegas Hilton Sports Book. “But then you have to factor in the fact that the offense will make a lot of turnovers. But is anyone on Notre Dame’s defense actually good enough to, for example, catch a pass that should easily be intercepted. And, if they are, will the defense just fumble the ball right back to the offense on the return? It’s all very confusing.”
Most books currently have the over-under set at 1/2 point.
Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen says the doubters fuel him.
“Brah, if I listened to all the critics who said I am a giant, enormous, colossal douchebag, would I have won three rings in high school?” he said. “By the way, do you want to see my high school rings? No? Anyway. The naysayers motivate me. Before the game, I’ll just sit at my locker, think about the doubters while listening to Maroon 5 on my iPod, and get fired up.”