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There’s no question that Texas–Georgia and Rams–Seahawks will be two of the most wagered upon sporting events this weekend in Las Vegas.
All four teams have marquee names at the quarterback position and three of the four squads have lived up to the preseason hype. And while Texas still has a chance to make the College Football Playoff, the Longhorns haven’t matched the summer billing of national title favorite.
One Vegas bookmaker has slid the Horns’ rating quite a bit.
“I’m down seven points since the opener,” Westgate SuperBook vice president of risk Ed Salmons told me from Las Vegas.
“Every time I watch Texas, I come to the same conclusion: When the offense plays well, the defense sucks, and when the defense plays well, the offense sucks. They are what they are at this point.”
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The SuperBook opened Georgia -6.
“I opened a little lower,” Salmons admitted. “People we respect have been betting these ‘dogs off bye weeks and Texas fits that trend this week. Then somebody we respect laid the points.
“Georgia really ran the ball like old-school Georgia last week for the first time in a long time. It’s a team I really didn’t like early, but the more I watch, the more impressed I am with the offense. The defense is the weakness.”
Yours truly is invested in the Horns at +6.5. It’s rare to get a team with that caliber of defensive speed catching almost a touchdown.
Less than 24 hours after Texas and Georgia kick, the Rams and Seahawks meet in a massive showdown with big-time divisional and conference implications. Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold are legit MVP candidates and both teams have stingy defenses and brilliant head coaches.
“I think these two teams are identical,” Salmons said.
“The spread should be 2.5, but it’s a little inflated because we’re expecting Rams money. The public is just enthralled with the Rams.”
Are people sleeping on Seattle?
“I really liked Seattle coming into the year,” Salmons said. “I think highly of [head coach Mike Macdonald]. He’s actually ready, and he is aware of what he’s doing. And for the primary six or seven weeks, the Seahawks had been enjoying with out half their secondary and stored profitable video games.
“Darnold has performed nice, and their No. 1 receiver has simply been phenomenal. I believe they’re the true deal.”
It’s been a deal with watching Darnold and Stafford sling touchdowns, although I’ll be the primary one to confess, I didn’t envision Stafford sitting at 25 touchdowns with simply two interceptions in mid-November. Particularly not contemplating all of the rumors about Stafford’s ailing again we heard all summer season lengthy.
“There was lots of skilled cash in the summertime on the Rams lacking the playoffs and ‘Below’ on wins,” Salmons reported. “Revered guys believed within the Stafford again rumors. That was an actual factor.
“He doesn’t get hit so much. We haven’t seen that but.”
Lastly, I noticed a phase on “First Issues First” this week through which the hosts debated which group on the high of the AFC standings may very well be trusted within the playoffs — the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos or New England Patriots.
I believe the reply is none of ‘em. Simply wait ‘til we get the No. 5 seed Buffalo Payments and No. 7 seed Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the AFC Championship.
“It wouldn’t be shocking in any respect,” Salmons cracked.
“When Kansas Metropolis beats Denver this week, they’re gonna run a bunch of wins off. Take a look at their schedule. Denver is so beat up coming into this sport, too. And it’s Andy Reid off the bye. Everyone knows what’s gonna occur.”
Sam Panayotovich is a sports activities betting analyst for FOX Sports activities and the BetMGM Community. He beforehand labored for WGN Radio, NBC Sports activities and VSiN. Watch him on FOX Sports activities’ Bear Bets and observe him on X @spshoot.
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