The Ryder Cup odds are always hot and heavy when they are contested, and this year is sure to be no exception between the best golfers in the United States and the best in Europe. Don’t miss a moment of the action on the 2012 Ryder Cup schedule, as the best golfers in the world duke it out for national and international supremacy.

2012 Ryder Cup Odds & Tournament Details
2012 Ryder Cup Dates: Friday, September 28th – Sunday, September 30th, 2012
2012 Ryder Cup Location: Medinah Country Club, Medinah, IL
Defending Ryder Cup Winner: Europe
2012 Ryder Cup TV Coverage – Network: NBC, ESPN, Sky Sports, BBC

We know that the time is coming that Team USA (Ryder Cup Odds: 1.95 to 1 @ 5Dimes Sportsbook) is going to put together a heck of an outing to beat the Europeans. This year’s team captain is Davis Love III, who played on the team in 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, and 2004. Love has been playing better golf this year than he has in most years of late, including finishing third at the FedEx St. Jude Classic and 29th at the US Open. Love is going to have four very interesting decisions to make for who he wants to put on his team, but he knows that the first eight spots are going to be selected for him.

Odds have it, we are going to see Tiger Woods on the team one way or the other. As of June 21st, he ranks No. 7 in the Team USA standings, though there are a number of golfers right on his heels that are sure to have something to say about whether he gets an automatic bid to the team or not. The only men that really appear to be a solid bet to be on Team USA at this point are Jason Dufner, Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, and Phil Mickelson. One would figure that the 2012 Players Championship winner, Matt Kuchar will be selected for the team whether he finishes ranked in the Top 8 or not, and we could probably say the same for Rickie Fowler, who has clearly been one of the up and coming names in American golf. One man that might get a call that is just 17 years old is Beau Hossler. Hossler finished tied for 29th at the US Open, and he is really turning heads right now without even being legal enough to drink.

List of Past Ryder Cup Winners
2010 – Europe (14.5 – 13.5)
2008 – United States (16.5 – 11.5)
2006 – Europe (18.5 – 9.5)
2004 – Europe (18.5 – 9.5)
2002 – Europe (15.5 – 12.5)
1999 – United States (14.5 – 13.5)
1997 – Europe (14.5 – 13.5)
1995 – Europe (14.5 – 13.5)
1993 – United States (15 – 13)
1991 – United States (14.5 – 13.5)
1989 – Tie (14 – 14)
1987 – Europe (15 – 13)
1985 – Europe (16.5 – 11.5)
1983 – United States (14.5 – 13.5)
1981 – United States (18.5 – 9.5)
1979 – United States (17 – 11)
1977 – United States (12.5 – 7.5)
1975 – United States (21 – 11)
1973 – United States (19 – 13)
1971 – United States (18.5 – 13.5)
1969 – Tie (16 – 16)
1967 – United States (23.5 – 8.5)
1965 – United States (19.5 – 12.5)
1963 – United States (23 – 9)
1961 – United States (14.5 – 9.5)
1959 – United States (8.5 – 3.5)
1957 – Great Britain (7.5 – 4.5)
1955 – United States (8 – 4)
1953 – United States (6.5 – 5.5)
1951 – United States (9.5 – 2.5)
1949 – United States (7 – 5)
1947 – United States (11 – 1)
1937 – United States (8 – 4)
1935 – United States (9 – 3)
1933 – Great Britain (6.5 – 5.5)
1931 – United States (9 – 3)
1929 – Great Britain (7 – 5)
1927 – United States (9.5 – 2.5)

Now, we also know that Team Europe (Odds To Win The Ryder Cup: 2.55 to 1 @ 5Dimes Sportsbook) has been running roughshod of late over the Americans in the Ryder Cup, knowing that there have been a lot of dominating performances since 1995. Jose Maria Olazabal is going to be Europe’s captain this year, making him the first Spanish team captain since Seve Ballesteros in 1997. Olazabal is the first Spanish man to be a captain of a Ryder Cup for Team Europe on American soil though, which makes this quite the interesting situation for one of the more popular golfers on the PGA Tour and the European Tour to be in.

We know that one of the top young golfers on the PGA Tour and the European Tour, Rory McIlroy is going to be here in Medinah in the fall representing Europe. Justin Rose and Paul Lawrie should be okay for sports as well, though there are several others that are going to be gunning for those few automatic spots that are up for grabs for the European team. There will be four picks Olazabal to make for his team. One of those picks could be Paul Casey, who is far, far back in the Ryder Cup Points List at this point in the year. Lee Westwood and Luke Donald both figure to be representing the Brits for England in the 2012 Ryder Cup, and the up and coming Nicolas Colsaerts could be on the Ryder Cup team as well.

Current 2012 Ryder Cup Odds @ 5Dimes (as of 6/21/12):
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Team USA (to win the Ryder Cup) 1.95 to 1
Team Europe (to win the Ryder Cup) 2.55 to 1
Tie 11 to 1

Odds to Win 2012 Ryder Cup @ Bovada Sportsbook (as of 6/21/12):
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Team USA (to win the Ryder Cup) -105
Team Europe (to win the Ryder Cup) -115

The Ohio State Buckeyes know that they aren’t going to be able to go to a bowl game or the Big Ten Championship Game this year, but they do know that they might be able to ruin the season for the Michigan Wolverines, their arch rivals. Every single year, regardless of the circumstances, the OSU/Michigan rivalry is one of the biggest to watch over the course of the entire season, and this should be no exception. Gone are the days of Lloyd Carr and Jim Tressel, and in are the days of Brady Hoke and Urban Meyer, as both of these teams try to formulate their offenses out of styles that were born outside of the Big Ten. This won’t be a smash mouth football game as it was as recently as just a half dozen years ago, but it is definitely a college football matchup that is going to be one of the best of the season and should not be missed.

Michigan Wolverines @ Ohio State Buckeyes Picks & Info
Michigan Wolverines @ Ohio State Buckeyes Date: Saturday, November 24th
Michigan Wolverines @ Ohio State Buckeyes Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Michigan Wolverines @ Ohio State Buckeyes Spread: Ohio State Buckeyes -4

This is really the culmination of what amounts to be a brutal schedule for the Wolverines this year. There is a good chance that they will already have three losses and be out of the National Championship hunt, but this might be the difference as to whether they are going to end up in Detroit playing for a spot in the Rose Bowl or not. QB Denard Robinson might have a Heisman Trophy to go out and win as well. Hoke was able to win last year’s game against Ohio State, snapping a brutal run of seven straight losses to the Bucks. That’s what ultimately cost both Rich Rodriguez and the aforementioned Carr their jobs in Ann Arbor. However, if Hoke is really going to endear himself to the Big Blue nation, it would really help to win a game in Columbus, something that the Wolverines haven’t done since 2000. Last year, the defense for Michigan had one of its worst games of the year trying to slow down the Buckeyes, and with a still somewhat raw unit coming together, it could make for another struggle this time around as well.

Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Past Games (Since 1995)
2011: Michigan 40 – Ohio State 34
2010: Ohio State 37 – Michigan 7
2009: Ohio State 21 – Michigan 10
2008: Ohio State 42 – Michigan 7
2007: Ohio State 14 – Michigan 3
2006: Ohio State 42 – Michigan 39
2005: Ohio State 25 – Michigan 21
2004: Ohio State 37 – Michigan21
2003: Michigan 35 – Ohio State 21
2002: Ohio State 14 – Michigan 9
2001: Ohio State 26 – Michigan 20
2000: Michigan 38 – Ohio State 26
1999: Michigan 24 – Ohio State 17
1998: Ohio State 31 – Michigan 16
1997: Michigan 20 – Ohio State 14
1996: Michigan 13 – Ohio State 9
1995: Michigan 31 – Ohio State 23

By now, we will definitely know if Meyer is going to be able to work his magic in Columbus with QB Braxton Miller the same way that he was able to do so with QB Tim Tebow with the Florida Gators. Miller is really built in the same type of mold Robinson is, and in the end, that might be what it takes to be able to get this team back to the top of the Big Ten quite soon. There are going to be eight senior starters and several others in reserve that are going to be playing their last game here at the Shoe against Michigan, many of which have started for two or three years for the program. Winning this game would mean absolutely everything in the world. Remember that Ohio State has a whopping 19 returning starters from a year ago, and it starts right at the top with Miller, still just sophomore at quarterback.

Michigan @ Ohio State Free Picks^^: This is the Super Bowl for the Buckeyes, knowing that they aren’t going any further with their season than right here. This is the game that will be circled on the calendar for months and months prior to this point, and we expect to see the hosts shine. Miller should be in for a big time game, as he leads the Buckeyes to victory and likely makes himself a favorite to win the 2013 Heisman Trophy at the same time. It’s a sucker’s bet to be taking the Wolverines and the four points.

^^Note: This is a college football prediction that is made as of August 2012, and it does not reflect the opinions that our expert NCAA Football handicappers will have on this game. This article by our very talented sports blog staff is for entertainment and informational purposes only. If you would like to purchase our premium college football picks for the year, please Click Here.

Our college football expert handicappers will have their Michigan @ Ohio State picks ready on Saturday, 11/24.

As always, the teams in the NFC East are going to have a lot of pressure on them this year to succeed. The Super Bowl champs are in this division, and there are three other teams that think that they can pull off the same task this year as well. The odds to win the NFC East are always tight, and that should lead to a great year of football once again in what is seemingly always one of the most competitive foursomes in the game.

Of course, it isn’t the defending Super Bowl champs, but the Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East Betting Odds: 1.40 to 1 5Dimes Sportsbook) are the NFC East favorites this year. The so-called “Dream Team” was a bit of a nightmare last year, though hindsight being 20/20.  Losses to teams like the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers weren’t nearly as bad as they seemed to be at the time. The Eagles are still very talented and are extremely fast. The combo of QB Michael Vick, WR Jeremy Maclin, and WR DeSean Jackson is clearly the fastest in the league, and RB LeSean McCoy is most certainly not a slacker either. The defense seems to be more prepared now than it was at the outset of the year to dominate, and that could go a long way in helping out Vick as well. In the end though, it is going to be up to No. 7 to take care of the football. If he does that, the Eagles will win this division. If he doesn’t, it could be another year of missing the playoffs and the last year for Head Coach Andy Reid on the sidelines in the City of Brotherly Love.

Second in line is the team that won the Super Bowl last year, the New York Giants (NFC East Betting Lines: 2.05 to 1 5Dimes Sportsbook). QB Eli Manning has definitely proven that he is an elite quarterback worthy of being called Peyton’s baby brother, though this year, he is going to be given a bit of a tougher task with WR Mario Manningham now in San Francisco. The ground game isn’t the greatest, but it is serviceable with RB Ahmad Bradshaw. It is the pass rush that really makes the team though, and Head Coach Tom Coughlin has been preaching that over the course of his entire tenure in the Big Apple. The question is whether there is a Super Bowl letdown coming for Big Blue, though. It happened a few years ago, and it could happen again in 2012.

As always, there is a heck of a lot of pressure on the Dallas Cowboys (2012 Odds To Win AFC East: 2.65 to 1 @ SportBet Sportsbook). QB Tony Romo is always under a microscope, and that isn’t going to be an exception this year. He puts up great numbers thanks to the fact that he has a remarkable set of receivers, but perhaps he deserves more credit. No one had ever heard of WR Miles Austin before Romo put him on the map, and when both he and WR Dez Bryant were hurt last year, it was WR Laurent Robinson that suddenly became a hero. On the ground, it was supposed to be RB Felix Jones that carried the load, but instead, RB DeMarco Murray came out of nowhere to be one of the most punishing backs in the league. Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan was figured to be one of the hot head coaching candidates available in this past offseason, but after an atrocious year on the sidelines managing the Dallas defense, no one bit on Rex’s brother. It could be a make or break season both for Ryan and for Head Coach Jason Garrett, as more seasons of missing the playoffs won’t sit well with owner and GM Jerry Jones.

We give all the credit in the world to the Washington Redskins (NFL Betting Lines in the NFC East: 11.20 to 1 5Dimes Sportsbook). Last year, they weren’t a bad team, though they weren’t exactly a fantastic one either. Young defensive players like LB Ryan Kerrigan and LB Brian Orakpo stepped up in a big time way, and there was enough talent at the skill positions to put some points on the board. Keep a close eye on TE Fred Davis this year as a potential top tight end in the league. What was missing was a quarterback. Washington had a good draft slot at No. 4, and it knew that it had to put together a great package to move up to No. 2 to take QB Robert Griffin III. And that’s exactly what the Redskins did. They got the job done, and now, they have the man that they hope will right the ship. We saw some rookie quarterbacks play well last year and get their teams to show big time improvement like QB Cam Newton with the Carolina Panthers and QB Andy Dalton with the Cincinnati Bengals, and if Griffin can do that with the Redskins, this might suddenly become a fun team to keep track of on a weekly basis.

NFC East Gambling Lines @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/3/12):
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Philadelphia Eagles Win NFC East +140
Field Wins NFC East -170

New York Giants Win NFC East +205
Field Wins NFC East -265

Dallas Cowboys Win NFC East +265
Field Wins NFC East -355

Washington Redskins Win NFC East +1120
Field Wins NFC East -1740

The NFC South division has been an up and down division, and it is one that is full of drama over the course of the last few years, and this year should be no exception on the NFL betting lines. Join our expert NFL handicappers, as we try to beat the odds to win the NFC South in 2012.

Last year, the Atlanta Falcons (Odds To Win NFC South Division: 1.14 to 1 @ 5 Dimes Sportsbook) basically went all-in with the NFL Draft, moving way up to take WR Julio Jones to complement WR Roddy White in a very talented offense. QB Matt Ryan had a great year, and both Jones and White per incredibly productive. That being said, the defense just wasn’t good enough, and the pieces to the puzzle weren’t added to make this team a legit Super Bowl contender in our eyes. This is still quite a good team though, and this is a deserving team to be in the playoffs. We just don’t think that there is a deep run to the Super Bowl coming, and we aren’t so sure that Atlanta should be the favorite on the odds to win the NFC South.

It has understandably been a heck of an offseason New Orleans Saints (2012 NFC South Odds: 1.35 to 1 @ 5 Dimes Sportsbook), and we can definitely sympathize with NFL betting fans that just don’t want to take their chances on a team that has had so much going on. Missing out on LB Jonathan Vilma for the year will hurt, as will not having DE Will Smith for a month. However, we think that the rest of the punishments for New Orleans, including the year-long suspension for Head Coach Sean Peyton are overblown. We are far more concerned about the fact that QB Drew Brees still doesn’t have that contract that he so badly wants to make him a Saint for the rest of his career, as that could linger. Losing OL Carl Nicks is going to hurt as well. Still, New Orleans’ offense is out of this world, and it isn’t going to take Peyton for that to keep up. TE Jimmy Graham should be in for another record-breaking type of season in 2012, and Brees should once again at least flirt with the idea of getting to 5,000 passing yards.

We think that it is very interesting to see what the Carolina Panthers (2012 NFC South Odds: 6 to 1 @ 5 Dimes Sportsbook) can do this year. The offense clearly came together with QB Cam Newton calling the shots. Newton had the best statistical season that a rookie quarterback has ever assembled. WR Steve Smith once again looks like one of the top speed burning receivers in the league. The pressure came off of both RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Neither had a great year, but combined, they had a fantastic campaign. Now, the next task for Head Coach Ron Rivera is to build up a defense that was the Achilles heel of the team. Can Carolina get there? Probably not quite yet, but this is definitely a team that is going to be a pain for the rest of the league when it can get its act together on both sides of the ball.

There aren’t many teams that we think can come from the longest NFL odds on the board to win a division, but we are at least cautioning that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Odds To Win NFC South: 16 to 1 @ 5 Dimes Sportsbook) could be good enough to get the job done. Remember that this was a team that just two years ago finished with 10 wins and just missed the playoffs. Tampa Bay has a new head coach in Greg Schiano, and he is going to bring a level of toughness that just wasn’t there with the youthful and exuberant Raheem Morris. The first thing that the Bucs did in the offseason, was bring in some proven leaders, WR Vincent Jackson and OL Carl Nicks, and then they drafted a true winner in S Mark Barron and a tough, hard-nosed runner in RB Doug Martin. This isn’t a team that is going to lose 10 games in a row like it did to end last season. Tampa Bay can be a legitimate winner this season, and we expect to see good things from the up and coming QB Josh Freeman. If he can limit turnovers and Schiano can get a good, solid rushing attack, whether it be from Martin or RB LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay will have the defensive intensity to be a pain to the rest of the NFC South.

2012 Odds to win the NFC South @ 5 Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/3/12):
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Atlanta Falcons Win NFC South +114 (1.14 to 1)
Field Wins NFC South -144

New Orleans Saints Win NFC South +135 (1.35 to 1)
Field Wins NFC South -165

Carolina Panthers Win NFC South +600 (6 to 1)
Field Wins NFC South -900

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win NFC South +1600 (16 to 1)
Field Wins NFC South -2500

The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys are set to get started with the 2012 NFL season, and as a part of our analysis of the Week 1 betting lines, we are taking a look at some of the best NFL props on the board for the first game of the season.

Total Sacks Over/Under 4.5: On one glance, this prop should be really easy, right? After all, Jason Pierre-Paul should be good for a sack, as should DeMarcus Ware, and there are sure to be others that can get in on the action. Neither offensive line is all that great in pass coverage either, plus there was a game in which there were eight sacks between these teams just last year. Easy over, right? Not so fast. Over the course of the last six regular season games played between these two teams, three of the games featured no more than two sacks, and five of the six had four sacks or fewer. This is an easy one to get suckered into, but we aren’t buying it one bit. Dallas/New York Under 4.5 Sacks (+105)

Ahmad Bradshaw Over/Under 2.5 Receptions: Once upon a time, Bradshaw made for a good check down option for QB Eli Manning when he was under pressure. What we are seeing as time goes by though, is that Manning is getting more confident in his arm, and he is able to make throws down the field in the face of adversity. Parlay in there the fact that Bradshaw could be spending some more time on the bench with RB David Wilson cutting into his PT, and the feeling that we have is that there are just going to be fewer opportunities for the New York starting tailback to get the ball in his hands. We would be surprised to see him get three targets, let alone catch three balls. Bradshaw Under 2.5 Receptions (+100)

Tony Romo Over/Under 280.5 Passing Yards: This one is pretty cut and dry for us. Last year, Romo averaged just 261.5 passing yards per game, and he has never averaged more than 280 yards per game in a single season. He is going up against a New York defense that has held down its last six foes, one of which was QB Aaron Rodgers and one of which was QB Tom Brady to just 14.0 points per game. Romo also has averaged just 248.8 passing yards per game in his career against the G-Men, though it should be noted that one of those games was cut short because of a collarbone injury that he suffered. Take that game out, and the number is still 271.3 yards per game. Still, significantly more often than not, Romo is going to fail to reach this passing plateau, and we plan on taking full advantage of it. Romo Under 280.5 Passing Yards

Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants NFL Props @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 9/5/12):
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Score in First 6 ½ Minutes -140
No Score in First 6 ½ Minutes +110

Cowboys Score First +110
Giants Score First -140

First Score a Touchdown -170
First Score Not a Touchdown +140

Longest TD Over 44.5 Yards -115
Longest TD Under 44.5 Yards -115

Longest Field Goal Over 43.5 Yards -130
Longest Field Goal Under 43.5 Yards +100

Total Sacks Over 4.5 -135
Total Sacks Under 4.5 +105

Tony Romo Over 22.5 Completions -140
Tony Romo Under 22.5 Completions +110

Tony Romo Over 280.5 Passing Yards -115
Tony Romo Under 280.5 Passing Yards -115

Tony Romo Over 1.5 TD Passes -145
Tony Romo Under 1.5 TD Passes +115

Tony Romo Throws an INT -160
Tony Romo Doesn’t Throw an INT +130

DeMarco Murray Over 76.5 Rushing Yards -115
DeMarco Murray Under 76.5 Rushing Yards -115

DeMarco Murray Scores a TD +140
DeMarco Murray Doesn’t Score a TD -180

Felix Jones Over 3.5 Yards on First Rush -125
Felix Jones Under 3.5 Yards on First Rush -105

Dez Bryant Over 11.5 Yards on First Reception -110
Dez Bryan Under 11.5 Yards on First Reception -120

Eli Manning Over 23.5 Completions -115
Eli Manning Under 23.5 Completions -115

Eli Manning Over 297.5 Passing Yards -115
Eli Manning Under 297.5 Passing Yards -115

Eli Manning Over 1.5 TD Passes -180
Eli Manning Under 1.5 TD Passes +140

Eli Manning Throws an INT -185
Eli Manning Doesn’t Throw an INT +145

Ahmad Bradshaw Rushing Yards Over 65.5 -115
Ahmad Bradshaw Rushing Yards Under 65.5 -115

Ahmad Bradshaw Scores a TD +110
Ahmad Bradshaw Doesn’t Score a TD -140

Ahmad Bradshaw Over 2.5 Receptions -130
Ahmad Bradshaw Under 2.5 Receptions +100

Victor Cruz Over 5.5 Receptions +100
Victor Cruz Under 5.5 Receptions -130

Victor Cruz Over 90.5 Receiving Yards -115
Victor Cruz Under 90.5 Receiving Yards -115

Victor Cruz Scores a TD +115
Victor Cruz Doesn’t Score a TD -145

There isn’t all that much of a doubt that the Florida State Seminoles and the Virginia Tech Hokies are two of the best three teams in the ACC this year. That being said, one of them will rule supreme in what could prove to be as crucial of a Thursday night NCAA football betting battle as we will see this year. All 12 members of the ACC are going to be watching this one, as this could change the entire course of the season in both the Atlantic Division and the Coastal Division. The Hokies will play host to the Seminoles in what could prove to be a preview of yet another ACC Championship Game in 2012.

Florida State Seminoles @ Virginia Tech Hokies Picks & Info
Florida State Seminoles @ Virginia Tech Hokies Date: Thursday, November 8th
Florida State Seminoles @ Virginia Tech Hokies Location: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
Florida State Seminoles @ Virginia Tech Hokies Spread: Florida State Seminoles (-3)

Florida State’s offense is going to have to be the difference in this game. QB EJ Manuel could be well on his way to a Heisman Trophy type of a season, and with the national spotlight shining in this standalone game on the college football TV schedule, there is no doubt that this could be the game that makes or breaks his campaign. This also could be vital from the standpoint that it might be the only thing separating the garnet and gold and a spot in the BCS National Championship Game. Barring a setback at home against Clemson or on the road against South Florida, NC State, or Miami (and yes, we know that that is a heck of a lot of “ifs”), this will likely be the only challenge left on the slate for the Noles. The defense took some massive strides last year, and though it is hard to measure exactly how many starters are really back from last year’s team, there is no doubt that there are at least 15 that are going to be back that were in the regular defensive rotation.

Florida State Seminoles vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Past Games (Since 1995)
2010: Virginia Tech 44 – Florida State 33 (ACC Championship Game)
2008: Florida State 30 – Virginia Tech 20
2007: Virginia Tech 40 – Florida State 21
2005: Florida State 27 – Virginia Tech 22 (ACC Championship Game)
2002: Florida State 30 – Virginia Tech 17 (Gator Bowl)
2000: Florida State 46 – Virginia Tech 29 (National Championship Game)

The Hokies could also reasonably be undefeated at this point too, though they have the unfortunate task of having to travel to Clemson and Miami in back to back weeks before this one kicks off, and it is hard to imagine many teams being able to get through that stretch of schedule without a blunder somewhere along the way. That being said, the V-Tech defense is going to have to be up to the challenge of containing the Seminoles. The Hokies really didn’t do a good job of that two years ago in the conference title game, but they did get their offense going full bore. The problem? QB Logan Thomas is now calling the shots and not QB Tyrod Taylor, and the rushing attack has really been diminished as well with RB David Thomas no longer in Blacksburg.

Florida State @ Florida State Free Picks^^: This is a tough call. Lane Stadium is used to hosting these Thursday nighters, and more often than not, the Hokies are the ones that come out on top in these situations. Florida State probably has the slightly better team, but we think that this game is going to mean more to V-Tech. Don’t be shocked if the Seminoles come back and win the war in the ACC Championship Game, where we expect these two teams to be meeting later in the campaign, but with the venue set in Blacksburg in primetime, we definitely want the field goal on our side.

^^Notice: The NCAA football picks & predictions listed on the sports betting blog are made by our staff writers early in the season and do not represent the Bankroll Sports expert handicapping team’s actual premium service releases. Click Here to receive our expert handicappers premium college football picks for the 2012 football season.

You can purchase our premium Florida State vs. Virginia Tech picks from our experts on 11/8/12

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have been craving respect for years and years. This could be a difficult season, but it could just as easily be one in which a BCS bowl game might be on the line. If Notre Dame has eight wins coming into this contest with the USC Trojans, it could be well on its way to the Orange Bowl or the Sugar Bowl. For the Trojans though, this could be the second to last step between them and a perfect season and a bid in the BCS National Championship Game. If nothing else, there is a ton of history and tradition here between these two schools, and this year’s game at the LA Coliseum will certainly be a college football matchup that cannot be missed.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ USC Trojans Picks & Info
Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ USC Trojans Date: Saturday, November 24th
Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ USC Trojans Location: Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ USC Trojans Spread: USC Trojans -13

Notre Dame will already know at this point what its season is going to be like. This might determine whether it gets to go to a bowl game or a BCS bowl bid, but there is no doubt that the National Championship is not in the picture. It is anyone’s guess as to whether it will be QB Tommy Rees or QB Andrew Hendrix by this point in the season, but either way, we know that the microscope is going to be on both of these athletes by November. Odds have it, both will have played and gone through many ups and downs, and whichever one is under center is going to know that he is in a lot of trouble going up against the stout USC defense.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. USC Trojans Past Games (Since 1995)
2011: USC 31 – Notre Dame 17
2010: Notre Dame 20 – USC 16
2009: USC 34 – Notre Dame 27
2008: USC 38 – Notre Dame 3
2007: USC 38 – Notre Dame 0
2006: USC 44 – Notre Dame 24
2005: USC 34 – Notre Dame 31
2004: USC 41 – Notre Dame 10
2003: USC 45 – Notre Dame 14
2002: USC 44 – Notre Dame 13
2001: Notre Dame 27 – USC 16
2000: Notre Dame 38 – USC 21
1999: Notre Dame 25 – USC 24
1998: USC 10 – Notre Dame 0
1997: USC 20 – Notre Dame 17
1996: USC 27 – Notre Dame 20
1995: Notre Dame 38 – USC 10

This is the first time that we have taken a look at the Trojans in our Top 25 countdown of the best college football matchups of the year, and we have to say that it is obvious that we like what we see. This could be the final home game for QB Matt Barkley, though in all likelihood, the next week, he’ll be playing in the Pac-12 Championship Game at the Coliseum as well. He’ll want to put on a show, as will so many of the other members of the Men of Troy that are going to be leaving for the NFL after this upcoming season is over with. Barkley might also have a Heisman Trophy to go out and win, and you know with the national media all over this game and everything that this team does, every single snap is important. Don’t be all that shocked, especially up against a Notre Dame secondary that has the tendency of being suspect, if Barkley ends up with a huge game on what will be Senior Night.

Notre Dame @ USC Free Picks^^: ‘V’ is for victory, and there is no doubt that USC is going to be proving triumphant in this one. Notre Dame is overrated at this point, but by the end of the year, when the Trojans are either undefeated or on the verge of it, there won’t be a way that this point spread is below two touchdowns. Back the Men of Troy in what could be their final home game to blow the Irish out of the water by at least three scores.

^^Disclaimer: Our college football picks by our sports blog writers are independent of those from our Expert NCAA Football Handicappers. All NCAA football odds and lines in our Top 25 are from the month of August, and those lines could and likely will change by the time the game kicks off.

You won’t want to miss our Notre Dame @ USC picks when our expert college football handicappers have them posted on the week of 11/24/12.