The World Baseball Classic might still be a full year away from being complete, but qualifying for the tournament is about set to get started in September. Join us for our first look at the 2013 World Baseball Classic odds and which teams you should be looking out for to claim this illustrious title down the line.

This really is a matter of three teams, one of which is probably going to end up winning the World Baseball Classic. The favorites for the time being is the Dominican Republic (World Baseball Classic Odds: 2 to 1 SportBet Sportsbook). The Dominicans have some outstanding starts on their team, including some powerful outfielders like Jose Bautista and Nelson Cruz. Robinson Cano, Hanley Ramirez, and Jose Reyes will arm the infield, and the pitching staff has some great arms like Johnny Cueto, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Edinson Volquez. It’s not the greatest staff in the world, but in a tournament like this one, this lineup should be able to pick up the slack for what the pitchers might not be good enough to do.

There has only been one team that has been able to win this tournament in the past, and that is Japan (Odds To Win World Baseball Classic: 2.50 to 1 SportBet Sportsbook). The man that has won the MVP Award in the previous two World Baseball Classics, Daisuke Matsuzaka just doesn’t feel like he is going to be able to contribute to his team in 2013. Yu Darvish should be able to carry the load as the main ace of this team. Other major leaguers like Kosuke Fukudome, Ichiro Suzuki, and Kenji Johjima will help the team, but in the end, we always have to remember that a lot of these others players work together in the Japanese league, and that camaraderie is something that cannot be underestimated. There is a reason that baseball is so big in Japan, and that’s why this team is one of the best in the world year in and year out.

Home field advantage will go to the United States (2012 World Baseball Classic Betting Lines: 2.50 to 1 @ SportBet Sportsbook). Of course, the Americans have had the advantage of playing in their own backyard over the course of the last two World Baseball Classics, but they only have one fourth place finish to show for their work. It’s not that this team is void of talent for sure. Just look at some of the names of the men that could start… Brian McCann behind the plate, Evan Longoria at third, Jimmy Rollins at short, Kevin Youkilis at first, Ryan Braun, Adam Dunn, Curtis Granderson, and Shane Victorino in the outfield… and that doesn’t even include a bullpen with Heath Bell, Jonathan Broxton, Joel Hanrahan, and others that really have the ability to shut the door. The starting pitchers are thin right now, but the options are there for the Americans to be able to put a heck of a lot of players that are aces on this roster if they want to join the team.

There is only one other team that has succeeded in medaling in both of the first two World Baseball Classics. South Korea (World Baseball Classic Futures Lines: 15 to 1 SportBet Sportsbook) is one of the longest shots on the board, and we wonder if this team is going to be able to get the job done again. Just as baseball is big in Japan, it is just as big in South Korea as well. There are a heck of a lot of young players on this team, but there aren’t all that many players that are even thought about as big league players. That doesn’t mean that the squad isn’t going to be able to win once again, and if Japan can do it, so can South Korea.

Odds to Win the 2013 World Baseball Classic @ Sportbet Sportsbook (as of 8/7/12):
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Dominican Republic 2 to 1
Japan 2.50 to 1
United States 2.50 to 1
Chinese Taipei 12 to 1
Cuba 12 to 1
Canada 15 to 1
South Korea 15 to 1
Mexico 18 to 1
Puerto Rico 20 to 1
Venezuela 225 to 1
Panama 35 to 1
Field (Any Other Team) 15 to 1

The LSU Tigers and the Arkansas Razorbacks play against each other every single season, and they have always have something special on the line. This one is played the day after Thanksgiving every year, and though things are changing in the SEC, at least this SEC West clash isn’t changing. The Hogs and the Bayou Bengals have had some great battles over the years, last year of which was definitely no exception when they were ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in the nation. This could be the same sort of game this year, though both of these teams feel like they have taken a step backwards. This clash in Fayetteville could be a great college football matchup, and that’s why this is one of our Top 25 NCAA football games of the year.

LSU Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks Picks & Info
LSU Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks Date: Friday, November 23rd
LSU Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks Location: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR
LSU Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks Spread: LSU Tigers -3.5

The Tigers know that they are going to have one of the best defenses in the country this year, not that that is all that much of an exception from last year. The ‘D’ really didn’t have a bad game last year at all. In the end, it was the offense that failed LSU in the BCS National Championship Game and cost it the season. Now, both of the top corners from last year are gone, and that could be a bit problematic. We know that the Bayou Bengals might have some issues offensively, too. QB Zach Mettenberger is going to be leading the team on the field to start this season, and odds have it, he’ll still be the man that has to stick around with one of the most efficient offenses in the nation. RB Spencer Ware is going to be carrying the ball a ton, and there are going to be a lot of other backs that see the rock as well.

LSU Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Past Games (Since 1995)
2011: LSU 41 – Arkansas 17
2010: Arkansas 31 – LSU 23
2009: LSU 33 – Arkansas 30
2008: Arkansas 31 – LSU 30
2007: Arkansas 50 – LSU 48
2006: LSU 31 –Arkansas 26
2005: LSU 19 – Arkansas 17
2004: LSU 43 – Arkansas 14
2003: LSU 55 – Arkansas 24
2002: Arkansas 21 – LSU 20
2001: LSU 41 – Arkansas 38
2000: Arkansas 14 – LSU 3
1999: LSU 35 – Arkansas 10
1998: Arkansas 41 – LSU 14
1997: LSU 31 – Arkansas 21
1996: LSU 17 – Arkansas 7
1995: LSU 28 – Arkansas 0

The Hogs had their chance last year at the BCS National Championship Game, and though they ran through the rest of their schedule to 11 wins without a defeat, they weren’t able to take down either LSU or Alabama, and they quite frankly didn’t come close on either account. This year, the game against the Bayou Bengals is going to be at home, where Arkansas doesn’t lose all that often, and that is going to make this all the more special of a game, especially after last year’s beat down in Baton Rouge. QB Tyler Wilson has to remember what it was like going against the LSU defense, which totally shut him down and held the Razorbacks down to just 17 points, and he has to know that he is going to have to do more than that to win this game this year. His receivers should be fine by the time this one kicks off, unlike the problems that could come early in the year against Alabama. Defensively, the Hogs aren’t going to be allowing 41 points in this game again, and that should make matters all the more palatable for Wilson and this offense as well.

LSU @ Arkansas Free Picks^^: There are a few things that we really have to consider here when we back Arkansas. For starters, this game is in Fayetteville, where the Hogs have won back to back games against the Bayou Bengals. Secondly, and perhaps as important as anything else, if you take away last year’s game, six straight meetings were decided by eight points or fewer, and four of those six were decided by three points or fewer. Needless to say, that means that we are going to want these points on our side, and we think that we are going to have the team that can win this game outright as well.

^^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 LSU @ Arkansas picks when our expert college football handicappers have them posted on the week of 11/23/12.

There was a time that the Red River Rivalry between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns was one of the most important games of the year. It often determined which team would end up playing in the Big XII Championship Game, and it also usually knocked one of the two teams out of the National Championship picture. Both squads are hoping for a renaissance this year, but once again, it is going to take going through the other to be able to do it. Join us for our Red River Rivalry game preview and picks, as we highlight what should once again be a fantastic Big XII battle.

Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners Picks & Info
Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners Date: Saturday, October 13th
Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners Location: Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas, TX
Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners Spread: Oklahoma Sooners -7

Texas knows that it has to get some better play out of its quarterback position this year if it hopes to win the Red River Shootout. QB David Ash and QB Case McCoy are both trying to become the starter for the Horns this year, though it does feel like Ash has the edge having taken every snap of the Holiday Bowl at the end of last campaign. The rest of this team really feels like a Top 10 team in the country this year. The offensive line returners three starters, and the receivers and running backs are still quite deep. The defense is going to be all over the place as well, as even though former DC Will Muschamp has left for Gainesville, there are still a heck of a lot of holdovers that still have that mean streak and really command a lot of attention.

Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners Past Games (Since 1995)
2011: Oklahoma 55 – Texas 17
2010: Oklahoma 28 – Texas 20
2009: Texas 16 – Oklahoma 13
2008: Texas 45 – Oklahoma 35
2007: Oklahoma 28 – Texas 21
2006: Texas 28 – Oklahoma 10
2005: Texas 45 – Oklahoma 12
2004: Oklahoma 12 – Texas 0
2003: Oklahoma 65 – Texas 13
2002: Oklahoma 35 – Texas 24
2001: Oklahoma 14 – Texas 3
2000: Oklahoma 63 – Texas 14
1999: Texas 38 – Oklahoma 28
1998: Texas 34 – Oklahoma 3
1997: Texas 27 – Oklahoma 24
1996: Oklahoma 30 – Texas 27

Oklahoma could be up for a big time season, knowing that QB Landry Jones is back for his senior season. The offensive line in front of him is going to be awesome as always, and the running back corps should still be solid. Defensively, Head Coach Bob Stoops has had some issues in recent years, but he is hoping that his eight returning starters are able to step up to the challenge and get the job done. The secondary has really been under scrutiny. DB Demontre Hurst is the senior leader of the group, and he is going to be challenged in this game specifically against a great set of Texas wide receivers. In the end though, against a sometimes suspect Texas offense, the OU offense could get the job done by itself as long as Jones ends up not falling on his face.

Texas vs. Oklahoma Free Picks^^: The Sooners have had a strong run of games against the Longhorns in recent years, and we just don’t see how that’s going to be stopping in this one. Oklahoma and Texas are both improved teams, but in the end, it is OU that has the ability to win the National Championship, and this isn’t going to be the game that trips the men in crimson and cream up.

^^Note: These college football picks are independent of the picks of our Expert NCAA Football Handicappers. These NCAA football picks are made as of 8/12/12, though we will keep the college football matchup page updated for this clash on the week of the game.

When the Texas vs. Oklahoma odds are on the board on the week of 10/13, we will have our college football picks that you won’t want to miss!

Over the course of the last few years, the Oregon Ducks and the USC Trojans have really played some fantastic games that have featured just a ton of points. These two teams are going to be battling for what could be a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game on both sides. National Championship dreams could be up in the air as well for both sides. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is going to be the most important game of the year in the Pac-12, and if we are lucky, it might be the first of two meetings of the season between what should be two tremendous juggernauts. This will be Pac-12 football at its finest, and it is the No. 2 game in our countdown of the Top 25 NCAA football matchups in 2012.

Oregon Ducks @ USC Trojans Picks & Info
Oregon Ducks @ USC Trojans Date: Saturday, November 3rd
Oregon Ducks @ USC Trojans Location: Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
Oregon Ducks @ USC Trojans Spread: USC Trojans -3.5

The Ducks only lost two games all of last season. The first came against the LSU Tigers in Dallas. The second came against the Men of Troy in a fantastic finish in November. The loss took Oregon out of the BCS National Championship picture. Sure, the team made it to the Rose Bowl, but that was a minor consolation for sure. The high octane offense for the U of O is going to be at it again this year with QB Bryan Bennett calling the shots. RB Kenjon Barner will finally get a chance to be a featured back, and we expect that he is going to account for at least 1,500 yards this year. WRs Josh Huff and De’Anthony Thomas should both be All-Pac-12 types of performers. The defense has a few big time stars amongst its eight returning starters. Granted, this isn’t a team that is thought of for its defense, but USC has to know that it could be up for quite the challenge.

Oregon Ducks vs. USC Trojans Past Games (Since 1995)
2011: USC 38 – Oregon 35
2010: Oregon 53 – USC 32
2009: Oregon 47 – USC 20
2008: USC 44 – Oregon 10
2007: Oregon 24 – USC 17
2006: USC 35 – Oregon 10
2005: USC 45 – Oregon 13
2002: USC 44 – Oregon 33
2001: Oregon 24 – USC 22
2000: Oregon 28 – USC 17
1999: Oregon 33 – USC 30
1998: Oregon 17 – USC 13
1997: USC 24 – Oregon 22

The Trojans hadn’t beaten the Ducks in two straight seasons before last year, and that has to be worrisome for a team that is used to be a National Championship contender. This is one of the biggest games of the year for a squad that has to be considered a real threat to get to the title game, but without this win, it is going to be awfully tough to get the job done. The Trojans probably won’t have all that much of a threat to beat them out for their spot in the Pac-12 title game, so at least this won’t be up for concern. Still, QB Matt Barkley might be up for a Heisman Trophy at this point, and losing this game would probably be a huge hit against him. There are a number of other offensive stars that are going to have to come to play, but the defense is going to be up for the biggest challenge. Remember that this unit has allowed 135 points over the course of the last three seasons to the Ducks, and Head Coach Lane Kiffin cannot be thrilled to say the least about that.

Oregon @ USC Free Picks^^: Oregon is going to have a great team this year, and it did go on the road and beat the Stanford Cardinal in its biggest game of last season. That being said, this just isn’t going to be the time for the Ducks to shine. The Trojans are just too good this year, and asking them to lay basically just the value of home field advantage against Oregon isn’t enough. We think that this spread will be a touchdown when this game actually kicks off, and with that being the case, we have to back the Men of Troy right now.

^^Note: These college football picks are independent of the picks of our Expert NCAA Football Handicappers. These NCAA football picks are made as of 8/12/12, though we will keep the college football matchup page updated for this clash on the week of the game.

When the Oregon @ USC odds are on the board on the week of 11/3, we will have our college football picks that you won’t want to miss!

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