Fernandez-Castano takes lead in Qatar

Golf Betting Lines

02/02/2012 - Doha, Qatar (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano shot a six-under 66 on a windy Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Qatar Masters.

The Spaniard birdied four of his final five holes at Doha Golf Club to take a one-shot lead over American John Daly, who is search of his first win since 2004. Daly is a two-time major champion, but has slipped to 543rd in the world rankings.

K.J. Choi and Jason Day both shot four-under 68s Thursday and are tied for third.

Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, the No. 3 and 4 players in the world, respectively, are in a large group tied in 15th at one-under 71.

MORE TO FOLLOW.

Allltheweb Golf Betting News

<< Blazers crush Bobcats
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While they haven't been at their best on the road, the Portland Trail Blazers have had almost no trouble winning at the Rose Garden. Jamal Crawford scored 24 points while Gerald Wallace netted 23 points

<< Clippers earn rare win in Utah
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It wasn't easy, but the Clippers picked up their first win in Salt Lake City since 2003. Los Angeles had lost 15 straight against the Jazz in Utah, but got a season- high 34 points and 11 assists fr

<< Doughty scores in final second as Kings down Jackets
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Drew Doughty rammed home the game-winning goal with two-tenths of a second remaining to send the Los Angeles Kings to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Staples Center. After Blue Jackets'

<< Stars start second half with win over Ducks
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Michael Ryder and Jamie Benn each had a goal and two assists as the Dallas Stars took a 6-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Stephane Robidas, Eric Nystrom, Vernon Fiddler and Sheldon Souray ea

<< No. 17 San Diego State edges Boise State
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jamaal Franklin scored 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds as No. 17 San Diego State survived to take a 58-56 win over Boise State. The game came down to the final shot after Chase Tapley hit 1-

Hot Hawks kick off homestand vs. Grizzlies >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Hawks are back home after an impressive road trip and will kick off a four-game residency this evening versus the Memphis Grizzlies. Hidden in all the hype by the likes of Miami, Chicago and Philadelphia in the

Avs host Wild in Northwest Division battle >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A key battle in the Western Conference playoff race is on tap tonight in Denver, as the sliding Colorado Avalanche host the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center. Despite posting just four wins in their last 20 games (4-12-4)

Blackhawks try to stop slide in Edmonton >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The return of two of Chicago's top forwards wasn't enough to halt the club's losing streak last time out and the Blackhawks will try to avoid matching their longest skid of the season tonight when they visit the Edmonton Oile

Sharks, Stars renew hostilities in San Jose >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks turned in an impressive performance in their first game following the All-Star break and the Pacific Division leaders will aim for a third straight win tonight when they host the rival Dallas Stars at HP P

Blazers visit reeling Kings >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The reeling Sacramento Kings will attempt to halt a five- game losing streak when they entertain a Portland Trail Blazers club trying to figure out how to get it done away from Rip City. The Kings were competitive in their

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.