Texas in search of blood and guts running game

NCAA Football Betting Lines

08/25/2010 -

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -Run, run, run. That's all Texas coach Mack Brown wants to talk about.

For a program that won 25 games the past two seasons throwing the ball behind one of the most accurate quarterbacks in NCAA history, an iron-fisted commitment to building a punishing running game seems a bit drastic.

Texas will still throw the ball. But what Brown wants is a blood-and-guts running game that will get the tough yards and first downs ``when we need it.''

Texas couldn't get those against Alabama in a 37-21 loss in the BCS championship game last season. When quarterback Colt McCoy got hurt early in the first quarter, Texas' first drive fizzled at the goal line and the Longhorns settled for a field goal instead of a touchdown.

And when Texas needed to control the ball and reorganize behind backup quarterback Garrett Gilbert, six possessions went three plays or fewer before Texas limped into halftime trailing 24-6.

Since then, Texas has spent many days in spring drills and fall training camp working on building a bulldozing rushing attack, pushing the offensive line to be more physical. Four years of pass blocking for McCoy can put a line on its heels when it's time to lean into a 300-pound defensive tackle.

``The line has really taken it upon themselves and gotten an attitude,'' Gilbert said. ``The running backs have done a great job of getting downhill and being able to get 4 or 5 yards a pop, so that's been really good for us so far.''

Texas has often been synonymous with a solid running game in its history.

The Wishbone offense was invented here under coach Darrell Royal in the 1960s. Running backs Earl Campbell (1977) and Ricky Williams (1998) won Heisman trophies.

In the past 10 years, Cedric Benson piled up 5,540 career yards on a school-record 1,112 carries from 2001-2004. Jamaal Charles' 1,619 yards in 2007 stands as the fifth best in school history.

But no Longhorns rusher has come even close to 1,000 yards the past two seasons. McCoy led Texas rushers in 2008. Tre' Newton led the Longhorns in 2009 with 552 yards.

Texas averaged 4.0 yards per rush last season, a solid mark. But in the last two games against Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game and Alabama, the Longhorns totaled just 99 yards on 66 carries, an average of 1 1/2 yards.

The overall drop-off in recent years appears to have hurt Texas on the recruiting trail. Brown, who can usually charm top recruits to Austin with the snap of a finger, has struggled lately to land the traditional big, game-breaking running backs of Texas lore.

That could soon change. Malcolm Brown of San Antonio, one of the top running back recruits in the nation, has verbally committed to sign with Texas in 2011.

Texas started four tailbacks at different times last season and entered training camp with Newton and Fozzy Whittaker battling for the No. 1 role. Whittaker has seen sporadic action the past two seasons while battling injuries. Newton, the son of former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton, took over the position in the second half of last season.

Cody Johnson, a 5-foot-11, 250-pound bowling ball of a tailback has been a pleasant surprise in training camp and has forced his way into the rotation.

Johnson has 24 career touchdowns and ran for 109 yards in his only start last season against Baylor. Conditioning and weight problems kept him from playing more.

``He's come back and lost 4 or 5 percent body fat this summer. He's still the same weight but he's in great shape,'' Brown said. ``I think we got onto him so much that we got discouraged, very honestly. You can't do it as a coach, the young man has to do it and this summer he did it on his own.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Super Bowl XLIII Betting - Super Bowl 2009

Super Bowl 2009, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Let’s take a look at the Super Bowl 2009 betting odds and the betting line and figure out where they’ve been and where they are going to go.

MySportsbook.com put up the Super Bowl 2009 betting odds late on Sunday night with the Pittsburgh Steelers favored by 6.5 points and a total betting line at 47.5 points.

Since then, however, the Super Bowl 2009 betting odds have seen a good deal of movement and you’ll want to be on top of where they are likely to move to make sure you get the best line value for the big game.

Since opening, the Super Bowl 2009 betting lines went to Steelers -7 in the span of roughly 3 hours but were quickly bought back down just minutes later to 6.5 again.

After that is took about 5-6 more hours before the betting line went back to -7 where it has sat for a while now and is likely to remain. The opening betting total of 47.5 was bet down right after the line became available and went to 47 within minutes.

Roughly a day later it has been bet even further down to the 46.5 tally it currently is set at.

Roughly 60% of gamblers seem to be on the Cardinals here so the point spread will be bet down and a 7.5 would not last very long at all with many taking the early 6.5 in hopes of finding a potential middle in the Super Bowl 2009 betting odds.

If you like Arizona and see a 7.5, I’d take it as soon as possible because it’s unlikely to last. For Pittsburgh backers, the -7 might be the best you’ll be able to find but a 6.5 is definitely possible close to game time.

Regarding the Super Bowl 2009 betting odds for the total, most tracked gamblers are already on the over and with those who took the under 47.5 already securing a middle on the over 46.5, the only way I see it moving is back up to 47 so if you like the over, I’d recommend betting now.

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