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Ohio State’s last two seasons ended in heartbreak with losses in the national title game. Two years ago, Florida routed the Buckeyes, 41-14. Last season, it was another SEC foe, LSU, who stomped Ohio State, 38-24. With almost all starters returning, I expect Ohio State to make another run at the national championship.

Junior running back Chris “Beanie” Wells is coming off a season in which he ran for over 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns. Included in that yardage total is a 222-yard performance against rival Michigan. It stands as the best rushing performance ever for a Buckeye against Michigan. Wells also tallied 146 yards in the BCS National Championship Game against LSU.

Quarterback Todd Boeckman returns for his senior season. With Wells in the backfield and a veteran offensive line protecting him, Boeckman should have little trouble getting the ball to his favorite targets, wide receivers Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline. Robiskie led the team last season with 55 catches for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hartline wasn’t too far behind Robiskie with 52 receptions of his own. Robiskie and Hartline must stay healthy because Ohio State has no clear third receiving threat at this time.

Defensively, the Buckeyes were nearly invincible last season. Ohio State ranked first nationally in points allowed per game (12.8), passing yards allowed per game (150.2) and total yards per game (233). They were also third nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (82.9).

Ohio State plays a 4-3 defense that gets regular pressure on passing downs and reroutes running plays to the middle where linebacker James Laurinaitis resides. Laurinaitis, a Butkus Award winner, has size, speed and all the intangibles. Outside linebacker Marcus Freeman has been second on the team in tackles (behind Laurinaitis) each of the last two seasons and I can easily see that happening again this season.

Ohio State is deep along the defensive line, which will allow them to keep fresh bodies on the field at all times. The secondary is also very talented with all four starters returning, including Thorpe Award candidate Malcolm Jenkins. Jenkins, a senior cornerback, will be joined in the secondary by fellow cornerback Donald Washington and safeties Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell.

Ohio State should see improvement in their kick return coverage this season with the return of Aaron Pettrey, who was injured for a majority of last season. Punter A.J. Trapasso also returns. Trapasso is very skilled at placing kicks inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Ryan Pretorius, an accurate kicker, is also back for his senior season.

I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see this team back in the national title game for the third straight year. They have nine starters returning on both sides of the ball, including some All-American candidates. They also have head coach Jim Tressel, who has already won a Division I-A national title.

The defense should be fierce once again, even without Vernon Gholston. If the offense can sustain drives and limit turnovers (Boeckman threw 14 interceptions last season and Wells has a history of fumbling), then I can see Ohio State right back in the national title game in January 2009.

Offensively, it all starts with quarterback Tim Tebow. Tebow is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and he is only entering his Junior year. Tebow will have a bevy of incredibly talented players to get the ball to, and as a result, I do not see him reaching last season’s amazing totals of 32 passing touchdowns and 23 rushing touchdowns.

The Gators are stacked at the wide receiver position, have two extremely talented tight ends and loads of experience along the offensive line. Florida will spread the ball around to receivers Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy and Riley Cooper as well as a deep corps of running backs who compliment each other very well. Sophomore tailback Chris Rainey, who will also line up at receiver, was the star of the spring game.

Florida led the SEC in offense last season and they have much of that unit returning. I do not expect the Gators to have much trouble moving the ball or scoring points in bunches.

The Gators defense appeared to be improving as the season progressed. But Michigan thoroughly humiliated them with 524 yards of offense in the Capital One Bowl. Coach Urban Meyer responded by bringing in two new defensive coaches. He also brought in a ton of talent from his recruiting class in order to upgrade the defensive side of the ball. Meyer also put an emphasis on changing some defensive strategies. This season, Meyer plans on playing more off-man coverage.

All-SEC linebacker Brandon Spikes is the cornerstone of the Florida defense. The Gators will need help from some of their freshmen if their defense is to improve. These freshmen include cornerback Janoris Jenkins, safety Will Hill and defensive tackle Omar Hunter.

On special teams, Florida will have a new kicker and it will most likely be true freshman Jacob Sturgis. Sturgis wowed coaches in the spring game by booting a 60-yard field goal. Sophomore Chas Henry is back as the team’s punter. Henry’s booming punts were very difficult for opponents to return last season.

Last season was a rebuilding year for Florida. The Gators lost a lot of talent from their 2006 National Championship team. They lost four games and failed to repeat as SEC champions. In my humble opinion, the pieces are in place for Florida to make another national title run this season. However, it won’t be an easy task.

The Gators are in the same division with Georgia, another preseason favorite. Florida also has a very difficult schedule that consists of non-conference games against Miami, Florida State and Hawaii, road games at Tennessee and Arkansas, a home game against LSU, the defending national champions.

While it won’t be easy, Florida certainly has the talent to be considered among the preseason favorites in the chase for the 2008 national championship.

My Baseball Best Bet for Friday 7/4/2008 was:

9:40 PM ET
MLB
San Diego Padres (Baek) at Arizona Diamondbacks (Haren)

Best Bet: Arizona Diamondbacks (listed pitchers) -200

Arizona’s huge six-run, ninth-inning rally yesterday should provide the spark the D’backs need to get rolling again. Arizona is 26-17 at home, batting .281 and scoring 5.2 runs per game. The D’backs are 20-8 in division games, batting .282 and scoring 5.9 runs per game.

Arizona will face Cha Seung Baek, who will be making his first start since coming over from Seattle. Baek owns a 6.00 ERA and 1.52 WHIP on the season. He has struggled recently as well, posting a 6.38 ERA in his last three starts. This will only be Baek’s second road start of the season.

San Diego is just 12-27 on the road (batting .251) and they’ve lost 10 of their last 11 games. San Diego is 9-24 this season as a road underdog of +100 or higher. San Diego is also 1-11 this season vs. NL starting pitchers whose ERA is 3.00 or better. The Padres are batting just .221 in division games this season and that number figures to drop against today’s opponent.

Dan Haren has been incredible for Arizona. Haren owns a 2.85 ERA and 0.97 WHIP on the season, including a 2.41 ERA and 0.92 WHIP at home, where he is 7-1 in nine starts. Haren owns an amazing 0.43 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in his last three starts, including seven shutout innings at Boston. Opponents are hitting just .215 against Haren this season, including .206 at home. It’s hard to imagine the light-hitting Padres doing any better than that.

Take Arizona and Haren over San Diego and Baek.

My best bets, which only come up about once a week per sport, are available for only $7.69.  In between Best Bets, you can get my daily sports picks absolutely FREE just by signing up for the Bullseye Sports Daily Free Sports Picks Newsletter.  Just enter your email address in the signup form, click “Get Free Picks” and I’ll send you free sports picks every day, including free baseball picks — directly to your inbox!

Best of luck,
Dwayne Bryant
Bullseye Sports, The Trusted Source for Winning Sports Picks
www.bullseye-sports.com

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My Baseball Best Bet for Tuesday 7/1/2008 was:

7:05 PM ET
MLB
Texas Rangers (Millwood) at New York Yankees (Chamberlain)

Best Bet: New York Yankees (listed pitchers) -200

Texas took the series opener last night, 2-1. I expect the Yankees to even things up tonight. Both teams can hit, but it should be noted that Texas’ average drops to .263 on the road, while the Yankees average rises to .285 at home. The Yankees have won 13 of the last 17 in this series.

Texas sends ace Kevin Millwood to the mound. Millwood owns a 5.25 ERA and 1.88 WHIP on the road this season (team is 2-6). Millwood also owns a 6.10 ERA and 1.84 WHIP this month. The righty also sports a 5.81 ERA in his night starts this season. Opponents are batting .314 against Millwood this season, including .320 at night, .344 this month and .348 in his road starts. Millwood is 1-5 (team is 1-6) in his career starts vs. the Yankees, posting a 5.49 ERA and 1.53 WHIP.

The Yankees counter with Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain owns a 1.80 ERA as a starter (team is 4-1). He has only given up more than one earned run in one of his five starts (he allowed two earned runs in that start). Chamberlain owns a 1.76 ERA at night. Opponents are batting just .216 against Chamberlain this season, including only .195 at Yankee Stadium.

Take the Yankees and Chamberlain over Texas and Millwood.

My best bets, which only come up about once a week per sport, are available for only $7.69.  In between Best Bets, you can get my daily sports picks absolutely FREE just by signing up for the Bullseye Sports Daily Free Sports Picks Newsletter.  Just enter your email address in the signup form, click “Get Free Picks” and I’ll send you free sports picks every day, including free baseball picks — directly to your inbox!

Best of luck,
Dwayne Bryant
Bullseye Sports, The Trusted Source for Winning Sports Picks
www.bullseye-sports.com

My Baseball Best Bet for Tuesday 6/24/2008 was:

7:05 PM ET MLB Arizona Diamondbacks (Davis) at Boston Red Sox (Masterson)

Best Bet #1: Boston Red Sox (listed pitchers) -180 Best Bet #2: Boston Red Sox (listed pitchers) RUN LINE -1.5 +110

Arizona’s Dan Haren out-dueled Boston’s Josh Beckett last night, giving the D’backs a 2-1 win. So Boston, 29-10 at home this season, has now lost three of their last four at Fenway. I do not expect the defending champs to lose a second straight series at home after they just dropped two of three here to St. Louis. Boston is 13-1 this season as a home favorite of -150 to -200 (average score: Boston 6.6, Opponents 3.1). Since 1997, Boston is 15-1 in home games vs. NL teams with a team batting average of .255 or worse (the loss came last night). Boston holds a huge offensive edge in this series. The Red Sox managed just four (4) hits last night, so I expect some fireworks tonight. Prior to last night, Boston was third in MLB in batting average (.278), fourth in runs scored (396), second in on-base percentage (.353) and second in slugging percentage (.451). Boston is 11-3 vs. lefty starters this season, batting .288 and scoring 5.4 runs per game. The BoSox bat .291 at home and score 5.8 runs per game at Fenway.Prior to last night, Arizona was tied for 26th in MLB in batting average (.248). The D’backs are batting .218 on the road (3.9 runs per game) and .218 in interleague play (3.1 runs per game). Arizona was also batting just .229 (3.3 runs per game) over their last seven games prior to last night. Arizona’s Doug Davis has some decent ERA numbers all the way around, but his WHIP is a bit high, especially on the road (1.77). Davis also has more walks (14) than strikeouts (11) on the road, where Arizona has lost three of his four starts. On the road, Davis allows a .297 batting average and a .407 on-base percentage.Boston’s Justin Masterson has made the most of his spot-start duties. In six starts, Masterson sports a 3.00 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, including a 2.59 ERA and 1.07 WHIP at home (team is 3-1). Masterson is holding opposing hitters to a .179 batting average and .290 on-base percentage. Masterson also has the advantage of facing Arizona for the first time. Take Boston and Masterson over Arizona and Davis on BOTH LINES. NOTE: Do NOT take the run line unless you’re getting AT LEAST +110.

My best bets, which only come up about once a week per sport, are available for only $7.69.  In between Best Bets, you can get my daily sports picks absolutely FREE just by signing up for the Bullseye Sports Daily Free Sports Picks Newsletter.  Just enter your email address in the signup form, click “Get Free Picks” and I’ll send you free sports picks every day, including free baseball picks — directly to your inbox!

Best of luck,
Dwayne Bryant
Bullseye Sports, The Trusted Source for Winning Sports Picks
www.bullseye-sports.com

My NBA Best Bet for Tuesday 6/17/2008 was:

My Best Bets, which only come up about once a week per sport, are available for only $7.69. In between Best Bets, you can get my daily sports picks absolutely FREE just by signing up for the Bullseye Sports Daily Free Sports Picks Newsletter. Just enter your email address in the signup form, click “Get Free Picks” and I’ll send you free sports picks every day, including free NBA picks — directly to your inbox!

Best of luck,
Dwayne Bryant
Bullseye Sports, The Trusted Source for Winning Sports Picks
www.bullseye-sports.com

My NBA Best Bet for Thursday 6/12/2008 was:

9:05 PM ET on ABC NBA Finals - Game 4 Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers

Best Bet: Boston Celtics +7.5

The Lakers slipped back into this series with their Game 3 win, 87-81. Boston played a pretty poor game, yet they still hung in there and kept the game fairly close. I’m not surprised. That was LA’s first win in FIVE tries against Boston this season and the Celtics are a PERFECT 5-0 ATS. So why has LA struggled against Boston this season? The answer is simple: defense. Boston is the best defensive team in the NBA, holding opponents to 89.8 PPG and 42% shooting. The Lakers are 0-7 ATS this season vs. teams allowing 43% or less shooting. The Celtics shot just 34.9% in Game 3. It should be noted that Boston is 9-1 this season following a game in which they shot 40% or worse. Boston is also 18-4 ATS over the last 2 seasons as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points. Yes, the Lakers are usually a good shooting team, but the Celtics defense has been up for the challenge this season. Boston is 15-6 ATS this season vs. teams shooting 46% or better. Take Boston +7.5 over the Lakers tonight.

My best bets, which only come up about once a week per sport, are available for only $7.69.  In between Best Bets, you can get my daily sports picks absolutely FREE just by signing up for the Bullseye Sports Daily Free Sports Picks Newsletter.  Just enter your email address in the signup form, click “Get Free Picks” and I’ll send you free sports picks every day, including free NBA picks — directly to your inbox!

Best of luck,
Dwayne Bryant
Bullseye Sports, The Trusted Source for Winning Sports Picks
www.bullseye-sports.com

My Baseball Best Bet for Wednesday, 6/11/2008 was:

7:05 PM ET MLB Baltimore Orioles (Olson) at Boston Red Sox (Colon)

Best Bet #1: Boston Red Sox (listed pitchers) -170 Best Bet #2: Boston Red Sox (listed pitchers) RUN LINE -1.5 +120

The O’s took the series opener last night, 10-6. I expect Boston to bounce back in a big way tonight. Get this early before the lines go up. And don’t take the run line unless you can get + something (example: -1.5 +120). Prior to last night, Baltimore was 14-20 on the road, batting .242 and scoring 4 RPG. Boston is 26-7 at home. Prior to last night, Boston was batting .298 at home (5.9 RPG). Also, prior to last night, Boston was a PERFECT 15-0 against the money line this season as a home favorite of -150 or more (average score: Boston 7.3, Opponents 3.2). This season (prior to last night), the Red Sox are also 20-4 in home games vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less RPG, 22-4 in home games vs. an AL team with a team batting average of .265 or worse, and 14-3 in home games vs. an AL team with an on-base percentage of .330 or worse. Boston has also won 14 of the last 19 at home in this series.The O’s send Garrett Olson to the hill. Olson owns a 5.23 ERA and 1.597 WHIP on the road this season. Olson is also 0-2 (team is 0-4) in his career starts vs. Boston, posting a 6.64 ERA and 1.869 WHIP. The four losses were by a combined 29-11. Boston is 9-2 vs. lefty starters this season, batting .304 with a .396 OBP and scoring 5.8 RPG. Boston counters with Bartolo Colon. Colon has been decent, but this pick has nothing to do with Colon and everything to do with Boston’s success at home, Boston losing the series opener, Boston’s success against lefty starters, and Boston’s explosive offense going against a pitcher they enjoy facing. This game just sets up very well for the Red Sox. Take Boston and Colon over Baltimore and Olson on BOTH LINES.

My best bets, which only come up about once a week per sport, are available for only $7.69.  In between Best Bets, you can get my daily sports picks absolutely FREE just by signing up for the Bullseye Sports Daily Free Sports Picks Newsletter.  Just enter your email address in the signup form, click “Get Free Picks” and I’ll send you free sports picks every day, including free baseball picks — directly to your inbox!

Best of luck,
Dwayne Bryant
Bullseye Sports, The Trusted Source for Winning Sports Picks
www.bullseye-sports.com

My Baseball Best Bet for Saturday 6/7/2008 was:

1:05 PM ET MLB Kansas City Royals (Bannister) at New York Yankees (Pettitte)

Best Bet: New York Yankees (listed pitchers) -185

The Yankees dropped the series opener last night, 2-1. Don’t expect lightning to strike two nights in a row for the Royals. The Yankees are still 8-2 at home vs. KC since ‘06 and KC is still just 12-21 on the road this season. Kansas City is 2-12 this season vs. a starting pitcher who averages less than 1.75 BB’s/start (average score: KC 2.6, Opponents 4.8). KC’s Brian Bannister owns a hefty 8.44 ERA and 1.613 WHIP on the road this season (KC is 1-4). Opponents have batted a whopping .316 at home vs. Bannister and he owns a bulging 8.10 ERA and 1.900 WHIP in 2 career starts vs. the Yankees — and they were both at home! That should mean big trouble in his first start at Yankee Stadium against a Yankees lineup that is batting .329 with a .384 OBP in their last 7 games prior to last night. NY’s Andy Pettitte has been mediocre this season, but he seems to be rounding into form. In his last 3 outings, Pettitte has gone 19 2/3 innings, walking just one batter while striking out 14. Pettitte is 8-3 (team is 10-4) with a 3.37 ERA vs. KC since ‘97. His success should continue considering KC hits just .246 on the road (3.7 RPG) and .249 vs. lefty starters (3.5 RPG). Since 1997, Pettitte is 30-6 (Team’s Record) as a home favorite of -175 to -200 (average score: Pettitte 6.6, Opponents 3.3).Take the Yankees and Pettitte over KC and Bannister.

My best bets, which only come up about once a week per sport, are available for only $7.69.  In between Best Bets, you can get my daily sports picks absolutely FREE just by signing up for the Bullseye Sports Daily Free Picks Newsletter.  Just enter your email address in the signup form, click “Get Free Picks” and I’ll send you free sports picks every day, including free baseball picks — directly to your inbox!

Best of luck,
Dwayne Bryant
Bullseye Sports, The Trusted Source for Winning Sports Picks
www.bullseye-sports.com