In his second year as head coach, Gary Kubiak almost guided the Texans to a place they have never been -- the playoffs. Houston fans have some reason for excitement heading into the 2008 season, but the team has a difficult road to travel through a tough, rugged AFC South division. NFL Betting odds at Bodoglife.com do not like the Texans chances as the team is listed at 12/1 odds to win their division.

The acquisition of Matt Schaub proved to be a mild success for the Texans last year. The former Falcon quarterback produced an 87.2 passer rating in 11 games for Houston. Unfortunately, Schaub was somewhat injury prone and failed to give the franchise a full season to assess his abilities. This season, while possibly feeling some heat from back-up Sage Rosenfels, the Virginia product will look to lead the team to its first winning season.

Aiding Schaub will be receivers Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter. The passing game produced 234.4 yards per game last year and helped the team to a 23.7 point per game average. 

The Texans also have some proven names in their backfield in Ahman Green and new addition Chris Brown. However, Green saw little action last season due to injury and the offensive line failed to create any sizable running lanes for any of the Houston backs. Kubiak added zone-blocking wizard Alex Gibbs to his staff and drafted Virginia Tech tackle Duane Brown to improve what was a pedestrian line in 2007.

The Texans weakest unit last year was their defense. The team allowed 24 points per game as well as 230.1 yards passing per game. The team added four defensive free agents in the off season, including former Dallas corner Jacques Reeves in hopes to shore up the struggling unit.

The secondary must improve for the defense to really step it up in 2008, but this should be helped by some healthy competition. Houston currently has 16 defensive backs on their roster and it is safe to assume they will not break camp with that number.

The defensive front produced 31 sacks last season which placed them toward the middle of the pack. While defensive end Mario Williams looks to be the real deal after a 14 sack season, defensive tackle Amobi Okoye has some things to prove following a sub-par rookie campaign. If Okoye can fulfill his potential, the defensive line could take a lot of pressure of the team's weaker secondary.

NFL Betting odds at BodogLife.com list Houston at 60/1 odds to win the Super Bowl and 30/1 odds to win the AFC Championship. The team's win total is set at 7.5 with the over a -150.

Make sure you checkout our live NFL Betting Odds feed which provides the real time point spreads from the top internet sports books in the world, all in one easy to use location. Get line moves in real time and find out which NFL team has the best betting odds. 

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College Football Predictions Oregon Ducks PAC 10 Conference 2008: After getting off to an almost perfect start last season, by winning 8 of their first 9 games, head coach Mike Bellotti (106-52 at Oregon) and his bunch finished off flat, after an injury sidelined starting QB Dennis Dixon.

After dropping the final 3 games of the regular season, the Ducks were able to bounce back in the Sun Bowl and defeated South Florida by a comfortable 56-21 margin. The Oregon Ducks’ betting odds to win the BCS National Championship game in 2009 are +4500 at BetUS.com.

In 2007, the Ducks were able to finish with a mark of 9-4 (5-4), despite their starting QB going down with an injury. What saved their season last year was unquestionably their ground game, as they ranked 6th in the nation, and 1st in the conference with almost 252 yards per game.

But the start in that final game of the year at the Sun Bowl was indeed backup QB Justine Roper. Against South Florida, Roper threw for 180 yards and 4 TDs in the victory.

In 2008, with Dixon gone, Roper will look to pick things up where he left off, as the Ducks have indeed found a QB that can compete in the PAC 10. The Oregon Ducks’ betting odds to win the PAC 10 in 2008 are third best (behind USC and ASU) at +600.

However, the Ducks’ strengths lies on their defense, as DC Nick Aliotti, will have an experienced group of guys to work with this season. The camaraderie that has been founded between now third year players: CBs Walter Thurmund and Jairus Byrd (12 INTs in conjunction), along with S Patrick Chung (117 tackles), will certainly play dividends.

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College Football Predictions Arizona State Sun Devils PAC 10 Conference 2008: Last season, the Arizona State Sun Devils finished with a good mark of 10-3 (7-2), but didn't quite perform as desired in their Bowl game. At BetUS.com, the Arizona State Sun Devils’ betting odds to win the BCS National Championship in 2009 are +4000.

After being beat down badly by Texas in the Holiday Bowl by 34-52, head coach Dave Erickson will look to make personnel improvements, as he will try to better his 158-68-1 overall record.

Outstanding (returning) QB Rudy Carpenter –who last season threw for 3,202 yards and 25 TD– will once again be at the controls on this offense. However, there might be a few concerns for Carpenter while in the pocket, as the O-line needs major improvements.

Last season, the Sun Devils’ offensive line ranked a surprising 117th in the nation in sacks, as they allowed an average of over 4 per game. That will not get it done this season.

Moreover, last season ASU ranked 3rd in both scoring and passing offense in the PAC 10 Conference, as well as 5th in total offense (in the Conf.). The Arizona State Sun Devils’ betting odds to win the PAC 10 Conference in 2008 are +400.

The strength for ASU this upcoming season will depend on the O-Line. If they can buy some time in the pocket for QB Rudy carpenter –who was sacked a total of 54 times in ‘07– they’ll become an even bigger threat offensively.

With both starting top WR coming back (McGaha and Jones), Carpenter can basically pick defensive schemes apart. Offensive coordinator Rich Olsen also has some decent weapons in the backfield he can incorporate into a powerful-balanced attack.

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USC Trojans PAC 10 Conference 2008 College Football Predictions: Arguably the best team in all of college football, the USC Trojans, are preparing to make yet another run at a National Championship this upcoming college football season. The USC Trojans’ betting odds to win the BCS Championship game in 2009 are tops in the nation at +300. 

Even though head coach Pete Carroll (76-14 overall) lost many talented players to this year’s NFL Draft, Carroll will still have plenty of other talented players available in ’08.

After loosing many of last year’s starters to the NFL Draft (7 in the first 2 rounds, and 3 in the later rounds) including QB David Booty, Southern Cal will most likely depend on Mark Sanchez to run offensive coordinator, Steve Sarkisian’s offensive scheme in ‘08.

USC will indeed be once again among the elite teams in the Pacific 10 Conference. According the BetUS.com, Southern Cal are the early frontrunners to win the PAC 10 Conference in 2008 with their -300 betting odds.

In this upcoming college football season, the strength of this USC Trojans’ squad will once again be on the defensive end. The returns of LBs Rey Maualuga and Brian Crushing; S Kevin Ellison and Taylor Mays, DE Kyle Moore, CB Cary Harris, and DT Fili Moala, will certainly make this Trojans defense remarkably potent.

Last season, Southern Cal’s (total) defense ranked 2nd in the nation, and 1st in the PAC 10 Conference. Carroll will look to get similar production from his crew this season. Not to mention how they were 3rd in the country in (1st in PAC 10) sacks with 3.5 per game, as well as 2nd in scoring (defense) with 16 pts; once again 1st in the PAC 10.

However, if there were a weak link in the 2008 Trojan multi-dimensional  “D”, it would be in the line, where they will have to replace Lawrence Jackson and Sedrick Ellis.

Last season, Pete Carroll and the USC Trojans finished with an record of 11-2 and 7-2 in the PAC 10 Conferenece. They were also able to close out the year in grand fashion, by trashing Illinois in the Rose Bowl by a final score of 49-17. 

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