Money on Dallas — but bettors root for Pack

Bob Cloud

Monday, Nov. 18, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

It figures to be an old-fashioned shootout as Green Bay travels to Dallas on Monday Night Football.

The matchup features serious playoff implications, as a Green Bay win would almost assure the Packers of home field advantage in a possible playoff rematch. That scenario is big for the Packers, who have lost to the Cowboys at Texas Stadium in each of the last two playoffs, including the NFC Championship game last January.

Green Bay has dropped six consecutive games to Dallas. The Packers enter the contest off a 27-20 loss at Kansas City, while the Cowboys took an overtime triumph at San Francisco. Green Bay also comes in banged up, with its top two receivers out of action indefinitely.

The Cowboys have been bet up to a 4 1/2-point favorite after opening as a 3-point choice. The over/under stands at 43, down from an opening line of 43 1/2. The game kicks off at 6 p.m. on ABC.

Dave Grisar of the Boulder Station Race and Sports Book said tonight's game should inspire heavy betting interest.

"It really should draw some good action," Grisar said. "There's only one NBA game on Monday, so it'll really be the only thing to watch. Also, it's one of those games matching two of the best teams in the NFL, and two of the most popular."

So far the Cowboys have been the recipients of the majority of action, although Grisar said many bettors have stated mixed emotions regarding their rooting interests.

"Most people are betting Dallas, but a lot of people have said even though they're betting Dallas, they still want Green Bay to win," he said. "It's very weird. I think more people would be betting the Packers if not for all the injuries."

While revenge might be on the minds of the Packers, Grisar said he favors the Cowboys.

"I think the Dallas defense vs. the Green Bay offense, with their injuries at wide receiver, sets up well for the Cowboys. If you think about it, Deion Sanders is going to be covering some no-name receiver for Green Bay. I like that matchup."

The Packers are without the services of injured wide receivers Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman and tight end Mark Chmura.

Tracy Gay of the Imperial Palace agreed the Packers face an uphill battle, but gives Green Bay the nod for several reasons, including superior head coaching.

"The Packers have so many injuries -- they've lost receivers left and right," Gay said. "The Cowboys are playing better since (wide receiver Michael) Irvin came back. At the beginning of the season everybody bet the Packers, but now they're starting to jump on the Cowboy bandwagon."

"I like the Packers. I think they're too good to lose two games in a row. Also, they know they're not going to be taken seriously until they beat the Cowboys. I'm also not a very big Barry Switzer fan."

Tide won't roll

Everything went according to plan for college football favorites Saturday, except for No. 8 Alabama, which again failed to cover as a double-digit favorite.

The Crimson Tide (8-2), a 12-point favorite, lost 17-16 at Mississippi State on Brian Hazlewood's 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. It was only the second win for the Bulldogs over Alabama in 39 years. It was the fourth time in seven games this season the Tide failed to cover a spread of 10 or more points.

As to be expected, the Mississippi State victory proved to be a nice take for the sports books, as very little money came down on the side of the Bulldogs.

"That was big for the house," said Gay. "Everybody bet Alabama. The bettors hit it hard. But Alabama very seldom covers double-digit spreads. They just don't score a lot of points."

Grisar said history has shown bettors it's best to stay away from the Tide and big spreads.

"Their offense has gotten a little more open over the past few years, but they still have a head coach (Gene Stallings) who likes to play it close to the vest. Alabama's still in the driver's seat for the SEC title game, but they don't perform well as a big favorite."