Jeff Haney on why the winner of the Ohio State-Michigan game will be favored in title game

Friday, Nov. 17, 2006 | 6:58 a.m.

Top-ranked Ohio State would be favored by more than a field goal against any of its likely opponents in the BCS college football championship game Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz., according to oddsmakers at Las Vegas Sports Consultants.

First, the Buckeyes must get past No. 2 Michigan as a touchdown favorite Saturday in a game drawing so much betting interest that Kenny White, lead oddsmaker at LVSC, likened it to "a Super Bowl" of the NCAA regular season.

Oddsmakers at LVSC, which supplies betting lines to Nevada casinos, sent out Ohio State as a 7-point favorite against Michigan. By late Thursday, nearly every Las Vegas sports book had it 7, with a couple of stray lines of 6 1/2 in town.

LVSC sent out an opening over/under of 42 points in the big game, which has been bet down to 41 or 40 1/2 in Las Vegas.

"I thought maybe (the over/under) would be bet up because both teams have such good offenses," White said. "But they are both great defensive teams, too."

LVSC oddsmakers also released betting lines this week on 10 potential matchups in the BCS title game.

If Southern Cal should run the table and advance to its third consecutive national title game, the Trojans would be a 4 1/2-point underdog against Ohio State or a 2 1/2-point underdog against Michigan, according to LVSC.

Ohio State would be favored by 7 against either Notre Dame or Florida; by 10 against Arkansas; and by 13 1/2 points against Rutgers.

If Michigan pulls the upset Saturday and advances to the title game, it would be favored by 4 points against Florida; by 4 1/2 against Notre Dame; by 7 against Arkansas; and by 10 1/2 against Rutgers, White said.

Pending Saturday's result, LVSC did not release a line on a potential championship-game rematch between Ohio State and Michigan.

White said currently, on a neutral field, Ohio State would be favored by 3 1/2 to 4 points against Michigan.

"But it all depends on how it plays out Saturday," White said.

Contest updates

In the Leroy's Money Talks $100,000 football prognostication contest, handicappers Andy Iskoe and "Sooner Adam" finished in a tie last week after making seven picks against the point spread. They will clash again this week in a quarterfinal in the 16-man single-elimination tournament. Also tonight at the Silverton (7 to 9 p.m., KSHP 1400-AM), Bill "Krackman" Krackomberger faces "Doc" Moseman.

The championship match is scheduled for Dec. 15 at the Hilton. The winner collects $80,000 with the runner-up earning $20,000.

In a season-long, $50,000 winner-take-all football handicapping contest, Fezzik (36-17-7 against the spread, 69 percent) leads fellow professional gambler Nick Bogdanovich (36-22-2, 62 percent). They go at it again at 2 p.m. today at Fitzgeralds (KENO 1460-AM).

Contest odds

There's no sanctioned wagering on the Leroy's handicapping contests, but wherever gamblers gather, you can count on a thriving underground betting market.

Marc Lawrence, having won his quarterfinal match, is a plus-370 favorite to win the Money Talks championship on the (very) unofficial Las Vegas line.

Of those yet to advance from the quarters, Krackman (plus-555) commands the shortest price, followed by Sooner Adam (plus-625), Alf Musketa (plus-635), Erin Rynning (plus-650), Iskoe (plus-650) and Doc (plus-666).

In tonight's quarterfinal rematch, Iskoe and Sooner Adam are a virtual pick 'em, with Sooner Adam minus-112 and Iskoe minus-108. Krackman (minus-115) is favored against Doc (minus-105).

MVP MVP

With a league-best 18 touchdowns heading into Sunday night's game at Denver, San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson is a heavy favorite, at odds of 2-3, to win the NFL's Most Valuable Player award this season, according to offshore sports book Pinnacle.

Quarterback Peyton Manning of the unbeaten Colts is a 9-4 second choice, followed by Eagles QB Donovan McNabb at 11-1 at Pinnacle, based in Curacao.

Also on the board are longer shots Drew Brees (20-1), Tom Brady (30-1), Michael Vick (30-1), Larry Johnson (30-1), Tiki Barber (35-1) and Eli Manning (50-1).

Wagering on awards is not permitted in Nevada.