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Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An attacking defensive line makes all the difference in the world. Disruptive forces up front can control the tempo of a game with a relentless pursuit of the ball. They are a quarterback's worst nightmare, causing havoc with their non-stop pressure and can negate even the best rushing games by holding their ground. Here are the top defensive linemen at the FBS level for the 2011 season.

 

QUINTON COPLES - This talented playmaker came out of last year's UNC scandal unscathed and as a result was showcased along the defensive front week-in and week-out for the Tar Heels. The 6-6, 285-pounder played all along the defensive line and dominated in opposing backfields, leading UNC in both TFLs (15.5) and sacks (10), en route to All-ACC First-Team honors. He is on everyone's shortlist this season for All-American accolades and should produce big numbers as the top preseason pick at defensive end.

 

VINNY CURRY - A highly productive downlineman for the Thundering Herd in 2010, the 6-4, 260-pound Curry led all defensive linemen in Conference USA in tackles (94) and finished fifth nationally in sacks (12), while placing second in the C-USA in TFLs (18). The First-Team All-conference performer could have bolted for the NFL following that junior campaign, but made the decision to return and finish what he started at Marshall.

 

ANDRE BRANCH - Ultra-talented Da'Quan Bowers has moved on, but a recent trend of superb athletes at the defensive end position should continue at Clemson, with the 2011 version coming in the form of the 6-5, 260-pound Branch. Developing as a well-rounded end that can play the run or the pass, Branch was overshadowed by Bowers and tackle Jarvis Jenkins in 2010, but still finished with 49 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and four sacks. Those numbers will skyrocket in 2011 as he is now the man up front for the Tigers.

 

JEREL WORTHY - There is a ton of hype surrounding the centerpiece to Michigan State's defensive line. The 6-3, 305-pound Worthy is as good as it gets at the tackle position and is projected as a top-10 pick in the next NFL Draft if he continues to perform for the Spartans. A tough-as-nails anchor up front, Worthy walks the walk and talks the talk. As a sophomore in 2010, Worthy led all defensive linemen on the team with 40 tackles, including 8.0 TFLs and 4.0 sacks, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. Has played in 26 games in two years at Michigan State with 24 starts. He continues to improve and similar growth in 2011 will result in a monster season and plenty of notoriety.

 

JARED CRICK - A highly decorated interior lineman for Nebraska, the 6-6, 285- pound Crick was named to several All-American teams a year ago and is a two- time First-Team All-Big 12 selection. The Cornhuskers make the move to the Big Ten this season and a veteran defensive front led by Crick will prove critical against run-happy conference foes. Certainly benefited from having played with Ndamukong Suh in 2009, but kept up the pace last season, recording 70 tackles, 17 TFLs and 9.5 sacks. There is no reason to suspect a letdown as a senior in 2011 and that will undoubtedly result in even more national honors.

 

MARCUS FORSTON - The 6-3, 300-pound Forston has seen both the highs and the lows in his first three seasons at Miami. Forston was a Freshman All-American in 2008, played sparingly in 2009 due to injury (medical redshirt) and returned to form in 2010, starting 12 of the 13 games he played in. As a sophomore last year, Forston recorded 37 tackles, 12 TFLs, three sacks and one interception. New head coach Al Golden has a solid base to work with in his first season and Forston is certainly one of those key players.

 

Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alabama and Virginia Tech will begin the 2013 college football season by playing in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta. The two schools played in the same contest in 2009 with the then-No. 5 Crimson Tide earning a 34-24 win over seventh-ranked Virginia Tech.

 

Alabama also took part in the 2008 game, topping Clemson, 34-10.

 

Last year's game at the Georgia Dome saw LSU upending North Carolina, 30-24.

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How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

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