Sports betting players have been anxiously waiting for bowl betting season to begin, and obviously, the five BCS bowls will get a lot of attention. But there are a few non-BCS bowls that are worth your betting money, and here they are:

Cotton Bowl (January 2, 2:00 PM ET) – Oklahoma State vs Ole Miss

Both of these teams were ranked in the preseason top 10, but the Rebels are the bigger disappointment after finishing 4-4 in the SEC. Oklahoma State’s aerial attack suffered without receiver Dez Bryant, who was suspended by the NCAA, while Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead may have to come back to help his draft status. Ole Miss is a 3-point sports betting favorite, and they beat the Cowboys 31-28 in this game in 2003.

Capital One Bowl (January 1, 1:00 PM ET) – Penn State vs LSU

The Tigers should be in a BCS bowl, if not for some shoddy clock management in a loss at Ole Miss. The Nittany Lions lost at home to Iowa and Ohio State, and a win over the Hawkeyes probably would have them in the Orange Bowl instead of Iowa. Penn State is a 3-point sports betting favorite in the first meeting for these two programs, and both rank in the top 12 in scoring defense. The difference in this NCAA football betting matchup could be LSU’s Trindon Holliday, who is second in the nation in punt returns, and Penn State has struggled with punt coverage this year.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl (December 31, 7:30 PM ET) – Virginia Tech vs Tennessee

The Vols were surprisingly good in Lane Kiffin’s first year as coach, and they almost beat Florida and Alabama on the road. The Hokies failed to win the ACC Coastal for the first time in three seasons, but back-to-back losses against Georgia Tech and North Carolina killed their chances. Virginia Tech is a 4-point favorite in your sportsbook, and these two have never met before. It should be a physical affair as both are in the top 16 in total defense.

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl (December 30, 8:00 PM ET) – Arizona vs Nebraska

The Wildcats recovered from a stunning double-overtime loss against Oregon to beat Arizona State and USC on the road, while the Cornhuskers came within a second of upsetting Texas in the Big 12 title game. If for no other reason, you need to watch this game for Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who will definitely be one of the top NFL picks in the draft after his dominating performance against the Longhorns. The Wildcats are a 1.5-point sports betting favorite here, and the Cornhuskers will be out to avenge a 23-20 loss to Arizona in the 1998 Holiday Bowl.

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl (December 22, 8:00 PM ET) – Oregon State vs BYU

Both rank in the top 22 in terms of scoring, so this should be a fast-paced game. The Beavers were a loss in the Civil War away from making the Rose Bowl, while the Cougars missed the BCS bowls due to big losses at home to Florida State and TCU. The Beavers come into this sports betting matchup as a 2.5-point favorite in their first meeting with BYU, and this should down to the quarterback play of BYU’s Max Hall and Oregon State’s Sean Canfield. This could be one of the toughest NCAA football predictions to make this bowl season.

Most <A HREF=”http://www.betonline.com/sportsbook” TITLE=”sportsbook”>sportsbook</A> bettors probably predicted this. Plaxico Burress, in all his lanky glory, is already struggling to cut it in prison. After just two months in the slammer, he applied for a work furlough, which would let him do some of his time at home.

Really, Plaxico? You think the State of New York will just let you go home because you no likey prison? Sorry, pal. Here are five reasons why Plaxico needs to stay behind bars for a whole lot longer.

<B>5. He’d scare the neighbors.</B>

If you live near a guy who accidentally shoots himself, can you trust him near your children or in the next house over? You’d have to wear a Kevlar vest in case his .40-caliber hand cannon blasts through the window. Plaxico would likely scare everyone away, making his lonely neighborhood like solitary confinement anyway.

<B>4. TNA Wrestling can’t stoop any lower. </B>

TNA already slummed by signing Pacman Jones and having him moonlight as a tag-team wrestler. Methinks bringing in Burress, which the company would surely try to do, would be a nail in the organization’s coffin. Besides, who needs Plaxico when you just landed the Hulkster, brother?

<B>3. Shhh! Don’t tell Plaxico, but the New York Giants receiving corps is fine without him.</B>

Steve Smith already has 979 yards and five scores. That puts him on pace for 1,466 yards on the year  – roughly 100 yards more than Plaxico has ever amassed in a full season. Smith’s 78 grabs through 12 games have also tied Plaxico’s career-best mark, which he set 16 games. Oops – guess Burress wasn’t a huge loss for New York after all. The <A HREF=”http://www.betonline.com/sportsbook#s=football_NFL&t=&sp=False&p” TITLE=”NFL odds”>NFL odds</A> of the Giants bringing him back after his sentence are next to none.

<B>2. Two months is not enough to mend your ways.</B>

Sorry, big guy, but it’s hard to believe two months in prison have left you a changed man already. Two months is a slap on the wrist. Two months simply teaches you to do a better job hiding your gun. Two years, however, should make you think good and hard about the life you led. Just ask Michael Vick, who made the Eagles hot <A HREF=”http://www.nflbet.org/” TITLE=”NFL picks”>NFL picks</A> last week.

<B>1. We can’t risk him stealing Tiger’s thunder.</B>

The Tiger Woods fiasco is exploding so huge that it makes the Vick story look like something out of a high-school paper. Drugs, car crashes, mistresses – Tiger is entertaining the hell out of us. We don’t need Plaxico stealing any headlines with a furlough. This is Tiger’s time.

If you’re a <A HREF=”http://www.betonline.com/” TITLE=”sports betting”>sports betting</A> fan, don’t wager on Plaxico’s odds of getting sprung. Less than five per cent of work release applications in New York’s Department of Correctional Services were granted last year.

Sports betting sharps have just four weeks’ worth of NFL football to bet on before the playoffs start. It’s thus not too early to consider who the Wildcard berths could be. Here are the best bets to earn those spots based on strength of schedule and how the rest of their own division shapes up. The Arizona Cardinals, for example, could have a worse record than some of the wildcard teams, but they won’t qualify for a wildcard berth as they’ll lock up their division title shortly.

4. BALTIMORE RAVENS (vs Detroit, vs Chicago, @ Pittsburgh, @ Oakland)

The Ravens’ NFL odds have stiff competition from fellow 6-6 teams Pittsburgh, Miami and the New York Jets but Baltimore arguably has the most favorable remaining schedule. It should blow out lowly Detroit at home this weekend and the punchless Bears at home aren’t a tough opponent either. Ray Rice should carve up Oakland’s brutal run defense in Week 17. The only real hurdle to climb is a Week-16 matchup at Pittsburgh, which could very well decide who gets the last Wildcard berth.

3. DALLAS COWBOYS (vs San Diego, @ New Orleans, @ Washington, vs Philadelphia)

It may seem strange to pick a current division leader as a Wildcard team but, based on the Cowboys’ upcoming schedule, I don’t think they can hold the lead. That would bump them down to Wildcard territory. Trips to raucous New Orleans and chilly Washington don’t bode well for Tony Romo and Dallas’ remaining home games are no slam-dunks; San Diego and Philly are a combined 17-7 this season.

2. DENVER BRONCOS (@ Indianapolis, vs Oakland, @ Philadelphia, vs Kansas City)

Because most of the other Wildcard candidates in the AFC are 6-6 or 7-5, Denver already has a leg up on the competition at 8-4. Teams like Miami and New York probably have to run the table to make the playoffs whereas Denver can go 2-2 and likely get there. With tough road games at Indy and Philly but easy home matchups versus Oakland and Kansas City, the Broncos are good football picks to do exactly that.

1. GREEN BAY PACKERS (@ Chicago, @ Pittsburgh, vs Seattle, @ Arizona)

Like Denver, the Pack have excellent Wildcard chances since they already have eight wins. The reeling, mentally broken Bears don’t scare anyone right now. Travelling to Pittsburgh is a major challenge but the Steelers are 2-5 without Troy Polamalu and allow the big passing plays Green Bay loves to try. The Pack should also pummel Seattle. Arizona is a tough challenge in Week 17 but, overall, I think Green Bay can reach 10 wins. I’d bet on it at my sportsbook if I were you.

If you follow Florida Alabama lines or any other college football action, you probably see a title like “Top bowl games” and scoff. Who doesn’t know the big games? Well, actually, not everyone follows the BCS system. Some football fans are too wrapped up in the NFL to keep track of the college kids. But everyone still loves a good game. To be sure you watch the best of the best, follow this list of football picks throughout the holidays.

5. FedEx Orange Bowl – January 5, 2010

The ACC champ gets the automatic bid for the Orange Bowl; this year, it will be the winner of Clemson and Georgia Tech. Both are flawed teams coming off losses. Depending on whom the ACC winner draws, that could yield an exciting game or a total dud.

4. Allstate Sugar Bowl – January 1, 2010

The Sugar Bowl pits the SEC champ against an at-large foe and, last year, produced a thrilling upset. Undefeated Utah toppled big favorite Alabama 31-17. With No. 2 Alabama currently set to face Florida for the SEC title, it may lose that battle for a BCS title game berth and wind up back in the Sugar Bowl. Could history repeat itself?

3. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl – January 4, 2010

If you were betting an online sportsbook on which bowl would produce the best game, the Fiesta Bowl would probably be your boom/bust pick. Since the Big-12 winner gets the automatic bid, we could see Texas in the Fiesta Bowl. As Texas joins Florida and Alabama in the “big three,” it’s logical to think the Longhorns would romp any opponent they draw in the Fiesta Bowl. However, since it’s very possible that Texas reaches the BCS title game, this would leave two more evenly matched opponents in the Fiesta Bowl, producing a closer contest.

2. Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi – January 1, 2010

The prospect of Oregon or Oregon State representing the Pac-10 in the Rose Bowl is exciting. If you’re an NFL betting fan, it’s like knowing for sure that, say, one of Houston or Tennessee is playing in a big playoff game. We’re guaranteed to see fireworks since both of these teams run pretty exciting offenses.

1. Citi 2010 BCS National Championship Game – January 7, 2010

The BCS title game needs no introduction, does it? We’ll see two outstanding teams vying for national supremacy. Florida and Texas, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy – that’s the game most fans want to see and it’s a realistic possibility.

Mississippi Rebels @ Mississippi State Bulldogs
NFL Betting Odds: Ole Miss -7

The Ole Miss Rebels and Mississippi State Bulldogs are set for the Egg Bowl. While it hasn’t been the banner year that Ole Miss expected, this could be a spring board to big things next year when the team is a little better suited to compete for a BCS bowl.

For Ole Miss, the story of the game will be to stop the Mississippi State running game. If that can be achieved, this will be a relatively easy win for them. If it can’t be achieved, this will be a bar burner.

Ole Miss’ defense has been fantastic all season long. They held LSU to just 40 rushing yards last week and Tennessee to just 99 the week before. Their defense is stout and while Mississippi State will get their yards, the Ole Miss defense will stop the run when it needs to. The breaking point in this contest will be the fact that Ole Miss can pass the ball when they need to while the Bulldogs just have no semblance of a passing game.

Keep in mind that this is a matchup of two turnover prone teams so anything could happen but even in that area, the Bulldogs tend to turn it over more than the Rebels do. Look for this game to be close for a good half but the Rebels to pull away as the game goes on.

NCAA Football Picks: Ole Miss -7

Clemson Tigers @ South Carolina Gamecocks
Sportsbook odds: Clemson -3

Don’t look now but Dabo Swinney has the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Championship game. The real question for them is how much will they care about this game since their fate is already settled.

The Tigers are one of the hottest teams in the nation right now with wins in six of their last seven games. Quarterback Kyle Parker isn’t playing like a freshman. As a matter of fact, some people can make the case that he has been the best quarterback in the ACC this year. Throw in C.J. Spiller, who is the nation’s all-purpose yards leader and a Heisman candidate, and you already have a very dynamic offense.

But it may not come down to the offenses as Clemson has one of the best special teams return units and South Carolina has one of the worst coverage units. That should be all that the Tigers need to win and keep their momentum going.

College Football Picks: Clemson -3

Brian Urlacher, Linebacker (Dislocated Wrist)
Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears lost linebacker Brian Urlacher early in the first game of the year and sports betting cappers know that their defense hasn’t been the same since. Urlacher was the Bears leader on defense, and he was the key player who got everyone lined up, made key tackles and was the captain of the defense. Without him, the unit has turned completely soft.

Owen Daniels, Tight End (Torn ACL)
Houston Texans

While the Texans were never a popular bet in the sportsbook, their tight end was a popular pick among NFL pundits as the best in the NFL through the first half. The Weatherman, Owen Daniels, was tearing it up with 40 receptions, 519 yards and five touchdowns. Matt Schaub is going to miss his safety valve and so will the Pro Bowl, which is where he would have headed had he stayed healthy.

Kris Jenkins, Defensive Tackle (Torn ACL)
New York Jets

The New York Jets were never an offensive juggernaut – with or without Mark Sanchez’ struggles – but what they were was a nasty, mean defense. That’s not the case since they lost tackle Kris Jenkins. The Jets are particularly thin at the position, and they haven’t been able to be feisty since they lost him. On top of that, opposing teams are having no problems moving the ball up and down the field on this weakening Jets defense.

Al Harris, Cornerback (Torn ACL)
Green Bay Packers

Anyone who’s placed an NFL bet knows that one of the reasons the Green Bay Packers have been contenders for the last few years has been the play of their secondary. With two shutdown cornerbacks in Al Harris and Charles Woodson, the Packers were able to play man-to-man and let a lot of their other defenders roam. However, Harris suffered a torn ACL in Week 11 and that’s going to hamper the team significantly going forward. Opposing teams will now attack the side that he has left vacant.

Jamal Williams, Defensive Tackle (Torn Triceps)
San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers are without their Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Jamal Williams, and that’s a big deal. Their 3-4 defense is predicated on the play of their outstanding defensive tackle as he sucks up blockers and lets linebackers like Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips run free. Without Williams, this just isn’t the same unit. NFL betting fans probably won’t notice the significance of this injury until the Chargers start facing the elite teams – likely in the playoffs.

It’s safe for NFL betting fans to say we’ve reached the stretch run of the 2009 season. With Thanksgiving and Christmas and bowl games and so many other things to juggle on our busy schedules over the next month, it’s a good idea to mark down the most important remaining NFL games on the calendar. Here they are, in chronological order.

Monday, November 30: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Everyone’s talking this one up and for good reason. We have the undefeated Saints in their rowdy Louisiana Superdome on Monday Night Football. The Saints have the NFC’s best offense and the Patriots lead the AFC in scoring. Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Randy Moss – what more could you want?

Saturday, December 19: DALLAS COWBOYS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

It’s already a treat to make NFL picks for a Saturday game, so the fact that we see two contending teams clash is gravy here. Aside from New England, the Cowboys probably pose the greatest threat to the Saints’ undefeated season. Tony Romo will have to shake his history of December woes to make this a game but I like his chances to do so indoors.

Sunday, December 20: GREEN BAY PACKERS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Here’s a matchup we don’t get to see enough in online betting, don’t you think? Two storied teams with gritty, smashmouth team personas going head to head. We get to see two of the game’s top defenses challenge two of the game’s top quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger.

Sunday, December 27: BALTIMORE RAVENS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS

We have to have at least one key divisional matchup on this list and there’s perhaps none bigger than this Week 16 tilt. The Ravens and Steelers have slipped behind the Cincinnati Bengals for now and could very well be battling for the final AFC Wildcard berth come Dec. 27. This is a big game.

Sunday, January 3, 2010: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ HOUSTON TEXANS

This pick probably comes as a shocker, especially when Week 17 includes Giants/Vikings, Eagles/Cowboys and possible bids for perfect seasons from Indy and New Orleans. However, the Patriots and Texans could offer something else – the biggest game in a young franchise’s history. If the Houston Texans make the playoffs, it’ll be by the skin of their teeth; they’ll probably find themselves in a “win to get in” situation on the last day of the season. Hosting the powerful Patriots, the Texans could give fans and sportsbook bettors a real thriller as they push to finally reach the postseason.

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys
Sports Betting Odds: Cowboys -11

The Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys renew their rivalry on Sunday in what is slated to be a mismatch according to the odds makers. The Dallas Cowboys are the best team in the NFC East while the Washington Redskins are the worst.

The real question is which Redskins team will show up?

The Redskins played surprisingly well in their upset win as a home underdog against the Denver Broncos last week. They did allow a couple of big plays through the air but aside from that, they got their offense in gear and really put forth a good effort.

This week, the Redskins might be in much tougher on the road in Dallas. The Cowboys passing game has come to life recently – aside from last week’s aberration – and Tony Romo is developing more and more chemistry with his receivers Miles Austin and Roy Williams. This week, he should be able to find some breakdowns in coverage especially since the Redskins don’t put much pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Back at home, look for the Cowboys to dominate the Redskins, who have really been one of the weaker teams in the NFL this year.

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sportsbook Odds: Saints -11

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just 1-8 on the season but they have put forth a couple of encouraging efforts in the last two weeks. Against the Green Bay Packers two weeks ago, the Bucs had an improbable comeback win in rookie quarterback Josh Freeman’s first start. In his second start, the Freeman had the Bucs in front with just two minutes remaining in the game before the Miami Dolphins stormed back and kicked a game-winning field goal.

Freeman has played well for a rookie and he has single-handedly revitalized the team. They were struggling mightily before he got in the lineup but all of the sudden, this team has some pep in their step. Even so, they are in fairly tough this week.

The New Orleans Saints are currently the best team in the NFC record-wise and they have been rolling through their opponents with ease. Their defense is playing well and their offense is arguably the best in the business. That latter point will be the difference as the Bucs simply don’t have the firepower to compete in this one.

Bet Horses Pick: Saints -11

1. Mike Shanahan

Mike Shanahan is a sexy choice for a number of teams right now, because his track record is one of a very successful coach – and there are plenty of teams with worse coaches right now. How good would Shanahan look in Buffalo? Consider some of the previous coaches: Gregg Williams, Wade Phillips, Mike Mularkey and Dick Jauron. Sports betting fans would again start backing the Bills.

2. Jon Gruden

This is probably an outside candidate, especially since he just signed an extension with ESPN to stay on the Monday Night Football crew, but he did immediately say that he will coach again in the future. Would he coach in Buffalo? Probably not. He seems to like the warm weather programs and the Bills don’t have a quarterback to mentor.

3. Mike Martz

Now this is a move that would actually make sense, to some extent. While the Bills don’t have an offensive line, they do have plenty of weapons such as Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch. Yet one thing the Bills have failed to do in recent years is be entertaining; Martz could do exactly that. You know that it’d take him about two weeks to find a quarterback, and if they got a line that would protect, the Bills could be a high-scoring outfit in no time. If you bet sports, don’t bet on it happening but this is one move that would make sense.

4. Some Guy You Don’t Know/Expect

It seems like the Buffalo Bills do this more than any other team. Not many NFL picks saw Mike Mularkey coming or even Dick Jauron, so they will probably do the same. With Ralph Wilson keeping his hand in the cookie jar, he’s likely to find someone that we wouldn’t expect. Tom Walsh, anybody? What about Sherman Lewis? Maybe it’s time they give good ‘ol Bobby April a shot.

5. Terrell Owens

Why not? NFL betting fans know that there’s no other real reason why the Bills signed him. Owner Ralph Wilson even said that he made the move to make headlines, so why not make some more by putting Owens as the coach? Yes, it would be a train wreck, but how would you describe the Dick Jauron era?