Sportsbook.com favors Buckeyes

NEW YORK, New York – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Controversy has surrounded the BCS ranking system since the day of its inception. It seems every year a handful of teams feel cheated out of a rightful spot in the BCS title game and this year is no different. Whether you feel Florida deserves to be in the big game or Michigan or even LSU or Louisville, one thing is unanimous - nobody questions Ohio State's place in the championship game, least of all the odds makers at Sportsbook.com, the world's largest online sportsbook and casino, who have installed the undefeated Buckeyes as eight point favorites against the Gators.

Despite boasting two of the richest football traditions in the country, Florida and Ohio State have never played each other. The Buckeyes have won four national titles, including the 2002 title under current coach Jim Tressel. Florida is looking for its second national championship, the first coming in 1996. Ohio State has been # 1 since the preseason and is led by Heisman favorite, quarterback Troy Smith. Florida meanwhile has not been as dominant and has relied on their defense to squeak out several close wins. But at the end of the day they compiled a 12-1 record, losing only at Auburn in mid-October, and if they can stop the seemingly invincible Buckeyes then the title will be deserved.

USC and Michigan highlight the remaining BCS Bowl Games when they meet in a traditional Pac 10 versus Big 10 battle at the Rose Bowl. This will be the eighth Rose Bowl meeting between the schools dating back to 1948. USC holds a 5-2 edge, including a 28-14 victory in 2004, and comes into this game as a 1.5 point favorite. USC is 20-9 all-time in the Rose Bowl while Michigan is 8-11.

Boise State, the Cinderella of the ball, pays a surprise visit to the BCS this year when they face Big 12 champs Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos are 8.5 point underdogs as they try to buck the odds and finish the season undefeated. Interestingly, should Florida beat Ohio State and Boise State top Oklahoma, the Broncos would become the only team to finish the year with a perfect record. The Sooners are making their third trip to the Fiesta Bowl and first since 1983. They won the 1976 Fiesta Bowl against Wyoming.

Big East champions Louisville are 10 point favorites against ACC champs Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl while LSU faces Notre Dame as a 9 point bet in the Sugar Bowl. This is the first Orange Bowl appearance for both the cardinals and the Demon Deacons. LSU is making its 13th appearance at the Sugar Bowl where they own a 5-7 all-time record, last winning in 2004. Notre Dame has a 2-1 all-time record at the Sugar Bowl with their latest victory coming in 1992.

In other key Bowl games, West Virginia is favored by a touchdown over Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl, Nebraska by a field goal over Auburn in the Cotton Bowl, Wisconsin by 1.5 points over Arkansas in the Capital One Bowl and Penn State by 4.5 points over Tennessee in the Outback Bowl.