Betting

College football offers up the MAC Championship at Ford Field on Friday night, while the NBA provides a full slate. Here’s a look in your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

No one has been able to beat the Ball State Cardinals (12-0 straight-up, 9-2 against-the-spread) so far this season, but the Buffalo Bulls will give it a shot in the Mid-American Conference’s championship game on Friday night (8pm ET).

The No. 12 Cardinals capped off their perfect regular season with a 45-22 win over Western Michigan on November 25. Ball State quarterback Nate Davis completed 17-of-25 pass attempts for 273 yards on that day, with one touchdown strike. MiQuale Lewis led the way on the ground with 120 yards and three scores.

The Bulls (7-5 SU, 8-4 ATS) had their five-game winning streak snapped by Kent State last time out, falling 24-21. Buffalo actually lost four of their first six games this year before rebounding to win their half of the conference. Still, the oddsmakers have Ball State listed as a big 14.5-point favorite to get the victory.

Other Notable Events

The Lakers and Wizards have combined for 18 wins so far this season, but unfortunately for Washington fans 15 of those victories sit on Los Angeles’ side of the ledger. The Lakers (15-2 SU) are coming off a 114-102 road win over the Sixers in which Kobe Bryant had 32 points. The Wizards (3-13 SU) fell 98-92 to the Trail Blazers last time out despite Antawn Jamison’s 22-point performance.

There are 10 other games on the NBA’s schedule for Friday, including Portland on the road in Boston. The Blazers (14-6 SU) have won six games in a row; the Celtics (18-2 SU) have won 10 straight games. Rounding out the schedule: Oklahoma City at Orlando, New York at Atlanta, Indiana at Cleveland, Minnesota at New Jersey, the Clippers at Memphis, Philadelphia at Detroit, Golden State at Houston, Charlotte at Milwaukee, and then Toronto at Utah to finish the evening.

The Rest of the Schedule

Friday’s four-game NHL slate is highlighted by the Canucks and Wild in Minnesota. The Wild blanked the Blues 4-0 in their last outing on Wednesday night, with 22 saves from Niklas Backstrom. Elsewhere, it’ll be Colorado heading to Dallas to play the Stars, along with Calgary at St. Louis, and Edmonton at L.A.

Finally, there are no ranked college basketball teams in action on Friday night, so hoops fans will have to settle for an Arizona / Texas A&M matchup in College Station to get their fix. South Carolina will be in action against Furman, while SMU hosts Texas A&M International, and Bryant will play Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

News from the Wire

Bills quarterback Trent Edwards could be forced to give way to J.P. Losman this weekend because of his groin injury . . . Vikings DT Pat Williams and DT Kevin Williams both received four-game suspensions from the NFL, but a restraining order might keep them on the field this weekend . . . the Cowboys are hoping that star running back Marion Barber (dislocated toe) is able to play through his injury…Heisman Trophy winner O.J. Simpson will finally get his due as he was sentenced to at least 15 years behind bars…Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt, who a year ago was inexplicably shoved out of the door as Arkansas Razorbacks coach, is being mentioned as a possible successor to Tommy Tuberville at Auburn…As rumored, Junior Seau has come out of retirement to sign with the New England Patriots…The NHL suspended Sean Avery for a “pattern of anti-social behavior.” …Lines-Maker.com will continue to monitor the status of the Florida Gators Percy Harvin for their big SEC Championship clash with Alabama. This game is the CFB Game of the Year from the top sports handicapper of all-time GodsTips, anchor of OffshoreInsiders.com

A Peek at the Future

Saturday’s most notable NBA game sees Utah in Phoenix, while Cleveland will travel to Charlotte, and the Hawks and Mavs will meet in Dallas . . . the Bills technically have a home game on Sunday, but in reality they’ll be playing the division-rival Dolphins in the climate-controlled confines of Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Most books have this game as a pickem, with the total listed at 42 points…It’s Manny Pacquiao against Oscar de la Hoya at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday Night.

Dixie Chick is Girl Gone Wild

Dixie Chick Natalie Maines is being sued for unsubstantiated allegations made against Arkansas stepfather Terry Hobbs of the infamous West Memphis 3 case…Norm Coleman continues to lead Al Franken in the Minnesota Senate race count.

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