The Staples Center is going to come alive on Jan 11th when the Miami Heat competes with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Miami Heat comes in with one of the better records in the NBA supported by an excellent lineup of stars. The Miami Heat lead the league as a squad in points won and assists. The sports book has the Miami Heat liked by 8 points and with the backcourt they feature, it is apparently a sure bet. Let’s take a closer look at the Miami Heat this season and what they bring to the table.

Both these teams have been doing comparatively well this season. This should not be a shocking to anybody as these two colleges are well known for their share of triumphs in basketball for several years. Both these teams will be at it on the hardwood on January 9, when Western Virginia visits Connecticut.

Whilst this particular match might not have the same depth that its football version does, the Jan 9 – Oklahoma at Oklahoma State game still has its own type of anticipation. With the conference basketball year just arrived, both the Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys will attempt to established the tone for the remainder of their year with this game. In Oklahoma’s case, they are going to be seeking to continue what has been a quality start as they ended the non-conference slate with a 10-2 record.

On Jan 8th, postseason ncaa football comes to Mobile, AL when the Red Wolves battle against the Northern Illinois Huskies at the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Both squads arrive in the game with rookie head coaches with the Huskies led by first-year head coach Dave Doeren. Temporary head coach David Gunn who’s been the running backs coach all year heads the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Gus Malzahn, who will take the reins after the year ends, has been opted for by Arkansas State. The take from the sportsbook is currently Arkansas State (-1 ½) with an over-under set at 63 points.

It is not just the Division I-A schools gaining face time on ESPN, on January seventh the NCAA Division I-AA Championship game is performed at Pizza Hut Park in Fricso, TX. In a battle of the two top small colleges in the nation, the Bison battle against the Sam Houston Bearkats. Both the Bearkats and the Bison have steamrolled their competitors all season long and both are additionally coming into play with comparable styles on offense. Expect lots of running and lots of 1st downs by each team as the defenses are going to get a workout. The sports book is having a hard time with this one as the line now stands at North Dakota State (-1) with the over-under established at 46.

Birmingham, AL plays host to the Compass Bowl on January 7th with the Pitt Panthers facing the Mustangs. The Pitt Panthers come in following the 1-year Todd Graham experiment at head coach. After taking the head coaching job at Arizona State, Graham resigned his post on December 14th. Defensive Coordinator Keith Patterson will put on the headset for the Pitt Panthers in this clash of titans. SMU enters into competition with the specter of the “Death Penalty” handed down in the 1980’s still being discussed today. Former Nfl and Hawaii coach June Jones is currently in his fourth year on the sidelines of Southern Methodist University. The wagering line has this set at Pittsburgh (-3) with the over-under of 47 points.

The Steelers are matched up vs the Broncos in the nfl Playoffs. The Broncos ended up with an 8-8 record narrowly claiming champs of the AFC West, whilst the Steelers concluded as a wild card with an extraordinary record of 12-4 in the AFC North division. The Pittsburgh steelers will be visiting Denver to compete vs them at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

It all boils down to this as the #1 rated LSU Tigers face the #2 rated Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship Game at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA on January 9th. After winning the national championship in 2009 and furthermore winning it with LSU as a head coach in 2003, Alabama head coach Nick Saban is no stranger to this match. LSU head coach Les Miles is furthermore no stranger at this instant as he has won the national championship in 2007. Two excellent squads and head coaches coming together on a collision course in what will certainly be an awesome game. The odds makers presently have this at Alabama (-1) with the over-under set at 40 points.

Perhaps the Lions just are unlucky with regards to scheduling. 1st, they finish their regular season versus their division rival Green Bay Packers, who additionally possess the league’s top record. They then follow that up by pulling the Saints in the 1st round of the playoffs.

The Atlanta Falcons trust that slipping into the playoffs undetected in 2012 will offer them greater results, after finishing with the top record in the league a year ago, and getting terminated in the 1st round by the Packers. Atlanta ended 10-6 this season, earning them a 1st round wild-card contest with the NFC East winning Giants (9-7).