Tasser: Some tips to beat Vegas

If you are the gambling sort, listen up. This is my fail-safe guide to over/unders that you… If you are the gambling sort, listen up. This is my fail-safe guide to over/unders that you could never get in Vegas. Better yet, I’m giving it to you all for free — not by choice, that’s just The Pitt News’ policy ­— so get ready to place your bets.

James Harrison fines — Over/Under: 8

Harrison racked up the fines last season, earning the distinction of being the “dirtiest” — or at least most targeted — player in the league. There is no question that he doesn’t help himself with this reputation. Ever since he said some not-so-nice things about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in an article in Men’s Journal, Harrison also called out several other defensive stars, his own backfield and a couple of retired New England Patriots. You can guarantee every questionable hit that Harrison lands will cost him. OVER

Pitt Panthers football wins — Over/Under: 8

This was a toughie. With the onset of the Todd Graham era, questions abound. How fast will the team adjust to a new style? Which Tino Sunseri will show up? Can Ray Graham carry the load without Dion Lewis? Will the Big East (and those of you who read my column last year know that I died a little each week watching Big Least football) suck again? I think that this team is still a year away, but they could very easily ride a strong defense, a weak conference and any lingering turmoil in Morgantown (will the real WVU coach please stand up?) to a conference championship. That, or they could flounder to a sixth-place finish. Only time will tell. UNDER

Tim Tebow starts — Over/Under: 4

There is no denying the fact that Tim Tebow is an athlete. There is also no denying the fact that he is hated by the rest of the country as much as he is loved by those in Denver and Florida. It is obvious that Kyle Orton should be the Broncos’ starting quarterback. But the question is, for how long? The Broncos aren’t very good, and while Orton has a pretty good record as a starter, he has always been relied upon as a Trent Dilfer-type — not a quarterback that can actually carry a team. At what point should the Broncos’ management scrap the season and see if The Chosen One really is capable of being the quarterback of the future? PUSH

Eagles “Supersecondary” collective interceptions — Over/Under: 12

Philly has two brand-new toys to play with in their secondary to go along with their already talented cornerback Asante Samuel: Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rogers-Cromartie. Other than being a collection of ridiculous names, these guys are scary good, and the Eagles will find ways to make their respective talents shine. Last year they combined for 10 interceptions, but Asomugha had none (a downside of being so good: No one ever throws to you). The best-case scenario for the Eagles is that they shut down everyone’s passing game and lead the league in turnover ratios, although that also depends on which Mike Vick shows up. Worst-case scenario? Egos get in the way, and the Eagles coast on talent into the playoffs, where they choke — like always. UNDER

Undefeated College Football teams — Over/Under: 1

This is the million-dollar pick every year — who will go undefeated? Let’s go down the list, shall we? Oklahoma will start the season ranked No. 1, so that automatically means they will not go undefeated. As for Alabama, it’s too hard to go undefeated in the SEC, so they’re out. They have the best chance, but I smell a revival in SoCal, so I’m going to say no. LSU will lose to Oregon in week one. Boise State will steamroll through their conference, finish the regular season undefeated, blow up the BCS and all of the mid-major diehards will cry tears of joy. Then, when Boise gets blown out in the National Championship game by a one-loss SEC team on the big stage away from their comfy blue turf, those tears of joy will turn to sobs of disappointment, and the whole argument will be put to rest. UNDER