The line is 7. Whom do oddsmakers like in the Super Bowl?

Sporting News, The, Feb 2, 2004

Take the Pats

Last year, the Super Bowl was too difficult to handicap, so it opened with the Raiders at -3 and didn't move. This year is a different story. The week before the conference championships, we had the Patriots favored by 7 in a potential matchup with the Panthers, and that's where it's basically stayed, although we dropped it to 6 1/2 briefly to test the water.

Probably 80 or 90 percent of the money bet on the game will be wagered in the last three days. The late money is your professional gamblers--we're expecting 40 to 50 bets in six figures.

Ultimately, we believe the late money will be bet on the Patriots. They've been the most consistent team against the spread all season, and they're an even better road team than Carolina. I think it's the smart play--I see them getting a lead early, and I can't see Jake Delhomme coming from behind successfully. I like New England to win, 27-10.

Robert Walker is director of the race and sports book at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.

Take the points

Seven is the magic number. It makes sense to bet Carolina. If this were a regular-season game in New England, the line would be 7. So at a neutral site, that number looks nice--especially if the game goes according to plan, close and low-scoring. Even when the Panthers lose, it usually goes that way.

The Panthers haven't gotten their due all along. They were 4-0 in the preseason, they beat the Buccaneers in Tampa in Week 2, and everybody keeps waiting for them to level off. They were only a 3-point pick over Dallas in their first playoff game, at home, and Dallas hadn't beaten anybody. It's because the Panthers aren't "pretty"

I'm not saying the Panthers have the better team. If the line comes down to 6 1/2 and stays, the Patriots are probably a better bet. But at 7, I like the Cats as an underdog.

John Avello is director of the race and sports books at Bally's and paris hotels in Las Vegas.