Vegas: All Bets Off On Georgia-Auburn Game

By Jesse Rousseau

While the numerous rumors about Auburn quarterback Cam Newton have yet to be confirmed, Vegas isn’t taking any chances.

Las Vegas sportsbooks have taken this week’s football game between Auburn University and the University of Georgia off the board. This move is a result of increasing uncertainty that the Heisman-hopeful quarterback will not play this Saturday.

Jay Rood, sports book director at the MGM Mirage in Las Vegas, said it was increased betting on the Bulldogs that lead to the decision to stop taking bets on this game.

“We want to make sure the market value is right,” Rood said. “We don’t want to be looking back on it Saturday as something that we were giving away like a blue-light special.”

There have been several allegations to come out against Newton within the last week. The initial report that came out last Thursday accuses the Newtons of asking schools for money in return for the quarterback’s commitment. Since then, the story has continued to build. The latest rumor claims Newton’s father had separate phone conversations with a Mississippi State recruiter acknowledging his college choice would be part of a play-for-pay plan. However, the only confirmed news is that the NCAA is currently investigating the quarterback’s recruitment out of junior college.

Auburn coach Gene Chizik said today during a media conference call that Newton would play this week against Georgia. Newton has led Auburn to a No. 2 national ranking, having passed for 1,890 yards and 19 touchdowns with five interceptions.

Jeff Sherman, the assistant general manager at the Las Vegas Hilton’s sports book, said that while they’re playing it safe right now, there’s a good chance that the game will be back up by the weekend.

Auburn is favored to win by 8 1/2 to 9 points.