Bodog Beat

It was a memorable year for Josh Beckett and the Red Sox. (AP Images)

You won big in 2007 if you stuck with the heavy favorites, accruing profits over the course of a season. But more than likely, a major upset along the way stung you, especially if you were a college football bettor. Volatility: A word in vogue these days to describe the ups and downs of the equity markets, aptly describes what transpired in the sportsworld during the past 12 months. It was a year of extremes, with dominant teams, such as the New England Patriots, Florida Gators and Anaheim Ducks, doing what they were supposed to do – win big – while underdogs like the Colorado Rockies and Appalachian State's football team feasted on overvalued favorites.

Here's a run down of the 12 events and news items that stand out the most from the year in sports:

1. The New England Patriots' streak to perfection

In response to losing to the Colts in the AFC title game then having to watch Peyton Manning's coronation in Super Bowl XLI, the Patriots loaded up for the 2007 season determined to win a fourth title under Bill Belichick. So far, New England has fielded the most dominating team in NFL history and holds ridiculously low Super Bowl odds of 1/3. If the Pats complete a perfect season with a championship in 2008, they'll render the Colts' win over the Bears as paltry in comparison to their record-breaking act.

Read all 12 events and news items in "The Sports Betting Year in Review: 12 Months of Extremes" in Bodog Nation.