Big Ten teams were just 19-29 as home favorites last year, a development college football betting enthusiasts will watch closely this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS)--including kickers--and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
OHIOSTATE (11-2 SU, 9-4 ATS, 15 RS, 48 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2009)
SU:102-25
ATS: 70-54-1
HF:35-27-1
HD:2-2
AF:22-15
AD:4-5
Sportsbook Buster: Over the last decade, the Buckeyes are 13-7 against the spread (ATS) coming of a straight (SU) loss.
Sports Betting Angle: OhioState has covered the spread in seven consecutive games against Indiana.
IOWA (11-2 SU, 9-3 ATS, 14 RS, 48 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2009)
SU:80-45
ATS: 72-47-2
HF:29-18
HD:9-4-1
AF:7-11
AD:19-11-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Hawkeyes are 38-22-1 ATS at home the last 10 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Iowa has covered nine straight games the week before playing Indiana.
PENNSTATE (11-2 SU, 6-6 ATS, 13 RS, 37 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2009)
SU:77-46
ATS: 62-57-1
HF:27-24-1
HD:8-6
AF:15-11
AD:9-12
Sportsbook Buster: The Nittany Lions are 7-1 ATS versus teams from the SEC.
Sports Betting Angle: PennState has covered five of its last six games at home against MichiganState.
WISCONSIN (10-3 SU, 6-6 ATS, 16 RS, 46 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2009)
SU:86-43
ATS: 61-61-1
HF:23-28-1
HD:7-5
AF:14-14
AD:11-10
Sportsbook Buster: The Badgers are 9-2 as a non-conference favorite of less than 24 points.
Sports Betting Angle: Wisconsin has covered six of its last seven games against Michigan.
MICHIGANSTATE (6-7 SU, 4-7-1 ATS, 13 RS, 40 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2009)
SU:60-62
ATS: 50-66-5
HF:18-28-1
HD:6-10-3
AF:8-11-1
AD:16-14
Sportsbook Buster: The Spartans are 24-38-4 ATS at home the past decade.
Sports Betting Angle: MichiganState is 11-2-1 ATS the last 14 years versus Notre Dame.
MICHIGAN (5-7 SU, 5-6 ATS, 15 RS, 53 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2009)
SU:81-43
ATS: 56-63-3
HF:28-30-1
HD:4-4
AF:12-17-2
AD:9-7
Sportsbook Buster: The Wolverines are 6-0 as non-conference underdogs of more than four points.
Sports Betting Angle: Michigan has covered six of its last seven visits to Indiana.
NORTHWESTERN (8-5 SU, 6-6 ATS, 13 RS, 55 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2009)
SU:61-61
ATS: 60-56-2
HF:8-18
HD:18-13
AF:7-6
AD:23-16-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Wildcats are only 8-18 as a home favorite the past 10 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Northwestern has covered six of its last seven games against Wisconsin.
ILLINOIS (3-9 SU, 4-7 ATS, 12 RS, 48 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2009)
SU:45-73
ATS: 48-64
HF:12-18
HD:13-13
AF:6-8
AD:17-17
Sportsbook Buster: The Illini are 12-18 as a home favorite the last 10 years.
Sports Betting Angle: Illinois has covered six of its last eight visits to Michigan.
PURDUE (5-7 SU, 6-5-1 ATS, 11 RS, 43 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2009)
SU:67-57
ATS: 57-58-5
HF:26-22-1
HD:7-5-1
AF:11-11-2
AD:11-15-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Boilermakers are 6-0 ATS the week before playing Illinois.
Sports Betting Angle: Purdue has covered five of its last six games against OhioState.
MINNESOTA (6-7 SU, 4-8 ATS, 11 RS, 38 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2009)
SU:62-62
ATS: 56-61
HF:22-18
HD:7-11
AF:12-7
AD:11-20
Sportsbook Buster: The Golden Gophers are 18-31 as an underdog the last decade.
Sports Betting Angle: Minnesota is 8-2 as a non-conference road favorite.
INDIANA (4-8 SU, 7-4 ATS, 13 RS, 45 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2009)
SU:39-78
ATS: 43-66-1
HF:12-8
HD:13-23
AF:0-3-1
AD:17-31
Sportsbook Buster: The Hoosiers are 30-54 as an underdog since the 2000 season.
Sports Betting Angle: Indiana is a surprising 11-2 ATS in its first conference road game of the year.
Legend:
SU= Straight Up
ATS = Against the Spread
HF = Home Favorite
HD = Home Underdog
AF = Away Favorite
AD = Away Underdog
This is the second installment of an 11-part preview series.
Next: College Football Betting 2010: The Big 12
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
