SUPRISE TEAMS MAKE GOOD COLLEGE FOOTBALL BETTING PLAYS

At the end of every college football betting season it's easy to look back and identify teams that would have been terrific plays throughout the year. "Result playing," or "red-boarding," as it's called in horse racing, is a familiar lament for gamblers. Of course, it's far better to identify these teams of opportunity before the start of the season and let the sportsbooks do the somber reflection at the end of the year.

 

With that in mind, and with an acknowledgement that teams which perform markedly better than expected on the field almost always are very successful at the wagering windows, too, let's see if we can't identify some overlooked gridiron giants of the upcoming campaign.

 

But before we do that, let's take a brief look back at a trio of teams that exceeded expectations on the field last year and, no surprise here, also were very kind to college football betting fans, as well. Boise State and Alabama, each of which finished the year 14-0 straight up (SU) and 9-4 against the spread (ATS), certainly qualify. Both the Tide and the Broncos were expected to be good, just not that good. TCU was another team that leaped predictions, finishing 12-1 SU and 8-4 ATS.

 

Which teams might be overlooked by oddsmakers and discounted by sportsbooks this season?

 

Start with Oklahoma, which for only the second time since 2000 will begin the year ranked outside the Associated Press Top 10. The Sooners lost five games last year--three of them by a combined five points--and were a miserable 4-7-1 ATS. But the return of 13 starters means Oklahoma could rebound, not only on the field but at the betting windows too where, just as importantly, an under appreciation by oddsmakers who may be more attuned to the fortunes of Texas and Nebraska, could be an asset to college football betting fans. Even with last season's dismal mark, the Sooners are 29-21-3 ATS the last four years.

 

Ball State won't be the first team sportsbooks consider when they analyze the house's vulnerability. Actually, the Cardinals have been a nice wagering secret for years. For example, though they were 2-10 SU in 2010, the Cards were 6-5 ATS, not great, certainly, but the fifth consecutive season that Ball State was better than .500 versus the number. In fact, the Cardinals are 24-16 ATS in Mid American Conference action over that span. Coming off a dismal season, BSU, which returns a whopping 19 starters, likely could be overlooked by oddsmakers, again.

 

Like Ball State, Tulsa will hardly be on the minds of most bet takers…and that's a good thing. The Golden Hurricane, which was 5-7 SU and 4-6-1 ATS last year, should be a surprise team in Conference USA this year. The offense is experienced and special teams should be a plus. Look for Tulsa to add some wins to its total and be a profitable betting play, as well.

 

With the focus, both nationally and in the SEC, on Alabama (and to a lesser extent, Florida), don't be surprised if Georgia wins the battle at the windows. The Bulldogs have been a paltry 9-14-1 ATS the past two seasons but 15 starters return, including 10 on offense, and getting points with Georgia at Auburn and South Carolina, plus the neutral site game with Florida, could be a bonanza. Since 2000, the Bulldogs are 24-17-1 ATS in road games.

 

Betting opportunities can come from anywhere, even the Mountain West Conference. But the team to watch this year isn't perennial powers TCU, Utah or BYU but San Diego State. Not only do the Aztecs return the most starters in the conference, 16, but also are coming off a year in which they were -10 in turnover/takeaways. Experience has taught us that the quickest way to redemption is hold on to the football. San Diego State should do that this year, allowing bettors to hold on to their cash.

 

While Ohio State is expected to dominate Big Ten play this year, don't go to sleep on Wisconsin, a team that returns 16 starters from the outfit that won 10 games last season, including a bowl victory over Miami. The Badgers have a relatively easy schedule and could be a "wiseguy" play at home against Ohio State, Oct. 16.

 

These half-dozen teams, if they continue to be overlooked and under valued by sportsbooks, could be the key to a successful college football betting season.

 

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