Just five of the Sun Belt Conference's nine teams have pointspread records dating back 11 years so there's not a great statistical data base for bettors. Among independents, only Navy has been a winning play against the spread (ATS) since 2000. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
The Mid-American Conference is 2-11-1 against the spread (ATS) in bowl games the last three seasons, a trend that college football betting aficionados will be watching. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
MWC teams have been 6-1-1 against the spread (ATS) in bowl games last two seasons so followers of college football betting know better than to dismiss the league as just some wagering weak sister. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
The last dozen Major golf events have produced 12 different winners so it's no wonder that golf betting on the last Major of the season, the PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club, Aug. 11-14, is spread as wide as a duffer's tee shots.
Rice, East Carolina and Central Florida are the only Conference USA teams to enjoy a winning pointspread record over the last 11 seasons, a trend college football betting enthusiasts are sure to watch carefully this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
College football betting fans again will be watching to see if WAC teams, which are 37-29-1 against the spread (ATS) versus non-conference foes the last two years, can continue to impress this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
It's easy to underestimate the Big East but six of the league's eight teams went to bowls last season and conference teams are 106-82-1 against the spread (ATS) outside the Big East the past five seasons, a statistic that should be of great interest to devotees of college football betting. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
The addition of Utah and Colorado has turned the Pac-10 into the Pac-12 and created a title game at the end of the season. Throw in USC's NCAA probation and the psychological impact it could have on Trojans players, and college football betting followers have much to consider this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Take Ohio State out of the mix and the remaining Big Ten teams are just 32-51-1 as home favorites the last two years, 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:
Conference stalwarts Texas and Oklahoma are a combined 20-30-2 against the spread (ATS) the last two years, something college football betting aficionados will be checking this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS)--including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Take Ohio State out of the mix and the remaining Big Ten teams are just 32-51-1 as home favorites the last two years, 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:
SEC teams are 53-40-1 against the spread versus non-conference foes the last two years, a trend that college football betting fans will be monitoring this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS)--including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
College Football betting is comprised of dozens of variables but gamblers often overlook the wagering impact a new coach can have on an NCAA gridiron program. New coaches are eager to impress and many aren't reluctant to run up the score when they're able to do so, often covering large spreads. In situations where their team is an underdog, a number of head coaches will play conservatively while others will adopt a bold game plan that offers both significant risk and reward.
Because it's a team sport, college football betting enthusiasts rarely get the opportunity to wager on individual players. One notable exception is the awarding of the Heisman Trophy, where always accommodating sportsbooks have posted odds on which NCAA gridiron star will carry away the iconic hardware at the end of this season.
College football betting fans who are overwhelmed with trying to select one national champion from among more than 100 schools can improve their chances of achieving wagering success by betting on which teams will win more than a half-dozen individual conferences. And for those wary gamblers who want to narrow the field even more, where it's applicable, many sportsbooks even have future book prices on separate divisions within those leagues or conferences.
There's still some concern that a labor dispute will delay or even derail the 2011 NFL season but, thankfully, college football betting fans have no such worries about the upcoming NCAA gridiron campaign. In fact, future book odds on teams winning the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title are up and already taking action at most sportsbooks.
They may still be celebrating a second consecutive Bowl Champions Series national title in the heart of Dixie but college football betting fans already have moved past this year's top team, Auburn, and last year's winner, Alabama, to fix their wagering gaze on Oklahoma, the early 5/1 future book favorite to capture the 2012 BCS National Championship.
College football betting comes to an end (at least for a few months) with a series of bowl games and, as has been our custom over the last several seasons, while we're not sure if we'll go out with a bang or a whimper, at least we're willing to take our best shot at building a Super Bowl bankroll.
Long the forgotten stepchild to football, college basketball betting now has earned near-equal status with its formidable gridiron sibling as sportsbooks have found new and innovative ways for gamblers to wager on the hardcourt sport.
College basketball betting fans will have thousands of wagering opportunities over the next few months but whether they win or lose probably will come down to how well they understand six key elements of NCAA hoops
College basketball betting fans know there's money to be made by tracking the Mid-Major teams, especially those outfits likely to make an appearance at March Madness. Let's take look at some of those NCAA Tournament candidates. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2009/10 season are in parentheses:
Mid-Major teams often don't get the ink many top notch schools do but they can be a presence in both the regular season and the NCAA Tournament. So let's continue to preview the most likely candidates to take part in the Big Dance in March. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2009/10 season are in parentheses:
They're on the board and they receive automatic bids to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, ample reason why college basketball betting fans need to monitor teams from the 11 mid-major conferences. Let's take look at the most likely candidates to take part in March madness. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2009/10 season are in parentheses:
College basketball wagering wonks spend the vast majority of their time and attention dissecting the 11 major conferences. But teams from 11 mid-major conferences frequently are on the board and, thanks to an automatic invitation to the NCAA Tournament, at least one team from each of those leagues will be among the 68-team field that comprises March Madness. That seems like reason enough for savvy gamblers to, at a minimum, follow the leading contenders in each of those conferences. Let's take look at the most likely candidates to make an appearance at the Big Dance. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2009/010 season are in parentheses:
WAC teams are 17-29-1 as home underdogs last two seasons, a trend that college basketball betting devotees will be tracking again this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2009/10 season are in parentheses:
College football betting is mostly about teams but sportsbooks also are challenging gamblers to wager on whether Alabama's Mark Ingram will win a second straight Heisman Trophy this season or which other individual player will capture the award that is emblematic of the NCAA's most outstanding gridiron performer.
Just five of the Sun Belt Conference's nine teams have pointspread records dating back 10 years so there's not a great statistical data base for bettors. Among independents, only Navy has been a winning play against the spread (ATS) since 2000. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2009 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
The Mid-American Conference is 0-9-1 against the spread (ATS) in bowl games the last two seasons, a trend that college football betting aficionados will be watching. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2009 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Teams from the MWC were 4-0-1 against the spread (ATS) in bowl games last season so followers of college football betting know better than to dismiss the league as just some wagering weak sister. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2009 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Rice and East Carolina are the only Conference USA teams to enjoy a winning pointspread record over the last 10 seasons, a trend college football betting enthusiasts are sure to watch carefully this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2009 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
College football betting fans again will be watching to see if WAC teams can match last season's outstanding 22-13-1 record against the spread (ATS) versus non-conference foes again this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2009 records, returning starters (RS)-including kickers-and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
It's easy to underestimate the Big East but six of the league's eight teams went to bowls last season and conference teams are 88-65-1 against the spread (ATS) outside the Big East the past four seasons, a statistic that should be of great interest to devotees of college football betting. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Southern Cal's NCAA probation could have a psychological impact on how hard the Trojans play, a development that college football betting followers will be tracking this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2009 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
The ACC sent seven teams to bowls last season, compiling a 1-6 record against the spread (ATS), a display of national weakness that college football betting fans will be eyeing this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2009 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Conference stalwarts Texas and Oklahoma were a combined 9-15-2 against the spread (ATS) last year, something college football betting aficionados will be checking this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses
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 - ncluding kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
SEC teams were 27-19-1 against the spread versus non-conference foes last year, a trend that college football betting fans will be monitoring this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2009 records, returning starters (RS - ncluding kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
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
Many sportsbooks that have been offering future book odds on conference and division titles as well as the Super Bowl also have expanded their menus for NCAA football betting, offering prices on the winner's of the six major BCS conferences. Although some sportsbooks even break down these half-dozen leagues by division, because you get a little more bang for your gridiron buck dealing with a larger field, we'll confine our analysis to the six conferences:
We're still more than several Hail Mary passes removed from the kickoff of the 2010 college football season on Sept. 2 but thanks to the advent of the future book, the college football betting season already is underway. Most sportsbooks and internet wagering outlets have posted odds on which team will win the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title in Glendale, Arizona, next January.
No system, especially one designed to earn a profit at college football betting, is foolproof but some gamblers have reported success matching the dispassionate "scientific" approach of mathematician Jeff Sagarin against the Las Vegas wagering line.
Beginning with the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, Dec. 19 and continuing through the BCS title game in Pasadena, Jan. 7, college football betting followers have 34 opportunities to end the season with fattened wallets.
The Mid-American Conference was better than expected out of conference, finishing 28-21 ATS last season, a trend that college football betting aficionados will be watching this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Teams from the MWC were 6-1 SU and 4-3 ATS versus the Pac-10 last year while producing the nation's only major undefeated team (Utah) so followers of college football betting know better than to dismiss he league as just some wagering weak sister. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Rice and East Carolina are the only Conference USA teams to enjoy a winning pointspread record over the last nine seasons, a trend college football betting enthusiasts are sure to watch carefully this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
College football betting fans again will be watching to see if the WAC, as it was last season when members posted a record of 12-21 ATS, is a "go-against" conference again this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
It's easy to underestimate the Big East but six of the league's eight teams went to bowls last season and conference teams are 66-51-1 ATS outside the Big East the past three seasons, a statistic that should be of great interest to devotees of college football betting. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Pac-10 teams were 19-15 ATS in non-conference games and were 4-1 ATS in bowls, trends that college football betting followers will be tracking this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
The ACC sent 10 teams to bowls last season, compiling a 7-3 record ATS, a show of national strength that college football betting fans will be eyeing this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Big 12 play produced an average of 67 points per game last year leaving college football betting devotees to wonder if "over" is the way to go again this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Big Ten teams were just 15-26-1 ATS in non-conference games last year, adding to the perception that the league really isn't that good any more, a trend college football betting enthusiasts will monitor this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
The SEC may be the strongest conference but its teams were just 25-22 ATS versus non-league foes last year, something college football betting fans will watch this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
One of the best ways to achieve college football betting success early in the season is to identify those teams that have improved enough from the previous year that oddsmakers may be behind the pointspread curve.
Just as NFL future book betting has evolved to include the winners of the AFC and NFC Championships as well as the league's eight divisions, college football betting has expanded to encompass future book wagering on which teams will earn titles in the six major BCS conferences.
It's usually right around this time, after Lord Stanley has had his Cup hoisted, when the NBA Playoffs finally have crowned a league champion, and when the prospect of another three months of Major League Baseball begins to wear on even the heartiest of wagering souls, that gamblers begin to turn their attention to the upcoming college football betting season.
College basketball betting will reach an insane pitch this month with March Madness but you can avoid a trip to the asylum and maybe even make a few bucks by observing a few simple rules when wagering on the 2009 Men's Basketball Championship.
They may still be celebrating Florida's BCS title in Gainesville but college football betting fans across the country already are looking to next season, eyeing a future book on whether the Gators will repeat or whether some other team will end the 2009 campaign ranked No. 1.
As regular readers (thanks, Mom) will recall, this is the time of the season when we pit art against science in an annual college football betting ritual matching the Nevada oddsmaking community against a man and his computer models.
Just five of the Sun Belt Conference's nine teams have pointspread records dating back eight years so there's not a great statistical data base for bettors. Among independents, only Navy has been a reliable play since 2000.
The Giants may have won Super Bowl LXII just five months ago but in a lack of NFL betting respect only the late Rodney Dangerfield could appreciate, New York isn't even favored to win its own division this season.
Only one Conference USA team, East Carolina, has enjoyed a winning pointspread record over the last eight seasons, so there are wagering opportunities here.
The WAC may not be at the top of every gambler's list but many of the conference's teams have fallen into statistically reliable betting categories over the past decade.
Pac-10 teams were 21-14 ATS outside their conference last season but don't appear to be as strong, overall, this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2007 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
Don't go to sleep on the Big East. Conference teams were 22-16-1 ATS outside their league last year and, if history is a guide, could be undervalued and underestimated by oddsmakers again in 2008.
The kickoff of the 2008 season still is weeks away but there are at least a couple of good reasons why college football betting should be near the top of your wagering playbook right now.
Sports betting, particularly football betting, has become significantly more sophisticated over the past decade with players mining years of research in an effort to gain an edge on sports books.
Sports betting, particularly football betting, has become significantly more sophisticated over the past decade with players mining years of research in an effort to gain an edge on sports books.
Sports betting, particularly football betting, has become significantly more sophisticated over the past decade with players mining years of research in an effort to gain an edge on sports books.
Of the eight teams in the Sun Belt conference, only two, Troy and Middle Tennessee, had winning records last year and just one, Troy, is above .500 for the past seven seasons.
Western Michigan and Toledo look solid but overall the MAC appears mediocre at best with a quartet of teams (Miami, Temple, Buffalo and Eastern Michigan) having won two or fewer games last season.
Southern Mississippi and Houston, the winners of the respective East and West divisions of CUSA last season, again will be the teams to beat this year.
For the second year in a row, there could be another undefeated BCS bound team from the WAC, only this season it's more likely to be Hawaii than Boise State.
The MWC is a league with three strong teams and six weak ones with BYU, TCU and Utah clearly in position to dominate. The Cougars get the nod because they get to play both the Horned Frogs and Utes at home this year.
Either West Virginia or Louisville - but not both - could have a chance to play for the national championship. The teams meet before a Thursday night national television audience in Morgantown, Nov. 8. Notre Dame will be the best of the three independents, though Navy may have more victories this season.
Oklahoma and Texas meet in the Red River Shootout in the Cotton Bowl on Oct. 6 in a contest that could decide one of the representatives in the BCS title tilt.
USC will begin the year as the top team in the nation, a position the Trojans will have a good chance of defending, if they can negotiate road trips to Oregon and California.
