by T.O. Whenham – 10/29/2008
We are halfway through the NFL season, give or take. This is a good time, then, for us to take a look at the teams that are being particularly kind to bettors, and those that are soaking the money bet on them in gas and lighting a match. Here, then, is a look at the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.
Week 8 was full of upsets once again as underdogs paid off for NFL betting fans. Will the trend continue in Week 9, or will the favorites step up and come through?
When the lines for Week 9 first began appearing the biggest spread to be found was in the Detroit/Chicago matchup. That shouldn’t be much of a surprise considering the Lions are winless at 0-7 and they’re visiting Chicago in Week 9 with the Bears tied for first in the NFC North and coming off their bye.
The Boise State Broncos could make a return to a BCS Bowl game if they stay unbeaten, but the San Jose St. Spartans are standing in their way tonight.
Sportsbook.com and other oddsmakers respect San Jose St, installing them as just a touchdown underdog with a Total of 41.5. ESPN2 will broadcast starting at 9 pm ET.
by T.O. Whenham – 10/22/2008
A – Alexander, Shaun. The incredible fall from grace has taken a potentially brief detour to the nation’s capital. The former MVP needed a job, the Redskins needed running depth, and Daniel Snyder is more than happy to spend money without thinking about it – it was a match made in heaven.
Major conference college action begins tonight with SEC’s Auburn versus Big East’s West Virginia. We also have a preview of New Mexico at Air Force out of the MWC.
When the schedule came out this looked like a great non-conference tilt, but each team has had problems.
An initial glimpse at the early lines for Week 8 in NFL betting reveals nothing surprising, although there are some numbers that have handicappers talking.
One game where the line will surely move before kickoff is the Buffalo Bills-Miami Dolphins matchup, where oddsmakers opened the Fish as 1.5-point home underdogs early on Monday.
by Doc – 10/15/2008
I wish I could have started this column out with some good news as far as last week’s selections are concerned. However, that is not the case. We did nail a nice 5-unit winner with Penn State, as they completely destroyed Wisconsin, 48-7. We also had a nice winner with Mississippi State ending Vanderbilt’s perfect season, but those two wins did not come close to covering the disappointing losses that we had.
Underdogs continued to clean up for bettors last week in the NFL, as the favorites bombed again with a 6-7 ATS record. If those NFL betting trends are going to continue this week bettors need to pay close attention to the NFL betting odds.
The New York Giants are a perfect 4-0 on the season and 3-1 ATS, and they’re heavy favorites again at Cleveland on Monday Night Football.
It’s time to get excited for this 8:30 pm ET game on ESPN. Early numbers how that 86% of Sportsbook.com members like the Giants giving nine-points while the Over/Under is set at 43. Note the spread originally opened at seven points before jumping up.
The #11 Florida Gators are six-point home chalk over the #4 LSU Tigers this Saturday night, but the most talk is about comments made by LSU lineman Ricky Jean-Francois.
This SEC matchup is just one of several high profile Saturday games like Texas (+7) at Oklahoma from Dallas. We also have Penn State giving six points at Wisconsin which is the focus of our Primetime Prop.
The UAB Blazers and the Houston Cougars will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at John O`Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium. Houston is a 18-point favorite the over under is 67.
TV: CSTV
UAB: 1-5 SU, 3-2 ATS
Houston: 2-3 SU, 1-3 ATS
With the football season in full swing, now is the best time to examine some betting trends and teams headed in the right and wrong directions.
Football betting trends
College teams coming off three consecutive covers are 5-8-1 ATS in their next outing.
College teams off a home underdog win are 4-10 ATS in their next game.
NFL teams are 4-8 ATS flying two or more time zones away from home.
NFL home dogs are 7-14 against the spread.
NFL teams that are favored by three or less points are 20-10-1 ATS thus far.
The Troy Trojans and the Florida Atlantic Owls will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Lockhart Stadium. Troy is a 3 point favorite the over under is 50.5.
TV: ESPN 2
Troy: 2-2 SU, 2-1 ATS
Florida Atlantic: 1-4 SU, 3-2 ATS
The New Orleans Saints are 2-2 straight up and 3-1 ATS, but they’re a perfect 2-0 in both categories playing in the Superdome.
Get ready to tune in for this 8:30 pm ET game on ESPN. Early numbers show that 88% of Sportsbook.com members like the Saints giving three points and the Over/Under is set at 46.5. That’s the third highest of any game listed this week.
BUFFALO GETS ENTICING LINE
The Buffalo Bills have stunned the betting community by going undefeated and 3-1 ATS in the first quarter of NFL betting action. The steady play of Trent Edwards, who is become a force of nature in the fourth quarter, has been the reason.
Auburn has one glaring loss to LSU, albeit a tight one, on their otherwise strong SU record. Against the spread, they are still 1-4 ATS on the season because of their inability to drive up the point differential against their opponents. A win against Vanderbilt will not only push them well in to the top-10, it will stop these wild Vanderbilt train dead in its tracks.
