If you enjoy my baseball column as much as I enjoy writing it, you will love my take on NCAA football.
Starting this week and straight through the National Championship game on Jan. 7, I will provide betting angles, current hot college football news, and the inside scoop from the biggest names in sports betting. Once the season begins, I will also have tons of winning picks.
A few keys to picking college football winners. It’s all about the number. We have all been there. Yes, we have been “hooked” on the last seconds of a game. Shopping around for the best number on a game is vital for a winning campaign. Be patient, this process can sometimes take days.
Be selective. Just because there’s tons of action or games on TV, doesn’t mean you have to play all of them. Less is more. Going 1-0 is better than 5-4. Do your homework. Injuries in football are a major factor. But unlike pro football where if a starting QB or RB, etc. goes down it changes the dynamics of the entire team, in college football many of these squads are stacked more than pancakes at your favorite breakfast eatery.
The line will shift because a starting player is sidelined, but in some cases, it won’t make as much of a difference as it does in the NFL. Know your teams, especially the fan favorites. College football lines can move drastically. Many times this is because of teams that are “fan favorites” or even teams that are televised a bit more often than others (hello, Notre Dame). Follow these simple guidelines and you should have a fun, winning season.
These were the current odds to win the National Championship supplied by our good friends at the Superbook at the Westgate:
Alabama 7/4; Clemson 9/2; Ohio St 9/2; Georgia 6/1; Michigan 12/1; Washington 15/1;
Oklahoma 18/1; Wisconsin 20/1; Penn State 25/1; Auburn 25/1; Michigan St 40/1;
Notre Dame 30/1; Texas 30/1; Miami FL 30/1; Florida St 40/1; USC 40/1.
LSU 60/1; West Virginia 60/1; Stanford 60/1; Mississippi St 80/1; Virginia Tech 80/1.
Nebraska 100/1; Florida 100/1; TCU 100/1; Oregon 100/1; Texas A&M 100/1.
Over the next few weeks I am going to speak to several sportsbook directors and get you the information you want to know about big bets on individual games already made, as well as action on Futures. I will also give my opinions and picks on Season Wins Totals, Odds To Win the National Championship, as well as breaking down the pre-season Top-25.
Baseball
Last week I gave out the Boston Red Sox on the Run Line for Wednesday. After being up 5-0 in two innings of play, the game was postponed due to rain. But that makes eight straight weeks I have not given out a loser in my Best Bets.
Tuesday’s best bet – Cubs vs. Pirates: This NL Central rivalry has the Cubs with a slight edge, winning five of the nine meetings. Lefty Jon Lester takes the hill with 12-3, 3.06 ERA including a 2-0 mark in three starts vs. Pittsburgh. James Taillon gets the home start. The RH is 7-8 with a 3.73 ERA. His problem is run support. When playing at PNC Park, Pittsburgh accounts for just 4.42 RPG, while Chicago averages over 4.92 RPG as a visitor. Head-2-Head, Cubs are 4-1 in last five and 4-0 in Lester’s past four starts vs. the Pirates. Take CHICAGO
Season record: 24-6