College Football Odds
January 29th College Football news ... We have all the information you need at college football odds, the website designed for the smart college football bettor.
Florida State vs. NC State Betting Odds and Preview
2010-10-28
ACC football is under the betting spotlight tonight as the Florida State Seminoles head north to visit the NC State Wolfpack. Sportsbook.com is expecting a high-scoring but close game as the Seminoles are 3.5 point favorites with the ‘total’ up to 59 after opening at 56.5.
Both teams should be well-rested as they both had their bye last week. FSU has won five straight games, but is coming off a close 24-19 win over Boston College despite being favored by 22.5. NC State lost 33-27 in overtime at East Carolina the last time it took the field, as QB Russell Wilson threw three interceptions.
Last year’s meeting was a back-and-forth shootout as FSU outlasted NC State 45-42 in a game that featured 1,093 total yards of offense. Wilson threw for 349 yards and 5 TD in that contest while Seminoles RB Jermaine Thomas rushed for a career-high 186 yards with two touchdowns in last year’s win over NC State.
Thomas has been bothered by a sprained toe that limited him to five carries last week, but he has been a beast in ACC play with a 7.1 YPC average and four scores in four conference games. FSU QB Christian Ponder, who has 531 passing yards in two career games against NC State, has a mere 8 TD and 6 INT in his past six games this season. He has been bothered by a swollen right elbow in the past two weeks, but he will start Thursday night.
In spite of Ponder’s sub-par play, the Seminoles have been winning due to their great defense. They lead the nation with 4.3 sacks per game and rank 13th in scoring defense (16.1 PPG), having allowed 20 points only once this year, (47-17 at Oklahoma) which stands as their only loss. FSU is also 20th in total defense (308 YPG) and 17th in stopping the run (105 YPG) among FBS schools.
Despite eight interceptions in his past three games, Wilson ranks fourth in the nation in total offense (332 YPG) with five straight 300-yard passing games. Senior WR Owen Spencer is a big reason Wilson and NC State has such a potent passing attack. Spencer has caught at least six passes in his past four games. The defense has been above-average this year, but was not good against ECU, allowing 496 yards. The total would have been much more had the Pirates not turned the ball over four times.
FSU vs. NC State point spread bettors should be aware of this extremely one-sided betting trend before submitting their bets tonight:
NC State is 8-0-1 ATS in the past nine meetings with Florida State, but only 4-5 SU including three straight losses.
Here are a few more trends that indicate that NC State plus the points is a wise wager:
Play On - Home underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points (NC STATE) - after 2 consecutive games where they forced 3 or more turnovers against opponent after a game with a turnover margin of -2 or worse. (24-4 since 1992.) (85.7%, +19.6 units. Rating = 3*).
Play On - Underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points (NC STATE) - after 1 or more consecutive straight up losses against opponent after 4 or more consecutive straight up wins. (84-35 over the last 10 seasons.) (70.6%, +45.5 units. Rating = 3*).
FLORIDA ST is 6-20 ATS (23.1%, -16.0 Units) in road games after playing 3 straight conference games since 1992.
The average score was FLORIDA ST 23.6, OPPONENT 24.7 - (Rating = 2*).
The early bettors at Sportsbook.com don’t seem to care as 74 percent of the point spread cash is on the Seminoles.
For more college football betting trends and to check out the betting odds for all of the games on this weekend’s college football betting board, head over to Sportsbook.com now.
CFB: Orange Bowl – Iowa vs. Georgia Tech (8:10 PM ET, FOX)
2010-01-05
The BCS bowl games continue on Tuesday night with the annual installment of the Orange Bowl from Miami. This year’s matchup pits Iowa out of the Big Ten vs. Georgia Tech from the ACC. The Yellow Jackets are 5.5-point favorites currently at Sportsbook.com, up from -2.5 at opener. The latest number has managed to push more of the action towards the Hawkeyes, according to the BETTING TRENDS page.
This year’s Orange Bowl is so absurdly easy as what to watch for it barely needs to be acknowledged, however when scenarios like this occur, often the some other side of the story ends up what really determines the winner. Georgia Tech’s option offense is a sight to behold, ranking 11th in total offense, at 307 yards per game against teams that only surrendered 156 yards per contest on the ground.
Iowa (10-2, 7-4 ATS) was a sturdy defensive squad all season, allowing just 15.5 points per game and was ranked 11th in total defense in the country. On the year the Hawkeyes conceded just 3.5 yards per carry and fundamentally squeezed the life out of most offenses, never allowing more than 28 points in single game.
This is where many people has chosen to focus their attention and unquestionably it will be important, especially if it one-sided for their team. Nevertheless, when the Iowa has the ball and how Georgia Tech defends them will be equally as important.
Ricky Stanzi is expected back at quarterback for Iowa, after missing last two and half contests with injury. If you Googled the term - winning ugly- you would get a Hawkeyes team picture. Stanzi threw just one more touchdown than interception on the season (15 vs. 14), but always seemed to play his best in the final 30 minutes. The Hawkeyes have underrated pass catchers like TE Tony Moeaki and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, who led team in receptions. If Stanzi can get started, Iowa could move to 6-0 ATS after allowing 17 or fewer points like they did against Minnesota in 12-0 whitewashing.
Georgia Tech’s defense was strictly average against teams that didn’t run the ball well like Iowa; they for the most part held them in check. With the Hawkeyes running backs healed and ready to go, it’s impossible to overlook the fact the Yellow Jackets (11-2, 8-4 ATS) were gouged for 662 yards on the ground their last two games. Iowa might well come out with short passing attack, to loosen up the linebackers from Georgia Tech, before plowing ahead with the running game to test their mettle. Coach Paul Johnson’s club is 15-6 ATS on a grass field over the last two seasons.
All right, I can tell by the look on your face you are not buying this thought process. You are betting this game on one factor either way. Iowa holds Georgia Tech to 200 or less yards rushing and pulls the upset or the Yellow Jackets wear down the Hawkeyes with the constant thumping of the option and makes them jelly-legged and armed like they’ve been shoveling snow for four hours straight.
Iowa has been a sound bowl team, going 7-3 ATS in its last 10 and underdogs are 8-2 ATS in those games. The Hawkeyes are on the receiving end of 5.5-points at Bookmaker.com and have to attack the option. Defensive ends on either side have to work up-field to disrupt, but not getting out of position. The linebackers have to play assignment football and not run to QB Josh Nesbitt, otherwise any of the other speedy backs will go the distance. Iowa is 21-5 ATS versus rushing teams averaging 200 or more rushing yards a game.
Coach Johnson’s team lost twice and when they did they gained 205 and 95 yards on the ground, far below their average. Kirk Ferentz’s team really limited the opponent’s passing in holding them to 60 yards below their average at 165 YPG. Georgia Tech’s passing game always has the element of surprise, which catches opposing teams off guard. Coach Johnson teams are 10-1 ATS vs. defensive teams who give up 17 or less points.
Both schools were superb away from home, with Iowa 4-1 and 5-0 ATS and the Rambling Wreck 6-1 SU and ATS. Underdogs are 5-1 ATS in Orange Bowl’s since 2004.
The StatFox Power Line shows Georgia Tech by 4.
CFB: Las Vegas Bowl – BYU vs. Oregon State (8:00 PM ET, ESPN)
2009-12-22
The Las Vegas Bowl is easily the best of the early bowl conflicts, ranking 8th on our radar, with two Top 25 teams. This is BYU’s fifth straight Las Vegas Bowl, which seemingly isn’t that big a problem, since the Mormons have a large population in the southern part of Nevada.
Maybe in a different economy, the Cougars (10-2, 5-7 ATS) might be inclined to look at another site, but given the choice, Vegas made the most sense. They’ll square off with an Oregon State team that was minutes away from a Rose Bowl berth. OSU is a 2.5-point favorite at Sportsbook.com, and getting heavy backing from bettors.
BYU’s senior class has won 10 or more games for the fourth year in a row. Quarterback Max Hall directs the 13th best pass attack in the land at 299.6 yards per game. Coach Bronco Mendenhall is an Oregon State alumnus and former defensive coordinator with the Beavers and hopes for running back Harvey Unga continued health. Slowed with severely injured hamstring in fall camp, only recently has Unga gone full tilt like he did against Utah in gaining 116 yards. Opposing coaches agree, the Cougars are much harder to prepare for with a healthy Unga. BYU is 4-13 ATS after the first month of the season the last two years.
Oregon State (8-4, 7-4-1 ATS) was oh so close to making first Rose Bowl appearance in 46 years, but came up short to rival Oregon in pivotal contest. A justifiable question is the Beavers mental state after falling to the Ducks. In a similar scenario a year ago, Oregon State bounced back and won the Sun Bowl, however this year they have nine fewer days to prepare, making it harder to gauge response time.
Sean Canfield closed career with a brilliant senior campaign (16th passing offense), completing a school-record 70 percent of his passes. The Rodgers brothers, Quizz and James, will test BYU’s speed on the defensive perimeter. Oregon State is 13-4 ATS when playing with two weeks or more of rest under coach Mike Riley.
BYU opened as early 1.5-point favorites and were swiftly turned around to underdogs. The Cougars are 4-2 and 3-3 ATS vs other bowl teams, with Oregon State 3-4 and 4-3 ATS. The BYU bowl history is pretty pathetic at 9-17-1 SU and 9-16-1 ATS, including 6-9 ATS as underdogs. The Beavers are 8-5 SU and 5-3 ATS (5-0 and 4-1 ATS under Riley), with 5-3 spread record as favorites. Since the bowl committee established an affiliation with the Mountain West, the conference is 6-6 and 5-6-1 ATS.
Sportsbook.com has Oregon State now posted as 2.5-point favorites, with total having sunk two points to 58.5. Both teams were excellent away from home, with the eager Beavers 4-2 and 5-1 ATS and the feisty Cougars 6-0 and 4-2 ATS, winning by over 26 points a game.
Oregon State is 9-2 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record over the last two seasons and the total might be an indicator of outcome since coach Riley’s team is 7-1 ATS when they score 28 or more points.
This is 8:00 Eastern start on ESPN and the favorite in a BYU bowl game is on 7-0 and 5-2 ATS run. The StatFox Power Line shows Oregon State by 6
CFB: Beavers and Ducks decide Pac-10 title
2009-12-04
ESPN undoubtedly would love to take credit for having the foresight to knowing this year’s “Civil War” between Oregon State and Oregon would have this much at stake. Alas, even the worldwide leader in sports knows that you luck into situations like this, having a Rose Bowl bid on the line. This is the first time ever the conflict has meant a trip to the “Grand Daddy of them all” for both schools. The host Ducks are nearly a double-digit favorite, but 69% of bettors at Sportsbook.com look for the game to be much closer, according to the BETTING TRENDS page.
Even the most optimistic of Oregon State backers saw a middle of the road Beavers’ team for 2009 and even a month ago would not have had a clue their team would be playing for the right to go to the Rose Bowl as Pac-10 champions.
But on Nov. 7, after upsetting California on the road 31-14 and Oregon losing at Stanford, things started to fall into place for these suddenly eager Beavers. After that win, coach Mike Riley tried to add perspective to his team about lie ahead, “if you win a big game, then the next one gets bigger.” His players accepted the challenge and are riding three-game winning streak (3-0 ATS) and is 6-0 ATS in road games after two straight Pac-10 games over the last two seasons.
Oregon State (8-3, 6-4 ATS) fans have not made the trek to Pasadena since the first day of 1964. Coach Riley might have a national power if his team could ever get off to fast start. After beginning 2-2 the Beavers have gnawed their way to six wins and covers in last seven games. Oregon State is 16-7 SU and ATS the last four games of the regular season since 2004.
Oregon (9-2, 7-4 ATS) was brilliant in coming from behind at Arizona, trailing 24-14 in the fourth quarter and tying the game at 31 in the waning seconds before a frenzied crowded that was ready to storm the field. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was unbelievable down the stretch and in overtime and placed his team in position to be outright Pac-10 champions with a victory against their most hated rival. The Ducks were last conference champions in 2001, but were moved to Fiesta Bowl because of a BCS arrangement at the time. A win by Oregon has them playing New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1995. Oregon is 7-1 ATS with additional rest.
Oregon has scored 42 or more points in each Pac-10 game Masoli has started. He’s a master at running the read-option and powerful runner. His passing and judgment has improved all season. He’ll lead the Pac-10’s second ranked rushing offense against the top-rated run defense. The Beavers only allow 98.4 yards per game on the ground, but were lit up for 385 rushing yards last year at home by the Ducks. Oregon’s incredible efficiency has them 14-3 ATS after a game where they committed one or less turnovers.
Sportsbook.com has Oregon as 9.5-points favorites with total of 61.5. Oregon State knows that to win, quarterback Sean Canfield has to be on target for league’s best passing attack. The Beavers also have to be able to run close to their average of 147 yards, after gaining just 89 yards in last year’s battle. OSU is 14-3 ATS after the first month of the season and is 9-1 UNDER in road games off three straight wins against conference competition. The outcome could well be determined by the total score with the Ducks 8-1 OVER as a home favorite over the last two years, winning by over 17 points per game.
This Pac-10 title tilt starts at 9:00 Eastern and Oregon is 7-14 ATS since 1988 vs. Oregon State, however the home teams is 8-4 ATS in last 12.