Big Ten

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College football

College football conference odds: Alabama favored to win SEC West; New-look ACC is up for grabs

May 7, 2013

Johnny Manziel might become the story of the 2013 college football season, but in the eyes of oddsmakers, his Texas A&M Aggies will be an afterthought in the race for an SEC championship.

TheGreek.com released early conference odds today, and Alabama—the front runner to win the BCS title—is listed as a 1/2 favorite to claim a second straight SEC West crown. Close behind is LSU (+300), followed by Texas A&M (+350).

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Big Ten Blues

What would the Big Ten’s bowl picture look like if Ohio State & Penn State were eligible?

December 5, 2012

It’s not looking pretty in bowl season for the Big Ten, which isn’t favored to win any of its seven matchups.

But things could’ve looked a lot different if Ohio State and Penn State weren’t banned from the postseason. The absence of the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions resulted in a lot of the lower-tier teams getting bumped up a couple notches.

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College Football

Big Ten Rewind: In a league full of deadbeats, Fighting Illini were by far the worst

November 28, 2012

Continuing today, we’re going conference by conference to determine the biggest winners and losers of the 2012 college football season.

In the Big Ten, no one exceeded expectations more than Ohio State, while Illnois lost almost three games more than point spread expectations said they should have.

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College basketball

ACC-Big Ten Challenge Betting Primer: The best, worsts in 13 years of gambling action

November 27, 2012

The ACC-Big Ten Challenge will begin its 14th year today.

Let’s take a look at the bests and worsts in the 13-year history of the event, including a betting primer for those of you who plan to have some action on the games.

 Thumbnail image for College football rivalries: Coaches who make the most money for bettors in ‘big games’
College football

College football rivalries: Coaches who make the most money for bettors in ‘big games’

November 24, 2012

College football rivalry games can be among the most difficult to handicap.

But some coaches have dominated their rivals consistently, including Steve Spurrier, whose South Carolina Gamecocks are 4-point underdogs at Clemson this evening. Read on for a look at some of the best spread-covering coaches in rivalry games.

 Thumbnail image for Big Ten Leaders: What odds would have looked like if Ohio State & Penn State were eligible
College football

Big Ten Leaders: What odds would have looked like if Ohio State & Penn State were eligible

August 23, 2012

The best team in the Big Ten Leaders division is ineligible and unable to play in the conference championship while the team previously considered to be a contender is now fifth-best ahead of only Indiana.

If eligible for postseason play, here’s how Ohio State and Penn State would measure up.

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College Football

One Team’s Loss Is Another’s Gain: Betting the over on some notable Penn State opponents

August 10, 2012

After devastating sanctions levied to Penn State and subsequent player transfers, the Nittany Lions’ win total has dropped by a full game and the ‘under’ is now juiced.

Last we checked, there are no ties in college football. If you take wins away from one team, they have to go to another. So, where could Penn State’s extra losses reveal themselves? There are six notable “swing games” on the schedule.

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College football

First-year starting QB’s: Seven top-25 teams that might struggle to earn a BCS Bowl bid

August 7, 2012

Since 2000, 94 of 120 (78.3%) teams that have qualified for a BCS bowl game have had a returning starter at quarterback. Teams that don’t have one often fall short.

Which top 25 teams could be in trouble entering the 2012 season?

 Thumbnail image for Oddsmaker’s Error: #FadePSU2012 is off to a quick start as early money pours in on Ohio
College football

Oddsmaker’s Error: #FadePSU2012 is off to a quick start as early money pours in on Ohio

August 3, 2012

If the pace keeps up, Ohio might be a 94.5-point road favorite against Penn State when the two teams meet on Sept. 1 in Happy Valley.

Penn State opened as a 15.5-point favorite in its first game after a tumultuous offseason, but the line has been sliced by more than half, as the Bobcats are now 7-point underdogs.

 Thumbnail image for Penn State’s season win total reopens at 5.5 following NCAA penalties, player transfers
College football

Penn State’s season win total reopens at 5.5 following NCAA penalties, player transfers

August 2, 2012

Last week, roughly three hours before the NCAA smacked Penn State with a multi-year bowl ban and numerous other penalties, we wrote a post suggesting that you bet the Nittany Lions’ under 6.5 wins.

Now that the line has shifted to 5.5, is it time to consider a bet on the over?