Most recreational college football bettors will head out to their local newsstand and pick up their favorite football yearly magazines and get updated on the who has lost who and glance over each NCAA's team's preview for the upcoming. However, you have to do a lot more research than that if you want to stay ahead of the odds maker in the early part of the football betting season.
Here's some handicapping research that we use to help us pinpoint some very favorable wagering situations in first few weeks of the college football season.
Returning Players
If you have purchased one of the college publications then you'll most likely already have these numbers available at your fingertips. If not, check back on Predictem.com in late summer for our returning player numbers for all 117 NCAA teams. Once you have those stats in hand, you'll need to research each team's quality of returning players. Don't just look at the skill positions. Also, note the offensive and defensive linemen lost or returning and make notes of how many of the first time starters have seen some decent game action.
Injury Factor
If you are not super familiar with a particular team's past season's injury situation we suggest that you spend some time getting a refresher. Most NCCA football team sites will have box score stats for each game. It will take a bit of time to go over each game, but it is definitely worth your while. Make notes for teams that had a relatively injury free season as well as those that had an excessive amount of injuries.
Scheduling
Compare last season's schedule against this year's schedule for each team. Note if last year they faced a lot of the dregs of the NCAA or if they had an inordinate amount of games against top ranked competition. Also take a close look at last year's games. Was there any scheduling factors that could have had an impact on the game? For example, were they playing 3 straight games on the road? Was their opponent playing there third in a row on the road or were they in a sandwich game situation?
Coaching
Know each team's coaching situation. Do they have a new head coach, offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator? Look for the team's that have a new coach coming in that has been quite successful in the past as well as the teams that have lost such. Also, check out a few of the local newspaper sites to see if a coach is on the "hot seat" going into the new season. We've used this situation in the past to fade the team if they record back to back losses in the early weeks.
Many of you won't have the time or patience to go this deep into researching for the upcoming football season. However, the handicappers that do will be the ones that have a much higher chance of catching the sportsbook with some very soft lines and padding their bankrolls in the early season.
Editor's Picks - Each weekend our very own in-house All-American Editor makes his NCAA point spread predictions in an attempt to force fumbles, sack and intercept your bookie!
Expert Picks - Free premium college foots plays against the spread from expert handicappers from around the web from week 1 through the National Championship.
Underdog of the Week Pick - We sort through it all and find out which University is getting "too many points" this week. If there was a Heisman Trophy for picking underdogs, we'd be a frontrunner. Expect a 57%+ winning percentage with these picks as we've got a keen ear for loud barking dogs.
Favorite of the Week Pick - Giving points means we start the game down. We're not a real big fan of betting college football favorites as it's similar to trading field goals for touchdowns but stick with us as we buck the odds each week, selecting the favored team with the best chance of covering the spread.
Over/Under of the Week - Expect great value from this pick each week as we've cashed in big on betting over/unders over the years.
Line Movement - NCAA football lines open early in the week and often times move up or down based on wagering activity, injuries to key players and weather. We decipher whether it's square or wiseguy action and predict the point spread winner based on value.
College Football Consensus Picks - We assess the public perception each week and let them pick the winners for us as we fade their selections which provides us with many trips into our bookies endzone.
Computer Picks - We enter them into the computer and the machine makes it's picks. This is a great guide especially when betting totals! These are available after the first few weeks of the season.
Trends - Despite what you have been told or read on tout sites, the trend ain't your friend. We however turn the tables and fade the almighty trend for what should be some great profits over time.
2011 College Football Predictions - Badger breaks down the top teams and lists their odds to win the 2012 BCS Championship as well. At the end he gives his pick on who thinks will win the 2012 BCS National Championship game.
2011 Heisman Trophy Predictions - The trophy is up for grabs with Cam Newton leaving for the NFL. This year's list of "Heisman Hopefuls" is a pretty balanced list and the award is truly up for grabs. Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck is the favorite at +450 with Oklahoma Sooners QB Landry Jones not far behind at +650. Check out Jay's predictions (with analysis) to win the coveted trophy this season.
2012 BCS Championship Predictions - College football handicapper Jay Horne gives his picks on who he thinks will win the 2012 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship.
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5Dimes - 15 team parlays! 20 point teasers! Reduced juice betting odds! Buy up to 15 points! Most props on the web!
SBG Global - Best parlay odds in the industry! Get paid 12-1 on 4-team parlays!
Heisman Trophy Betting Odds - Andrew Luck, Landry Jones, LaMichael James or ? You make the call!
Odds to Win the 2012 BCS Championship - The Oklahoma Sooners are favored to win at 4.5 to 1 but will get a run from Bama (+550), LSU (+1200) and Oregon (+1400). Check out your school's odds here!
Heisman Trophy Winners - A full list of college football quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers who have made history on the field and won the prestigious award.
The Spread - Offers scores, odds, free game predictions, current news and more!
