Don’t go to sleep on the Big East. Conference teams were 22-16-1 ATS outside their league last year and, if history is a guide, could be undervalued and underestimated by oddsmakers again in 2008. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2007 records, returning starters (RS)—-including kickers–and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:

WEST VIRGINIA (11-2 SU, 7-5-1 ATS, 12 RS, 41 RL)

By the Numbers (2000-2007)

SU:  68-31

ATS: 48-45-2

HF:  16-18-1

HD:   5-7

AF:  15-7-1

AD:   9-9

Sportsbook Buster: The Mountaineers have covered nine of their last 10 games as Big East underdogs.

Sports Betting Angle: West Virginia has covered six of its last seven games against Syracuse.

SOUTH FLORIDA (9-4 SU, 7-6 ATS, 17 RS, 62 RL)

By the Numbers (2000-2007)

SU:  59-34

ATS: 41-30

HF:  14-7

HD:   6-4

AF:   8-6

AD:  11-11

Sportsbook Buster: Since they became a board team in 2001, the Bulls are 20-11 ATS at home.

Sports Betting Angle: USF has covered three straight against both Syracuse and Central Florida.

PITTSBURGH (5-7 SU, 6-5 ATS, 15 RS, 53 RL)

By the Numbers (2000-2007)

SU:  55-42

ATS: 45-47

HF:  15-17

HD:   9-11

AF:  11-10

AD:   2-3

Sportsbook Buster: The Panthers have covered four straight games the week before playing Syracuse.

Sports Betting Angle: Pittsburgh has covered four consecutive games against Cincinnati.

RUTGERS (8-5 SU, 6-6 ATS, 15 RS, 50 RL)

By the Numbers (2000-2007)

SU:  41-54

ATS: 48-40-1

HF:   9-9

HD:  15-11

AF:   4-5

AD:  16-15-1

Sportsbook Buster: The Scarlet Knights are 9-2 ATS at home versus non-conference opponents the last eight seasons.

Sports Betting Angle: Rutgers has covered 11 of its last 12 games against Navy (6-1) and Army (5-0).

CONNECTICUT (9-4 SU, 8-4 ATS, 17 RS, 35 RL)

By the Numbers (2000-2007)

SU:  46-48

ATS: 49-33-1

HF:  13-8-1

HD:  11-5

AF:   7-3

AD:  17-16

Sportsbook Buster: The Huskies are 24-13-1 ATS at home the last eight seasons.

Sports Betting Angle: UConn is 5-0-1 ATS in its last six games against Rutgers.

CINCINNATI (10-3 SU, 9-3 ATS, 12 RS, 44 RL)

By the Numbers (2000-2007)

SU:  55-44

ATS: 50-43-2

HF:  15-12

HD:  11-5

AF:   6-10

AD:  16-11-2

Sportsbook Buster: The Bearcats are 27-16-2 as underdogs over the past eight years.

Sports Betting Angle: Cincinnati has covered four straight at home against Rutgers.

LOUISVILLE (6-6 SU, 4-7 ATS, 9 RS, 50 RL)

By the Numbers (2000-2007)

SU:  74-26

ATS: 56-41

HF:  25-18

HD:   2-0

AF:  18-13

AD:  9-4

Sportsbook Buster: The Cardinals are a solid 11-4 as underdogs the last eight seasons.

Sports Betting Angle: Louisville has covered its last four visits to Pittsburgh.

SYRACUSE (2-10 SU, 3-9 ATS, 14 RS, 37 RL)

By the Numbers (2000-2007)

SU:  39-56

ATS: 50-44

HF:  21-7

HD:   9-11

AF:   5-6

AD:  13-19

Sportsbook Buster: At 21-7, the Orange has been strong as a home favorite over the past eight seasons.

Sports Betting Angle: Syracuse has covered three straight versus Louisville.

Legend:

SU  = Straight Up

ATS = Against the Spread

HF  = Home Favorite

HD  = Home Underdog

AF  = Away Favorite

AD  = Away Underdog

Posted on August 16th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: College football betting