Gambling on Bowl Games

[BishopMVP]

I'm in the Bahamas right now, which means legal gambling at the casino down the beach. Picked up a win last night by going with the over (46) on Pats-Giants, and have the Celtics (+3) and Titans (-4.5) tonight. I'm eyeing a couple of the bowl games for a little more money, specifically Georgia at -9 over Hawaii and Virginia Tech -3.5 over Kansas. Illinois getting 14 against USC is intriguing because the underdogs usually step up if they feel they've been disrespected, but I think I'm gonna stay away there. South Florida is also giving only 9 against an Oregon team that has looked horrendous since Dixon went down, so I'm thinking about that, but USF has been pretty schizophrenic the past couple years, and I'm not sure I trust them.

Anyone have thoughts on these games, or any others that look promising? :D (Note I'll be gone on Saturday, so the NC and NFL playoffs are out, as well as any long-term bets. Which is too bad because they have the Pats at 1-4 to win the SB and the Steelers still at 3-1, leaving Jacksonville and Green Bay both about 12-1 on the board.)

[st.cronin]

I like OK State over Indiana - line in the paper was -3.5, I think they'll win easily.

I think GA Tech will pummel Fresno State or whatever crappy WAC team they're playing - I think its Fresno State.

Not sure what the spread is, but I expect Rutgers to cover in their Bowl Game.

[Lathum]

I love Va Tech at 3.5.

[Vegas Vic]

Gambling is illegal at Bushwood, sir.

I like USF over Oregon.

[st.cronin]

I love Va Tech at 3.5.

Totally disagree. Its not a game I'd want to wager on, but I would have Kansas not just to cover but to win.

- The Big 12 is a much better conference this year than the ACC
- Beamer does not have a very good record in bowl games

There is no way my money would back VaTech as a favorite in this game.

[larrymcg421]

USF over Oregon is good and I really like Missouri over Arkansas.

[Vegas Vic]

USF over Oregon is good and I really like Missouri over Arkansas.

On paper, Missouri should destroy Arkansas. The only thing that concerns me is their frame of mind going into the game. They went from being the #1 ranked team in the country to not even playing in a BCS bowl in the blink of an eye.

[Celeval]

I don't trust GT over Fresno State. I think they'll win, but with the coaching madness, I've got no clue what to expect. We beat the crap out of Tulsa the last time we were in Boise, but got it handed to us against Fresno State in the Emerald Bowl a few years ago.

[k0ruptr]

take georgia over hawaii. do it. I just want as many people to bet on Georgia as possible.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I would never bet GT against any western team in a game outside the eastern time zone.

[Radii]

I would never bet GT against any western team in a game outside the eastern time zone.

agreed.

[mauchow]

Yeah, I don't think Fresno will have a tough time beating GT today. Fresno St could easily be 10-2. The only bad loss they had was against a then very good Oregon team. They had Hawaii, A&M and Boise State as their other losses. Not a bad resume as they usually have every year it seems.

[BishopMVP]

The Titans made me sweat for it, but they pulled through yesterday. Today I spread the winnings (I'm basically making $40 bets across the board) over 3 games. One was the over on the Warriors-Rockets game (202) which has been covered. The other two...Gambling is illegal at Bushwood, sir.

I like USF over Oregon.That didn't quite work out as expected. Was ecstatic to get them as low as -6.5, and then the game started.
I like OK State over Indiana - line in the paper was -3.5, I think they'll win easily.Went with OK St, the line had shifted to -5, but it's still looking good. So 2 for 3, a respectable number. I don't really like any of the new year's bowl games - Missouri could be disappointed and lay an egg like Mike Bishop's K-State team amongst others, and McFadden is playing - so I'm probably gonna sit the 1st out other than Hawaii/UGA and jump back in on the 2nd with UMass-Houston in BBall (depending on the spread - I assume UMass won't be more than a 3-4 pt favorite because no one respects us yet.) St.C - If I'm betting KU, I'll definitely be betting them to win rather than cover despite VaTech's rep for winning close - I think it was +145 with the 3.5 spread. I just feel like Virginia Tech was playing really well after the LSU blowout (which was a bit flukish in that a couple turnovers changed it from a 20pt win into a 41pt win) and I still don't think Kansas has had to play a defense quite that good. I'll look at Beamer's record in bowl games, but I just trust defense and ST more to carry over from the month layoff than offense.take georgia over hawaii. do it. I just want as many people to bet on Georgia as possible.I figured you'd be in here, and thought about adding a note in my 1st post. :) I love Hawaii and was a big proponent of them getting the chance to play in the BCS, I just think they drew the wrong opponent. Georgia was a young team that improved all year and was only a play away (in the UK/UT game) from essentially playing for the right to go to the BCS Title game. They've also got good depth - at RB for instance, aside from Moreno they'll want to give FOFC's favorite RB Thomas Brown his time to shine, even if they're already up. Hawaii's defense this year, while better, still hasn't been good and their only hope is outscoring UGA like Boise St did last year, which reminds me that Boise St played Georgia a couple years ago and UGA most certainly did not overlook them. With the month off, I'm sure Georgia will be ready to play this time. Now, if Hawaii keeps it close or wins I'll be happy for them and might even be rooting for them during the game because I love the underdog, but I'd say it somewhere around a 3/5 to 2/3 chance UGA covers the -9, and that's just a bet that needs to be made.

[sooner333]

I like Tennessee -1.5, Ark ML, Cotton Under 67, Texas Tech -6, Illiniois +14, Rose U 48.5, Sugar O 68.5

[Lathum]

I think GA Tech will pummel Fresno State or whatever crappy WAC team they're playing - I think its Fresno State.



good call :D

[Lathum]

Dola- I like the under 57 in the Outback Early start + college kids is never good.

I like the over 67 in the Mizzou game.

I think Florida is gonna kill Michagan, I'll take the -10.5

I like the over in the Rose bowl. 49. I'de also take USC -14.

I'de take the over 68 in the UGA-Hawaii game.

[MJ4H]

Dola- I like the under 57 in the Cotton Bowl. Early start + college kids is never good.

I like the over 67 in the Mizzou game.



?

[Lathum]

I meant Outback bowl :)

[k0ruptr]

The Titans made me sweat for it, but they pulled through yesterday. Today I spread the winnings (I'm basically making $40 bets across the board) over 3 games. One was the over on the Warriors-Rockets game (202) which has been covered. The other two...That didn't quite work out as expected. Was ecstatic to get them as low as -6.5, and then the game started.
Went with OK St, the line had shifted to -5, but it's still looking good. So 2 for 3, a respectable number. I don't really like any of the new year's bowl games - Missouri could be disappointed and lay an egg like Mike Bishop's K-State team amongst others, and McFadden is playing - so I'm probably gonna sit the 1st out other than Hawaii/UGA and jump back in on the 2nd with UMass-Houston in BBall (depending on the spread - I assume UMass won't be more than a 3-4 pt favorite because no one respects us yet.) St.C - If I'm betting KU, I'll definitely be betting them to win rather than cover despite VaTech's rep for winning close - I think it was +145 with the 3.5 spread. I just feel like Virginia Tech was playing really well after the LSU blowout (which was a bit flukish in that a couple turnovers changed it from a 20pt win into a 41pt win) and I still don't think Kansas has had to play a defense quite that good. I'll look at Beamer's record in bowl games, but I just trust defense and ST more to carry over from the month layoff than offense.I figured you'd be in here, and thought about adding a note in my 1st post. :) I love Hawaii and was a big proponent of them getting the chance to play in the BCS, I just think they drew the wrong opponent. Georgia was a young team that improved all year and was only a play away (in the UK/UT game) from essentially playing for the right to go to the BCS Title game. They've also got good depth - at RB for instance, aside from Moreno they'll want to give FOFC's favorite RB Thomas Brown his time to shine, even if they're already up. Hawaii's defense this year, while better, still hasn't been good and their only hope is outscoring UGA like Boise St did last year, which reminds me that Boise St played Georgia a couple years ago and UGA most certainly did not overlook them. With the month off, I'm sure Georgia will be ready to play this time. Now, if Hawaii keeps it close or wins I'll be happy for them and might even be rooting for them during the game because I love the underdog, but I'd say it somewhere around a 3/5 to 2/3 chance UGA covers the -9, and that's just a bet that needs to be made.

:D regardless, today is game day and I'm as nervous as little kid. I just want a good game competitive game. If Hawaii gets blown out its really gonna suck as it will dash all my dreams of us being able to compete with a bcs conference. I still believe they have a great chance. just getting more worried as kick off gets closer.

[Eaglesfan27]

take georgia over hawaii. do it. I just want as many people to bet on Georgia as possible.


I did. I very rarely gamble, but I bet good money on two games this bowl season that I felt very strongly about. Barring a late collosal collapse, things look good for my USC bet. Now, I just need Georgia to make it a very happy New Year's Day. Worse case scenario is that I break even.

[Neuqua]

Eh, I took Hawaii and 9 points.

[Eaglesfan27]

Eh, I took Hawaii and 9 points.

I think Georgia will beat them by 3 TD's, but as long as they beat them by 10 or more I'll be happy.

[sooner333]

I think Georgia will beat them by 3 TD's, but as long as they beat them by 10 or more I'll be happy.

Well, you're five more away from being happy...only one more quarter left though, may be hard to get there.

[oliegirl]

Well, you're five more away from being happy...only one more quarter left though, may be hard to get there.

I'm guessing he meant 10 points, not 10 touchdowns...

[sooner333]

I'm guessing he meant 10 points, not 10 touchdowns...

I knew that--just joking about how bad this game was from a neutral standpoint. But thanks for the heads up because that's probably something I would normally mis-interpret.

[Eaglesfan27]

Oh yes, I'm very happy! :)

[BishopMVP]

That worked out well last night. Tonight I'm going with UMass -5 vs. Houston (Houston's 11-1, but that's a very weak schedule and no road games), and a moneyline bet on West Virginia. I think Oklahoma is going to win, but the spread is up at 9 and the moneyline at +260 for WVU, which seems high. And if anything I think the Rodriguez circus will galvanize them and fire them up rather than hurting them. We'll see.

[Vegas Vic]

I think Oklahoma is going to win, but the spread is up at 9 and the moneyline at +260 for WVU, which seems high. And if anything I think the Rodriguez circus will galvanize them and fire them up rather than hurting them. We'll see.

WVU +9 is a solid bet as well as the moneyline. The line hasn't been adjusted for the three defensive starters out of OU's lineup. Also, star WR Malcolm Kelly is now questionable with a deep thigh bruise he suffered in practice.

[BishopMVP]

WVU +9 is a solid bet as well as the moneyline. The line hasn't been adjusted for the three defensive starters out of OU's lineup. Also, star WR Malcolm Kelly is now questionable with a deep thigh bruise he suffered in practice.Yeah, but I don't like putting too much money on one game, especially a bowl because they're more unpredictable. Except for the rare case like Notre Dame-LSU last year, when I bet basically everything I had other than taxi fare to the airport on LSU.

Oh, and one other note - the over/under on Houston/UMass is 159.5 right now. UMass averages 84 and gives up 75, but that's with teams like Toledo, CCSU and BU slowing the game down. Every indication I've seen says Houston will run with us, and the last team that did was Syracuse in the 107-100 game.

[sooner333]

+9 is high...I think the number is mostly at 7.5 right now.

[Vegas Vic]

I just did something I've never done before. I'm an Oklahoma fan, and I just bet against them (WVU +8.5).

I'll be more than happy if I lose the bet, but I don't think OU covers this number.

[Lathum]

I just dropped a decent amount of my bankroll on over 61

[Lathum]

I just dropped a decent amount of my bankroll on over 61

not the start I wanted

[Vegas Vic]

There wasn't much difference between these two teams to begin with. When you take out two All-American starters for OU, West Virginia is the better team.

[Lathum]

A couple of quick scores have me in it, it's gonna come down to the wirre

[Lathum]

BAM!!!

[Lathum]

Hitting Va Tech pretty hard tonight

[SFL Cat]

I don't gamble. I go through my money fast enough as it is...thank you very much.

[B & B]

Hitting Va Tech pretty hard tonight



What better: VT minus points or wife fart?

[Lathum]

What better: VT minus points or wife fart?

they both stink