What are College Football Betting Surprise Teams?

Question

I am looking for the past seasons College Football Betting Surprise Teams, so that I can have an over view of the best football teams of past, this information will help me in making wise betting decisions on College Football.

Answer 1

One of the best ways to achieve college football betting success early in the season is to identify those teams that have improved enough from the previous year that oddsmakers may be behind the pointspread curve.

Almost without exception, teams that perform better than expected on the field also have great success against the pointspread. For example, last year's biggest surprise team had to be Utah, which was a solid 9-4 straight up (SU) in 2007 but streaked to a perfect 13-0 record in 2008 after being picked to finish no higher than third in the Mountain West Conference. Not surprisingly, the Utes also were 8-4 against the spread (ATS) last season.

Another surprise team a year ago was Alabama, which rose to the top of the national rankings for a while after beginning the year as just the third choice in the SEC's West Division behind LSU and Auburn. The Tide rolled to a 12-2 SU record and a 9-5 log ATS.

A third example would be TCU, which wasn't even picked in the top 25 to begin the 2008 season but wound up ranked seventh nationally with an 11-2 record SU and an 8-4 mark ATS.

But let's look ahead. Which teams will be unexpected betting bonanza's this season?

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Let's start with Rutgers, which faces the 106th toughest schedule in college football. The Scarlet Knights have won three straight bowl games and are 25-14 ATS in that span so college football betting fans shouldn't have any reluctance backing a team that likely will be placed behind West Virginia, Pittsburgh and South Florida in the Big East. Guess what? Rutgers was 7-0 ATS in conference play last season and gets all three of those teams at home this year.

Notre Dame, which has been less than friendly to gamblers the last few years, could be another team that catches the oddsmakers by surprise. The Irish picked up their first bowl victory since 1993 last year and have 15 starters returning, including eight of the top 10 deep along an offensive line that has gone from a weakness to a strength. Notre Dame also was hard hit by injuries last year and should rebound with better health.

Much of the attention in the Big Ten will be directed at Ohio State and Penn State, a perfect scenario for Illinois to catch both opponents and line makers unaware this season. The Illini were much better than their 5-7 SU and 4-7 ATS records last year but were victimized by turnovers and injuries. With a quick strike offense led by quarterback Juice Williams, Illinois could be a bettor's dream team.

California has had an up and down pointspread record since Coach Jeff Tedford arrived in Berkeley eight years ago but and with 15 returning starters and a home date with USC on this year's schedule, could be headed toward a fine season for gamblers. The Golden Bears have the running game, led by Jahvid Best, to control the clock and should also cover a game or two based on their quality special teams.

Bettors don't often look to the Mid-American Conference for ways to pad their bankroll but Ohio University could be a team that shocks some bet takers. The Bobcats were just 4-8 SU (and 7-4 ATS) last year but, with a little luck, easily could have turned their record around. This year, they have 14 starters returning and, if they can cut down on turnovers, Ohio could be a surprise both on and off the field.

After compiling a 64-10 SU record from 2000 to 2005, Miami has gone just 19-19 the last three years, a span in which the Hurricanes are 13-23 ATS. But that could all change this season as Randy Shannon fields his quickest and most talented team in three seasons in South Florida. The schedule is extremely difficult, which only means that bettors will be getting points or laying a smaller number than usual on this rapidly improving team.

Southern Miss has had success on the football field for over a decade but this could finally be a very good year for pointspread players, as well. The Golden Eagles are just one game over .500 ATS the past four seasons but with 19 starters returning might be headed for double-digit wins, a plateau that almost guarantees wagering success.

These seven teams could be crucial in achieving early college football betting success.