Early look at college football betting lines, games that stand out

College football is almost back, so it's never too early to start pouring over the betting board to dig and try to help bettors spot winners before they go to the bet window.

With point spreads already available for 50+ games scheduled through the end of Week 1 on Labor Day, including underdog Oregon (+17) vs. Georgia on Sept. 3 in Atlanta, there are plenty of potential bets to ponder. 

Here are a few that stood out - from a bettor's eye.

Oregon (+17) vs. Georgia: Sept. 3, (Atlanta)

Clearly, the betting market has plenty of respect for Georgia, which lost a record 15 players to the NFL Draft from last season's national title roster, and enters the season with questions still lingering over starting QB Stetson Bennett's legitimacy despite his heroics vs. Alabama last January. A solid offensive line and overall depth should help UGA avoid a total free fall, but how quickly the defense comes together and staying power behind center are legit concerns. 

The Ducks, heading south to play arguably the most important game in school history with a former SEC QB (Bo Nix) and a first-time head coach (Dan Lanning) who just helped UGA win a national title (as defensive coordinator), in addition to having their entire starting offensive line back from a season ago, are athletic and physical enough to run all day with the Dawgs. If not, capable of shortening the game with an effective running attack. Additionally, look for Oregon's size on both sides of the line of scrimmage to give Georgia some trouble.

The big spread, which Georgia bettors helped move after opening closer to (+14) in most 'books, speaks to the respect bettors still have for UGA, discarding the underdog Ducks, who had all off-season to prep and scheme for Georgia under Lanning, employed in Athens from 2019-2021.

His familiarity with the Bulldogs, not to mention Nix's shot at redemption against an SEC opponent, makes Oregon a live 'dog.

FSU (+3) vs. LSU: Sept. 4, (New Orleans)

Why consider a bet on the Seminoles, entering what is going to be quite an unfavorable environment in the Superdome in New Orleans for Brain Kelly's head coaching debut with LSU? The short line speaks volumes despite all the hoopla surrounding the Tigers, who are in the middle of a serious rebuild just a couple of years removed from winning a national title.

For all their recent on-the-field troubles, FSU, coming off five straight losing seasons after a run of double-digit win seasons, which included a national title, is far deeper into their teardown with head coach Mike Norvell than the Tigers are at this point. 

Let's not forget the Seminoles bounced back to win five of their last eight games, after losing four straight to start the 2021 season, including a season-opening OT loss to Notre Dame. Quarterback Jordan Travis, who appeared to turn the corner late last season, threw nine touchdown passes in the final six games of 2021; a stretch that included wins over Boston College and Miami. 

FSU also gets the benefit of playing Duquesne a week before taking on LSU - clearly an advantage for a program looking to build on it's identity.

 The Tigers, also also hit the transfer portal hard after hiring Kelly, has tons of work ahead of themselves, including settling on a starting quarterback between senior Myles Brennan and Arizona State arrival Jayden Daniels. I'm also weary of teams, no matter what the level, not settled at quarterback.

So, what better place to have a coming out party than in New Orleans? Just be careful it's not the underdog Seminoles cashing a winner in the Big Easy. 

Cincinnati (+7) @ Arkansas: Sept. 3

The Bearcats, fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance, but heading into 2022 without stars Desmond Ridder and Sauce Gardner (both in the NFL), are still a strong bet to win the AAC - even with a new starting quarterback and offensive coordinator.

Cincinnati, returning it's entire offensive line from last season, and featuring loads of skill depth on their roster, definitely warrants a strong look in this spot - even more so when you consider the Razorbacks 2021 fortunes, which included wins over Rice, Texas, Georgia Southern and Arkansas Pine-Bluff, might be a bit overblown. In between, Arkansas also lost at home to Auburn.

Plus, the 'Hogs have plenty of work to do on defense. Throw in their new status as SEC darlings despite a serious schedule ahead, starting with Cincinnati, and it might not be too long before that pig in Sam Pittman's backyard will need a good cleansing. 

Grab the points with the Bearcats and Luke Fickell, the better of the two head coaches in this spot. And it's not even close. 

#collegefootball #betting #bets #bettingboard #points #underdog #bettor #bet 

 

Brightline: Quite a roundtrip hit

 (I recently used Brightline to travel from West Palm Beach to Miami for a Mets-Marlins game. The high-speed inter-city train ride, a lively and energetic experience fueled by hundreds of boozed up Mets fans, was definitely a smash hit - for the most part.)

"What's the best way to get to the ballpark in Miami?" That's the question my Uncle, a huge Mets fan and in town from New Jersey, posed on a recent Saturday afternoon before we opted for a high-speed ride from West Palm Beach to Miami on Brightline, the sleek and charming train filled of grape-scented lobbies and 'Premium' lounges allowing paying customers to stock up on adult beverages and snacks, including what seemed to be like an endless supply of (late- night) cheese cubes and salami, while kicking back in front of several large TV screens. The green grapes a nice touch, but the fresh coffee and chocolate chip cookies definitely hit the spot - especially on the return trip to West Palm Beach.

Although, the nighttime trip back to West Palm Beach felt a bit more isolated, aside from a scattering of Mets fans, updated arrival and departure schedule boards, visible throughout the lobby, makes it impossible to miss your scheduled train. Unless, you really can't get enough of the beer, dried carrots and gummy bears.

Launched nearly four years ago, our midday trip on the privately-backed, multi-million dollar Brightline, which runs on biodiesel fuel, started with a simple over-the-counter transaction in West Palm Beach, where we were issued individual digital tickets with our respective names on them for a 2:48 p.m. ride to Miami, after paying our ($38 per) 'Smart' fare -- before heading upstairs to enter the concourse lobby (once we ran our digital ticket(s) through a security screen). 

Once inside the second floor lobby, which seemed like a tailgate party at Citi Field with just about everyone dressed in Mets apparel, if not sporting orange and blue, we were free to roam the premises or take a seat while waiting to board our scheduled train ride. Practically, impossible to miss on this day considering the crowded concourse, roving attendants also do a good job of letting you know the status of your trip.

While crowded, the West Palm Beach to Miami Brightline train ride, approximately 25 minutes between each station, was smooth and pleasant; the wide aisles and large leather seats, featuring an in-seat recline that slides forward, making for a comfortable commute, which included making a few friends along the way. Two outlets and two USB ports -- next to each seat section - allows for you  to work on your laptop or charge your phone. Onboard Wi-Fi was free and easily accessible - even while enjoying friendly chatter with an engaging couple And bathrooms are within reasonable walking distance inside each Brightline train. As soon as we arrived at the Miami Central station, we were led downstairs, where a large tour-like bus shuttled us to the ballpark. The only drawback being the traffic in Little Havana, so we arrived about 15 minutes after the game had already started.

But the interaction with the fans and fun vibe, including breaking out into song, 

during the shuttle ride made for a pleasing trip to the ballpark, where we watched the entire game before getting back on the shuttle and returned to the Miami Central station to head back to West Palm Beach. 

The only setback? The return shuttle ride was late getting back to the train station, forcing a dozen or so travelers to miss their 7:48 p.m. departure time and putting an understaffed crew in a bit of an uncomfortable situation as people voiced their displeasure about not being able to get on the train. But a Brightline customer service agent, tending the counter and doing the best she could amid all the complaints, made sure to put us on the 9:48 p.m. train back to West Palm Beach -- after providing us with access to the Premium lounge, where we fueled up on our choice of snacks and soft drinks until our scheduled departure. 

You can upgrade to 'Premium', and practically eat all the cheese and salami you want (within reason). Ticket prices vary by day, time and length of your trip. And it being a weekend and for a special event, probably made the price of our tickets a bit higher. You could probably snag a $10 fare on any typical weekday, but the great service and preveliges enjoyed with the purchase of a Premium ticket makes it worth paying a little extra. 

Overall the Brightline experience was fantastic from start to finish, especially if you just want to relax and enjoy a pleasant train ride - no driving included. So, all and all a home run for high-speed train ride fans in South Florida.

#brighline #train #ride #miami #westpalmbeach #highspeed #baseball #marlins 

Running in Miami (?): Top-5 parks in Miami to go running

Did anyone say running in Miami?

Lacing up your sneakers to go for a run this time of year in Miami can be quite a task, especially with the weather heating up.

But considering Miami offers a slew of diverse parks -- friendly views and running paths included -- you can definitely get up running in no time. 

And just think: your hard work running is going to help keep you healthy and active.

Here are my Top-5 parks in Miami to go for a run:

1.) South Pointe Park (1 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, Florida 33139): 

In the mood for a relaxing and breathtaking run along the southernmost tip on South Beach as ships come in and out of Port of Miami? South Pointe Park is the perfect running spot for you -- especially if you don't mind running in the company of dogs and strollers.

2.)  Baptist Hospital (8900 N. Kendall Dr., Miami, Florida 33176): 

Done with a long day at work? Baptist Hospital will relax you to the point you will forget about everything as you wave along the running path to appease a very family-friendly crowd.

3.) Kennedy Park (S. Bayshore Dr./22nd Ave., Miami, Florida 33143): 

Are you worried about not being able to stay up with all the runners? No worries. 

Kennedy Park, a beautiful park complete with picturesque views and plenty of trees, perfect for shading, is equipped with free equipment stations and lots of soft pavement -- essential for keeping your knees healthy!

4.) Miami Beach Boardwalk (21st-46th Collins Ave., Miami Beach, Florida 33129):

 Looking for a perfect view of the ocean as you run? Don't mind a few gawky tourists along the way? Go for a run on the Miami Beach Boardwalk, which stretches for approximately two miles and is littered with beautiful people during anytime of day.

5.) Don Soffer Exercise Trail: (199th/Biscayne Blvd., Across from Aventura Mall):

 Don Soffer Exercise Trail is the perfect spot to work up a sweat -- on your run; the calm environment, cool air and friendly vibe adding to an overall pleasant run.

#miami #running #healthy #parks #views #exercise #sweat #run #relaxing 

Bet ✓: Week 16 NFL Pick$

  Sometimes you just want to finish brushing your teeth and call it a night when all of sudden you feel an urge to make Week 16 NFL picks.

And it doesn't really matter that Week 16 in the NFL has already started and one of the teams I have pegged as a serious player in the NFC title race is off the table, because it's almost Christmas Day, and we're in a giving mood around here. Not to mention, coming off a 3-1 week to improve to 42-26-1 on the season.

So, hopefully you have been less naughty than nice, wrapped up your shopping list and not counting on my picks to send your daughter to college because you should be betting in moderation. Not to buy your significant other another Ferrari before New Year's Eve.

So, let's take a Bet ✓ of the NFL Week 16 betting board:

Browns (+7.5) @ Packers: Perfect, 'Upset Alert' spot here with all things pointing towards the Packers, humming behind Aaron Rodgers and playing for a No. 1 seed in the NFC. But the Browns, recently ravaged by injuries, among other things, likely get QB Baker Mayfield back. And they're extremely desperate.

Bills (+2.5) @ Patriots: Note to everyone who threw flowers at the Patriots for winning an NFL game several weeks ago by throwing the ball three times: Mac Jones struggles in cold/bad weather. So, clip and save just in time for the start of the playoffs. Buffalo, a better balanced team on both sides of the ball, sets the pace here with their running game, while the Pats limitations show up. 

Steelers (+9.5) @ Chiefs: The Steelers, on the ropes and staggering to stay on their feet, are still in desperate mood - even after squeaking by a flawed Titans squad. And NFL bettors should trust teams playing for their playoff lives this time of year. Especially, going up the overvalued Chiefs, who have beefed up against mediocre competition in recent weeks.

Washington FT @ Cowboys (-10.5): Dallas, still a bit uneven on offense, almost slip up at Washington a couple weeks ago. But this is a great opportunity for the Cowboys to get well, while making another push for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. And let's not forget the Cowboys defense is practically impossible to score on right now.

Dolphins @ Saints (+1.5): Still not a big believer in the Dolphins, especially as road favs on MNF?  You're on to something because the Dolphins shouldn't be road favs over too many NFL teams, including the Saints in this spot. Even with QB Ian Book likely getting the start for New Orleans. 

Middle ground: Are the Dolphins (7-7), heading into New Orleans on a six game win streak, worthy of being road favorites on Monday Night Football?

#nfl #bets #miami #betting #roadfavs #bets #dolphins #saints #cowboys #steelers #brush #toothpaste #happyholidays 

Bet ✓: NFL Week 15

 Welcome back to all those who think I cannot shoot a video from a balcony somewhere to let millions of people on Instagram know what a beautiful day it is in Miami. 

 But forget for a minute that I could be on your dream marketing and advertising team, if not write a press release spreading the sweet mango sauce of your juicy steak, because it's time for a Bet ✓ of the rest of the Week 15 NFL betting board. And we have NFL bets to make.

 That's right! It's Week 15 in the NFL, and you my NFL betting friend don't have to bet any of these games, but the books have to post odds on all of them. Tip: Get a good grip on how you feel about a certain game and attack when you think the odds/number is in your favor. Whether you like the fav, dog or leaning towards a total.

Falcons @ 49ers (-8.5): San Francisco, off a dramatic win vs. Cincinnati, keeps playing one-score games, while the Falcons, fat on mediocre competition on all season, are winless vs. above .500 teams. Let's ride Jimmy G, who will find holes in a suspect Atlanta pass defense.

Cowboys (-11) @ Giants: For all their supposed issues, Dallas, still not entirely right on offense, is just a few ticks off the No. 1 seed in the NFC. And the Giants are a complete mess. Lay the points with the Cowboys, especially if LT Tyron Smith is available to play on Sunday.

Jets (+8.5) @ Dolphins: How do you put a stop to a long NFL winning streak that appears to be a bit inflated? Throw in a bye week for the Dolphins, coming off wins against the likes of the Texans, Panthers, Giants and Falcons. The Jets gave plenty of problems right now. But the Dolphins appear to be getting a little too much respect in this spot

Packers (-4) @ Ravens: Rarely would a smart bettor recommend laying points on the road in the NFL. However, Baltimore, awful on offense as of late, with or without Lamar Jackson, will likely not be able to expose a bad Green Bay run defense. And Aaron Rodgers, going up against a injury-plagued Ravens secondary, is playing at an MVP level. Ride it with the Packers.

Fresh 🎏: Are the Dolphins, currently on a five-game winning streak, getting too much respect as significant home favs vs. the Jets ?

#nfl #week15 #betting #picks #packers #jets #cowboys #sanfrancisco #bets #books #miami

Dear 🎅: 5 Gifts > Miami Sports Fans

 Dear 🎅, 

Oye, bro, where the --- are you right now?

I know trying to put down another Cuban sandwich, while squeezing your burly self through the Palmetto Expressway is practically impossible this time of year. Pero, please tell your bipolar Uber driver to stop giving you dirty looks and step on that gas pedal already because our favorite NFL quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, can barely walk straight anymore. 

And there's a real good chance he will not make it out of 2021 alive because the Dolphins offensive line smells like dead 🎏. So, we're hoping you packed a young, strong and versatile left tackle with the potential to make 12 straight All-Pro squads and someday have his head bronzed in Canton, Ohio.

But before you even think about slipping out the back door with an extra plate of lechon asadó y frijoles negros, here are a few more gifts sports fans in Miami would really appreciate this holiday season.

1.) GPS: We've definitely been more nice than naughty, and deserve better than what the Marlins, always willing to trade $12 for another hot 🍺, keep selling us on, including a journeyman outfielder who just bagged $53 million. Perhaps, a brand new GPS will finally put the Marlins in some kind of believable direction. In the meantime, have fun in the front row -- while you avoid Marlins Man. 

2.) Mute button: I know TV play-by-play announcers are paid to be, in part, over-the-top cheerleaders for their respective teams. But outside of Steve Goldstein, maybe, not one of our local puppets in South Florida brings a unique flair to their jobs. Unless, you count saying 'I agree.' and 'Kaboom!!' over and over again. Please send a fresh voice. 

3.) Reality ✓: 'We're back?!??' I think we've heard that phrase before from Canes fans. Only problem is that most honeymoons are lathered in plenty of hope and love. And this one already has the smell of burnt fried eggs. But we'll wait.

4.) Splash of good luck: It's bad enough that arguably our best pro franchise plays near a swamp and are off the popular radar. But a combination of injuries, organizational mishaps and unfortunate circumstances have really buried our Florida Panthers. 

#gifts #miami #sports #fans #santa #305 #marlins #panthers #tua #dolphins #

Bet ✓: Week 14 NFL Pick$

 

You have 13 days - give or take - to get your holiday shopping done, my NFL bet friends!

That's right! Whether pretending to know what you're doing on http://www.victoriasecrets.com or waiting for a last minute deal on an iPhone 13, the clock is definitely not on your side. And just like the seconds ticking away on your hopes of finding love this time of year, it's almost due or die for NFL playoff hopefuls like the Browns, Raiders, and Saints, among several others.

Geez. Just ask the Steelers, who apparently have lost track of all kinds of time, if new watches for everyone would be a nice gift idea for Christmas? In the meantime, I'm still trying to figure out if Lamar Jackson, a gifted athlete, no doubt, is good enough to win another NFL football game in January (?). But time is of the essence, so let's take a Bet ✓ of the remainder of the Week 14 NFL betting board, while you decide on another sweater -- after stapling a Starbucks gift card to your new love's gift bag. Happy shopping.

Note: Last week's NFL record 2-2 (.500); season record 37-23-1 (.640). 

Dallas (-4.5) @ WFT: Nothing like your head coach making a half-hearted guarantee this time of year to get the attention of all his players -- especially, coming off a little hiatus. But there's a hidden message in there somewhere that NFL bettors should clip and save. Hint: Green Bay Packers.The Cowboys, ridiculed for losing on Thanksgiving despite dealing with a number of key injuries, before turning around to take care of the Saints, are relatively healthy and appear to be just a few steps away on offense. Take the significantly better team in this spot.

 New Orleans @ NY Jets (+6): Hopefully, you've seen enough of Taysom Hill by now to know he has no business trying to pass as a legit NFL quarterback. Add a banged up finger and cold weather, and Hill might not be able to make it through the entire game. No matter how dynamic the talking heads think he is . And if NFL bettors have been paying attention, they should know how competitive the AFC East has - collectively - been.

 Baltimore @ Cleveland (+2.5): Lamar Jackson might eat up yards on your favorite NFL video game or earn you plenty of fantasy points, but that doesn't do anything for NFL bettors on here. Jackson turns into just another good athlete with limited football skills when faced with adversity. Meanwhile, Cleveland, off a bye week, is getting healthy and will be able to set the pace to the game with their running game.

#nfl #betting #shopping #iphone13 #clevelandbrowns #ravens #miami #bets #steelers #bets #week14 #bettors #