Bettor Up: College Football Week 1 best bets, predictions

My Week 0 college football picks were as good as Scott Frost was last week in Ireland, but unlike Frost, who is on thin ice, we're guaranteed to be around the entire season.

Here are my college football best bets for Week 1, which goes from Thursday night through Labor Day: 

Penn State vs. Purdue - under 53.5: 

Bet the under as Penn State, favored on the road, will make an early-season statement with the help of new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who will bottle up a rebuilt Purdue offense. 

FSU vs. LSU -- FSU +3

The Tigers are getting plenty of respect from  the betting market in this spot, but Brian Kelly has a long way to go before they get back to real accents in Baton Rouge. 

On the other hand, the Seminoles have some pieces to work with as Mike Norvell continues his rebuild. Legit upset alert.

No. 24 Houston @ UTSA +5.5 

Love these college football betting spots with a lower tier ranked team visiting a true home underdog - in an in-state matchup, no less. So, take the points as UTSA QB Frank Harris helps to tame the Cougars.

Bettor Up: College Football Week 0 Best Bets, Friendly Tips

I'll bet you didn't know the 2021 Nebraska Cornhuskers, a legit Big 10 bottom-feeder under head coach Scott Frost, lost nine games - NINE GAMES- by single digits.

Hawaii 38, Vanderbilt 31

I'll also bet you didn't know an average 🛫 trip from Evanston, Illinois to Dublin, Ireland takes a couple of Irish beers over seven hours. (Or the same amount of time, Mario Cristobal spends per day putting up 'The U' sign, when not talking to John Ruiz.)

Charlotte 31, FAU 24

Stone crabs, boats and the Hurricanes, who devoted the off-season to throwing money at all their problems after hiring Cristobal, not a sure bet given his on-the-field coaching habits at Oregon, are all grossly overrated.

But I know you're worried about Miami winning only six games this season, and planning to stay up 'til 2 a.m. on Saturday to watch Vanderbilt (-6.5) vs. Hawaii, one of 11 college football games on the Week 0 slate, so here's my first betting tip of the college football season: Money, even lots of money, doesn't fix everything, whether you're short on protection at 3 a.m. or a college football program betting on a quick return to glory.

Here are several 'Best Bets' for Week 0, after you promise to never wager on a college football team coached by Jim Mora Jr. 

Northwestern vs. Nebraska (Under 49.5) 

Northwestern, the unpopular fat kid who sits alone in the school cafeteria, has had an entire off-season to scout Nebraska. That alone would scare all the corn and fried chicken off my plate, even if, heaven help you, you're still buying stock on Scott Frost. 

The Wildcats, despite losing six straight games to wrap up 2021 rarely get punked under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who has built a reputation for making every game a grind, while rewinding college football back 100 years. 

So, we're betting on the Wildcats, aided by a serviceable QB in Ryan Hilinski and RB Evan Hull, a 1000-yard rusher, to slow the pace of the game to the point new Nebraska QB Casey Thompson will be promoting leather football helmets next week. Potential rain in Dublin can only help us cash our bet as well.

Nevada @ New Mexico State (+9)

This line has dropped significantly over the last several months after opening at Nevada (-12.5), with sharp money backing the home underdog while sneezing at public opinion.

New Mexico State, coming off a 2-10 season, but surprisingly a respectable 6-2-1 ATS, is debuting new head coach Jerry Kill, a solid addition for a program in search a lift.

Nevada, on the other hand, opens 2022 with just six returning starters - after seeing coach Jay Norvell leave for Colorado State. 

Grab the points and make a numbers bet with the Wolf Pack - after blowing your nose.

Vanderbilt @ Hawaii (+8)

I know most experts aren't very high on Hawaii, lacking any kind of serious talent under first-year head coach Timmy Chang. 

But despite all their troubles under Todd Graham, the 'Rainbows', regular bowl game participants in recent years, are likely to score a lot of points on offense, especially with the help of Chang's up-tempo playbook.

Vanderbilt has won two SEC games over the last two seasons and has no business being a road favorite, anywhere. Even in Hawaii.

Aloha, my betting friends.

#betting #collegefootball #miami #bet #bets #moneyline #bestbets

(In the market for a sports betting content creator? Follow me @miami_by_fernie and let's connect.)

Cover Up: 4 NFL Week 1 Best Bets You Should Consider

Tired of 'Date Night' .... and the dogs?

That's because you're ready to bet on real football, and with betting lines set for the NFL Week 1 slate, smart bettors like you have been tracking the market for weeks. 

Right now, a glimpse of the entire Week 1 NFL betting board shows 10 of the 16 home teams listed as underdogs including the Cowboys (+1.5) and Seahawks (+5) - both hosting prime-time games.

Here are 4 Week 1 NFL betting options to consider. (Note: Most of these betting lines are likely to change between now and Thursday, Sept. 8 when the Rams (+2.5) open the season by hosting the Bills.)

-Bills @ Rams U51.5, Sept. 8, 8:20 p.m.

Don't let all the opening night pomp and hype sway your betting perspective.

For all of Josh Allen's heroics last season, the Bills, breaking in a new offensive coordinator (Ken Dorsey) and looking to jumpstart a stagnant running game did little in the preseason to defuse concerns about their overall lack of production on offense.

Meanwhile, the Rams, who have plenty of issues on offense as well, are breaking out several new receivers as QB Matt Stafford gets use to life without Odell Beckham Jr.

Don't expect a lot of fireworks. 

- Colts @ Texans +8 , Sept. 11, 1 p.m.

Still ashamed of stealing a Hershey's bar at your best friend's birthday party .. in 1997? Get over it and bet the Texans (+8), currently the biggest home underdog on the Week 1 betting board. 

We know home teams in the NFL haven't been guaranteed money in recent years but the Texans have an improved roster which includes a very capable QB (Davis Mills) who rarely goes for broke, yet makes enough plays to constantly keep the chains moving.

Houston's ability to run the football behind a strong offensive line will also shorten the game - against a revamped Colts defensive line. I'm also not buying all the hype around Colts QB Matt Ryan, making his first regular season start in a new uniform after a long and storied run in Atlanta. Take the points.

-Giants (+6.5) @ Titans: Sept. 11, 1 p.m. 

Tricky number but there's something enticing about getting nearly a touchdown with a team that didn't make the playoffs the previous season against one that did.  

The Giants, getting a lift with the return of Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay, have the goods on both sides of the line of scrimmage to stay inside the number, if not win the game straight up. Daniel Jones playing for a lot of money is also a solid variable in this spot. On the other side, the Titans appear to be a tad bit overvalued after scoring the AFC's No. 1 seed last season.

Expensive horse: QB Russell Wilson and the Broncos (-5) visit the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, Sept. 12 to close out the Week 1 NFL schedule. Photo: Denver Broncos

-Broncos @ S'hawks (+5), Sept. 12, 8:20 p.m. 

Sometimes the smell is so bad you just want to walk away. But hold your nose real tight while betting the Seahawks, still a significant home underdog with serious questions up and down their depleted roster. 

However, we're betting on circumstance here. Yes, the season just might spiral out of control quickly for the Seahawks but in no way means they can't stay with within striking distance of the Broncos. Especially, with plenty of people watching in a primetime TV spot. Just about everyone expects Russell Wilson to show out in his return to Seattle. So, take the points with the home underdog.

+bet, +NFL +betting, +lines, underdogs, +pick, +bets, + 

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