Bettor Up: Week 2 NFL Bets

I'm still trying to figure out if Russell Wilson indeed tapped out of those final seconds vs. the Seahawks and the color of Al Michaels' hair, so pardon me for my late arrival to examine the NFL's Week 2 betting board. 

I know it's one week and some people are making Super Bowl reservations right this minute for Geno Smith after he helped Seattle get a flucky win over Denver, but it's human nature to overreact to in-your-face results after eight months of no real NFL football. Hopefully my 3-0 start to the (2022) NFL betting season entices you to wager more money on the Jets to win the AFC East. 

Bears (+10) @ Packers: The Bears, double-digit home underdogs in Week 1, showed marked improvement on both sides of the ball in their win over San Francisco. On the flip side, Green Bay looked out of sorts, especially on offense, in their loss to the Vikings. I think the NFC North is going to be better than what most people think. I also have a thing for road underdogs on SNF. 

Vikings (+2.5) @ Eagles: We have two MNF games this week and I kind of like plays in both of them. Let's start here where the revamped Eagles narrowly escaped in Detroit despite their offense looking the part. Only problem now is they face a Vikings defense that will pressure Jalen Hurts, if not disrupt their running game. Therefore, it's unlikely the Eagles will have their way with Minnesota's front seven. I also like the Vikings chances of setting the pace to the game behind their offensive line. Bet the road underdogs. 

Titans @ Bills Under 51.5:  The Titans, for all their problems vs. the Giants in Week 1 , always seem to have the kind of roster make-up to give the Bills some problems. While strong at passing the ball and limiting big plays on defense, Buffalo struggles to run the football and stopping the opposition from running it against them. Buffalo also had the luxury of plenty of short drives vs. the Rams in Week 1. So, look for the Titans to take the air out of the football as this game stays under the total number.

#nfl #betting #bettingboard #roadunderdogs #mnf #bet #money #bettingwindow #

Bettor Up: College football Week 3 best bets

(Outside of No. 12 BYU @ No. 25 Oregon and No. 13 Miami @ No. 24 Texas A&M, the Week 3 college football betting board is thin on marquee matchups. However, plenty of college football bettors everywhere from Hialeah, Florida to Lake Forest, California, if not from parts in-between, will be out to bet themselves back up a week after Appalachian St. put another dent in Jimbo Fisher's doghouse, Marshall unhinged 'The Golden Dome' and the Longhorns scared Nick's kids.)

The good news, besides Jimbo Fisher still being the head coach at Texas A&M, if you enjoy betting against the Aggies, is you've survived the first three weeks of the 2022 college football season. I've also hit my last four college football picks after an 0-4 start to the 2022 season, including going 0-3 in Week 0. The bad news is I will no longer be making free college football betting picks after this week. So, drop me a line if you are in the market for a sports betting content provider or interested in my picks..

Here are my college football Week 3 betting picks. As you should already be doing, please bet responsibly. 

Florida State @ Louisville, Under 56.5:

The emergence of Florida State's defense, which had their way with LSU, and is well-rested after a bye week, combined with Louisville's inability to score on offense, despite the services of dual-threat QB Malik Cunningham, makes this an easy call. 

Purdue @ Syracuse, Under 58.5: 

I don't eat many oranges. I don't wear a lot of orange. I'm also not sold on Syracuse QB Garrett Schrader doing much against a strong Purdue defense. Syracuse, on the other hand, has a very good defense as well. So, bet on lots of defense under the 'Dome'.

California (+11) @ Notre Dame: 

Unfortunately, Brian Kelly is not walking through that door anytime soon. Not only are the roses drying up for Marcus Freeman rather quickly, but with QB Tyler Buchner likely out for the entire season the Irish will have to turn their offense over to Drew Pyne - on a full-time basis. California, physical on defense and good enough to get into a grind-it-out, low-scoring affair as a significant road underdog, is the side here. Especially, if you can find 10+ anywhere. Shop around, kids.

 #bettorup #week3 #collegefootball #betting #bets #bettors #roadunderdog #seminoles #picks #bet 

Bettor Up: NCAAF + NFL Best Bets

I bet even some of my biggest fans - including all four of my betting friends -  were ready to give up on me, before I delivered in this very blog space with a 3-1 week. 

That's right. We're just going to forgive Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz for an uninspiring performance vs. Purdue, and ruining my dreams of an undefeated week.

Let's move forward to the first week of the football season - with both NCAAF and NFL betting action on the board. 

Kent St. (+32.5) @ Oklahoma (My Bet: I'm not sold on the Sooners as Top-10 material at this point, so my suggestion is to bet against them every week they play, including in this spot. The Golden Flashes can score, if not gain yards in bunches. Oklahoma, on the other hand, has a big date vs. Nebraska next week. 

Bills @ Rams U52.5 (My Bet: Don't let all the opening night hype sway your betting perspective. Both the Bills and Rams have issues to workout on offense.)

Colts @ Texans (+8.5) (My Bet: NFL home teams haven't exactly been money in recent years but we're betting Houston's improved roster, which includes a very capable QB in Davis Mills, makes enough plays on both sides of the ball. We're also not buying all the Matt Ryan hoopla.) 

Broncos @ Seahawks (+5.5) (My Bet: The rest of the season might spiral out of control for the Seahawks, but the home underdog is super live in this spot. So, hold your nose and bet on Seattle to spoil Russell Wilson's return 'home'.)

#bet #betting #nfl #ncaaf #bills #sooners #bets #collegefootball #football 

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