How to Bet on College Football: A short primer for beginners ready to bet during the 'Bowl Season'

The bowl season is here and with 42 college football bowl games scheduled through Jan. 9th, betting on bowl games this time of year is as popular (with bettors) as deciding who to scratch off of that dreaded Christmas list.  

While plenty of head coaches have landed new jobs and many college football players bet their futures on the transfer portal, bettors everywhere are prepping to bet on a bowl game, or two, in the coming weeks. 

But you don't need to start sweating not knowing what "betting against the spread" means, or buying your socially awkward uncle another awful sweater, because you're in the right place, if new to college football betting and looking for 'action' right now.

So, here's a short glossary on 'How To Bet On College Football', which is important for bettors of all levels - whether you're making your first college football bet or a sharp bettor ready to work over a betting line.

(Note: I will also provide some free betting tips throughout this article on 'How To Bet On College Football'. If applied correctly, the betting tips might help you win a few bets during the 2022-23 bowl season.)

Against the Spread: Betting against the spread is the most popular way to bet on college football. For example, let's say Georgia (-6.5) is favorite against Ohio State. If you bet on Georgia, in this case, the Bulldogs would have to win the game by 7 points or more for you to win your bet. On the contrary, a bet on the underdog (Ohio State) would require they win the game and/or lose by 6 points or less for you to cash your bet. 

Betting the Moneyline: Also quite popular with college football bettors, winning a moneyline bet requires picking the team that will win the game. For example, let's assume Clemson is (-145) to beat Tennessee in the Orange Bowl. If you think a moneyline bet on Clemson is the way to go, you have to risk $145 to win $245 (based on a $100 bet). But if you think Tennessee, the underdog in this spot, is going to beat Clemson, you can bet $100 on the underdog Vols. A win would return $245 (based on a $100 bet). 

Betting Tips: 1.) There is a former NFL player coaching his alma mater in a bowl game in the same city where he played for much of his pro career. 2.) A color scheme in a bowl game being played in Miami, Florida could easily help you determine the winner of Clemson vs. Tennessee. 3.) There is a hidden, but useful, hint in the sponsor title of a particular bowl game this year. 4.) Extra homework on Mississippi State vs. Illinois could put extra money in your pocket this holiday season. Hint: Even a novice college football bettor should figure this one out.

Straight 💰: QB Stetson Bennett puffs on a cigar after leading Georgia to a win in last season's national championship game. (Photo Courtesy: Getty Images).  

Betting Totals (Over/Under):  Don't have a strong opinion on USC or Tulane winning the bowl game? If so, you can bet on the 'Total' combined points both teams will score in the bowl game. So, again, let's assume the total over/under for this particular game is (65). If you bet the 'Under', both teams need to score 64 points or less to collect your bet. If you bet the 'Over', both teams will need to score a total amount of 66 points or more.

Parlays:  A parlay is a bet that involves more than one college football game. A parlay can include a combo of moneyline, point spread and/or total. For example: You can put Ohio State (+6.5), Clemson (-145) and Michigan (-7.5) on one single betting ticket. 

Teasers: Similar to a 'Parlay', a 'Teaser' is a multiple team bet against the spread or the total, while the bettor sacrifices potential bet earnings for more favorable spreads (using 6, 6.5 or 7 points. For example, let's use a three-team 'Teaser' applying +6 points to Mississippi State (-2), Louisville (-1), and Michigan (-7.5) - all college football teams participating in the 2022-23 bowl season. The change of spreads (+6) would reflect in Mississippi State (+4), Louisville (+5), and Michigan (-2 5). While you can also apply a Teaser to a Total, your potential payout can be less than expected because you're getting favorable spreads. (Note: You can use teasers when betting on the total of a college football game.)

My Best Bets For The 2022-23 Bowl Season

Bowl season is here and there's no better time of the year for college football bettors.

Whether you're a new bettor figuring out how to make a moneyline bet or a sharp bettor looking to pounce on a miscalculated betting line, the holiday season offers over 40 bowl games for you to bet on. 

I finished the regular season 21-15-1 (after an 0-3 Week 0), so I'm good with how the results of my college football bets turned out this season. So, check out my best bets for the bowl season, before you scratch off anybody else off of your Christmas list!

(Note: Now, that it's time to bet the bowl season, I'm truly on the lookout for what teams I believe are (really) motivated to play in a bowl game, in addition to coaching changes and players who opt out and/or transferring. All key factors you should consider before making a bet on a college football bowl game. 

Here are my best bets for the bowl season.

Thursday, Dec. 22

Lockheed Martin Air Forces Bowl: Air Force +6.5 (vs. Baylor) Can't really figure out why Baylor was made nearly a touchdown favorite in this bowl game. I also think the Bears facing tough competition towards the latter part of their regular season schedule, including playing No. 3 TCU and No. 21 Texas has something to do with the love they're getting from odds guys. But I'm siding with the Falcons (9-3), who will show up with one of the nation's best defensive units (allowing just 12.9 points per game). Air Force also eats up a lot of time and yards with a rushing attack gaining over 300 yards per game. There's also a fun fact in this bowl game, but I'm not giving it away. 

Friday Dec. 30

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Pittsburgh +3.5 (vs. UCLA):  I tend to side with teams who have have strong defensive units, including in this spot as the Panthers (8-4) allowed just a tad under 100 rushing yards per game during the regular season. I also saw the Panthers put up as many points as the Bruins did by season's end. Pittsburgh gets it done, in what could turnout to be a one-sided track meet. 

Monday, Jan. 2

Rose Bowl: Penn State +3 (vs. Utah): Here's another college football betting line I think is a bit off the mark. While I understand the Utes are coming off a conference championship game win against USC, I feel the Trojans were a bit inflated. So, I'm not sure I put too much value in Utah's multiple wins over USC this season, especially the last one which featured a very-limited Caleb Williams for the Trojans.  Penn State has a very good defense and will be able to move the ball, namely on the ground, against an average Utah defense. 

#bets #collegefootball #betting #bowlseason #bet 

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Week 14 NFL Betting Picks: Giants (+7), Panthers (+4) & Steelers (-3) all meet at the cash window

For those of you coming around here for the first time: I take my Cuban sandwiches and sports betting opinions very, very seriously.

I also put in a lot of work, whether it's reading as much as I can, watching a ton of games and pouring over (what I think) is valuable betting content. All together: I'm all in on whatever it takes to be a profitable 'Sports Betting Analyst.' It drives me.

So, I appreciate the continued support around here, even if you insist on eating meatloaf instead of picadillo, or the Dolphins being a smart bet to win the Super Bowl this year. 

Pero, let's forget, for now, that you have probably never been to Miami and have terrible taste in food, because we have NFL betting picks to make -- after studying the Week 14 bet board. Hopefully none of my Week 14 NFL betting picks send you straight for the Pepto Bismol bottle. And as always: please bet responsibly. (BTW: My overall NFL betting record currently stands at 20-9-1.)

Eagles @ Giants+7:  Perfect spot to bet the Giants (7-4-1), significant home underdogs despite having a winning record and (currently) being a playoff team. The Giants may be far from perfect, but they have built a tendency of playing close games -- thanks to a talented coaching staff that has found a way to mask the team's deficiencies (namely at quarterback and the receiver's room). However, the Giants have the goods to control the pace of the game, while exploiting the middle of the field against an overvalued Eagles' defense, which has been burned repeatedly this season despite the team's overall success. While 11-1, Philadelphia has also been held to 21 points or less by the Colts (17), Cardinals (20) and Commanders (21). Not exactly, quality competition. Therefore, I'm betting the Giants to take advantage of the Eagles weaknesses. And they have plenty of them.

Ravens @ Steelers -3:  The Ravens weren't exactly lighting up the scoreboard with Lamar Jackson under center, and I'm betting their struggles to score (on offense) will continue with backup QB Tyler Huntley at the controls. The Steelers, winners of two straight and still breathing in the AFC playoff race, have seen QB Kenny Pickett improve in recent weeks, which includes not turning the ball over. Let's bet Pickett continues to make enough plays and the Steelers defense bottles up Huntley, who will be asked to move a Ravens offense lacking any serious punch. 

Panthers (+4) @ Seahawks: Carolina, winners of two of their last three games and coming off a bye week, are on their third quarterback (Sam Darnold) this season, but 3-0 against the spread in their last three games. The Seahawks, meanwhile, have failed to cover the spread in close to a month. That's why, I'm betting the Panthers to get their first road win of the season.

#Panthers #Betting #Bets #Lines #Ravens #Steelers #Giants #Eagles #Miami #food #cubansandwiches  #nfl #Week14 #sportsbetting 

Miami Book Fair 2022: Juanes, Croquetas & Robotics

Imagine a chance selfie with Latin music star, Juanes, eating croquetas from La Cañita and taking a stroll through the 'Children's Alley' - all while deciding on a book to buy?

That's a snapshot of what to expect at this year's Miami Book Fair, where a multitude of bookworms, authors, entertainers and street food vendors will converge for the literary fest on the Wolfson Campus (300 NE 2nd Ave.) of Miami Dade College from Nov. 13-20.

Read Up: The Miami Book Fair takes place Nov. 13-20. For more information, please visit http://www.miamibookfair.com 

Fit for the kids to roam, if not mesmerized by the sounds of a percussion workshop inside the 'Alley', but hip enough for an adult beverage at Jaguar Sun, in-between lectures of course, 'Opening Night' at the Miami Book Fair will draw on laughter to set the mood as comedian Kevin Nealon will introduce his book, I Exgerrate: My Brushes with Fame.

And while it's unlikely you will need dancing shoes for Juanes' sit-down with writer Diego Londoño to discuss his self-titled biography, appearances by journalist Michael Pollan, filmmaker John Waters and Jose Cartagena will keep you on the move and refreshing the fair's schedule on your phone. (Note: Please go on the book fair's website for updates and tickets for book discussions.)

Still not enough to keep you out of the Miami Book Fair's beefed up food court and cocktail bar? Just make plans to be at the Street Fair, where from Nov. 18-20 you and thousands of your book-sniffing friends will be able to buy any of your favorite reads from a host of vendors. (Open from 10 am-7 pm, admission for the Street Fair is $10 per person from Nov.19-20. Note: Admission on Nov. 18 is free of charge.)

Single day admission for the Miami Book Fair is $10 per person (Admission for kids ages 13-18 and adults over 62 is $5. Kids 12 and under enter free of charge.)

Free parking is available in the Miami Dade College parking garage, Building Seven (enter 500 NE 2th Avenue on NE 5th Street ). Paid parking is available Miami Parking Garage Number Three on NE 2nd Street between NE 2nd Avenue and NE 1st Avenue.

For more information, please visit https://www.miamibookfair.com/

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Destiny's 'Dogs: Bet on Phillies (+170/175) to sniff out the overvalued Astros in 2022 World Series

Series favorite Houston (-190) set to host Philadelphia in Game 1 of the 'Fall Classic' starting Friday night at Minute Maid Park.

Let's get this out of the way: I've not only been really high on the Phillies since mid-June, I picked them to win the World Series before the start of this postseason. I'm not jumping off their momentum-fueled bandwagon now. Especially at +170/175  against the Astros, who to me feel inflated despite their recent sweep through the American League. Sorry, Yankee fans.

You don't have to be a trash can expert to know the Astros, back in the World Series for the fourth time in six years, waltzed their way to 106 regular season wins while facing little resistance in clinching the American League's top seed - with a very flawed Yankees team being their biggest challenge. Sorry, again.

On the flip side, the Phillies, who entered the National League Playoffs as a Wild Card, disposed of the Cardinals, Braves and Padres to secure their first World Series trip since 2009. This, after undergoing a summer's reboot, which included firing their manager after a 21-29 start to the season. While not-so-perfect, the Phillies have two aces (Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola), a legit star (Bryce Harper) and high-end complimentary pieces (Rhys Hoskins, JT Realmuto) - who all came together at the perfect time. 

That's more than enough for the Phillies to keep the good vibes going and win their first World Series in 14 years. (Hint: A key number, if you know anything about Phillies history and/or sports betting in general.)

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NFL (Week 7) Bet ✓: Colts (+2.5), Steelers (+7.5) appear to be viable options

> Should the Dolphins (-7.5), currently on a three-game losing skid, but likely to get QB Tua Tagovailoa back on Sunday night, be significant home favs against the Steelers?

> Have the road 'dog Colts (+2), winners of two straight games, turned the corner, ahead of their pivotal divisional clash at Tennessee?

>Is it a safe bet to ransack your kid's trick-or-treat bag in search of Halloween goodies? 

Tip: Stay away from your kid's trick-or-treat bag ... and Thursday night overs. 

The NFL has been pretty kind to us in this space all season - including last week when I went 1-0-1 to push my overall record to 12-5-2. (24-17-2, if you include my college football picks.)

Let's just thank the Jets and Bengals for last week's performances and move to my best bets on the Week 7 NFL betting board. 

Steelers (2-4) @ Dolphins (3-3): Do the wise guys who come up with these spreads know something the rest of us don't? I would have a problem understanding the logic behind the Dolphins being significant home favs, even if Dan Marino was starting at QB. But here we are: The Dolphins, currently on a three-game losing skid and struggling to find the end zone on offense, are getting plenty of love from the 'books as Tua Tagovailoa returns under center. The Steelers, coming off a win over Tampa Bay, will arrive in Miami as 'dogs for the second straight week. While Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett has been dealing with concussion protocol of his own, this game has long had a built-in storyline - if you follow the NFL closely, you should know - which makes me side with the Steelers in this spot. For all their problems on the field, I sense the Dolphins, predictably getting owner Stephen Ross back this week, are still trying to get a few things worked out behind the scenes as well. Now, here come the Steelers and Brian Flores. I'll trust Pittsburgh moves the ball on the ground effectively, while limiting the Dolphins big-play output. I'll take the points with the Steelers and look for a tight game.

Colts (+2.5) @ Titans: Matt Ryan looks like a capable NFL QB, again, and RB Jonathan Taylor is likely to play after being out last week. I also love in-division rematches during the regular season - especially in such close proximity of each other. Let's remember the Titans beat the Colts in Week 4. I'm not giving away my sauce, but definitely like the Colts to bounce back in this spot.

Picks: Steelers +7.5, Colts +2.5, Pats (ML)

Trick-or-Treat: 5 Halloween Kid-Friendly Events in Miami

Oye, Mom, walking through a ritzy 'hood to fill a trick-or-treat bag with stiff gummy bears is cool, pero you know we Miami kids love to party like rock stars on Halloween.

Besides, how about you try walking eight miles in the dark, while wearing a $375 Spider-Man costume? I thought so?! So, hurry up and make plans for the entire family this Halloween. This is the 305.

Don't worry, Mom. Taking the kids out for Halloween in Miami is not as scary as it sounds. Whether you're looking to sneak another bag of Skittles out of your kid's trick or treat bag or sweat lots of sugar on a spooky evening, here are 5 Halloween' Kid-friendly' events in Miami guaranteed to make the entire family feel really cool. 

1.) Hay Maze Miami, October 21-November 6:  Make your way through a 7,000 square foot hay maze at Hay Maze Miami in Downtown Miami (Bayfront Park) with a bunch of your sugar-fueled kiddos, and take pictures of the scarecrows in front of the pumpkin wall - before or after you taste the pumpkin bread and pie. Boo! (Watch out for a special-themed Hay Maze Miami from October 29-31.)

2.) Kiddo-Ween (City Place, Doral), October 29:   Is your favorite Spider-Man all about winning a costume contest, scoring some candy and taking pictures in a booth? The Kiddo-Ween Fest at City Place Doral will be the place to be from 2-8 p.m. as kids will be able to trick-or-treat at the shops and restaurants, take pictures inside a photo booth and enjoy a magic show. A costume contest will also be held at the runway.

3.) Haunted Halloween Trails and Kids Zone (Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park, North Miami), October 28: 

It's an all-ages affair as the city of North Miami puts a scare into the entire family with it's annual haunted trail event at Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park (1725 NE 135th St., North Miami, Florida 33181). All kids will be able to enjoy the Family Fun Zone, which includes a costume parade, hayrides, pony rides, music and more. Food will also be available for purchase throughout the park. Not a kid? No worries. Everyone is encouraged to wear Halloween costumes! Tickets cost $5 per person ($7 on day of event). 

4.) Trick or Treat, Evelyn Greer Park, Pinecrest, October 28: Put on your best or scariest Halloween costume before heading to Evelyn Greer Park in Pinecrest (8200 SW 124th St., Pinecrest, Florida 33156), where from 5-9 p.m. trick or treaters of all ages will be able to enjoy a bounce house, photo ops., music, balloon artists and much more. (Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult and bring their own trick or treat bag to collect Halloween candy.) 

      

Scary stuff: Miami Kids Magazine and the City of South Miami will host 'Safe Streets Halloween' October 31 from 4-7 p.m. 

5.) Miami Kids Magazine/City of South Miami 'Safe Streets Halloween', October 31: A 'Block Party' for kids (on Sunset Drive from US1 to 57th Avenue) ? Yes, indeed. Miami Kids Magazine and the City of South Miami promise to put a scare into all of you on October 31 from 4-7 p.m. with everything from free candy, music, prizes, pumpkin decorating and live entertainment. Tickets to select theme parks will also be available, in addition to a visit by Scooby Doo. Not enough? A Halloween costume contest will also be held, so make sure to dress the kids, if not the whole family up.