Public going with Florida Gators in BCS title tilt

No. 1-ranked Florida Gators battle the No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners in the BCS National Championship game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami on Thursday (8:15 pm ET, FOX).

Florida is a 3.5-point and -170 moneyline favorite at Sportingbet. The over/under is 70.5. Public Betting information shows 58 per cent of wagers on the game are on Florida.

The Gators (12-1 SU, 10-2 ATS) won the SEC Championship while the Sooners (12-1 SU, 10-2 ATS) won the Big 12.

Florida won the inaugural BCS Title Game two years ago, beating the Ohio State Buckeyes 41-14.

The Gators’ only loss this season came against Ole Miss in September, a 31-30 setback. Otherwise, the Gators have rolled over most opponents, including one-sided road wins over Tennessee (30-6), Georgia (49-10) and Florida State (45-15), as well as LSU (51-21) at home.

Florida captured the SEC championship with a 31-20 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide to earn a spot in the national title game.

Florida scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to rally for the win. Florida failed to cover the 10-point spread and the score went under the total of 54.5.

The BCS National Championship will be Florida’s 18th straight bowl game and 36th bowl appearance overall (16-19).

Oklahoma won the Big 12 title with a 62-21 butt-kicking of Missouri.

It was the Sooners’ third-straight Big 12 championship. Oklahoma covered the 16.5-point spread and the score went over the total of 79.

Just like Florida, Oklahoma has had just one loss this season, a 45-35 setback to Texas on Oct. 11. The Sooners rattled off seven straight wins after that loss to end the season and wrap up the Big 12 championship.

The Sooners have won seven national titles since 1950 with the latest coming in 2000. and boast of a 24-16-1 all-time bowl record. The team is making its 10th straight bowl appearance, but has struggled in the postseason of late, losing two straight bowl games and four of the last five overall.

This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

Check out Sportingbet for NCAA and NFL Football Betting.

Wildcats favored over No. 16 BYU in Las Vegas Bowl

The NCAA Football bowl schedule officially kicks off Saturday with four games, including the No. 16 BYU Cougars facing the favored Arizona Wildcats in the Las Vegas Bowl, the only matchup involving a Top 25-ranked team.

Arizona is a 3-point favorite with -105 juice at Sportsbook.com. The Wildcats are a -145 moneyline favorite at Sportsbook.com, and the over/under total is 61.5.

The game is being played at Sam Boyd Stadium (8 pm ET, ESPN).

The teams have split their past two meetings, while BYU has covered the spread in both games. They last squared off on Sept. 1, 2007, when the Cougars won 20-7 as 3.5-point home favorites.

In their final game of the season, BYU (10-2 SU, 3-8 ATS) was beaten 48-24 by Utah as 7-point underdogs. The score went well over the total of 55.

Arizona (7-5 SU and ATS) beat Arizona State 31-10 in their regular-season finale. Arizona covered the 10.5-point spread and the score fell under the total of 49.

On the injury front, BYU tight end Dennis Pitta (MCL) is listed as probable for Saturday.

BYU is 20-2 SU in its past 22 games, but 1 -7 ATS in its past eight. The total has gone over in four of BYU’s past five. Arizona is 11-5 ATS in its past 16.

BYU is a 3-point underdog, with -115 juice, and a +125 moneyline dog at Sportsbook.com.

Bettors like underdog Alabama in SEC title game

The No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide meet the No. 4 Florida Gators in the SEC Championship game on Saturday at the Georgia Dome (4 pm ET, CBS).

Alabama is undefeated (12-0 SU, 8-0 SEC) while Florida has lost just once this season (11-1 SU, 7-1 SEC).

The SEC champion is virtually guaranteed a spot in the BCS national championship game in Miami on Jan. 8.

The teams are even over the past six meetings, each winning three times. Alabama has an edge against the spread, covering four of those six tilts. The teams last met on Sept. 30, 2006, when Florida won 28-13 as 15.5-point home favorite. The score went over the total of 40.

Sportsbook.com NCAA Betting Odds has the Gators as a 9.5-point favorite. About 56 per cent of bets on the game are on Alabama, according to Public Betting information.

John Parker Wilson threw for 135 yards and one touchdown to lead Alabama to a 36-0 blowout of Auburn on Saturday. The Tide covered the 14.5-point spread and the score went under the total of 40.5.

Tim Tebow threw three touchdown passes, ran for 80 yards and another score, to pace Florida to a 45-15 win over Florida State in Week 14. The Gators covered the 17-point spread and the score went over the total of 53.5.

Alabama is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. Florida is 5-0 SU in its past five overall.

Alabama RB Roy Upchurch (neck) is questionable for the SEC championship. Florida WR Percy Harvin (ankle), QB Cameron Newton (ankle), DE Duke Lemmens (neck), and Matt Patchan (MCL) are all listed as questionable.

Bet NCAA Football at Sportsbook.com.

NCAA Football bettors all over Ball State

The Western Michigan Broncos visit the No. 15 Ball State Cardinals in a MAC West clash on Tuesday night (7 pm ET, ESPN2).

The teams have split the past 10 meetings, each winning five, but Ball State has a 6-4 ATS edge over that span. The conference rivals last met on Oct. 20, 2007, when Ball State won 27-23 as a 1-point road favorite. The score went under the total of 68.5.

The Cardinals are an 11-point favorite at Sportsbook.com.

Public Betting Trends show bettors are backing Ball State big time, with 74 per cent of wagers placed on the game on the Cardinals as of Monday night.

In their last game, the Broncos’ Tim Hiller completed three touchdown passes to pace a 27-17 win over Toledo in Week 12. The Broncos failed to cover the 15-point spread and the score went under the total of 53.5.

Nate Davis threw four TD passes in leading Ball State to a 31-24 victory over Central Michigan in Week 13. Ball State covered the 6.5-point spread and the score fell under the total of 62.

Western Michigan (9-2 SU, 5-5 ATS) has won three straight, while Ball State (11-0 SU, 8-2 ATS) has won 11 straight.

Over/under bettors should note that the total has gone over in five of Western Michigan’s past six on the road, but has gone under in five of Ball State’s past six.

Western Michigan is 4-2 ATS in its past six. Ball State is 5-0 SU in its past five overall and at home, and 8-2 ATS in its last 10.

Bet this game at Sportsbook.com.

Bettors backing Spartans to cover big spread at Penn State

The 15^th-ranked Michigan State Spartans visit the No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions in NCAA Football action on Saturday (3:30 pm ET, ABC).

Penn State has been the dominant team over the past 10 meetings, going 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS. But the Nittany Lions lost the last time the teams squared off, 35-31 as 3-point road favorites on Nov. 17 last season.

Penn State is a 15.5-point favorite at Sportsbook.com but NCAA bettors are backing the Spartans to cover the big spread. Almost 64 per cent of bets placed on the game are on Michigan State, and 67 per cent of over/under wagers are on the Over.

Javon Ringer had two touchdowns for Michigan State in a 27-7 win over Purdue in Week 11. The Spartans covered the 10-point spread, while the score fell under the total of 53.5.

Derrick Williams ran for one TD and caught another as Penn State beat Indiana 34-7 in Week 12. The Lions did not cover the 35.5-point spread, while the score went under the total of 56.

Michigan State is 9-2 SU, 6-5 ATS and has won three straight. Penn State is 10-1 SU and 6-3-1 ATS.

The total has gone over in six of the past eight meetings. Penn State is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings at Penn State.

Bet this game at Sportsbook.com

NCAA Football Betting: Ball State at Miami (OH)

The No. 17 Ball State Cardinals put their undefeated record on the line when they visit MAC rival Miami (OH) Redhawks on Tuesday night (7 pm ET, ESPN2).

Ball State (9-0 SU, 7-1 ATS) is 5-0 SU in MAC conference play while the Redhawks (2-7 SU, 3-5 ATS) are 1-4 SU.

The Cardinals are a 17.5-point road favorite at Sportsbook.com.

The Redhawks have won four of the past eight meetings (the teams had a tie game in 1996) and five of the past seven. But Ball State has the edge against the spread, going 5-3 ATS over the past eight. The teams last met on Aug. 30 last season when the Redhawks edge the Cardinals 14-13 as 4-point road dogs.

Last week, Nate Davis threw four TD passes and ran for another as Ball State beat Northern Illinois 45-14 in Week 11. Ball State covered as 9.5-point faves and the score went over the total of 47.

The RedHawks suffered their first loss to the Buffalo Bulls in 11 meetings with a 37-17 defeat in Buffalo last Tuesday night. Buffalo covered the 8-point spread and the score went over the 50.5-point total.

Ball State is 5-0 SU in its past five, 5-1 SU in its past six on the road, and 4-1 ATS in its past five on the road. Miami (Ohio) is 2-4 ATS in its past six, 1-4 SU in its past five at home.

On the injury front, Ball State WR Dante Love (head) and DE Justin Woodard (leg) are out for the season, while Miami OL Bob Gulley (elbow) is questionable and RB Thomas Merriweather (ankle) is probable.

Bet NCAA Football at Sportsbook.com.

NCAA Football bettors like Texas Tech and the Over in Big 12 showdown

The No. 9-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys take on the No. 2 Texas Tech Red Raiders in a Big 12 showdown on Saturday (8 pm ET, ABC).

Texas Tech has a 6-4 SU and ATS edge, although the Cowboys won the last meeting 49-45 on Sept. 22, 2008. Oklahoma State was a 5.5-point home dog.

The Red Raiders are a 3-point favorite in Sportsbook.com NCAA Football Betting Odds and the total is 73.5.

Public Betting numbers show that 62 per cent of point-spread wagers on the game are on Texas Tech, and 62 per cent of over/under bets are one Over.   

Last week, Dez Bryant caught four touchdown passes and Zac Robinson passed for 395 yards as Oklahoma State rebounded from its first loss by routing Iowa State 59-17. The Cowboys covered the 30.5-point spread and the score went over the total of 61.5.

Texas Tech managed a 39-33 win over Texas in Week 10, as 3.5-point underdogs. The 72 points fell just under the total of 72.5.

Texas Tech (9-0 SU, 4-2-1 ATS) has won nine straight. Oklahoma State is 8-1 SU and 8-0 ATS.

Oklahoma State is 5-0 ATS in its past five and 9-1 SU in its past 10. The total has gone Under in six of Oklahoma State’s past seven on the road. Texas Tech is 5-0 SU in the past five meetings at home against Oklahoma State.

Texas Tech DT Rajon Henley (leg) and RB Aaron Crawford (toe) are questionable, while WR Michael Crabtree is probable.

Bet NFL Football at Sportsbook.com.

NCAA Football bettors like Hokies, Under in ACC battle

The No. 23 Maryland Terrapins take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in an ACC conference battle on Thursday night (7:30 pm ET, ESPN).

Virginia Tech is a perfect 2-0 SU and ATS against the Terrapins. The teams last squared off on Oct. 20, 2005, a 28-9 Hokies win as 10-point road favorites.

The Hokies are a 3-point, -140 moneyline favorite at Sportsbook.com. The over/under is 42.5.

Public Betting information indicates 67 per cent of point-spread bets on this game are on Virginia Tech, and 59 per cent of over/under bets are on the Under.

In the Terrapins last game in Week 9, Obi Egekeze kicked a 20-yard field goal with six seconds left to pace a 27-24 win over North Carolina State in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Terrapins failed to cover the 12-point spread and the score was under the total of 66.5.

Also in Week 9, the favored Hokies lost 30-20 to Florida State, failing to cover the 6.5-point spread. The score went under the total of 44.

Maryland (6-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) has won two straight, while Virginia Tech (5-3 SU, 2-5 ATS) has lost two straight.

The total has gone under in five of Maryland’s past six on the road. Maryland is 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in its past six. Virginia Tech is 13-2 SU in its past 15 at home.

Maryland LB Adrian Moten (wrist) is out indefinitely and RB Da’Rel Scott (shoulder) is listed as questionable.

Virginia Tech QBs Sean Glennon (ankle) and Tyrod Taylor (ankle) are both questionable, as is DE Steven Friday (ankle).

Bet this game at Sportsbook.

Public split on Florida Gators-Georgia Bulldogs matchup

The No. 8 Florida Gators take on the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs in a battle of SEC East rivals Saturday (3:30 pm ET, CBS).

Florida has dominated the past 10 meetings, going 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS. But the Bulldogs won the last meeting, 42-30 as a 7.5-point road dog on Oct. 27 last season. The score went over the total of 55.

Sportsbook.com has the Gators as a 5.5-point favorite in NCAA College Football Betting Lines. The Over/Under is 56.5.

Bettors are basically split on this one, with a small majority – 52 per cent - backing the Gators, according to Public Betting information. The Public is expecting a high-scoring game, as 63 per cent are on the Over. 

Last week, Tim Tebow threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores as Florida thumped Kentucky 63-5 in Week 9. The Gators covered the 25-point spread and the score went over the total of 47.

Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns to lead Georgia to a 52-38 win over LSU Tigers in Week 9. The Bulldogs covered the 1-point spread and the score went over the total of 49.

Florida (6-1 SU, 5-2 ATS) has won three straight while Georgia (7-1 SU, 3-2-2 ATS) has also picked up wins in their past three straight.

Florida is 5-0 ATS in its past five on the road and 8-1 SU in its past nine on the road.
Georgia is 14-1 SU in its past 15 overall and 10-1 SU in its past 11 at home. The total has gone Under in five of the past seven meetings.

Injuries: For Florida, RB Emmanuel Moody (ankle) is listed as doubtful. OL Jim Tartt (ankle) and Safety Bryan Thomas are questionable. For Georgia, TE Tripp Chandler (shoulder) and LB Dannell Ellerbe (knee) are questionable.

Bet NCAA Football at Sportsbook.com.

Bettors like Bulls over Bearcats in Big East battle

The No. 23 South Florida Bulls visit the Cincinnati Bearcats in a Big East conference battle Thursday night (7:30 pm ET, ESPN).

Cincinnati has the edge head-to-head, going 3-2 SU over the past five meetings, but has dominated against the spread, going 4-1 in that span. The teams last squared off on Nov. 3 last season, when the Bearcats upset the Bulls 38-33 as 5-point road dogs.

South Florida is a 2.5-point favorite at Sportsbook.com. Bettors really like the Bulls in this one, with nearly 72 per cent of wagers on this game on South Florida. 

Last week, South Florida (6-2 SU, 2-5 ATS) was upset 24-20 by the Louisville Cardinals. The Bulls had been 5.5-point favorite. The score went under the total of 52. Cincinnati (5-2 SU, 2-4 ATS) also lost in Week 9, falling 40-16 to the Connecticut Huskies. The Bearcats failed as 3-point favorites and the score went over the total of 42.5.

South Florida is 5-1 SU in its past six on the road, 3-6 ATS in its past nine on the road, and 6-2 SU in its past eight overall. Cincinnati is 14-2 SU in its last 16 at home, and is 4-1 ATS in its last five against South Florida.

Bet NCAA Football at Sportsbook.com.