Wiseguys refuse to hide intentions – at least as of now – for first round of bowl games
Many times during the course of the season, the sharp money on football games, college in particular, is easy to disguise. If you’re a ”wiseguy”, have a couple of your most trusted ”beards” throw down a bet or two on the ”wrong” side, and get the line to where you really want it before pummeling it.
It’s been easier done than expected this season, as of nightfall in Las Vegas and Central America on Dec. 19.
The sharpies are all over three sides in the five bowl games that open the 2014-15 postseason on Dec. 20.
The first game hasn’t garnered much interest at sucker and sharp outs just yet, with lukewarm sharp support and plenty of public support coming on ”OVER” in the New Orleans Bowl. Nevada opened as a field goal favorite, with a total around 60. It’s sitting closer to minus-1 and 63 now.
The final game of the night has not gotten much action from the pros, either. South Alabama opened a small favorite against Bowling Green, and is still a small favorite (minus 1.5 to 2.5 now) with the total saying close to its open of 64.
The other three games, though, all have gotten blasted by the sharps.
Utah State opened minus-10 with a total of 50 against UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl. The side is the same, but the total is in the 44-ish range. That’s not sucker money on the UNDER!
Utah opened minus 4.5 against Colorado State, but the line is now 3-dog-money or less almost everywhere in the Las Vegas Bowl. Again, smart people are on the underdog, and with the game being at Sam Boyd Stadium, it’s buyer beware on UU, despite the short price and the short trip down Interstate 15 for the Utes.
In the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the sharpies did a much better job discussing their work. Western Michigan opened as a small favorite and they are still laying points after getting sharp support over last week. Public money came for Air Force to make the game a PICK a few days ago. The total opened 56.5 and is now 58, but the OVER money from the sharpies would lead me to think this might close closer to 60 at kickoff from Boise tomorrow afternoon.
Check out my previews of each of the first five bowl games here. Best of luck should you decide to get involved!
The Rex Factor has been handicapping college football for more than 20 years and considers it to be his strongest sport consistently, year-in and year-out. Before becoming a professional handicapper, he has covered football teams as a sportswriter in four different conferences.
