Let’s take a look at some of the interesting odds-related numbers related to this year’s college bowl games that are currently appearing on the Sports Options odds service.
Big Total
The Big Total in this year’s college bowl season features Washington (7-5) taking on No. 12 Baylor (9-3) in the Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, December 29 (6 p.m. PT, ESPN).
The total in this matchup opened at 76.5 points, but has since increased to 78.5 at most sportsbooks listed in the Sports Options odds service.
Despite the big number, the betting public still think it’s too low: 60 percent of public betting action was on the over as of 7:30 a.m. PT on Dec. 13.
Led by quarterback Robert Griffin III, this year’s Heisman Trophy winner, the Baylor Bears have the No. 6 offense in the nation averaging 43.5 point per game (ppg). Griffin is averaging 333 yards per game (ypg) through the air and 53.7 ypg on the ground.
The Huskies, meanwhile, have a fairly soft defense having allowed 33.3 ppg, third most in the Pac-12.
Baylor is 10-2 on the over/under this season; Washington is 6-5-1.
Little Total
In what will come as no surprise to most football handicappers, the BCS National Championship has the lowest posted total among all of this year’s college bowl games.
No. 2 Alabama (11-1) faces No. 1 LSU (13-0) at the Superdome in New Orleans on Monday, January 9 (5:30 p.m. PT, ESPN). The total opened at 39 but since inched up to 40 at most online sportsbooks.
Although it’s the lowest total on the board, bettors don’t think it’s low enough: 62 percent of public money was on the under as of 7:30 a.m. PT on Dec. 13.
Both SEC powerhouses boast defensive juggernauts. The Crimson Tide led the nation allowing only 8.8 ppg. Right behind them were the Tigers, who gave up a mere 10.5 ppg.
The BCS title game will be a rematch of the November 5 showdown in Tuscaloosa. LSU won that game 9-6 in an overtime game that featured no touchdowns. The game fell well below the 41.5-point total.
The Tigers are 7-5-1 on the over/under this season; the Crimson Tide are 6-6.
Big Spread
The Big Spread this bowl season features Iowa (7-5) versus No. 14 Oklahoma (9-3) in the Insight Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona on Friday, December 30 (7 p.m. PT, ESPN)
The Sooners are opened as 15.5-point favorites. That number has since dropped to 14 points at most offshore sportsbooks. Action on this game is pretty much evenly split.
The Sooners are 6-6 against the spread (ATS) this season; the Hawkeyes are 5-7 ATS.
Big Move
In the Big Move matchup, No. 23 West Virginia (9-3) takes on No. 15 Clemson in the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida on Wednesday, January 4 (5:30 p.m. PT, ESPN).
This game opened as a pick’em at about 6:10 p.m. on Sunday, December 4. Within about five minutes, early action poured in on Clemson, who became a 3-point favorite. The Tigers are now 3.5-point favorites at most online sportsbooks.
Money continue to come in on Clemson: 83 percent of the public betting action was on the Tigers as of 7:30 a.m. PT on Dec. 13.
Clemson is 8-5 ATS this season; West Virginia is 6-6 ATS.
