The Big East has received its share of criticism over the years for not being a Bowl Championship Series-caliber conference, but supporters of the league have been laughing all the way to the bank since 2000.
Big East teams covered the pointspread an average of 56.3% from 2000-2008, according to a study by Ed Gunther of The National Championship Issue.
Because of the 10% vigorish Las Vegas sportsbooks charge for wagering on college games, a bettor has to pick winners at a rate of 52.4% to break even. The only other conference to exceed that threshold was the Pacific 10, whose teams covered at a rate of 55.1%.
No team has covered the spread like Boise State, which grades out at a healthy 63%. Utah, which has covered the number 20 of 24 times as an underdog, is second at 59%.
Division I-A newcomer Western Kentucky leads the bottom 10, but in fairness to the Hilltoppers, they simply haven't had the opportunities of other teams in this list. Indiana is a dismal 34.7% and Washington is only 36.4%.
Just missing the bottom 10 were Alabama (42.3%), Texas A&M (42.9%), Michigan State (43.5%) and Clemson (44.2%).
Data for all 120 Division I-A teams is available at The National Championship Issue.
Click any of the charts for an enlarged view.
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