The Wiz of Odds

The Wiz Tackles the SEC Hype Machine

It's truly one of the most remarkable inventions of the past 20 years. It costs nothing to operate, runs 24-7 without a hitch and never requires maintenance.

It’s the one, the only Southeastern Conference hype machine.

Many a college football fan — and bettor — has been swallowed in the annual hype surrounding the league. But this year is different. With a fat, new TV contract and powerful network behind it, the machine has been cranking it out like never before.

The reality is that the SEC in 2009 consists of Alabama, Florida and a bunch of nobodies. In nonconference games against Division I-A opponents, SEC teams are a pedestrian 14-11 against the spread. In nonconference play against teams from Bowl Championship Series conferences, the record is 4-7. That’s a .363 percentage, the worst of the six BCS conferences.

Buying and Selling at Midpoint of the Season

In the wagering world, you have to know when to hold them and when to fold them. With the season midpoint arriving this week for many teams, I take a look at the most overrated and underrated teams. Is it time to buy or sell?

Covers is second to none in coverage of industry news, statistics and advice. Be sure to check Covers' excellent matchups page for this week's games, featuring previews, trends and line moves.

The Hangover

Ever notice how a team celebrates a landmark win one week just to agonize a loss the next? Already, Oklahoma State, USC, Florida State and Washington have followed hallmark victories with a loss. Granted, it’s not a foolproof way to cash in. Nothing in the wagering world is, but more times than not, it’s a trend for the bettor to follow closely and one you can read about in my column this week for Covers.

Covers is second to none in coverage of industry news, statistics and advice. Check the site's excellent matchups page, featuring previews, trends and line moves.

Sportswriters and Gambling — Write or Wrong?

A survey conducted by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State University determined that over 40% of sportswriters gamble and nearly 5% acknowledge betting on sports they cover. Nearly 70% of the sportswriters who gamble admitted it clouded their objectivity.

"It's on their minds and they know it's on their minds," said Marie Hardin, associate professor and associate director of research at the Curley Center. "That was really surprising to me."

Not everybody thinks mixing the two is a bad thing. Read my latest piece for Covers to see what oddsmakers, journalists and gamblers have to say.

I also have a second piece, previewing this week's games. Here's the link.

A reminder to check Covers' excellent matchups page, featuring previews, trends and line moves.

Cougar Town

When Tim Tebow announced to the world in July that he was a 22-year-old virgin and saving himself for marriage, a spiritual tone cloaked the season. Good things happen to those who believe and a scrappy bunch of kids on the Brigham Young team are ready to follow Tebow to the promised land in Pasadena and a spot opposite the Gators in the Bowl Championship Series title game.

Don't bet against it. If the Cougars get past Florida State on Saturday, only a couple of hurdles remain: Oct. 24 against Texas Christian and Nov. 28 against Utah, and both of those games are in Provo. I break down the Cougars' chances in my latest column for Covers and also take a look at Friday night's Boise State-Fresno State game.

Covers is second to none in coverage of industry news, statistics and advice. Check the site's excellent matchups page, featuring previews, trends and line moves.

A Make-or-Break Saturday for the Big Ten

Ohio State squeaks past Navy. Iowa has to block two field goal attempts in the last seven seconds to beat Division I-AA Northern Iowa. Minnesota fumbles away a 14-3 lead and needs overtime to defeat Syracuse. Illinois, a favorite over Missouri, gets drilled, 37-6. Indiana needs last-second heroics to edge Division I-AA Eastern Kentucky.

It was an ugly start for the Big Ten, and with several marquee nonconference matchups on the horizon, it appears the ugliness is just beginning for this once-proud conference. Is there any hope? I break it down in my latest column for Covers.

Covers is second to none in coverage of industry news, statistics and advice. Check the site's excellent matchups page, featuring previews, trends and line moves.