Today’s College Football and NFL Betting Notes By Ben Burns
Weekend Football Betting Preview
WagerTalk football handicapper Ben Burns offers analysis on games that just missed his college football week 9 and NFL Week 8 betting card. Ben provides reasons why he was initially drawn toward a particular direction, and why he decided to pass at the end. Remember, these are not official plays, but just some helpful insight from one of the best football handicappers on the planet.
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College Football Week 9 Betting Leans
Charlotte +16.5 vs. Rice – I don’t think Rice deserves to be laying this many points. The Owls are off a one-point overtime win. Their last three games were decided by four or fewer points and their last four games were decided by seven or less.
Also, Charlotte won last year’s game in overtime and the previous meeting between these two schools had a 22-21 score. This year’s 49ers team is really struggling, though. They’ve lost four-straight games by double-digits and had to fire their coach during the middle of the season. I’m still tempted, but not yet sure I can back such a bad team.
Western Kentucky -10 vs. North Texas– Last week, I mentioned that I was looking at UTSA to beat North Texas. I noted that I was passing due to the line being a little high and due to the Mean Green having earned my respect. While the Mean Green did cover the point spread, they ultimately lost.
That was an important game against an in-state rival and the loss may take a toll. Still stinging from that tough defeat, now they’re playing the second leg of a back-to-back road stretch at an (arguably) even more difficult venue.
I like the way the Hilltoppers are playing and I like that they have had an extra day of preparation time. However, a 2-9 ATS record the past 11 times that they were home favorites in the -7.5 to -10 range is currently giving me some pause.
NFL Week 8 Betting Leans
Chicago Bears +9 at Dallas Cowboys – After their win over the Lions, I figured that the Cowboys would be laying double-digits this week. I assumed that everyone would still be really down on Chicago, and thought that I might be able to swoop in there and get a really generous number with the Bears.
That was before the Bears went out and beat the Patriots on Monday night, though. With a line in the single-digits, I’ll just watch.
Minnesota vs Arizona Over 49 – I’m expecting a lot of points in the Arizona vs Minnesota game. The Vikings have scored 24 or more in four-straight games, and 28 or more in three-straight.
Meanwhile, Arizona checks in off a 42-34 game. The line is a little too high for my liking, though. Forty-seven would have had me in play. Perhaps 48. However, with the line currently sitting at 49, I’ll stay on the sidelines.
Los Angeles Rams +1.5 vs. San Francisco 49ers – When San Francisco won the first meeting, knowing that they’d be off a bye, I anticipated coming back with the Rams in the rematch.
I respect the 49ers, though, and am not too keen on the idea of going against them when they’re off back-to-back losses. I’m going to focus on the total instead.
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Meet the Author
As the most-popular handicapper in the two-decade history of Covers Experts, Ben Burns‘ reputation precedes him. Known for possessing an uncanny ability to consistently deliver with his biggest plays, Burns has numerous documented handicapping titles to his credit in all the major sports.
Ben burst onto the scene in the late 90’s. Though his hockey picks were always highly regarded, it was his remarkable success rate in the NFL which really made him famous. A perfect 10-0 record in the Super Bowl helped establish his “big game reputation.”
Over the years, Ben has seen it all. Win, lose or draw, he always works extremely hard and he always tells it like it is. He’s thrilled to be part of the WagerTalk team and looks forward to earning your trust one winner at a time.
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