College Football and NFL Betting Preview

WagerTalk handicapper Ben Burns offers analysis on games that just missed his weekend football card. Ben provides reasons why he was drawn in 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.

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 1-point OT win. Their last three games were decided by four or fewer points and their last four were decided by seven or less.

Also, Charlotte won last year’s game in OT and the previous meeting had a 22-21 score. This year’s 49ers are really struggling though. They’ve lost four straight by double-digits. 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 UNT having earned my respect. While the Mean Green did cover, they lost.

That was an important game against an instate rival and the loss may take a toll. Still stinging from that tough defeat, now they’re playing their second straight road game at an (arguably) even more difficult venue.

I like the way the Hilltoppers are playing and I like that they’ve 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 the Packers followed up their loss to the Giants by getting blown out by the Jets, I considered backing them to bounce back.

A closer look at their depleted receiving corps gave me pause, though. I also feel that Taylor Heinicke may prove to be an upgrade over Carson Wentz. Recall that Washington, led by Heinicke, out-gained the Packers by a 430-to-304 margin last year (GB still won by 14, however).

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, 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 SF 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.

Happy Hour College Football Kickoff Show

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