Independents College Football Betting Preview
By Art Aronson
Covers.com
With the Navy Midshipmen off to the American Athletic Conference, we are left with just three independent programs. Two of the three look like they could be headed for bowl berths, while the other loos like it will finish nowhere near contention.
Brigham Young Cougars (2014: 8-5 SU, 5-8 ATS)
Season win total: 8.5
Why bet the Cougars: Scoring should not be a problem, assuming either of their big guns (QB Taysom Hill and RB Jamaal Williams) are and stay healthy. BYU’s shot at an A+ season went down the tubes when Hill suffered a broken leg in Game 5 last season. He’s a run-pass QB, who should get plenty of protection from Williams, who could finish the year with the most yards gained of any ball-carrier in school history.
Why not bet the Cougars: Might be a good idea to take a long look at over play until BYU’s defense shows it can stop decent offenses. The Cougars will head into camp not knowing what the secondary will look like.
Season win total pick: Under 8.5
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2014: 8-6 SU, 8-5 ATS)
Season win total: 9
Why bet the Fighting Irish: This may be the deepest team Brian Kelly has had as he enters his 6th season as head coach. Only four starters will not return from a team that averaged 33 points and 445 yards in total offense last season. A few wins early would move the Irish into the top 10 and rekindle hopes for its second shot at a national title game in the last four seasons.
Why not bet the Fighting Irish: As a national team, Notre Dame’s lines are always skewed a bit because the Irish always get action. Add to that the unsettling fact that ND gave up 40 points per game in its last eight last season, and there is cause for concern among wagerers.
Season win total pick: Under 9
Army Black Knights (2014: 4-8 SU, 5-7 ATS)
Season win total: 3.5
Why bet the Black Knights: There should be plenty of opportunity for underdog play here. If you catch a heavy betting line, it might be worth a shot because the Knights figure to run the ball early and often, shortening games if they can. (All out of necessity, because there is no experienced QB.)
Why not bet the Black Knights: Army will once again be a slow, plodding team as the coaching staff slowly tries to improve team speed. But there really isn’t much returning from a team that over the last several years has struggled to be competitive with even low-level scholarship programs.
Season win total pick: Over 3.5