This Week's Best Spot Bet Opportunities
By: Ben Burns
Covers.com
Spot bets are classic handicapping practices that have proven profitable no matter what sport you're betting. Whether it's a team looking past this week's opponent, one coming off a hard-fought victory, or a rough patch of schedule, bettors can find value picking their spots.
Letdown spot
Admit it. The Jags looked pretty good last week. The defense was dominant. Blake Bortles and the offense put up points. That result and effort had to come as a huge relief. The Jags had been taking a lot of heat in the offseason and a poor preseason by Bortles didn't help matters. Perhaps no starting quarterback entered the season feeling as much pressure.
Before jumping on the Jacksonville bandwagon, lets keep things in perspective. First off, it was only one game. Second, the Texans' QB situation was a mess last week. Savage was terrible and Watson wasn't ready.
The Titans figure to provide a much tougher test. This is a Tennessee team which expects to make the playoffs. While the Jags may be ripe for a "letdown," the Titans are going to be extra motivated, as they're off a loss against the Raiders. Knowing that they face a strong Seattle team next, followed by two road games, figures to add to the Titans' urgency. Provided the line stays below a field goal, take a look at the road team.
Lookahead spot
Still stinging from a tough 1-point loss vs. Georgia, it might be easy for the Irish to get caught "looking ahead" on Saturday. They'll be facing a Boston College team which just got hammered (34-10) vs. Wake Forest, one which they've beaten five straight times. Up next for ND is Michigan State. You may recall that the Spartans knocked off the Irish early last season. Both teams came in ranked in the top 15. That loss, which snapped a 3-game winning streak in the series for the Irish, was the start of a downward spin from which Notre Dame never recovered. (The Irish would finish 4-8.)
The Eagles have covered five of six in the series, dating back to 2008. Three of the last five meetings have been decided by four or fewer points. They're under-valued after last week's loss. Playing on ESPN, against Notre, allows a chance for redemption. The Irish are just 3-7 ATS their last 10 as a road favorite in the -10.5 to -14 range. Consider grabbing the points with Boston College.
Schedule spot
I released my "Game Of The Week" on Illinois last week. The Illini were at home and getting points against what I felt was an over-rated Western Kentucky team. The Illini rewarded me with a 20-7 victory. The Bulls represent a far more dangerous opponent though, one which has the schedule in its favor.
On Friday, Illinois plays its first road game. It does so on a short week. On the other hand, USF comes in well-rested, last week's game at UConn having been postponed due to Irma. While the Illini may have a 2-0 record, they've also been outgained by an average of 309.5 to 258, in terms of yards per game. That 258 number isn't going to cut it against an explosive USF attack.
The Bulls appear to be the "real deal" and have aspirations of a New Year's Day bowl game. They won 11 games last season and are experienced on both sides of the ball. Playing on ESPN, this is their chance to show the world how good they are. Don't be surprised when this one turn's ugly. Consider laying the points with USF.