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.
Schedule Spot
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini (+5.5, 46)
A few weeks ago, I successfully played on Illinois when it upset Western Kentucky. Readers of this column may recall that we successfully played against the Illini in their following game. Playing their first road game and doing so on a short week, I predicted that they'd get blown out at USF. They did.
The shoe is on the other foot this time though. Illinois hasn't played since that loss at USF, a full two weeks. Nebraska, on the other hand, will be playing on a short week. Also, the Huskers face Wisconsin next week. Note that Nebraska lost its only road game and also that the Huskers, who lost outright vs. Northern Illinois, have yet to win a game by more than 10 points.
The last meeting here saw Illinois score an upset, a 14-13 win in 2015. The Illini also covered at Nebraska last season. With the schedule in favor of the home dog, consider grabbing the points with Illinois.
Lookahead Spot
Air Force Falcons at New Mexico Lobos (Pick, 51)
Next Saturday, Air Force will play its annual game against Navy. The winner of that game almost always goes on to win the Commander-in-Chief Trophy. First, however, the Falcons must take on New Mexico.
Off back-to-back losses against difficult opponents (Michican and SDSU) many are likely going to expect the Falcons to bounce back with a big win against a "weaker" team like New Mexico. However, that may be easier said than done. Keep in mind that this Air Force team lost 12 of its top 13 tacklers from last season.
The Lobos, who always seem to give the Falcons a tough game, should come in with some confidence. They just upset Tulsa last game. With Air Force possibly looking ahead to next week, take a look at New Mexico.
Letdown Spot
Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys (-6, 47.5)
The Cowboys are off an impressive Monday night win at Arizona. Playing on a short week, with a showdown vs. the Packers on deck, off that nationally televised win, it may be easy for the Cowboys to have a bit of an emotional letdown against the lowly Rams. Note that the Cowboys are 0-2 SU/ATS their last two, off a Monday night game.
While the Cowboys play on a short week, the Rams come in with extra rest. You may recall them beating the 49ers last Thursday. They've scored more than 40 points in two of their three games and they have yet to lose by more than seven. They're also 2-0 ATS the last two times that they were listed as road underdogs in the +3.5 to +7 range. Check out the visiting Rams.