College Football Bowl Games
College Football Bowl games start on the 19th of December. Early wagering was nearly non-existent as the long countdown to next month’s national collegiate football championship began in America’s sports gambling Mecca.
Las Vegas books widely opened Ohio State as an 8-point favorite over Florida after the BCS lineup was announced on Sunday.
The total was posted at 48.
Players flooded betting parlors to watch numbers go up, but there was no rush to wagering windows.
"I don’t have a single $5 parlay," said Robert Jaynes, race and sports director at the Stratosphere Tower.
"People wanted to look, but a lot of them won’t bet until the day before the game."
"It has been very small and what we’ve taken has been both ways," added Palms Race and Sports Director Rich Baccellieri.
"Not much here," echoed Hilton oddsmaker/SuperBook supervisor Jeff Sherman.
Jaynes considered 8 points too high and planned to lower the pointspread to a touchdown, based on personal opinion rather than money.
"That’s where the money’s going to go," he said.
"It’s going to come in on Florida.
"So I have to ask myself if I want to back off now."
Like many observers, Baccellieri regards the entire bowl selection system as "nonsense."
But he also believes powers-that-be came up with the right opponents for the Jan. 8 Glendale, Ariz., clash, calling the Gators a worthy opponent for the Buckeyes.
"Michigan already has lost to Ohio State," he said.
"Florida absolutely is deserving.
"They played a tough schedule and play in a tough conference."
The SEC champ’s lone loss was to Auburn, while Ohio State is undefeated.
Jaynes emphasizes strength of schedule and conference helps not only determine who gets bowl bids, but what numbers will be, especially in a season like this in which opponents have played few teams in common.
"How do you decide Oklahoma should be an 8 or 8 1/2-point favorite over Boise State?" Jaynes asked.
"They haven’t played the same teams.
"Boise State is one of only two unbeaten teams in the country; the other is playing for a national championship.
"How do you decide Louisville should be a 9-point favorite over Wake Forest?
"That’s where strength of schedule and conference come in.
"Rutgers had to deal with that all year.
"I usually like dogs in these kinds of situations, but that’s me."
by: Anthony White – theSpread.com – Email Us
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