Bookmaker's Corner: Bowl Notes & BCS Betting Buzz
by Richard Gardner | Bodog Sportsbook Manager - 12/9/2009
The 2009-10 college football bowl matchups have been set and the betting can begin. Obviously, we expect to see the largest handle at Bodog on the BCS National Championship Game between Alabama and Texas. The Tide has been favored from anywhere between 3.5 and 6 points at various books since the game was announced, with the majority of early action on the side that looked extremely impressive in hammering Florida in the SEC title game.
BCS National Championship Game book notes
I don't see the line getting to 7, but 6.5 is certainly possible. The Longhorns didn't exactly provide the strongest rebuttal for those who like to point out their rather easy schedule when they barely escaped Nebraska in the Big 12 title game. Colt McCoy was intercepted three times in that one, as the two teams combined for barely 300 yards in total yards. The 'Horns will need to show a sharper offensive game in January, considering the Tide ranks first in the nation in total D, having surrendered just 11 points per game. Texas also had trouble putting up points back in October against Oklahoma, which boasts the only other defense worth mentioning in the Big 12.
The Texas D isn't all that bad, so I'm guessing that this one will be a low-scoring affair on both sides. The total at most books is hovering around 45.
Sugar Bowl book notes
Looking ahead to the Sugar Bowl, there doesn't appear to be much respect for undefeated Cincinnati as most books have the Florida Gators as double-digit favorites. But will Florida go into this with the kind of motivation and inspiration they'd give to a national title? Knowing that this is Tim Tebow's final college game, can the Gators rise to the occasion?
Fiesta Bowl book notes
The odds on the Fiesta Bowl have TCU favored by a touchdown over Boise State at most books. Both teams may be undefeated, but this is all about strength of schedule. The Horned Frogs hammered ranked teams like BYU and Utah, and also earned a tough win at Clemson. The Broncos beat Oregon back in September in Boise and, well, that's about it.
Rose Bowl book notes
The Oregon Ducks opened as 3-point favorites over Ohio State in the Rose Bowl and the number has since moved to 3.5. Doesn't anybody trust the Buckeyes in bowl games anymore? The last time the Ducks were in the Rose Bowl was 1995, but they have played in 12 other bowl games since then.
Orange Bowl book notes
Georgia Tech also moved from a 3-point favorite to 3.5 in its BCS bowl game, the Orange Bowl, versus Iowa. Of note, the Hawkeyes are surrendering just 3.5 yards per carry, which should come in handy against the ground-pounding Yellow Jackets, who've scored 46 rushing TDs this season, second to only Nevada (48) in the entire NCAA. It should also be noted that this is the first-ever meeting between these schools and only the second time in Orange Bowl history that the Big Ten will face the ACC.
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