Don't go to sleep on the Big East. Conference teams were 22-16-1 ATS outside their league last year and, if history is a guide, could be undervalued and underestimated by oddsmakers again in 2008. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2007 records, returning starters (RS)—-including kickers--and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
WEST VIRGINIA (11-2 SU, 7-5-1 ATS, 12 RS, 41 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2007)
SU: 68-31
ATS: 48-45-2
HF: 16-18-1
HD: 5-7
AF: 15-7-1
AD: 9-9
Sportsbook Buster: The Mountaineers have covered nine of their last 10 games as Big East underdogs.
Sports Betting Angle: West Virginia has covered six of its last seven games against Syracuse.
SOUTH FLORIDA (9-4 SU, 7-6 ATS, 17 RS, 62 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2007)
SU: 59-34
ATS: 41-30
HF: 14-7
HD: 6-4
AF: 8-6
AD: 11-11
Sportsbook Buster: Since they became a board team in 2001, the Bulls are 20-11 ATS at home.
Sports Betting Angle: USF has covered three straight against both Syracuse and Central Florida.
PITTSBURGH (5-7 SU, 6-5 ATS, 15 RS, 53 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2007)
SU: 55-42
ATS: 45-47
HF: 15-17
HD: 9-11
AF: 11-10
AD: 2-3
Sportsbook Buster: The Panthers have covered four straight games the week before playing Syracuse.
Sports Betting Angle: Pittsburgh has covered four consecutive games against Cincinnati.
RUTGERS (8-5 SU, 6-6 ATS, 15 RS, 50 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2007)
SU: 41-54
ATS: 48-40-1
HF: 9-9
HD: 15-11
AF: 4-5
AD: 16-15-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Scarlet Knights are 9-2 ATS at home versus non-conference opponents the last eight seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Rutgers has covered 11 of its last 12 games against Navy (6-1) and Army (5-0).
CONNECTICUT (9-4 SU, 8-4 ATS, 17 RS, 35 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2007)
SU: 46-48
ATS: 49-33-1
HF: 13-8-1
HD: 11-5
AF: 7-3
AD: 17-16
Sportsbook Buster: The Huskies are 24-13-1 ATS at home the last eight seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: UConn is 5-0-1 ATS in its last six games against Rutgers.
CINCINNATI (10-3 SU, 9-3 ATS, 12 RS, 44 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2007)
SU: 55-44
ATS: 50-43-2
HF: 15-12
HD: 11-5
AF: 6-10
AD: 16-11-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Bearcats are 27-16-2 as underdogs over the past eight years.
Sports Betting Angle: Cincinnati has covered four straight at home against Rutgers.
LOUISVILLE (6-6 SU, 4-7 ATS, 9 RS, 50 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2007)
SU: 74-26
ATS: 56-41
HF: 25-18
HD: 2-0
AF: 18-13
AD: 9-4
Sportsbook Buster: The Cardinals are a solid 11-4 as underdogs the last eight seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Louisville has covered its last four visits to Pittsburgh.
SYRACUSE (2-10 SU, 3-9 ATS, 14 RS, 37 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2007)
SU: 39-56
ATS: 50-44
HF: 21-7
HD: 9-11
AF: 5-6
AD: 13-19
Sportsbook Buster: At 21-7, the Orange has been strong as a home favorite over the past eight seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Syracuse has covered three straight versus Louisville.
Legend:
SU = Straight Up
ATS = Against the Spread
HF = Home Favorite
HD = Home Underdog
AF = Away Favorite
AD = Away Underdog
This is the sixth installment of an 11-part preview series.
Next: College Football Betting: Analyzing the WAC.
