College football betting fans again will be watching to see if the WAC, as it was last season when members posted a record of 12-21 ATS, is a "go-against" conference again this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
BOISESTATE (12-1 SU, 8-4 ATS, 11 RS, 39 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:98-17
ATS: 66-40-2
HF:34-15
HD:0-2
AF:23-17
AD:6-4-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Broncos have been a terrific 34-15 as a home favorite the last nine years.
Sports Betting Angle: BoiseState is 6-0-1 ATS in its last seven games against UtahState.
NEVADA (7-6 SU, 5-7 ATS, 14 RS, 45 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:51-59
ATS: 55-50-1
HF:17-7
HD:13-11
AF:10-9
AD:13-21-1
Sportsbook Buster: While the Wolf Pack has been 17-7 as a home favorite the past nine years, they’ve been a dismal 13-21-1 as a road underdog since 2000.
Sports Betting Angle: Nevada has covered its last four games against state rival UNLV.
FRESNOSTATE (7-6 SU, 2-11 ATS, 15 RS, 44 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:73-44
ATS: 50-61-2
HF:14-21-2
HD:4-4
AF:11-17
AD:17-13
Sportsbook Buster: The Bulldogs are 25-38-2 as favorites the last nine years.
Sports Betting Angle: FresnoState has covered five of its last six against San JoseState, including three straight at home.
LOUISIANA TECH (8-5 SU, 8-5 ATS, 16 RS, 37 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:48-61
ATS: 44-59-1
HF:13-11
HD:10-4
AF:6-11
AD:13-30-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Bulldogs are 19-41-1 ATS on the road the last nine seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Louisiana Tech has covered five in a row against FresnoState.
SAN JOSESTATE (6-6 SU, 5-6 ATS, 15 RS, 53 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:44-63
ATS: 54-45-1
HF:12-5-1
HD:12-9
AF:9-2
AD:21-29
Sportsbook Buster: The Spartans are 21-7-1 as favorites over the last nine years.
Sports Betting Angle: San JoseState has a four-game pointspread winning streak against New MexicoState.
HAWAII (7-7 SU, 7-6 ATS, 9 RS, 50 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:74-44
ATS: 58-52
HF:26-21
HD:12-7
AF:8-11
AD:10-12
Sportsbook Buster: The Warriors are 38-28 ATS at home the last nine seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Hawaii has covered five straight against Idaho.
UTAHSTATE (3-9 SU, 8-4 ATS, 16 RS, 48 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:28-75
ATS: 44-54
HF:7-5
HD:13-14
AF:2-5
AD:22-30
Sportsbook Buster: The Aggies are 24-35 ATS on the road the past nine years.
Sports Betting Angle: The Aggies are riding a four-game pointspread winning streak against FresnoState.
IDAHO (2-10 SU, 4-7 ATS, 15 RS, 44 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:23-82
ATS: 38-57-1
HF:2-6
HD:13-13
AF:2-7
AD:20-29-1
Sportsbook Buster: Since 2000, the Vandals are 4-13 in the role of favorites.
Sports Betting Angle: Idaho is 6-1 ATS versus New MexicoState in its last seven games with that school.
NEW MEXICOSTATE (3-9 SU, 4-7 ATS, 10 RS, 44 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:34-73
ATS: 43-58
HF:6-13
HD:15-10
AF:4-8
AD:18-27
Sportsbook Buster: Since the kickoff of the 2000 season, the Aggies are just 10-21 as favorites.
Sports Betting Angle: New MexicoState has covered three straight versus both Louisiana Tech and FresnoState.
Legend:
SU= Straight Up
ATS = Against the Spread
HF= Home Favorite
HD= Home Underdog
AF= Away Favorite
AD= Away Underdog
This is the seventh installment of an 11-part preview series.
Next: College Football Betting 2009: Examining Conference USA.