It's easy to underestimate the Big East but six of the league's eight teams went to bowls last season and conference teams are 106-82-1 against the spread (ATS) outside the Big East the past five seasons, a statistic that should be of great interest to devotees of college football betting. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers--and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
WEST VIRGINIA (9-4 SU, 7-4-1 ATS, 12 RS, 41 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2010)
SU:95-43
ATS: 64-64-3
HF:23-27-2
HD:5-7
AF:18-14-1
AD:13-10
Sportsbook Buster: The Mountaineers have covered 11 straight games as Big East underdogs of two or more points.
Sports Betting Angle: West Virginia has covered four consecutive games versus Maryland.
Bets and Pieces: UWV has covered five consecutive visits to Syracuse.
SOUTH FLORIDA (8-5 SU, 5-7 ATS, 10 RS, 45 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2010)
SU: 83-49
ATS: 57-49
HF:18-14
HD:7-7
AF:10-12
AD:18-14
Sportsbook Buster: The Bulls are 8-13 ATS in the Big East the last three seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: USF has covered five of its last six games against Syracuse.
Bets and Pieces: South Florida has covered four of its last five games versus West Virginia.
PITTSBURGH (8-5 SU, 7-3-2 ATS, 14 RS, 45 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2010)
SU:82-54
ATS: 67-60-2
HF:22-23
HD:10-7
AF:17-13
AD:14-11-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Panthers are 10-1 as road underdogs seeking to avenge a loss to that team from the previous season.
Sports Betting Angle: Pittsburgh has covered four games in a row versus Big East rival Louisville.
Bets and Pieces: Pitt has covered five of its last six games the week before playing Syracuse.
CINCINNATI (4-8 SU, 4-7 ATS, 16 RS, 51 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2010)
SU:82-56
ATS: 65-64-2
HF:20-20
HD:13-6
AF:12-15
AD:18-16-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Bearcats are 13-6 as home underdogs over the past 11 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Cincinnati has covered six of its last seven meetings with South Florida.
Bets and Pieces: The Bearcats have covered four of their last five games versus Rutgers.
LOUISVILLE (7-6 SU, 7-5 ATS, 11 RS, 34 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2010)
SU:90-47
ATS: 71-59-1
HF:29-22
HD:5-7
AF:22-14
AD:13-10-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Cardinals are 51-36 as a favorite the last 11 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Louisville is 6-14-1 ATS within the Big East Conference the last three years.
Bets and Pieces: The Cards have covered four of their last five visits to Cincinnati.
RUTGERS (4-8 SU, 2-8-1 ATS, 15 RS, 37 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2010)
SU:62-71
ATS: 64-57-2
HF:13-16
HD: 17-15
AF:7-8
AD:22-17-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Scarlet Knights are 13-6 ATS at home versus non-conference opponents the last 11 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Rutgers has covered four straight games versus USF.
Bets and Pieces: The Knights have covered seven of its last eight games against Army.
SYRACUSE (8-5 SU, 6-5 ATS, 12 RS, 39 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2010)
SU:54-78
ATS: 67-60
HF:22-11
HD:14-17
AF:7-6
AD:22-25
Sportsbook Buster: At 22-11, the Orange has been a solid bet as a home favorite over the past 11 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Syracuse has covered six of its last eight at home versus Rutgers.
Bets and Pieces: The Orangemen have covered five of their last six meetings with Louisville.
CONNECTICUT (8-5 SU, 7-5 ATS, 15 RS, 33 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2010)
SU:70-63
ATS: 70-47-2
HF:18-12-2
HD:15-6
AF:9-6
AD:25-22
Sportsbook Buster: The Huskies are 33-18-2 ATS at home the past 11 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: UConn has covered six straight games against Buffalo.
Bets and Pieces: Connecticut has covered four in a row versus Syracuse.
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 2011: The WAC.
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
