College Football Bowl Game Trends

2010-11 College Football Bowl Game Trends

With the start of the 2010-11 college bowl season just around the corner, it's important to remember that many people are making their only college football bets of the year. It's hard to imagine for those of us who bet college football on a regular basis, but there are plenty of people who solely wager on the NFL.

As a result, the public influences the line a bit more than normal, which is evidenced by how well double-digit underdogs have performed since 1992. These teams have gone 38-26-2 against the line, which is a solid mark for such as simple method.

Underdogs of six or more points have been a solid bet the past 10 years. While these teams are just 15-32 straight up, they are 28-18-1 against the number, which is slightly over 60%.

Strength of schedule is something that has to be considered, as the quality of foes varies greatly in college football. Historically, one of the weaker conferences, the Mid-American Conference, has seen its teams go a dismal 0-11-1 against the spread since 2008.

The unders have done well the past two years, going 40-28 against the line.

Last year, the unders were 19-15 and the underdogs were 20-14.

Not only does the public like a favorite, but they tend to like a hot favorite and favorites who have covered their last three or more games are a dismal 26-38-2 against the number since 1980.

Finally, the weather is something that should be given a bit of consideration, as adverse weather is the norm in many places in December and January. Over the past 10 years, favorites playing in the rain or snow are just 14-25-1 against the spread.