Your opinion on betting the 'hook', specifically 3.5, 7.5, 14.5

[doctordeuce]

What is your general take on betting college games with the hook? For instance, Tulsa +3.5 at BG next week? For me, is much more favorable to take the dog in this position.

I'm wondering if the hook is something that keep chalk bettors away, or is it a a mirage in a way...especially lines like -14.5? It seems like the more inflated the line, the less the hook seems to play a role. In games decided by a touchdown or less though, the dog has a lot of value with getting that extra half point, since the favorite is content to simply win the game if they have the lead or it is a tie on their last drive.

[suicidekings]

This is more of a math question than an opinion question. Check out the push charts from this thread to see where the half point is the most valuable. As for a specific line, it all depends on how you handicapped the game. For example, getting +3.5 instead of +3 doesn't help all that much if the true line based on power rankings (etc) should be +6.5.

[suicidekings]

With polls being so important to top teams in the hunt for a BCS bowl, I don't think you can discount the desire of a team to load on the points.

[doctordeuce]

Thank you for the link. I think the desire to pile up points is completely dependent on the head coach. I'm an FSU alum and huge fans and Jimbo cost us two games (Miami one of them) last year where we simply ran out the clock when could have easily scored and the game was not won by a large margin of points.

[Hot Jerry]

Football - NFL or NCAA is to political u have to read between the lines !! Tell me which games are u looking at and see if I can help !! And yes hock has a meaning !!

[BigdaddyQH]

Remember this. If the wager was NOT profitable for the book, it would NOT be offered.

[suicidekings]

Remember this. If the wager was NOT profitable for the book, it would NOT be offered.

Not always true. The books typically do fairly poorly with season win totals, at least in the NFL, but continue to offer them because there's a large demand for them. Then it just becomes a limits issue, and/or being selective in who they let lay the wagers.

[thetrinity]

3.5 doesnt matter nearly as much in college as the nfl. the kickers are much better in nfl and teams r more likely to play for fgs.

nfl games also lower scoring so theres that.

anyways to answer your question the 7.5 14.5 dont matter as much because teams trailing will kick the extra point to get down 8 or 15.