Oklahoma St. Cowboys still perfect with the bettors
Oklahoma St. Cowboys still perfect with the bettors
Zac Robinson and the Oklahoma State Cowboys lost a tough one in Austin on Saturday when they suffered their first loss of the season to the nation's No. 1 team, falling 28-24 to the Texas Longhorns. But for their backers, Okie State is still undefeated at the pay window this season. The Cowboys led all underdogs on the week to a small profit as the David's went 26-22-1 (54.2%) against the Goliath's.
It was fun while it lasted. The Texas Longhorns money train has finally derailed; same for Ball State and Georgia Tech. That leaves just one team in the FBS with a perfect record against the betting odds, and it’s the team that put the Longhorns in the poorhouse.
The Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-1 SU, 7-0 ATS) held their ground Saturday versus the ‘Horns (8-0 SU, 7-1 ATS), losing 28-24 but cashing in as 11½-point road dogs. Texas had to turn up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter when QB Colt McCoy threw his first interception in four games. The Longhorns keep their No. 1 spot in the BCS rankings; OSU falls just three spots to No. 9.
The bull market for Ball State (8-0 SU, 6-1 ATS) came crashing down in an otherwise easy 38-16 victory over visiting Eastern Michigan (+27½). And while the Cardinals move up to No. 18 in the polls, Georgia Tech (6-2 SU, 5-1 ATS) drops out completely after losing 24-17 at home to surging Virginia (+14). That’s the fourth upset in a row for the Cavaliers.
Those three results helped spoil the Week 9 party for the chalkeaters. Underdogs went 26-22-1 ATS (54.2 percent) to take a colossal 209-208-8 ATS advantage this season. Home dogs were the strongest play last week at 13-10 ATS (56.5 percent); the under went 25-23 (212-207 on the season) to deny either side a profit against the total.
Although Ball State came up short at the pay window, this has been a banner year for the mid-majors. There are six non-BCS teams in the Top 20 of the BCS rankings:
One of these teams is not like the others. BYU was a menace in September, trouncing UCLA and Wyoming by a combined score of 103-0. But then the Cougars couldn’t cover giant spreads against Utah State (+29) and New Mexico (+23). TCU slapped them around 32-7 as 1.5-point home faves. Last week’s matchup against UNLV (+23½) turned into a 42-35 nailbiter. The Cougars are clearly pretenders to the BCS buster throne.
The success of the mid-majors is due in part to the failures of the ACC and the Big East. Georgia Tech’s loss means that Florida State (6-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) is the top ACC team in the Top 25 at No. 15. The Seminoles are definitely relevant again, but they’re not performing at the level of the nation’s elite teams. Stathead Brian Fremeau’s efficiency numbers had FSU rated behind the Yellow Jackets, Hokies, Tar Heels and Eagles in the ACC heading into Week 9.
The Big East’s fate is even worse. No. 23 South Florida (6-2 SU, 2-5 ATS) and No. 25 UConn (6-2 SU, 4-2 ATS) are clinging like barnacles to the bottom of the BCS rankings. The Bulls were upset 24-20 at Louisville (+4) to go 1-2 SU and ATS in October. The Huskies are back in the mix after downing Cincinnati 40-16 as 3-point home dogs.
Compared to these two basketcases, the Big Ten looks healthy and robust. No. 3 Penn State (9-0 SU, 6-1-1 ATS) is running circles around the rest of the conference; the Nittany Lions (-1½) went into Columbus on Saturday night and left with a 13-6 triumph over the No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-2 SU, 2-6 ATS). That pretty much wraps up Ohio State’s chances of playing in a third consecutive BCS Championship Game.
Misery loves company. The defending champion LSU Tigers (5-2 SU, 2-4 ATS) are on the ropes at No. 19 after getting pummeled 52-38 by the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs (7-1 SU, 3-3 ATS) in a pick ‘em. Now that’s a revenge game; Georgia had to settle for the Sugar Bowl last season while two-loss LSU played for the title. Imagine the scene in Athens if it happens again.
Zac Robinson and the Oklahoma State Cowboys lost a tough one in Austin on Saturday when they suffered their first loss of the season to the nation's No. 1 team, falling 28-24 to the Texas Longhorns. But for their backers, Okie State is still undefeated at the pay window this season. The Cowboys led all underdogs on the week to a small profit as the David's went 26-22-1 (54.2%) against the Goliath's.
It was fun while it lasted. The Texas Longhorns money train has finally derailed; same for Ball State and Georgia Tech. That leaves just one team in the FBS with a perfect record against the betting odds, and it’s the team that put the Longhorns in the poorhouse.
The Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-1 SU, 7-0 ATS) held their ground Saturday versus the ‘Horns (8-0 SU, 7-1 ATS), losing 28-24 but cashing in as 11½-point road dogs. Texas had to turn up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter when QB Colt McCoy threw his first interception in four games. The Longhorns keep their No. 1 spot in the BCS rankings; OSU falls just three spots to No. 9.
The bull market for Ball State (8-0 SU, 6-1 ATS) came crashing down in an otherwise easy 38-16 victory over visiting Eastern Michigan (+27½). And while the Cardinals move up to No. 18 in the polls, Georgia Tech (6-2 SU, 5-1 ATS) drops out completely after losing 24-17 at home to surging Virginia (+14). That’s the fourth upset in a row for the Cavaliers.
Those three results helped spoil the Week 9 party for the chalkeaters. Underdogs went 26-22-1 ATS (54.2 percent) to take a colossal 209-208-8 ATS advantage this season. Home dogs were the strongest play last week at 13-10 ATS (56.5 percent); the under went 25-23 (212-207 on the season) to deny either side a profit against the total.
Although Ball State came up short at the pay window, this has been a banner year for the mid-majors. There are six non-BCS teams in the Top 20 of the BCS rankings:
- No. 10 Utah (8-0 SU, 4-2-1 ATS)
- No. 11 Boise State (7-0 SU, 4-2 ATS)
- No. 13 Texas Christian (8-1 SU, 6-2 ATS)
- No. 16 Ball State (8-0 SU, 6-1 ATS)
- No. 18 Tulsa (8-0 SU, 6-1 ATS)
- No. 20 Brigham Young (7-1 SU, 2-5 ATS)
One of these teams is not like the others. BYU was a menace in September, trouncing UCLA and Wyoming by a combined score of 103-0. But then the Cougars couldn’t cover giant spreads against Utah State (+29) and New Mexico (+23). TCU slapped them around 32-7 as 1.5-point home faves. Last week’s matchup against UNLV (+23½) turned into a 42-35 nailbiter. The Cougars are clearly pretenders to the BCS buster throne.
The success of the mid-majors is due in part to the failures of the ACC and the Big East. Georgia Tech’s loss means that Florida State (6-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) is the top ACC team in the Top 25 at No. 15. The Seminoles are definitely relevant again, but they’re not performing at the level of the nation’s elite teams. Stathead Brian Fremeau’s efficiency numbers had FSU rated behind the Yellow Jackets, Hokies, Tar Heels and Eagles in the ACC heading into Week 9.
The Big East’s fate is even worse. No. 23 South Florida (6-2 SU, 2-5 ATS) and No. 25 UConn (6-2 SU, 4-2 ATS) are clinging like barnacles to the bottom of the BCS rankings. The Bulls were upset 24-20 at Louisville (+4) to go 1-2 SU and ATS in October. The Huskies are back in the mix after downing Cincinnati 40-16 as 3-point home dogs.
Compared to these two basketcases, the Big Ten looks healthy and robust. No. 3 Penn State (9-0 SU, 6-1-1 ATS) is running circles around the rest of the conference; the Nittany Lions (-1½) went into Columbus on Saturday night and left with a 13-6 triumph over the No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-2 SU, 2-6 ATS). That pretty much wraps up Ohio State’s chances of playing in a third consecutive BCS Championship Game.
Misery loves company. The defending champion LSU Tigers (5-2 SU, 2-4 ATS) are on the ropes at No. 19 after getting pummeled 52-38 by the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs (7-1 SU, 3-3 ATS) in a pick ‘em. Now that’s a revenge game; Georgia had to settle for the Sugar Bowl last season while two-loss LSU played for the title. Imagine the scene in Athens if it happens again.