Big Ten teams were just 15-26-1 ATS in non-conference games last year, adding to the perception that the league really isn't that good any more, a trend college football betting enthusiasts will monitor this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
PENNSTATE (11-2 SU, 8-4 ATS, 9 RS, 37 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:66-44
ATS: 56-51-1
HF:26-18-1
HD:8-6
AF:11-11
AD:9-12
Sportsbook Buster: The Nittany Lions have covered seven of their last eight games against Temple.
Sports Betting Angle: The home team is 9-2 ATS the last 11 games in the PennState-OhioState series.
OHIOSTATE (10-3 SU, 6-6 ATS, 12 RS, 38 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:91-23
ATS: 61-50-1
HF:31-25-1
HD:1-2
AF:21-13
AD:3-5
Sportsbook Buster: The Buckeyes are 21-13 as a road favorite the last nine years.
Sports Betting Angle: OhioState has covered the spread seven of the last eight visits to Indiana.
IOWA (9-4 SU, 7-5 ATS, 14 RS, 49 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:69-43
ATS: 63-44-2
HF:26-15
HD:9-4-1
AF:6-11
AD:15-11-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Hawkeyes are 35-19-1 ATS at home the last nine seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Iowa has covered eight straight games the week before playing Indiana.
ILLINOIS (5-7 SU, 4-7 ATS, 13 RS, 46 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:42-64
ATS: 44-57
HF:12-16
HD:12-11
AF:6-7
AD:14-16
Sportsbook Buster: The Illini are 18-35 ATS in games following a SU loss the last nine years.
Sports Betting Angle: Illinois has covered six of its last eight games against OhioState.
MICHIGANSTATE (9-4 SU, 6-6-1 ATS, 15 RS, 45 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:54-55
ATS: 46-59-4
HF:16-25-1
HD:6-9-3
AF:7-10
AD:15-13
Sportsbook Buster: The Spartans are 9-3 ATS in their last home game of the season the past 12 years.
Sports Betting Angle: MichiganState is 10-2-1 ATS the last 13 years versus Notre Dame.
WISCONSIN (7-6 SU, 5-7 ATS, 11 RS, 42 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:76-40
ATS: 55-55-1
HF:20-25-1
HD:7-5
AF:13-12
AD:10-9
Sportsbook Buster: The Badgers are 8-0 as a non-conference favorite of less than 24 points.
Sports Betting Angle: Wisconsin is 5-1 ATS the last six home games against Michigan.
MICHIGAN (3-9 SU, 2-10 ATS, 15 RS, 51 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:76-36
ATS: 51-57-3
HF:26-28-1
HD:2-3
AF:12-16-2
AD:8-5
Sportsbook Buster: The Wolverines are 14-25 ATS versus non-conference opponents the last eight years.
Sports Betting Angle: Michigan has covered four straight home games against Purdue.
MINNESOTA (7-6 SU, 7-5 ATS, 17 RS, 54 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:56-55
ATS: 52-53
HF:20-16
HD:6-10
AF:12-6
AD:11-17
Sportsbook Buster: The Golden Gophers have covered six straight at Northwestern.
Sports Betting Angle: Minnesota is 7-1 ATS the week after playing PennState.
NORTHWESTERN (9-4 SU, 7-5 ATS, 13 RS, 48 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:53-56
ATS: 54-50-2
HF:8-15
HD:17-12
AF:7-5
AD:19-16-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Wildcats are only 8-15 as a home favorite the past nine seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Northwestern has covered four in a row at MichiganState.
PURDUE (4-8 SU, 5-6 ATS, 12 RS, 49 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:62-50
ATS: 51-53-4
HF:25-19-1
HD:5-5
AF:10-11-2
AD:9-13-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Boilermakers are 5-0 ATS the week before playing Illinois.
Sports Betting Angle: Purdue has covered four of its last five against OhioState.
INDIANA (3-9 SU, 2-9 ATS, 15 RS, 49 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:35-70
ATS: 36-62-1
HF:11-8
HD:11-21
AF:0-3-1
AD:13-29
Sportsbook Buster: The Hoosiers are 24-50 as an underdog since the 2000 season.
Sports Betting Angle: Indiana is a surprising 10-2 ATS in its first conference road game of the year.
Legend:
SU= Straight Up
ATS = Against the Spread
HF = Home Favorite
HD = Home Underdog
AF = Away Favorite
AD = Away Underdog
This is the second installment of an 11-part preview series.
Next: College Football Betting 2009: Examining the Big 12
