Teams from the MWC were 6-1 SU and 4-3 ATS versus the Pac-10 last year while producing the nation’s only major undefeated team (Utah) so followers of college football betting know better than to dismiss he league as just some wagering weak sister. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 records, returning starters (RS) - including kickers - and returning lettermen (RL) in parentheses:
BYU (10-3 SU, 3-9 ATS, 12 RS, 45 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:70-42
ATS: 52-56-1
HF:23-21
HD:3-4
AF:11-16
AD:13-11-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Cougars are 11-1 as conference road dogs if they lost their last encounter with that team.
Sports Betting Angle: BYU has covered five in a row against both Wyoming and Air Force.
TCU (11-2 SU, 8-4 ATS, 10 RS, 46 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:83-28
ATS: 57-47-4
HF:28-15
HD:5-1
AF:12-18-2
AD:8-10-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Horned Frogs are 33-16 ATS at home but 20-28-3 ATS on the road the last nine years.
Sports Betting Angle: TCU has covered five of its last six against UNLV.
UTAH (13-0 SU, 8-4 ATS, 12 RS, 54 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:76-33
ATS: 62-44-1
HF:22-22-1
HD:5-0
AF:17-16
AD:12-5
Sportsbook Buster: The Utes are 17-5 as underdogs the last nine seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Utah is 5-0-1 ATS versus Colorado State the last six meetings.
AIR FORCE (8-5 SU, 7-5 ATS, 14 RS, 44 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:60-49
ATS: 54-49
HF: 18-17
HD:6-7
AF:9-10
AD:17-12
Sportsbook Buster: The Falcons have covered 12 of their last 14 conference openers.
Sports Betting Angle: Air Force has covered five straight games against New Mexico.
UNLV (5-7 SU, 7-5 ATS, 14 RS, 46 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:36-70
ATS: 46-57-1
HF:8-17
HD:15-9
AF:5-7
AD:17-24-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Rebels are just 8-17 as home favorites since 2000.
Sports Betting Angle: UNLV has covered five of its last six visits to Wyoming.
COLORADOSTATE (7-6 SU, 7-5 ATS, 12 RS, 45 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:58-53
ATS: 50-55
HF:14-18
HD:7-4
AF:6-12
AD:15-14
Sportsbook Buster: The Rams are 20-30 as favorites over the past nine seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The favorite in the Colorado State-Wyoming series has covered five straight games.
SAN DIEGOSTATE (2-10 SU, 5-6 ATS, 15 RS, 49 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:34-72
ATS: 46-51-2
HF:9-6
HD:12-17
AF:1-4-1
AD:24-24-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Aztecs are 0-9 as home underdogs of more than 14 points.
Sports Betting Angle: San DiegoState has covered six of its last seven games versus UNLV.
WYOMING (4-8 SU, 2-9 ATS, 16 RS, 43 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:35-70
ATS: 42-56-2
HF:8-12-1
HD:13-12-1
AF:2-4
AD:18-28
Sportsbook Buster: The Cowboys are 20-32 ATS on the road the last nine seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The host in the Wyoming–Utah series (it’s Utah this year) has covered seven of the last eight games.
NEW MEXICO (4-8 SU, 6-6 ATS, 9 RS, 44 RL)
By the Numbers (2000-2008)
SU:58-53
ATS: 56-48-2
HF:17-13
HD:11-9-1
AF:6-9
AD:22-12-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Lobos are 22-12-1 as road underdogs the last nine seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: New Mexico has covered seven of its last eight meetings with San DiegoState.
Legend:
SU= Straight Up
ATS = Against the Spread
HF= Home Favorite
HD= Home Underdog
AF= Away Favorite
AD= Away Underdog
This is the ninth installment of an 11-part preview series.
Next: College Football Betting 2009: Examining the Mid-American Conference.
