This was a disastrous week betting the NFL, as my plays went 1-5. Which is includes my bet on Rams to open the season. However, as bad as the week was, I learned a lot and should benefit greatly moving forward.

If the line you created is the same as the handicappers, don’t bet the game!

I need to constantly remind myself of this tip. On Thursday night I handicapped the game, myself, as the Bills as a -2.5 favorite and still bet the Rams. I also had the Ravens/Jets and Chargers/Raiders about right and still bet the games for silly reasons.

Only Bet Games Where the Head Coach and Quarterback are the Same From Last Year.

I stuck to this tip pretty well and still lost my ass, but I’m a firm believer in this philosophy, even for week 2. If the coach and QB are the same, chances are their play and stats will be very similar, making it a safer bet when compared to teams with new QBs and new coaches.

Don’t Chase – No Matter How Bad Things Get

I did it. I admit it. I chased by live betting the Colts to comeback and defeat the Texans, I did a live wager on Raiders to beat the Chargers, and I doubled my bet on the Cowboys to beat the Bucs. All three bets I chased, lost. Which I hope will solidify this lesson, as my bank roll damage would have been less significant.

Final Damage Report

I deposited $325 when college football started. I bet $25 dollars a game.

My bank roll currently sits $230.87. I lost $127.27 yesterday.

Cowboys (+2.5) Lost $50 (doubled my bet – big no no moving forward). I’m not going to be too hard on myself for this one, as Dak got hurt.

Packers (+9.5) Lost $25 (live bet – was chasing after a bad day)

Las Vegas Raiders (+3.5) – Lost $25. However, I lost this game by just a failed 2 pt conversion. But it was still a live bet, a big no no in my list of rules, if you want to make money (However, I might implement a rule and give myself, one live bet a week).

New York Giants (+5.5) – Win! Only winner of the day, how sad.

Colts – Live bet on them to win the game and since it was a tie, I luckily got my money back.

Jets (+6) – Lost $25. Another loser. I broke another one of my rules on this game, by betting on a bad team.

Cardinals (+6.5) – Lost $25. The dysfunction is REAL in Arizona.

I if I would have stuck to my rules. And did not make live wagers or bet on bad teams, or doubled down on bets (chasing). I would have only lost, $52.27, instead of $127.27. Hopefully, this is lesson learned. Now, I have some catching up to do.

Total Bank Roll- $230.07

As my college football preview continues. Remember, that I’m focusing power conference teams that are playing each in the first few weeks of the season. The key factors I’m handicapping are, returning coach, quarterback, last season performance and key losses and transfers. So, without further ado…

Purdue Boilermakers: College Football Preview 2022📈 FLAT 

Purdue lost three starters to the NFL. Which might hurt a little bit, but with their quarterback, coach and returning 14 starters from last year’s squad, Purdue de should be able to pull off an upset or two this year and maybe more. Aidian O’connell is in his sixth year and one of the most efficient QBs in the country.

Cincinnati Bearcats College Football Preview 2022 FLAT

It’s hard to foresee a season that will duplicate last year’s magical run to CFP. Cincinnati losses their three biggest contributors on offense, including quarterback Desmond Ridder. On defense they only return six starters. I think Cincinnati is a team fade after two consecutive undefeated seasons. 

Arkansas Razorback College Football Preview 2022 📈 FLAT

With only 11 retuning starters overall, including only five on defense, it’s hard to see this team making a big jump or any jump at all. However, with KJ Jefferson returning at quarterback. Raheim Sanders at running back and most of the offensive line in tact look for the offensive to be just as formidable as last year. And I think that’s enough to keep this team at the same competitive level that they were last year. 

Notre Dame College Football Preview 2022 📈 FLAT to maybe ⬆️

First year head coach Marcus Freeman inherits a veteran team with close to all the starters back on offense and defense. The only player they are really missing is last year’s starting quarterback Jack Coan. If dual quarterback, Tyler Buchner, can be serviceable, don’t be surprised if this Notre Dame runs the table after playing Ohio St. and even gives Ohio State a run for their money. This is a “play-on” team for sure. 

Syracuse Orangemen College Football Preview 2022 📈⬆️

Syracuse were 5-4 with three games left and at the brink of bowl eligibility. Then, the wheels came off. They lost their last three game by a combined 79 points and finished the season at 5-7. However, there was a lot of promising takeaways from 2021 season. They lost to Florida State, Clemson and Wake Forest by three points each and had conference wins over BC and Virginia Tech. They also establish a serviceable, dual threat starting quarterback in Garret Shrader and are returning, All-American running back, Sean Tucker. They also return their head coach, Dino Barbers, in his seven season. Barbers has had an underwhelming six seasons, but is being given another shot with a team of mostly his recruits. They lose a lot on defense but with them returning their best QB option since Eric Dungey, in Garrett Sharder, plus the return of Sea Tucker, and with their offensive line in tact, this team should be poised to improve.

Until next time, later!

As I continue my college football preview I will continue to preview power 5 conference teams (with a few exceptions) that are playing each other in the first couple of weeks of the season.

Oregon Duck College Football Preview 2022 – PLAY ON

The Oregon Ducks return their entire starting offensive line. Although they had to reload at the skill positions, they were able to land notable QB transfer, Bo Nix, from Auburn. With Dan Lanning coming from the number 1 defensive in the country last year, Georgia, plus seven returning starters on defensive, look Oregon to be improve defensively and overall, in the 2022 season.

Georgia Bulldogs College Football Preview 2022- PLAY ON

Despite only the defending champions only returning three starters on defense, I still consider Georgia a play-on team in the 2022 season. They had the best recruiting class in 2022 and have plenty of 4 and 5 star recruits ready to start on defense this year. Not to mention the offense should only get stronger with seven returning starters, plus, Stenson Bennett should only be more comfortable.

Next Time

I’ll continue to preview teams from power 5 conferences (and some from the American Athleti

We’ll continue reviewing teams that are playing each other in the first couple weeks of the season.

Florida Gators College Football Preview 2022 – FADE

The Gators’ season will hinge on the progression and development of Quarterback, Anthony Richardson. With 9 returning starters on defense, it will up to Richardson and the offense to live up to their end of the bargain. And if they do, look for a surprising year from the Gators and 1st year Head Coach, Billy Napier. However, I don’t Anthony Richardson based on his performance last year.

Utah Utes College Football Preview 2022- FADE

I’m not seeing what the pundits are. Sure, they return Cameron Rising, but I don’t think he’s a great QB to begin with. And losing Britain Covey, their best receiver and special teams returner, plus, losing their top two linebackers to the NFL, I see more of a drop-off/decline from this Utah Utes’ team, as they don’t have the reputation to reload like the big names schools in college football.

So as you can see from the team previews, I don’t have an opinion for when these two teams clash on September 1st, in the Swamp. However, with Utah being a 2 point+ road favorite and having a coach consistent /QB combination from last year, I’d bet on Utah, if I was forced to bet this game.

It’s time for college football, and it’s time to bet on it! And figure out what the hell is going one with these teams. Player transfers, players that left, players returning, new coaches, etc. Fun, fun, fun! No, seriously, I fucking love it!

I’m not doing a top 25, but I am going to review a shit ton of teams. As many as I can before the start of the season, and ranking them as I go. I will also give you a list of teams to fade early and to bet on (play on) early. These fades and bet-on teams will only last a couple weeks, so check back in around week 3 and I’ll have new teams to fade and to bet on.

My first rule of betting college football is to bet on games/teams from mainly the power 5 conferences. Sometimes I’ll dabble in AAC and Mountain West Conference, especially later in the year but that’s about it. A lot of quote-un-quote “sharps”, would advise only betting on the smaller conferences, MAC, Sun-Belt etc. However, I disagree, I think it’s easier to bet on the power 5 conferences because the information on injuries is more readily available as these teams/conference have more people covering them. In order to get favorable information on the smaller conference, you really have to have sources, while with the larger conferences, Google, is as good of a source as any. I have a few randoms teams I previewed below, but in my next post(s), I’ll focus solely on reviewing teams in power 5 vs power 5 matchups the first couple weeks of the season. Games like, Georgia vs Oregon, West Virginia vs Pittsburgh, and others over the next couple of weeks.

All right, so here are the team previews below. Some are more in-depth than others, and others are pretty damn shallow, meaning I don’t say much, but still have an opinion on the team.

Boston College – BET ON

I like them. With Phil Jurkovec back and healthy, I think this is a team to play-on early. Last year, they were 4-2 with him as the starter and 2-4 without him. He had 149.9 QB Rating, which is just below my sweet spot of 150 for a college QB, and a QBR of 84.3. Need I say more?

A Review of My Previews So Far (after only one review)

I know these previews are short, but that’s the point. Short and sweet. Handicapping college football early on is KISS (Keep-It-Simple-Stupid). Research the Coach, QB, returning player, notable transfers and review how the team did last year. That’s it, based on those variables, you can make a pretty good assumption of how teams will perform the first few weeks.

Nebraska – FLAT

Okay, so I’m not going to have a clear, play-on/bet-on or fade with every team. And with that said, FLAT, means I just haven’t developed a strong opinion about the team yet. In Nebraska’s case, I think it’s a hefty blow to endure the loss of Adrian Martinez to Kansas State, who was their starting quarterback for the last four seasons. But, they replaced him with Casey Thompson, from the University of Texas, who has comparable statistics and experience. So, FLAT, is the outlook on this year’s Nebraska squad.

Iowa State – FADE

The Iowa State Cyclones underachieved last year and now lose two offensive standouts in QB Brock Purdy and RB Breece Hall. In addition to this loss, they are only returning 3 starters on defense. I think it’s time for Matt Campbell to have a losing season in Ames, which will be the first losing season since his first season. I don’t believe they’ll reload as fast the as the blue blood programs do when they lose this type of quality personnel.

Florida State – BET ON

This is Mike Norvell’s third season as head coach and with Jordan Travis returning at QB, along with almost the entire defensive unit, I expect this to be a breakthrough year for the Seminoles!

Minnesota Golden Gophers – BET ON

Not a lot of deep coverage on this team from the Midwest, but with a bevy of returning starters on offense and defense (9 players on offense and 10 players on defense), including veteran QB Tanner Morgan, they should at least compete for a division title. JP Fleck has done a marvelous job turning this program around and entering his sixth season as head coach, this year should be no different. I would not be surprised if their season culminated with an appearance in the Big Ten title game, and then seeing Fleck make an exit next year for a bigger program.

UCF Golden Knights – BET ON

How good this UCF team can be will rely on the play at the quarterback position. They have the transfer from Auburn, John Rhys Plumlee, and Mickey Keene, who started in place of the often injured Dillon Gabriel. I’ll reiterate, the play of the starting quarterback will determine the ceiling for this team, as they have enough returning players for a solid foundation.

Next Time

Okay, so I’m done writing for today. But next time I’ll focus more on the teams playing head-to-head on September 1st and 3rd (Florida, Utah, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and a few others). I might even give you my first official play of the college football season.

Is it possible to win money betting the NBA Summer League? Yes, yes you can. If you have in-depth knowledge of recently drafted and second year players, you most certainly can win money. You also need to know when to bet the games, as it can get tricky with teams sitting out the highly touted draft picks some games and even bench second-year players who already have secured roster spots and training camp invites.

Study The NBA Summer League Rosters

So how do you win money betting on a bunch of players you may have never heard of before? Simple, you have to do your homework and come better prepare than the lines makers and form your own opinions about highly touted draft picks. Remember, the bookies have only seen these players against their college counterparts as well.

Lottery Picks

And that’s come to my first tip. Watch college basketball or at least do your research from the past season. You may have watched some college during March Madness and the NCAA tournament. And that could be enough, especially considering most highly drafted picks played in the tournament. If you didn’t watch, go back and see what teams the rookies played on and what type of the stats they had and when they graduated. You’ll have an upper hand in the Summer League if your team is older and more experience. There is an exception to this rule as most of the top lottery picks only played one year in college or are from the NBA developmental league (G League). When in it comes to top lottery picks, this where you can get an advantage if you opinion differs from the lines makers who are setting the odds. Decide which top lottery picks you think will be good and which ones you think will be busts.

Second Year Players

In addition to the top lottery picks, another mainstay on these Summer League team are second year players who have ACTUAL NBA experience and are likely playing in the Summer League for the second straight year. You can easily go back to last year’s stats for these player and find out how much playing time they got on an NBA floor, in front of NBA competition. The amount of second year players a team has, the better the team should be. Experience matters.

A good NBA Summer League team will consist of a good, high quality lottery pick, second year players, with actual NBA playing time and experience (remember, the more playing time, the better player is). And good quality depth. The more players you know, and have heard of before, the better the team will often be.

Bet Early, Often and Heavy

After you have study the players on each team and you’ve decided which teams you think will be the strongest. Then, bet on these teams early and often. Remember, the NBA Summer League, is not about winning (with the exception on the championship game), it’s about development and this where making bets on these game becomes tricky. You have to bet the teams you like early because after the first couple games (even after the first game) the lines makers will make their adjustment based on performance. Plus, after the first couple of games, the teams will start to rotate in players from the bottom of the bench and sit the high quality draft picks and second year players. This is where you’re knowledge comes into play when betting on teams who are playing their third, fourth and fifth game. You’ll look to play on teams with depth and players that you’ve heard of before at the bottom of the bench.

The Summer League teams play 4 four games apiece and the two teams with most wins will play in the championship game. Every other team will play a fifth game. With the exception of championship game, I would advise not betting on this last game, as the players will likely be unknown and trying to prove themselves to get an invite to an NBA Training camp.

In order to win money betting the NBA summer League, you need to acquire deep knowledge of the players on each team and form strong opinions. Then, bet early, heavy and often.