Las Vegas sportsbooks track two types of bettors: the public, and the sharps.
The sharps are generally considered to be professional gamblers. And their betting action almost always has a major effect on point spread and point total movement leading up to game time.
Before going on, it’s important to point out that the sharps look for specific numbers (point spreads or point totals) when betting. Once that number moves, the sharps back off. Whereas public bettors tend to simply look at individual teams (often times their favorite team), and base their decisions off of the previous week and nothing more.
With that being said, here’s a look at who the sharps are betting on in Week 8 of the college football season.
Information courtesy of Jay Kornegay, VP of the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas, NV.
Oklahoma State (-3)
Opponent: Baylor
The sharps jumped all over Oklahoma State (unranked) in this game despite Baylor (No. 18) coming in higher in the national rankings. The Cowboys are coming off a bye week and will be looking to bounce back from their upset loss to Texas Tech two weeks ago.
Duke (+4)
Opponent: Virginia
The sharps are all over the visiting Blue Devils in this one. Virginia is coming off two-straight losses, and has been struggling mightily on offense.
Purdue (+18.5)
Opponent: Iowa
Purdue is without Rondale Moore, one of the premier playmakers in all of college football, but that didn’t deter the sharps here. This is the type of game where a garbage time touchdown could lead to a bad beat.
Utah (-13.5)
Opponent: Arizona State
The Utes host the Sun Devils in what could amount to the Pac-12 South title game. The sharps love Utah by two touchdowns, but backed off once the spread exceeded -14.
Ball State (+1.5)
Opponent: Toledo
Ball State opened as a home underdog, and the sharps quickly bet this game down to as high as -3 in favor of the Cardinals.
USC (-8.5)
Opponent: Arizona
Kedon Slovis is back at quarterback for the Trojans, and the sharps are clearly expecting USC to pick apart the visiting Arizona secondary. This is another spread that could come into question during garbage time.
