College & NFL Futures Bets Are Down

On my way to Columbus, Ohio for the OSU-Nebraska game I stopped in Las Vegas to get down this year’s football futures wagers. In college football five games into the season it is hard to think about betting against Alabama but the best odds I could find on The Crimson Tide were 8 to 5 which made them an easy toss as both the favorite and the team trying to repeat as champion. LSU and Florida State are the co-second favorites with odds ranging from 7/2 to 4/1 and to me offer no value at that number. I took two teams that I believe have a shot at holding their own against Alabama should they get the chance to play the defending champion. Texas would get their chance in the BCS Championship game and Florida should they upset LSU on Saturday (which I think they will) and stay unbeaten until a showdown with Alabama in the SEC Championship game. I thought the 25 to 1 odds on the Longhorns and the 35 to 1 odds on the Gators offered the best value and were worthy of 50 unit plays on both. In the NFL after tossing the favorite (Houston 3/1) and the repeater (New York Giants 10/1) I played 100 units each on the Ravens at 9/1 and the Falcons at 8/1 to win this year’s Super Bowl. I like the 49ers and still may bet them next week when I return to Vegas if I can find them at 5 to 1 at Stateline on my way back home to California. That was the only place I could find them at better than 4 to 1 odds which is below my acceptable wagering line. Many people ask me about making these wagers using offshore accounts and my answer is always the same. #1 it is illegal and you run the risk of the government seizing your funds and #2 are you sure the “house” will still be here if you are lucky enough to have a winner? In other words buyer beware!!