The Florida Gators of the SEC and Penn State Nittany Lions of the BIG TEN will go head to head in the 2011 Outback Bowl, to be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on New Years Day with kick off time set for 1:00 PM ET (ABC). Oddsmakers at most offshore sportsbooks list the Gators as a touchdown (-7) spreads favorite with a posted total of 48. Be sure to get the latest College Football Point Spreads for all the 2010-11 bowl season.
Even while playing close to home, the betting public isn't buying the 7-point betting line favoring Florida, as 55% of early spreads wagering has been on the Nittany Lions. The public also seems to like betting Penn State to win SU with 91% of money line wagering on Penn State. Fort bettors who like to wager and OVER or UNDER on the total, most (61%) think todays combined score will go OVER the posted 48.
Penn State had a winning SU record of 7-5 SU this season, however; none of those victories came against ranked teams, as the Nittany Lions went 0-4 to Alabama, Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan State. Penn State was good at home going 5-2 SU, but splitting six lined games 3-3 ATS. On the road the Nittany Lions were less successful going 2-3 both SU and ATS. The OVER did well for totals bettors as the combined scores exceeded the posted total in five of eight games overall.
When lined a favorite, the Nittany Lions cashed four of six times, 2-0 at home and 2-2 on the road. As an underdog, Penn State went 0-3 ATS at home and split two games (1-1) as a road dog. Against ranked teams, Penn State went 0-4 ATS and went 0-3 when lined as underdog by seven or more points.
Florida, like Penn State, finished 2010 with a 7-5 regular season record which as good for a second place finish in the SEC East Division. The Gators were 4-3 SU at home and 3-2 on the road. The Gators struggled covering ATS for backers cashing in two of six home games and splitting four on the road for a overall 4-6 ATS record. The combined game scores did go OVER the posted total in five of nine games Florida played.
When lined a favorite, Florida went 2-2 ATS at home and 2-0 on the road. As an underdog the Gators were 0-3 ATS at home and 1-1 on the road.
Picking the Outback Bowl : Honestly, I have to hold my nose when picking this game, because I have little confidence in either team. No coach in the business has more experience coaching bowl teams than Joe Paterno and no coach in recent years has had more success than Urban Meyer. I think Florida has an edge in talent and that alone should push them over for a SU win. I think the best bet for this game will be to take the UNDER 48 and leave the side alone.
