Dive into the Heart of Mizzou Athletics

Gambling: The sure way of getting nothing for something

Week #8 opening lines have been hung, so in this space we take a look at what the oddsmakers are laying down around the SEC and a few other games of interest.

With that, as always, if you’re going to dabble, please do so responsibly. Don’t forget, any line that seems too good to be true likely is, and the sharps in Vegas know what they’re doing.

Here’s a look at the SEC opening lines and a few other thoughts, with all lines courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook, who is an SBNation partner. All odds are subject to adjust during the week, and all kick times listed are central. TV provider listed in parentheses. The Nuggets of Wisdom (NoW) are free of charge, so you’re getting what you paid for there!

What are some of your favorite plays this week? Leave them in the comments section below and we’ll compare notes.

Saturday, Oct. 19th

• 11 am (ESPN) – Auburn at Mizzou (-7.0 / 51.5 total)

NoW – Who the hell knows anymore? Would any result here surprise you? The only thing I’ll go on the record as guaranteeing in this game is that it will be won by the Tigers…

• 11:45 am (SECN) – South Carolina at Oklahoma (-2.5 / 40.5 total)

NoW – Very low total here and essentially a toss-up on the spread. I get the feeling the public will be coming in heavy on Carolina after their near upset of ‘Bama combined with OU getting clubbed by Texas last week…

• 2:30 pm (ABC) – Alabama at Tennessee (+2.5 / 56.0 total)

NoW – This game looked a lot more important two weeks ago when both teams were undefeated and top-five. Both narrowly averted disaster last week. Still should be a great matchup that will likely be an elimination game for SEC Championship purposes…

• 3:15 pm (SECN) – Texas A&M at Mississippi State (+15.5 / 56.0 total)

NoW – Only reason I can think to watch this one is if you really like the God-awful color maroon. State played admirably in a 10-point road defeat at Georgia last week, while A&M is coming off a bye week…

• 6 pm (ESPN) – LSU at Arkansas (+3.0 / 57.5 total)

NoW – Thought this one might open with LSU a little heavier favorite, books are giving a lot of respect to the ‘Hogs here…

• 6 pm (ESPN+/SECN+) – Ball State at Vanderbilt (-26.5 / 58.5 total)

NoW – Holy cow when’s the last time you saw Vandy as a near four-TD favorite over anyone?…

• 6:30 pm (ABC) – Georgia at Texas (-3.5 / 57.0 total)

NoW – Another one I thought might be a little bigger number, more like 5 or 6. ‘Dawgs getting a lot of respect to basically say it’s a toss-up minus the homefield advantage…

• 6:45 pm (SECN) – Kentucky at Florida (-2.0 / 42.0 total)

NoW – Okay I know Florida just narrowly lost at Tennessee, but this one seems a little bit of an overreaction. Remember, Kentucky just won at Ole Miss two weeks ago….

Non-SEC games of interest

Saturday, Oct. 19th

• 11 am (FOX) – Nebraska at Indiana (-6.0 / 51.0 total)

NoW – Lots of red in this one, we’ll see who’s more legit among the two upstart programs. Can Indiana handle the mounting pressure as they continue to be one of the surprise teams of the season? The Huskers finally won a one-score game in their last outing, is that a sign they’re turning the corner?…

• 11 am (ABC) – Miami, Fla. at Louisville (+3.5 / 61.0 total)

NoW – The ‘Ville did a nice face plant in their first big test of the year at Notre Dame three weeks ago, and doubled it up with a second-straight loss to SMU that cast doubt upon their legitimacy. This would be a “get-right” game of huge proportions if they could pull the upset over star-crossed Miami. How will the ‘Canes pull one out of the fire this week?…

• 6:30 pm (FOX) – Kansas State at West Virginia (+3.0 / 54.0 total)

NoW – West Virginia has been a disappointment this season, at 3-3 overall. Why is this number so low?…