College football bowl season has turned into an information fest. It’s about getting actionable intel before the sportsbooks — which is exactly what happened Thursday afternoon.
I spoke with a very reputable source who told me star running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen would not suit up for Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson. He mentioned a couple defensive starters as well. You also have to consider that James Franklin is still actively trying to lure a stable of PSU guys to Virginia Tech.
Word spread quickly.
Clemson was bet from -3 to -5 and -5.5. There was some buyback on Penn State at some shops, places where bettors don’t much stock into a potential domino rally of Nittany Lions players opting out. Or they’re simply not privy.
Meanwhile, the Westgate SuperBook is holding steady at Clemson -5.5.
🎙 Vegas Voices
“So it begins,” South Point head honcho and Penn State fan Chris Andrews told me as the line was literally moving. “I figured things were going to happen there. I didn’t think it would be this far from kickoff, but it’s not a surprise. We keep a close eye on these programs in transition.”
Now watch Clemson HC Dabo Swinney take the job at Michigan. I’m half kidding, but a lot can happen between now and kickoff on December 27 at Yankee Stadium.
“The other shoe can always drop,” he joked. “We’re two weeks away.”
“Clemson could easily close -6,” one former bookmaker countered.
Anything else?
“I shipped UC Davis,” Wynn Resorts bookmaker Motoi Pearson said.
“Back on the horse.”
🦬 Bills or Bust
If you’ve listened to any of my shows this week, you know I’ve planted my flag even deeper on the Buffalo Bills to win the Super Bowl. You can get a better price (+900) than you could in the summer (+725) when odds were good Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson were all going to make the NFL playoffs.
Now they all might miss.
I wrote 600 words on my Bills’ stance for FOX Sports the other day.
📊 Sharp Report
Washington -8 —> -10
Tarleton State -10 —> -12.5
Vikings +6.5 —> +5.5
Seahawks -10 —> -13.5
LAC-KC U44 —> 41
BUF-NE O47 —> 49.5
🥃 Fade the Bartender
The Bartender split his two bets last weekend and still thinks the NFL is rigged because Caleb Williams threw a game-ending interception in the end zone at Green Bay.
Find out what our guy is eyeing this Saturday on X.
🐔 Chicken Picks
Here are the plays this weekend. Best of luck.
Army-Navy 1Q Under 7.5
UC Davis -2.5
Browns +7.5
Bengals +3
Bills -1
Bills win Super Bowl +900
L/W: 2-4-1, -2.4 units
YTD: 30-42-6, -16.0 units
Follow Sam!
Bet Sweats | Bear Bets
Chicken Dinner | FOX Sports