I've often wondered just how the odds makers sit down and figure out the points spread for a football game. I'm sure a large part of the equation is desinged to be a way to allow them to make money, but beyond that just how do they figure these things out? I know there must be some reasoning to it, but it always baffles me.
This is one reason I don't gamble on sports. Honestly, I think rolling down the window and tossing cash out as I drove down I-24 would be just as useful and probably accomplish about the same thing. The only difference is the rolling down the window thing would have the pain of losing the money over faster and no guys named Guido would come break my kneecaps if I didn't pay up.
I was looking at the odds for this weekend and I see the Vols are underdogs by close to four points. (It's currently three and a half, but this could change by week's end). Interesting in that UT has played one quality opponent and one opponent that I think is better than we gave them credit for while Florida has played...well, two creampuffs. Florida has run up points and yards against two lower-tier teams while the Vols, at least, have played a team that was in the top ten at the time. But yet, we're underdogs on our home turf. I find it interesting to think about as we lead up to the game and I wonder if the game were later in the year when we knew a bit more about both teams based on playing in the SEC (best conference in the land) if the odds might not be a bit different.
All I know is, I think the underdog role suits UT. It's not quite as severe as it was in 2001 when no one gave us a chance to go Gainesville and win, but the coaching staff can use this as a motivating factor to get the team up for the game. Hopefully the defense that played Cal will show up to take on Florida as well as the running game from that game. I'll take the passing game from Air Force against Florida. If all that happens, it could be another great win for the Vols and the continued reclaiming of the home field advantage of Rocky Top.
posted by Michael Hickerson at 9/12/2006 02:20:00 PM |
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