WKU Football: Best Bets for Week Zero vs. Austin Peay
Feel like adding some more skin into the game on Saturday? Here’s a look at some betting possibilities as the Tops take on Austin Peay.
It is finally football season, and that means it is finally time to stop throwing my money away on baseball bets that I put together via encrypted messages and symbolism I see in my dreams and finally start winning money on the gridiron.
Seriously. Thank you for this time of year again. And thank you for releasing the lines for an FCS vs FBS matchup a little earlier than usual. I guess I wasn’t the only one getting a little antsy.
Western Kentucky opens as a 21.5 (-110) favorite over Austin Peay while the over/under for the game is 67.5 (-110). There has yet to be any odds released on a moneyline bet, probably because of how heavily favored WKU is, the odds on them moneyline would have to be something like -2100.
What do those funky numbers mean?
For anyone unfamiliar with how the lines work, the -110 I have in paranthesis beside each bet dictates how much money is paid out if you win your bet.
There is either a plus (+) or minus (-) in front of the number; the + indicates you are betting on something less likely to win, so you’ll double your money and then some. So, +110 odds, with a $20 bet will win you $22, with your money back as well which pays out to $42. On the inverse side of things, if it is -110 and you place a $20 dollar bet, you’ll win $18.18 with a total payout of $38.18.
Try to think of +100 as a true even bet where if you place $20 dollars you will have a payout total of $40. Anything below +100 becomes a - bet (favored bet) and you get less back for winning, while anything above +100 remains a + and is an unlikely bet, netting your money back and then some.
Hopefully that clears some confusion up on what those goofy numbers are next to the 21.5 spread and 67.5 over/under.
The Spread
Anyways, back to what we should do this weekend with our money. WKU is favored by 21.5, which means if we hit that they need to win this game by 22 or more. If Austin Peay loses even by 21, which is three touchdowns, we lose that bet. Either way though, I have to ride with the Hilltoppers. Austin Reed looks like a stud, and they simply should just out talent an FCS team that went 6-5 last year.
The only worry point for me is if Austin Peay can get their star wide receiver Dray McCray going enough to stay within three scores. I don’t think it will happen though, unless the Hilltoppers give up a special teams touchdown. It isn’t a completely safe bet due to some of the new players having to prove themselves for the Hilltoppers, but don’t feel too nervous if you decide to hit the Hilltoppers at -21.5.
Over/Under
The over/under is set at 67.5 which means we need to bet on if both teams combined score 66 and under, or 68 and over. It is tough to pick here, just like the spread bet above. We haven’t seen anything from Austin Reed at an FBS level yet, and that is where this bet is going to come down to. My advice, if you picked the Hilltoppers to beat the 21.5 spread, also bet on the over for 67.5.
If you don’t think the Hilltoppers will win by 22 or more, then you best believe it is because the Hilltoppers offense isn’t scoring 40+ (which is the only way I see the over being hit here). My safe pick is betting the under here, but of course, I don’t play it safe and that is why I lose so much money betting on baseball, a sport I have zero knowledge about (could also be a gambling addiction but this isn’t therapy, this is a WKU blog).
Take the over if you are feeling risky to start the football season, I know I am.
Possible Parlays
A parlay is just adding more than one bet to your betting slip. My first example is my most recommended combos: Either take the OVER on 67.5 and Hilltoppers to beat the 21.5 spread as a combo, or take the UNDER and take Austin Peay to beat the 21.5 spread as a combo.
The ballsy pick of the night for me is this: If you really want to increase your payout, take the Hilltoppers to beat the 21.5 spread and combine it with a Hawaii moneyline win against Vanderbilt on Saturday night (+275).
And the last parlay advice I have is for a three teamer with WKU as the centerpiece. Of course, take the WKU 21.5 spread, team it with Northwestern to cover the +13.5 spread against Nebraska (seriously, Nebraska was in so many close games last year) and then also take Hawaii to beat the +9 spread. Definitely risky, but could be a solid payout if you are betting over $50 dollars on it.
ed. note - Please gamble responsibly. If you have a gambling addiction, consider seeking help in your state.