NFL betting is finally back and it’s time to get the upper hand with our picks right away. Here’s a look at some trends to consider for the Thursday nighter and some of this week’s early games.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Vikings vs Saints

As much as Brett Favre got rattled in the Superdome during the playoffs last year, the Vikings don’t hate the road environment this week; they’re 6-1-1 against the spread over their last eight games on field turf. In fact, almost all the major sportsbook trends point Minnesota’s way this week. The Saints are 2-5 ATS over their last seven at home and 1-6 ATS over their last seven against the NFC. Minnesota is also 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings with New Orleans.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Panthers vs Giants

The Panthers are under the radar on that role and sports betting sharps may capitalize on that status this season. Carolina is 5-0 ATS over its last five games, 8-0 ATS over its last eight against the NFC and 5-1 ATS over its last six road games. These guys don’t get any respect. Meanwhile, the Giants have lost nine of 11 ATS overall. Two noteworthy head-to-head stats: the OVER is 5-1 over the last six meetings and the road team has beaten the spread in four of the last five meetings.

Dolphins vs Bills

The Dolphins have fared well within their own division of late, going 7-1 over their last eight ATS. But few teams help bettors less than the Dolphins in September. Miami is just 3-12-2 ATS over its last 17 September games. Meanwhile, the Bills are 5-0 in their last five Week 1 matchups. The home team is 5-1-1 ATS over the last seven meetings – though bettors should remember that Miami often visits Buffalo in the cold months. That won’t be the case this time.

Falcons vs Steelers

The oddsmakers apparently struggle to figure out Atlanta early in seasons. The Falcons are 10-2 ATS over their last 12 games in Week 1. Facing a backup quarterback with no Ben Roethlisberger, can they do it again? The Steelers have struggled to cover at home of late, going 0-3-1 ATS over their last four at Heinz Field.

Lions vs Bears

The Lions are a perennial whipping boy, going 8-20-2 over their last 30 ATS versus the NFC. But their vaunted offense, not to mention the mighty struggles of Chicago’s O-line, could make them a sleeper in Week 1. The Bears have lost four of their last five ATS at home. The underdog is also 15-7 ATS over the last 22 Lions/Bears games. This sports betting blog will watch the line closely on this matchup.

ESPN college football schedule has Boise State vs. Virginia Tech. Las Vegas betting odds are up for NCAA football picks and predictions on that game. Kellen Moore, Ryan Williams, Tyrod Taylor all have prop bet odds.

The bookmaker’s point spread is Virginia Tech -1.5, though BetED has it as a pick ‘em.

Spread betting trends (all records are against the spread): Broncos are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games, 17-7-1 ATS in their last 25 games overall. Hokies are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Over/under trends: Over is 5-0 in Broncos last 5 games on fieldturf, but the under is 6-1 in Broncos last 7 non-conference games. Over is 4-1 in Hokies last 5 neutral site games.

Top expert pick on this game: The pro bettors are 13-3 with “named plays” this season. The biggest play of NCAAF so far goes tonight on Boise State and Virginia Tech. It’s the ESPN Best Bet of the Month. Click now to purchase

The posted online sportsbook’s total is 51.5.

Collegiate football betting power ratings say that Boise State should be a 2.5 point favorite giving the Broncos a big computer boys edge.

BetUs has these prop bets

The founder of forensic sports handicapping, Stevie Vincent has been a professional gambler since 2002. His plays are now public and a must for totals bettors as mastering over/under is his specialty.

The Week 1 NFL point spreads are up. NBC kicks it off Thursday with Minnesota at New Orleans. Sunday’s marquee games include Atlanta at Pittsburgh, Cleveland at Tampa Bay, Indianapolis at Houston, Detroit at Chicago, Cincinnati at New England, San Francisco at Seattle, and Green Bay at Philadelphia top the day card.

NBC Sunday Night Football in America has Dallas at Washington.  ESPN Monday Night Football has a double-header starting with Baltimore at NY Jets followed by San Diego at Kansas City.

Sports handicappers have already gotten started. Among the big lines, the Saints are -4 over the Vikings, the Falcons -2.5 over the Steelers, the Packers -3 at the Eagles.

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It’s been a great opening week in NCAA football betting, but the sharps say the best is to come as Week 2 college football odds have been released.

Among the big games this week in NCAA point spread betting includes No. 22 Auburn at Mississippi State, No. 25 West Virginia at Marshall, No. 16 Georgia Tech at Kansas, No. 23 Georgia at South Carolina, South Florida at No. 4 Florida.

Other contests include No. 20 Florida State at No. 7 Oklahoma, Iowa State at No. 9 Iowa, No. 13 Miami (FL) at No. 2 Ohio State, No. 19 Penn State at No. 1 Alabama, No. 11 Oregon at Tennessee, No. 17 Arkansas vs. Louisiana-Monroe, No. 21 LSU at Vanderbilt and Virginia at No. 14 USC.

Among the highlights, the Crimson Tide are favorites of 11 over the Nittany Lions.  The Sooners are laying 8.5 to the Seminoles.

The college football schedule has a sports handicapper’s best bet so strong that a sharp bettors Category 5 betting alert has been issued specifically for professional bettors on Oregon State vs. TCU.

The NCAAF point spread for this game has Texas Christian -13.5 though TCU -13 is also in some casinos.

Compare this to the NCAAF power ratings for bettors that has TCU -13.5 and there is no bettors edge from a computer standpoint.

Spread betting trends (all records are against the spread): Beavers are 23-9 ATS in their last 32 games overall, yet 8-21-1 ATS in their last 30 games in September. Horned Frogs are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall

Over/under trends: Under is 10-4 in Beavers last 14 non-conference games. Under is 4-0-1 in Horned Frogs last 5 neutral site games and under four straight to Pac 10.

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The game is broadcast nationally on ESPN. Live streaming TV of this game is also available.

Louisville vs. Kentucky is one of the biggest games this week for NCAA football scoreboard bettors.

A college point spread bulletin has been issues for all sports betting handicappers.

The Vegas odds for this game has Kentucky -3 as 5 Dimes has the juice at just -107.

Spread betting trends (all records are against the spread): Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games, 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 non-conference games, 17-7 ATS in their last 24 games in September.

Cardinals are 27-10 ATS in their last 37 non-conference games, 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games overall, 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf.

Over/under trends: Under is 9-3-1 in Wildcats last 13 road games. Under is 20-9 in Cardinals last 29 games in September. In fact the under is 7-3 in Cardinals last 10 games overall

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The game is broadcast nationally on ABC television. Tickets to All Sporting Events and the XM/Sirius broadcast are available.

A sports betting picks warning has been issued for the Illinois vs. Missouri.

This is a game in which the majority of professional bettors will be betting the winning sports prediction against the spread, while most of the square players will be betting on the losing Vegas odds pick. Oddsmakers have the college football point spread at Missouri -12.5, though at many sportsbooks online they are laying 12.

The total is 50 to 51.

Spread betting trends (all records are against the spread): Fighting Illini are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games overall, Fighting Illini are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 non-conference game, 0-5 to Big 12 and 0-5 neutral fields.

Tigers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games on turf, 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Big Ten, Tigers are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 non-conference games, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.

Over/under trends: Over is 7-2 in Fighting Illini last 9 games on turf. Under is 6-0 in Tigers last 6 non-conference games but over 6-2 on turf.

Top expert pick on this game:  On the Power of 620 sports services behind every selection, the MasterLockLine, there is a huge service pick.

An attorney/law professor/pro bettor turned pro bettor/professional handicapper out of Tri Cities, TN is best known for being the greatest SEC handicapper of all-time. However, he is also the top NFLX totals handicapper, based on all-time units won. Supreme Selections are his highest rated plays. He’s 12-5 this season in college football and NFLX. You know it’s legit because you got EVERY ONE OF THEM. Western Michigan vs. Michigan State over/under are both Supreme Selections. Phil Steele, Nationwide Gold Sheet, Right Angle Sports and more picks are up.

This game is being broadcast on Fox Sports Net. For game tickets or to listen to the satellite radio broadcast, check out the OffshoreInsiders.com store. Live streaming TV of the contest is also available.

It’s ESPN college football. This week’s college football schedule features a matchup between Miami (Ohio) vs. Florida as the post Tim Tebow era begins.

The NFL predictions experts at Sportsbook have posted the odds on this game at the Gators -38.

The most beneficial line on the favorites is at BetUs online sportsbook where they are laying 37.5 and the total is 54.

Spread betting trends (all records are against the spread): Redhawks are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games on grass, 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games in September. Gators are 21-7 ATS in their last 28 non-conference games and 16-6 overall.

Over/under trends: Under is 8-2 in Gators last 10 games on grass. Over is 9-4 in Gators last 13 non-conference games.

For those who prefer the underdog Bodog Sportsbook

Professional gamblers, who use power ratings, have the collegiate power line at

Top expert pick on this game: Frankly the biggest sports service picks today are on other contests.

The game is broadcast nationally on ESPN. Live streaming TV of this game is also available. Also Western Michigan at Michigan State is on ESPN2.

The ESPN college football schedule has Miami-Ohio vs. Florida, Texas vs. Rice, Oregon State vs. TCU, while ABC has LSU vs. North Carolina, and Versus TV with Wisconsin vs. UNLV.

Brandon Lang jumped ship, but handicapper Matt Rivers, who was the winningest handicapper ever—nobody came close—on a large network of sites has your comp winner for Saturday is on South Carolina State.

Of course the Bulldogs are well outclassed here by the far superior Yellow Jackets but it’s starting to become a trend that Paul Johnson’s team has trouble covering large numbers. In each of the last two openers Tech failed to cover against a bottom feeder in Jacksonville State. They won big in the non-covers as it’s tough for this option rushing attack to win in absolute total blowout fashion. They will pile up the yards but the clock will also run for a great deal of it and unless Joshua Nesbitt and or Anthony Allen break big play after big play we are looking at long time consuming Yellow Jacket drives.

Tech is a top 25 caliber team but one can’t belittle how much they lost in the off-season. Demaryius Thomas and Derrick Morgan were first round picks and Jonathan Dwyer and Morgan Burnett will be playing in the NFL as well after phenomenal and dominant college careers. Johnson’s offense can plug in guys and things can still work smoothly but it’s still a ton of talent to exit in one season and especially when they are pretty much your entire bunch of playmakers on both sides of the ball.

It won’t matter in terms of the win today as Tech will be too good today at Bobby Dodd thanks to too many faster and stronger players. Nesbitt is going to be great and do his Heisman type thing but it’s also a ton to lay when there are as many question marks as there are.

State is severely outclassed overall as a team and a program but they have won 10 games in each of the last two seasons and did win the MEAC last season. They also scored at least 30 points six times a season ago and have an experienced quarterback in Malcolm Long who could make a play or two. The bottom line though here is that I’m banking against the Tech rushing attack from being able to explode and in the end to get in the neighborhood of about 30 plus points today is just too many.

The pick: South Carolina State

For more information: Matt Rivers says: Pretty much the biggest and most powerful play I own is here today. My 500,000* plays are as respected as anything has ever been in this industry and you’ll see why with this lock from Nashville between Northwestern and Vanderbilt. Bonus 300,000* as well involving Oregon State and TCU along with a 100,000* on the diamond between Colorado and San Diego.

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It was no surprise that Arizona crushed Toledo as ScoresOddsPicks.com had an ESPN Best Bet on Arizona and also added the under. They are now 31-13 in football betting, but that includes four humungous moneyline underdogs.

Hence, he’s +23.6 units on one unit per bet. So in the 44 picks, your wallet has the pro bettors record at the equivalent of 34-9 thanks to the underdog moneyline locks. They have another ESPN Best Bet winner on Oregon State vs. TCU. Oh the “Best Bet” is a “named play” which are 13-2 this football season going back to NFL preseason.

Here was the breakdown of the win, before the game. Their football picks are outlandish.

The Wildcats are the lone Pac-10 team yet to capture a conference championship, but there’s a good buzz in Arizona; they think this could be their year. They’re looking to start things off on the right foot as 15.5-point favorites against Toledo on Friday night.

Arizona (-15.5) at Toledo – Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)

There’s a lot to like on Arizona’s offense. Quarterback Nick Foles tossed 19 touchdowns as a junior last season, his first as a starter. Plenty of those scores went to receiver Juron Criner, a budding star. Criner is a tremendous big-play threat who really stretches the field. The Wildcats also have lots of depth at running back; Nic Grigsby is a home run hitter—though he’s injury prone—and Keola Antolin averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season.

Defensively, though, there are problems. Stopping the run could be a major issue, as the team is rebuilding at linebacker and defensive tackle. Opposing quarterbacks won’t have it easy, however; Ricky Elmore (10.5 sacks last year) and Brooks Reed (8.5 sacks in 2008) form a great duo at end. Throw in corner Trevin Wade, who picked off five passes last year, and you’ve got some potential to make things happen.

Toledo returns four starters on the offensive line but, for the most part, is rebuilding. Aaron Opelt was the starting quarterback for the past four years and replacing him will be no easy task. The receivers are also quite green besides Eric Page (1159 yards in 2009). There is some depth in the backfield, but no superstar talent at running back—certainly not enough to carry an offense, anyway.

The defense was awful last year, allowing over 400 yards per contest. Toledo was scored by the pass and allowed 26 touchdowns via the air. Truth be told, there’s not a lot to draw from on this side of the ball right now.

Arizona is in a different class than Toledo. The Wildcats have a potentially awesome offense, one that should have little trouble carving up the Rockets. Foles is on the verge of a breakout season and, with little help on the way for Toledo’s secondary, he has the perfect game to launch his 2010 campaign. Look for the Wildcats to take care of business and cover the 15.5-point spread. We also will see this game go under thanks to an Arizona defense that has gotten better. Arizona is a “named play” as an ESPN Best Bet.

For more information: Ready to win Saturday’s college football expert picks. The OffshoreInsiders.com Network has every betting service winner against the NCAA Football Odds