Football Picks: College vs. NFL Betting Lines in Imaginary Matchups

The casual bettor has plenty of wagering opportunities over the course of a football weekend in making simple straight-bet and total selections, but the increase in volume inside sports books has caused an explosion in proposition wagering.

Football fans can now participate in betting on imaginary matchups between college and NFL teams, which is a tremendous way of generating even more interest in the betting market.

Basically, a betting line is established between a team in each particular sport, with the winning side being determined by comparing the final point total for each side.

Let's take a look at five matchups that are generating a lot of interest at the betting windows.

Arizona Wildcats (-1.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles has received absolutely no help from the running game this year, but he's playing an opponent this week that he's comfortably testing downfield.

The senior threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns in last year's 48-29 loss, as the offense rushed for 58 yards on 27 carries.

It was much the same when falling 44-41 as host in 2009, as Foles came away with 314 yards and four more scores through the air.

The Arizona Cardinals are improved on the offensive side this year with Kevin Kolb under center, but were still held to just 28 combined points in two meetings against the Seattle Seahawks last year.

Playing a second consecutive road game is tough, especially in one of the loudest venues in the NFL.

Recommendation:  Arizona Wildcats -1.5

LSU (-4) at Tennessee Titans

I don't think the Tennessee Titans can duplicate the type of offensive numbers they put up last week against the Baltimore Ravens. 

The Broncos defense did a nice job in last year's matchup on this same field, holding them to 288 total yards.

Casual bettors may be quick to play against LSU due to scoring just 20 points in last year's meeting with West Virginia.

I'd like to point out that the Mountaineers defense was the only one nationally to hold opponents to 24 or fewer points in every game last year. 

West Virginia's defense isn't the same and that is reflected in allowing 31 points to Maryland last week.

With this game being played in Morgantown rather than in the Bayou, I expect both offenses to open it up.

Recommendation:  LSU Tigers (-4)

Michigan (-10) vs. Detroit

At first glance, Michigan is certainly worthy of consideration, as quarterback Denard Robinson can go off for 400 total yards of offense any week.

I'd like to point out that the junior is playing in a new system this year implemented by first-year head coach Brady Hoke, who was actually San Diego State's frontman in 2010.

That's an important handicapping factor when finding that Aztecs head coach Rocky Long was the program's defensive coordinator during that time.  He's familiar with Hoke's offensive scheme.

There's reason to be cautious in playing the Detroit Lions, as they've failed to break 20 points against the Minnesota Vikings in the last 10 meetings.

I think that may change with an offensive attack that has scored 75 points in the first two weeks, which should allow them to sneak inside this number.

Recommendation:  Detroit Lions (+10)

South Carolina (-4) vs. New Orleans

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia actually loves facing the Vanderbilt Commodores, which is reflected in his 31-of-39 performance for 355 yards and two touchdowns.

Due to the amount of carries that running back Marcus Lattimore handled last week, I feel that head coach Steve Spurrier will go to the air in this contest.

Some value is found due to South Carolina scoring just 35 combined points in the last two meetings, as the offense racked up 511 total yards in last year's 21-7 road win.

New Orleans can definitely put up some points with quarterback Drew Brees ranking fourth in the league in passing yards, but the team will now be facing the NFL's top-ranked pass defense.

The Texans are limiting opponents to just 162.5 yards a game through the air, which is a direct reflection of hiring Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator.

South Carolina's high-scoring attack gets back on track.

Recommendation:  South Carolina Gamecocks (-4)

Notre Dame (-9) vs. Chicago

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers know each other pretty well, playing three times last year and combining to score 85 points in those contests.

Total bettors are well aware that the series has gone "under" the total in seven consecutive meetings in the series.

Chicago head coach Lovie Smith was pretty vocal after last week's 30-13 loss that the team can't win games calling 52 pass plays and just 11 running plays.

Notre Dame's offense is ready to explode if it can stay away from turning over the football.  The Fighting Irish are facing one of the worst pass defenses in college football this week.

Pittsburgh allowed Iowa's James Vandenberg to throw for 399 yards a week ago.

The Fighting Irish cover the number against their NFL neighbor to the north.

Recommendation:  Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-9)