Football season is upon us, and as the popularity of the sport grows, so does the amount of betting on college and professional football. Differential points, over unders, parlays, teasers, future bets dance in your head. If you liked me, a new season brings new hope not only for your favorite team but also for your bank account. I am by no means a professional player, but in recent years I have been able to get by at the end of the year by practicing some simple routines and a bit of research. To get good at any hobby, it takes a little time and study to get good at what you’re trying to accomplish. The game is no different. Keep in mind, there’s no such thing as a sure thing, just ask Michigan who was upset about Appalachian St. last year. And with so much parity in the NFL, it’s extremely difficult to predict what’s going to happen. But there are a few things I look for before placing some bets on a weekend.

First, watch out for the heavy favorite. Did you know that in 2007 the heavy favorites were 14-22-1 ATS (against the spread) and after week 5 they were 8-20-1 ATS? Vegas always draws the line with the public in mind. Everyone loves to bet on the favourite, which in turn drives the line. Beware of something that is too good to be true.

Second: watch the injuries closely. Always look for injuries that the general public does not look for. It’s easy to see if the quarterback, wide receiver or running back is injured. But if you do some digging and find out if an offensive lineman or blocker or other unglamorous positions aren’t going to play, that could have a lot to do with the outcome of the game. You can easily get injury reports on the internet.

Third-Follow trends. There are a million different trends that you can look for. Example: Since 2002, the Dallas Cowboys are 7-0 ATS (against the sidelines) after a loss in which they allowed at least four touchdowns. The list could go on and on. But do your research and look for some of these trends that you can take advantage of.

And finally, swallow your pride and get some pro advice. It has been said that you have to spend money to make money and there are people who do this for a living and make a lot of money. They have information that is not available to the general public. Click the link below and find out how to get some of these pro tips for free. Good luck this year.