d.: I know that I need to work on today’s script, but my favorite radio show is on KING/KEEN Anahuac/ Hamaker. It’s hard to pick up on most radios, but, fortunately, I have satellite radio.
Oh, oh, oh! I’m Joe Groan, and this is my show.
First order of business, it’s wild card weekend in the NFL. This means that every team that made the playoffs, besides the top seeds in each conference, are playing. I look for the ‘dogs to do well this weekend. That’s just a hunch. What’s not a hunch is that the favorites will not do well next weekend, and I have a reason to believe this.
The NCAA gave four of the twelve teams selected a first-round bye in their new playoff system, and all four teams lost their first game. That was the second playoff game for the winners. I say, do what the NBA did and invite one-half of the teams in the NFL to the playoffs. That way, everyone plays every weekend until only two teams are left to fight it out for superiority in the Super Bowl. In the old days, when only four teams from each conference made the playoffs, everyone played each of two \ weekends to try to get to the Super Bowl.
The NCAA should also consider adding four more teams to make this possible in their playoff system. That will keep the favorites from getting rusty and add more of a chance for major upsets, which everyone loves. Well, maybe not everyone. Gamblers usually bet on the favorites. These teams are favorites for a reason: they’re better than the team they’re playing. On any given day, though, it’s possible for a lowly wildcard seed to beat the number one team in the conference. Cesar’s Palace wasn’t built on gamblers winning large pots, and thot will never change. I’ll tell you how this works.
The oddsmakers may make one team a double-digit favorite at the beginning of the week, and a lot of people will bet on the other team. That creates a more balanced betting system, so the odds makers will lower the point differential throughout the week. When the game is finally played, the ‘dogs will usually only be three-point underdogs. But wait, you say, I bet on this team as a ten point ‘dog, not a three-point one. Shouldn’t I be given those ten points?
That’s not how it works, though. The oddsmakers know how to get people to bet on both sides of the game, assuring them a large payday no matter who wins the game. Gambling is a losing game for everyone but the odds makers. Betting against the house is a losing proposition, and you’re better off betting your friends beers on your favorite team.
This has been Joe Groan, with one man’s (correct) opinion.
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