Minnesota Gopher Football - Vegas Sets Odds For The 2013 Season

We live in a country where some people like betting money on stuff. And the generous folks in Las Vegas have graciously released some over and under numbers that set a framework for those who are interested in wagering. So lets go take a look, hmmmm?

INSERT OBLIGATORY NOTE THAT WE'RE NOTE NOT ENDORSING GAMBLING. SERIOUSLY, IT'S COOL IF YOU DO IT BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IT'S THE OFFSEASON AND IT GIVES US SOMETHING TO DEBATE FOR FUN. DON'T LOSE MONEY AND BLAME ME.

First, let's check out the Gophers:

MINNESOTA
Over 5.5 (-120)
Under 5.5 (-120)

This is not terribly surprising. Most national folks are thinking 5 of 6 wins for the Gophers so I'm not shocked to see Vegas take the middle road. What is a little surprising to me is that this current line doesn't encourage betters to go either way (both sides require someone to wager $120 to win $100), which suggests the odds-makers aren't sure whether they think the Gophers are a 5 or 6 win kind of team. Maybe that's just how they're treating 5.5 win predictions? Well...

CONNECTICUT
Over 5.5 (-140)
Under 5.5 (+100)

Here, the odds-makers want to encourage folks to bet the under so they've made it so you only have to wager $100 to win $100 versus wagering $140 to win $100 on the over.

So...yea. Take all that for what it is worth. How's the rest of the B1G looking?

ILLINOIS
Over 3.5 (-160)
Under 3.5 (+120)

INDIANA
Over 5.5 (-190)
Under 5.5 (+150)

IOWA
Over 5.5 (-120)
Under 5.5 (-120)

MICHIGAN
Over 9.5 (-155)
Under 9.5 (+115)

MICHIGAN STATE
Over 8.5 (-120)
Under 8.5 (-120)

NEBRASKA
Over 9.5 (+100)
Under 9.5 (-140)

NORTHWESTERN*
Over 9.5 (-175)
Under 9.5 (-135)

OHIO STATE
Over 11.5 (+160)
Under 11.5 (-210)

PENN STATE
Over 8.5 (+150)
Under 8.5 (-190)

PURDUE
Over 5.5 (+175)
Under 5.5 (-245)

WISCONSIN
Over 8.5 (-210)
Under 8.5 (+160)

*NOTE: Beyond the Bet had the 5Dimes line for Northwestern as 8.5 with -130 on the over and -110 on the under. It was the only one that was different for SB Nation's 5Dimes numbers and I'm not sure why.

And just for fun let's look at our soon to be B1G brethren...

MARYLAND
Over 6.5 (-140)
Under 6.5 (EVEN)

RUTGERS
Over 6.5 (+110)
Under 6.5 (-150)

Takeaways?

- Vegas does know that Tim Beckman is still coaching Illinois right?

- Congratulations Indiana, you've earned a pre-season betting line bowl berth.

- Iowa and the Gophers...fringe bowl teams that no one knows what to do with yet.

- Northwestern' must have someone working at the books if they think 10 regular season wins is the more likely outcome. Sippin' On Purple is...surprised.

- No bowl for you Purdue.

- Ew...bullish on Wisconsin. Yuck.

What do you think?

Where do you think Vegas is wrong?

Is that the right line for the Gophers?