One of the most popular terms that has entered every sports fan’s vernacular since gambling took off is “Bad Beat.” We hear about them on SportsCenter and read about them on Twitter within seconds of them happening. If you follow me and my mantras, you could guess that I have never really been a fan of the term or what it connotes. I learned long ago that in order to become a successful sports bettor over the long term, you can’t focus on one game, one loss, one play that screwed you, etc. Doing that adds a level of emotion to sports betting that I always try to avoid.
That said, there are a couple of times every year when no matter what you believe in, you just cannot help but shake your head and rub your eyes while saying to yourself…”Did that just happen???” Such was the case last week after the Utah State at Boise State game. Allow me to set the scene (you know like the do when they recreate a crime taking place on Dateline.)
KrackWins Nation was holding an Utah State +17 ticket. Boise State is leading 28-23 with 1.5 minutes left in the 4th Quarter. Utah State has the ball on the Boise 15 Yard Line, threatening to score a TD for the outright win (as a 17 point dog.) Utah State throws an interception on 4th down and 9 and Boise State can simply run out the clock as Utah State had one timeout left. Not so fast my friend…Boise State’s QB breaks free for a 91 yard touchdown run, making the score now 35-23 Boise State with a minute to go. Don’t fret…our Utah State +17 tickets still look good…until a Pick 6 on 4th and 17 makes the final 42-23 as Boise State covers. Gross. Simply gross.
It was so bad, it harkened bettors back to the 2012 Belk Bowl. For those of you new to the game, this is considered one of the worst beats in sports betting history. Duke +8.5 ticket holders will especially remember that Duke had the ball on the Cincinnati 10 yard line with 1 minute left, score tied at 34. Simply kick a FG to win and cover easily. Duke proceeded to fumble on second down and Cincinnati scored on a Travis Kelce TD, seconds later to make it 41-34. No worries…my Duke +8.5 ticket is still good right? Until….Duke drives to the 40 and with 14 seconds they throw…what else, a pick 6. Final score Cincinnati 48 Duke 34. Rip up your Duke ticket.
Even with that horrific Utah State beat, KrackWins finished the NCAAF week 3-2 (+1.6 units). We have the conference championships this weekend and then…drumroll please…College Bowl season. KrackWins’ loyal subscribers will recall our 9-2 record on the bowls last year and our 23-10 record over the last three years. Information is key in bowl season as players opt out on regular basis. That is where we are at our best.
Let’s dive into the rest of my sports betting picks from the past week….
Sports Betting Picks Weekly Recap
Last week’s NBA and NCAAB didn’t escape the Bad Beats Curse. In the NBA (3-5, -2.3 units), a Player Prop lost needing only 1 more point, rebound, or assist going into a 4th quarter. We finished the week 3-5 in the NBA (-2.3 units.) On the college grind (6-8, -4.8 units), we had an under 133.5 in a game that was 53-50 with 1 minute left. Even near the end of the first overtime, we looked good – 59-58 with 19 seconds left. Alas, something was in the water as a ridiculous technical foul and subsequent free throws sent the game to double overtime where we still needed a layup as they were running out the clock to get beat by a 73-61 final. Hard to get much worse than that.
The BB Curse stayed clear in the NFL as KrackWins went 7-5, +3.4 units on the strength of totals and player props that continue to shine. It is hard to believe that we are only one month away from the NFL playoffs. We’ve had another winning NFL season so far and we plan on continuing this success into the playoff stretch.
Overall, bad beats and all, KrackWins finished 19-20, -2.1 units on the week. As you know we are firing away every day on NBA and NCAA basketball and as stated, cannot wait for another monster bowl season. Happy Holidays to everyone and let’s kick ass this month and end the year right!
