Clustering of College Football Spreads

19 Pages Posted: 11 Oct 2011

See all articles by Adam Schwartz

Adam Schwartz

Washington and Lee University - Department of Business Administration

Bonnie F. Van Ness

University of Mississippi - Department of Finance

Robert A. Van Ness

University of Mississippi - Department of Finance

Date Written: October 8, 2011

Abstract

This paper examines college football point spreads. We find that the betting spread is a good predictor of outcome for college football games during the regular season, but not for bowl games. Our sample of betting line spreads cluster around 3 points (field goal) and 7 points (touchdown/extra point). Also, the accuracy of the betting line spread improves when the spread clusters on a field goal or touchdown.

Keywords: College Football, Betting Spreads, Clustering

JEL Classification: G10, L83

Suggested Citation

Schwartz, Adam and Van Ness, Bonnie F. and Van Ness, Robert A., Clustering of College Football Spreads (October 8, 2011). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1941008 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1941008

Adam Schwartz

Washington and Lee University - Department of Business Administration ( email )

Lexington, VA 24450
United States

Bonnie F. Van Ness

University of Mississippi - Department of Finance ( email )

Oxford, MS 38677
United States
662-915-6749 (Phone)
662-915-7968 (Fax)

Robert A. Van Ness (Contact Author)

University of Mississippi - Department of Finance ( email )

Oxford, MS 38677
United States

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