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Courtesy of Scott Spreitzer @ www.vegasonlinesports.com

You're probably chomping at the bit to bet some of the upcoming bowl games. But don't rush into any mistakes that you'll live to regret!

Here are some tips you should consider as you analyze the card:

*Remember that the style of play in this year's bowl games is likely to be different than last year. Many handicappers and wagerers were caught off guard in September of this season because the game had changed so much. More teams were running those high scoring spread offenses, adding points and randomness all over the place. Games were longer than last year because of adjustments in how the game clock runs. Throw out much of what you remember from last season! Games are likely to be higher scoring this year, and are more likely to blow up in one direction or another because of the nature of high risk passing offenses. Matchup strategies that may have worked for you in the 2006 bowl season might not apply any more. Be sure you take that into account

*Remember that long layoffs DON'T help a defense and hurt an offense! You hear announcers say that all the time. I've heard them say that during bowl games that were ending 45-37 or 52-28! Poorly prepared teams might have trouble. For the most part, bowls are offensive showcases. Teams put in gadget plays and trickeration. Running backs get healthy and find fresh legs. The defenses may get healthy too. But history has made it clear that the college football postseason is more about offense than defense. There will be a few defensive struggles, particularly involving games with inconsistent quarterbacks and uncreative head coaches. Don't bet an Under unless you have those elements in play (along with good defenses!). Look for games where things may open up more than the Las Vegas oddsmakers realize, so you can bet the Over.

*Remember that "overrated" and "underrated" labels tend to hold through the bowls. Teams who aren't as good as everyone expected don't suddenly rise to meet expectations. Teams who are better than realized don't hit a wall. The public tends to line up on the same big name teams every year regardless of pointspread performance. The public tends to ignore lesser known teams on a roll regardless of how many games they've covered. Check the pointspread results of all bowl teams to see if you can find some overrated teams (poor ATS the last two months) to go against, and some underrated teams (good ATS the last two months) to invest in.

*Remember that emotions matter more than anything in the college postseason. A team that's disappointed to settle for a lesser bowl will often play 1-2 touchdowns below their normal form. They'll occasionally play 3-4 touchdowns below their normal form! Be very careful betting big name favorites who had been shooting for something better than they got. These are historically great go against teams. Look for up-and-comers who want to make a statement. If they're an underdog, consider taking them on the moneyline to score the outright victory. Bowl "upsets" are common. They're so common they shouldn't be called upsets! When they happen, they're typically triggered by a flat favorite.

*Remember that warm weather teams typically have an advantage over cold weather teams. This used to be automatic every year. Then, some top Big Ten teams really did improve their play and athleticism (remember when Ohio State beat Miami for the national championship?). The past couple of seasons though, things have drifted back to the old model. Ohio State got crushed by Florida last year in the championship game. Michigan wasn't very competitive with Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl. If the warm-weather team isn't destined to be flat (as arrogant Oklahoma was against Boise State), they're likely to be the right side. If the game is outdoors in warm weather, the Northern team is likely to wear down. If the game is played indoors, the speed deficiencies of the Northern team will be exposed. Now, this isn't a 100% rule by any means. But, you'll be well served to shade your action in this direction.

*Remember that your VERY BEST bowl winners will come when the above factors line up on the same side! You will find underrated Southern teams in great position to knock off overrated Northern teams. You will find underrated Southern teams matched up against flat Northern teams who are disappointed about the bowl they're playing in. You will find wide-open offenses playing each other in a dome (perfect for an Over bet). You will find underrated wide open teams playing overrated disappointed teams with vulnerable defenses. Bowl season is famous for having many games miss the Vegas spread by a mile. These are some of the reasons why!

Best of luck this bowl season. Several games have already jumped out at me with huge winning potential. Be sure you take advantage of all the great opportunities!