But there is value in looking at last year’s top ATS programs and how much has changed over the offseason. Here are four big breadwinners with plenty coming back for 2013:
Miami Hurricanes (2012: 7-5 SU, 9-3 ATS)
There is a buzz growing in Coral Gables heading into the season. The Hurricanes welcome back 19 starters from 2012, which is good and bad depending on how you look at it. Miami has 10 starting talents back from an offense that put up 31.4 points per game but also returns nine on a stop unit that allowed an average of 486.5 yards – 120th in the land.
Mississippi Rebels (2012: 6-6 SU, 9-3 ATS)
Ole Miss brings 18 players back from a team that covered in nine of its 12 contests last season. The Rebels are in Year 2 under Hugh Freeze and should continue to improve. Eight guys are back on offense, including QB Bo Wallace who is recovering from shoulder surgery. Mississippi has some tough road tasks but can score enough points to stay within the oddmakers’ expectations.
Northwestern Wildcats (2012: 9-3 SU, 11-1 ATS)
The Wildcats bring back 15 starters from last season, including eight on an offense that ranked 19th in rushing yards (225.5 per game) behind RB Venric Mark and crazy-legs QB Kain Colter. Northwestern could continue to hold betting value, living in the shadow of the Big Ten Goliaths. The Wildcats were a perfect 8-0 ATS at home last season but welcomed some cupcake conference rivals. The 2013 home slate features Michigan State, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio State.
Texas-San Antonio Road Runners (2012: 8-4 SU, 7-3 ATS)
The Road Runners have had essentially the same starters for the past two seasons, bringing back 23 guys in 2012 and returning 18 of those top-tier talents in 2013. Texas-San Antonio benefited from some weaker FBS opponents in its first year with the big boys and will cut its teeth against the likes of Oklahoma State, Arizona, Tulsa and Houston in Year 2. The move to the C-USA may not do UTSA any favors.