The Golden Nugget is the first bricks and mortar casino to release odds on a number of college football games in 2012. 111 games to be exact. Among those games is Boston College's November 10 home game against Catholic rivals Notre Dame, where the Nugget has the Eagles as a 12-point underdog.
Here are the some lines for the rest of the ACC and BC's 2012 opponents of note below. A lot of Notre Dame games are represented on the Nugget's early odds listings because who doesn't love to make bank betting against the Irish.
Navy Midshipmen vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-13.5) -- this game is being played in Ireland on September 1, where Notre Dame will have the entire offseason to prepare for Navy's option attack. Given the early Boston College-Notre Dame line, sounds like the Nugget thinks better of Navy than BC this year after factoring in site and schedule.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan St. Spartans (-3) -- A pick 'em on a neutral field
Clemson Tigers at Florida St. Seminoles (-8) -- Seems just a tad too high for a game that may very well determine the Atlantic Division champ. I would expect this spread to come down to the 6.5-7 range as we approach this game. The Noles will be fairly untested going into this one -- starting the season with two I-AA body bags and Wake Forest, all at home -- while Clemson gets Auburn ... and then Ball State and Furman.
Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-1) -- Wolverines would be slight favorites on a neutral field.
Miami Hurricanes vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-9.5) -- This game will be played at Soldier Field, featuring two of BC's 2012 opponents. Seems a little low when you consider all that Miami has lost this year and factor in the fact that this game will be played in Chicago.
Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-5) -- I don't have much of a read on this game. Stanford should take a step back this year but that's not a big point spread in favor of the Irish. Should be an interesting matchup.
Florida St. Seminoles at Miami Hurricanes (+9.5) -- I know Miami loses a lot but this number seems a tad bit high. This is a rivalry game and the Canes get FSU at home this year. Only once in the last 10 meetings has the victory won by double digits (2010, Florida State 45-17).
Virginia Tech Hokies at Miami Hurricanes (+6.5) -- The line is closer here given this is a Thursday night game at home for the 'Canes. Miami could play the role of spoiler in the Coastal Division title race with an upset here.
Pittsburgh Panthers at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-12.5) -- Notre Dame welcomes Pitt to the ACC a year early as a double-digit favorite in South Bend.
Florida St. Seminoles at Virginia Tech Hokies (-1) -- Hokies slight favorites at home in a matchup of the prohibitive favorites to win the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions and face one another in a rematch a few weeks later in Charlotte.
South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Tigers (-3.5) -- Clemson a slight favorite at home against the Gamecocks in the regular season finale.
Florida Gators at Florida St. Seminoles (-7.5) -- Could this be the year where the ACC finally gets the better of the SEC at season's end?
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at USC Trojans (-13) -- Big line here in favor of the Trojans who may be in line for the BCS National Championship Game.
Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen (-4.5) -- Probably the best chance in a number of years that Army has at knocking off the Midshipmen. This game is at the Linc in Philadelphia. BC would be wise not to sleep on Army and their October 6 trip to Michie Stadium.