The start of the NFL season has been a challenge for many bettors this year, specifically when it comes to Point Totals markets.

We saw several full game Unders hit in Week 1, only for Week 2 to swing dramatically towards Overs. In the Week 2 Sunday morning slate, Overs went 8-1, just a week after Unders went 7-1 in the same time slot. Many factors are likely contributing to this – including the new kickoff landing zone rules giving teams better starting field position, evolving offensive schemes, and a lack of bad weather.

College football has also experienced its share of unpredictability with Totals for many of the same reasons. Week 1 saw high-profile matchups like Texas-Ohio State and LSU-Clemson fall well below their totals, only for Week 3 games like Texas A&M-Notre Dame and Georgia-Tennessee to each end up with more than 80 combined points.

Navigating all this requires an analytical edge. That’s where BetSmart comes in.

BetSmart Betting Tools

BetSmart helps you find profitable opportunities with every bet you place. The new Pickwatch subscription package includes powerful features like an Arbitrage Bet finder, a Positive Expected Value (EV) tracker, a Middle Betting tool, and much more.

Here are some specific ways BetSmart can help you with betting on Overs and Unders in Total Points markets.

Positive Expected Value

Positive Expected Value, also known as +EV, refers to a situation where the true probability of an event occurring is more favorable than the odds a sportsbook offers. While these bets obviously don't always win, placing them consistently gives you a statistical advantage in the long run.

The BetSmart Positive EV Bet Finder can help with this strategy. This tool has identified several +EV bets on Total Points and many other specific markets for NFL Week 3 and beyond. This week, the tool is actually showing us opportunities for value with Quarter and Half Totals, which may be more profitable markets as Game Totals remain volatile.

While you will have to sign up for a BetSmart trial to see the picks, there are currently several suggested Positive EV wagers on totals in the Cardinals-49ers matchup, including bets on the Total Points in the 1st Quarter, 2nd Quarter and 1st Half.

Middle Bets

Middle bets involve betting on both sides of a game at different sportsbooks. If the final score lands within a specific range, you win both wagers. This strategy is a great way to combine steady, low-risk growth with the potential for higher profits.

BetSmart’s Middle Bets Tracker identifies several of these opportunities every week, including some lately on Total Points markets.

What's more, the new Most Profitable Markets tool allows you to view which markets have been the most successful so far this football season, such as Middle Bets with College Football 2nd Half Totals, whch currently have a 164% ROI.

Here's an example of a Middle Bet opportunity identified with BetSmart's tools this week:

Arkansas @ Memphis 2nd Half Total Points

Game: Arkansas Razorbacks at Memphis Tigers
Date: Saturday, September 20, 12 p.m. ET
Bet 1: 1st Half Over 29.5 Points, -115 (DraftKings)
Bet 2: 1st Half Under 30.5 Points, +100 (Caesars Sportsbook)

With -115 and +100 odds, this has limited risk. If the total lands at 30, a common football totals number, it will yield a big profit.

Expert Picks

The Experts Picks feature on BetSmart and other Pickwatch subscription packages provides a breakdown of the top industry experts. It provides extensive data on win-loss records, winning percentage, profit and much more across various sports, leagues and bet markets.

For example, here is some data on the expert currently ranked No. 2 among all bettors for NFL full game Totals this season.

Expert: Alex Reno
NFL Totals Record: 18-14 (56.3%)
Pickwatch Expert Page

NOTE: To view Week 3 picks from Alex and others, you must have a subscription to BetSmart or another package

BetSmart: Claim Your Free Trial Today

If you haven't tried BetSmart yet, be sure to take advantage of the 14-Day Free Trial to get immediate access to several new sports betting tools that will help you wager wisely this football season.