Bengals, 49ers are also big losers going against spread

When bad trends collide.

That should be the billing for tonight’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers, two of the NFL’s most disappointing teams.

The Bengals (5-8) are listed as an 8-point favorite over the host 49ers (3-10), a betting line smack in the middle of several negative trends for both teams.

Cincinnati, which has not won two games in a row, is 1-5 against the spread in its last six games as a road favorite and 1-6 against the spread in its last seven games against a team with a losing record.

Quarterback Carson Palmer has been average at best for the Bengals, who will fail to make the playoffs for the 16th time in 17 seasons.

Palmer has completed 65% of his passes with 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, one shy of his career high.

San Francisco, which has won once at home, is 1-5 against the spread in its last six games as a home underdog and 1-7 against the spread in its last eight games overall.

The 49ers’ quarterback situation is a mess under Coach Mike Nolan, who has a 14-31 record in three seasons.

Alex Smith is scheduled to have season-ending shoulder surgery and veteran Trent Dilfer is out because of a concussion.

That leaves Shaun Hill, a journeyman who stepped in after Dilfer was injured last week, as the starter tonight with recently signed Chris Weinke as his backup.

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College basketball

Undefeated North Carolina and Duke may get most of the attention out of the Atlantic Coast Conference but smart bettors know all about Miami and Clemson, the ACC’s two other teams without a loss.

Miami (9-0) has the nation’s best record against the spread at 6-0 and is fresh off an impressive victory at Mississippi State on Thursday.

The Hurricanes give up 58.4 points a game. That’s why the under is 6-0 in Miami games this season.

Clemson (8-0) is 4-1 against the spread and averages 79.9 points a game.

Odds for this season’s NCAA championship have been updated, with UCLA being listed at 4-1 at both LasVegasInsider.com and Bodoglife.com. USC is listed at 20-1 at LasVegasInsider.com and 15-1 at Bodoglife.com.

North Carolina is still the favorite at 7-2 at LasVegasInsider.com and 9-2 at Bodoglife.com.

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