Douglas Farmer
Douglas Farmer
17+ years experience 17+ years experience
Douglas Farmer spends his days thinking about college football and his nights thinking about the NBA. His betting habits and coverage follow that same pattern. He covered Notre Dame football for various outlets from 2008 to 2024, most notably spending eight seasons as NBC Sports’ beat writer on the Irish. That was also when his gambling focus took off. Knowing there were veteran beat writers with three decades more experience than he had, Douglas found his niche by best recognizing Notre Dame’s standing in each year’s national landscape, a complex tapestry most easily understood and remembered via betting odds.
In 2021, that interest created a freelance opportunity with Covers, a role that eventually led to Douglas joining the company full-time in 2023. In the fall, Douglas will place five or six dozen bets each week, a disproportionate amount via BetRivers because the operator tends to have lines slightly different than the rest of the market. The same can be said of Circa Sports’ futures markets.
While Douglas is an avid NBA fan and covers the league throughout the year, the vast majority of his bets are on college football, because that is the biggest key to sports betting: Know what you do not know.
Sport to bet on: College football
Sports movie: Finding Forrester
Sports snack: Whiskey
Covers feature: Line movement tracker
Best Betting Memory
Worst Beat
Illinois vs Kentucky Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today’s March Madness Game
Farmer's prediction: While the Illini have caught fire down the stretch, their lack of perimeter defense will prove costly against Koby Brea and the Wildcats.
UCLA vs Tennessee Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's March Madness Game
While we fully expect Tennessee to advance, our March Madness picks expect a big game from a particular UCLA sharpshooter.
Gonzaga vs Houston Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s March Madness Game
The Houston Cougars may be a No. 1 seed, but as Douglas Farmer explains, they are being undervalued in the market. Find out why he's backing the Cougs' to win this one going away.
March Madness Picks: Survivor Pool Predictions for the Second Round
A survivor pool can yield a massive payout off a modest investment, and Douglas Farmer has you covered for this solvable puzzle ahead of Saturday's Round 2 action.
McNeese vs Purdue Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Saturday’s March Madness Game
McNeese State was a sexy pick to knock off Clemson in the opening round. As Douglas Farmer explains, the Cowboys will not sweat the boiler room, instead putting the tournament on notice with another upset win.
Xavier vs Illinois Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s March Madness Game
Xavier has trended up over the last month, and Illinois has done the exact opposite over that span. Expect that to manifest in the final score when they face off on Friday.
Troy vs Kentucky Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today's March Madness Game
TIp of the cap to Troy for making the Big Dance, but as Douglas Farmer explains, this is a terrible matchup for them. Find out why our college basketball betting picks are laying the points with Kentucky on Friday night.
Utah State vs UCLA Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s March Madness Game
While I'm leaning toward Utah State over UCLA — even on the moneyline — I'm far more comfortable taking the Over as each defense is vulnerable to the opposing offense's greatest strength.
Wofford vs Tennessee Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s March Madness Game
Farmer's prediction: The Terriers love to slow down the game to a snail's pace, and this gives Wofford sneaky value as heavy underdogs against the spread.
Georgia vs Gonzaga Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's March Madness Game
For as consistent as Gonzaga has been throughout the last handful of years, Douglas Farmer believes they are actually underrated ahead of Thursday's opener vs. Georgia. Find out why he likes Mark Few and Co. to win and win going away.
McNeese vs Clemson Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s March Madness Game
McNeese has already proven it can compete with powerhouse programs, and Douglas Farmer is taking the points with the Cowboys ahead of their Midwest Region clash.
SIU Edwardsville vs Houston Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's March Madness Game
SIU Edwardsville is about to get pounded into dust, but it won't go down without a little fight.
High Point vs Purdue Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today’s March Madness Game
No. 4 Purdue Boilermakers aim to put their first-round nightmares in the past and they should be safe this time around as they take on No. 13 High Point, whose defense may not be able to weather the storm of the opposing offense.
March Madness Picks: Survivor Pool Predictions for the First Round
A survivor pool can yield a massive payout off a modest investment, and Douglas Farmer has you covered for this solvable puzzle ahead of Thursday's tip-off.
March Madness Bracket Predictions and Picks: Douglas Farmer Selects Houston Over Auburn
Douglas Farmer crunched the numbers and has you covered with his complete March Madness bracket, headlined by Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars finally reaching the top of the mountain.
March Madness by the Numbers
As we brace ourselves for a frenetic first four days of the 2025 March Madness tournament, Douglas Farmer breaks down some key numbers you need to know.
Arizona vs Houston Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight’s Big 12 Championship Game
The Houston Cougars boast an elite stop unit Caleb Love and the Wildcats will struggle against, as our expert college basketball predictions explain.
Arizona vs Texas Tech Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's Big 12 Tournament Game
Arizona may be coming off an 11-point win vs. Kansas, but as Douglas Farmer explains, the Wildcats have been slumping and the Red Raiders are playing some of their best basketball of the season. Find out more below!
BYU vs Houston Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's Big 12 Tournament Game
BYU will live and die by the long-range shot, even if their opponent is the most fearsome defense in college hoops. Look for Richie Saunders & Co. to punch above their weight vs. Houston.
Kansas vs Arizona Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's Big 12 Tournament Basketball Game
The Wildcats may not have to beware of the Phog, but the Jayhawks should still enjoy a relative home-court advantage in Kansas City. Kansas beat Arizona just last week and can do it again tonight, per our college basketball betting picks.
