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Douglas Farmer

Douglas Farmer - Betting Analyst at Covers

Douglas Farmer

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Betting Analyst
Betting Analyst
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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.

Favorites
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Sport to bet on: College football
Sports movie: Finding Forrester
Sports snack: Whiskey
Covers feature: Line movement tracker
A "return to living" trip to Vegas before the 2021 football season started by seeing value on Georgia to win the national championship at +800. By then, mid-August, the consensus line was +650. So, I took my entire weekend's bankroll and put it on what I affectionately referred to as "Clifford." The logic was, Georgia should make the Playoff and by then, I'll be sitting on great value to hedge out. Except, I never hedged out. I just added to the investment all season long, including with live odds of +140. The joy was not in the win, but in the five months of vindicated conviction.
Best Betting Memory Icon Best Betting Memory
This may seem trivial, but it is the one that still aggravates me years later. There are few better bets in life than fading a Brian VanGorder defense. So when Bowling Green visited Notre Dame in 2019, I trusted the Irish to run it up on their former defensive coordinator, betting the Notre Dame team total Over 54.5. I think I am the only person in the world who vividly remembers Javon McKinley dropping an open crossing route inside the 10-yard line, forcing the Irish to settle for a field goal en route to a 52-0 win.
Best Betting Memory Icon Worst Beat

Pacers vs Cavaliers Props & Best Bets for Today

May 4, 2025 • 10:52 AM ET

Our Pacers vs. Cavs prop picks believe these outstanding perimeter defenses are not being accounted for properly in various markets ahead of Game 1. Jump on these 3-point Unders while you can.

Nuggets vs Clippers Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight’s NBA Playoffs Game 6

May 1, 2025 • 6:38 PM ET

Farmer's prediction: Ivica Zubac may be best known as a defensive anchor, but the Croatian center should continue to thrive as a low-post scorer in a do-or-die Game 6.

Jimmy Butler Picks, Predictions & Best Bets for Rockets vs Warriors Game 6

May 1, 2025 • 4:30 PM ET

Our NBA betting picks believe Jimmy Butler will dish out the rock with aplomb as the Warriors look to send the Rockets packing on Friday night.

Nikola Jokic Picks, Predictions & Best Bets for Nuggets vs Clippers Game 6

May 1, 2025 • 2:22 PM ET

As good as Nikola Jokic has been in this series, his heavy workload is bound to take a toll as Ivica Zubac and the Clippers continue to pressure him on both ends of the floor.

Timberwolves vs Lakers Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight's NBA Playoffs Game 5

Apr 30, 2025 • 7:08 PM ET

Farmer's prediction: High-scoring affairs are starting to become the norm as we move deeper into the first round, and bettors should expect Game 5 to feature no shortage of offense.

Warriors vs Rockets Props & Best Bets for Today

Apr 30, 2025 • 11:43 AM ET

The Houston Rockets paid Fred VanVleet for moments like this, and he won't shy away from letting it fly from deep tonight.

Clippers vs Nuggets Props & Best Bets for Today

Apr 29, 2025 • 1:55 PM ET

Nikola Jokic is coming off a monstrous performance in Inglewood, and we expect the three-time MVP to be unstoppable in tonight’s Game 5.

Cavaliers vs Heat Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's NBA Playoffs Game 4

Apr 28, 2025 • 1:54 PM ET

Farmer's prediction: The Cavaliers won't let up with a chance to complete the sweep and will dominate the Heat, winning both halves.

Lakers vs Timberwolves Props & Best Bets for Today

Apr 27, 2025 • 11:10 AM ET

Our Lakers vs. Timberwolves props expect big games from Donte DiVincenzo and Jaden McDaniels.

Thunder vs Grizzlies Prediction, Picks & Odds for Thursday's NBA Playoffs Game 3

Apr 24, 2025 • 12:29 PM ET

Chet Holmgren has thrived from beyond the arc so far in the first round, and we expect the Thunder star to keep knocking down shots from deep.

Warriors vs Rockets Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight's NBA Playoffs Game 2

Apr 23, 2025 • 6:25 PM ET

Farmer's prediction: Alperen Sengun is poised to deliver another incredible effort vs. the Warriors tonight as the Rockets look to even up this Round 1 series.

Heat vs Cavaliers Props & Best Bets for Today

Apr 23, 2025 • 8:00 AM ET

The Miami Heat were always going to be in tough vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers. As Douglas Farmer explains, they'll need to catch fire from beyond the arc in order to stay close.

Timberwolves vs Lakers Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight's NBA Playoffs Game 2

Apr 22, 2025 • 6:49 PM ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves will look to go up 2-0 on the Los Angeles Lakers as the two clash again tonight. As Douglas Farmer explains, Jaden McDaniels will have a role to play in his team's success on the glass.

Grizzlies vs Thunder Props & Best Bets for Tonight

Apr 22, 2025 • 12:47 PM ET

Chet Holmgren will remain a threat from deep, especially with a favorable matchup against Zach Edey. Expect him to light it up from downtown in Game 2.

Clippers vs Nuggets Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today's NBA Playoffs Game 2

Apr 21, 2025 • 7:12 PM ET

Farmer's prediciton: Ivica Zubac racks up the points, rebounds, and assists as he goes toe-to-toe with Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic. However, it won't be enough for a victory.

Pistons vs Knicks Props & Best Bets for Tonight

Apr 21, 2025 • 2:32 PM ET

Farmer's predictions: Cade Cunningham bounces back, Karl-Anthony Towns stays sheepish from deep, and Tim Hardaway Jr. airs his grievances...or threes.

Grizzlies vs Thunder Props & Best Bets for Today

Apr 20, 2025 • 8:23 AM ET

Chet Holmgren's shooting has become a weapon for the OKC in recent weeks, and our Grizzlies vs. Thunder props expect him to utilize that ability in Game 1.

Mavericks vs Grizzlies Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight's NBA Play-In Game

Apr 18, 2025 • 6:17 PM ET

Farmer's prediction: A healthy Anthony Davis goes a long way. While he alone can't win this game for the Mavericks, he is talented enough to keep this tantalizingly close.

Heat vs Hawks Props & Best Bets for Today

Apr 17, 2025 • 4:18 PM ET

Trae Young has struggled to score against Miami in the past, but that won’t stop the star guard from lighting up the stat sheet with his passing.

Mavericks vs Kings Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight’s NBA Play-In Game

Apr 16, 2025 • 6:50 PM ET

Farmer's prediction: Anthony Davis has dominated Sacramento in the past, and the superstar forward will remain a thorn in Domantas Sabonis’ side tonight.

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