The Giant NCAA Football Point Spread

We've all seen them, those ridiculously large college football point spreads. Maybe USC is favored by 36 over some joke of a team. Or Florida is favored by 29 over Florida A&M. These games jump off the page right away just for the sheer size of the spread.
And yeah they almost make you laugh because they're such a joke, but what about actually betting on these games where spreads can sometimes reach 40 points or more? Should you try to get down on a game with a spread this large?
The short answer is no, but there are a number of reasons why. First of all, when you're talking about spreads of this size that means you're also talking about some REALLY bad teams. And we've all been there, but nobody likes to have to root in a terrible team. Another sack allowed, another turnover, another missed tackle, it's like the movie 'Groundhog Day,' mistake after mistake.
That's one reason why you won't see spreads this large in my system.
Another problem is there's no real precedent to follow. How can you determine if the team getting pounded will keep on working, playing hard to the final gun goes off, and trying to get that score that makes the number?
Now with the BCS involved, some schools will show no mercy because they're trying to get those all- powerful points in the polls. You would think that would increase even more later on in the season, right? Well even that theory isn't a lock based on past performances.
And that's my final and probably most important point. The statistical evidence doesn't validate taking either side in these lopsided games. Looking at the data we could only find one instance where teams covered with a winning percentage over 53%. With a break-even point of 52.7%, that's hardly enough to inspire confidence.
My advice: stay away from the Giant NCAA Point spread!