Everyone’s favorite column is back for another semester. For the first issue, the Indy Sportsbook decided to create some preliminary lines for academic statistics for the upcoming semester, Harvard style. Not everyone on campus may agree with our predictions, but here are some of our favorite lines for the upcoming 14 weeks in Cambridge:
Classes missed: Over/Under 6.5 – Depending on how many courses you take, your classes’ timing, and if attendance is required, this number may vary. However, the Indy Sportsbook is pretty confident in this line after four semesters of classes at this school. Taking five classes (or more) can definitely push this number a little bit higher (to around 8.5), but over a semester you are going to miss your alarm, get sick for a couple of days, or just be too lazy to attend that three-hour seminar.
Sports Games attended: Over/Under 3.5 – Now you might look at this number and think, ‘Wow that line is abysmally low,’ but do not be fooled. Many people attend either zero or one sports game the entire year (that one game being Harvard-Yale). For people who are interested in sports at the school (trust us, we do exist), this number does not necessarily apply. But for the larger student body, this is a pretty aggressive line. We hope you prove us wrong, but after seeing the attendance at sports games last season, we ultimately find this reasonable.
Failed talking stages: Over/Under 5.5 – Depending on how many people the average student talks to during a semester, this line could be wrong, but for someone who has been single for all of college so far, we think college students tend to get somewhere around these numbers over 14 weeks of their life. You never know, though—you might hit off an early relationship that could lead to something bigger, or you might strike out all year and hit double digits. The ball is in your court.
Active Extracurriculars: Over/Under 2.5 – Most people are involved in at least one serious or academic club on campus. Add in organizations that they take part in to stay active or have fun and, the big question then becomes, how much time do you really have? Taking five classes, the members of the Indy Sportsbook generally lean on two dedicated extracurricular commitments. However, if you have a lighter class schedule or are more adventurous, that number could be higher.
Coffee Cups Consumed: Over/Under 117.5 – Coffee is the fuel that keeps many students going through long nights of studying and early morning classes. Our line considers the average student drinking about one cup per day, with some extra cups thrown in during midterms and finals. Of course, if you’re the type to down a couple of cups before that 9 a.m. lecture or pull all-nighters regularly, you might be looking at smashing the over on this one.
Hours Spent in the Library: Over/Under 120.5 – We at the Indy Sportsbook hate doing our work in the library, but the library is a second home for many students, especially as assignments pile up at the end of the semester. Our line assumes students spend about 8-10 hours a week, but it can vary widely depending on how early you start studying for finals, how much group work you have, or how many papers you need to write. Some students might not even come close to this, while others could live in the stacks.
Last-Minute Assignment Completions: Over/Under 20.5 – For this one, we are considering finishing an assignment within 30 minutes of when it is due as “last minute.” Procrastination is a staple of college, especially at Harvard. Considering how many P-Set classes you have and how many assignments you end up doing the night before or the morning they are due will determine how close this line will be. If you’re someone who thrives on last-minute pressure, this might be the line where you bet the over.
As the semester kicks off, these lines are here to add a little extra fun to the ups and downs of our time living in Cambridge. Whether you are the type who practically lives in the library, a die-hard Crimson fan who never misses a game, or someone who always seems to finish assignments right under the wire, there’s a line here for everyone. So, keep an eye on how your semester is shaping up, compare notes with friends, and see if you can beat the odds.
Luke Wagner ’26 (lukewagner@college.harvard.edu) loves analyzing and overthinking many aspects of his life.