Tag: College football odds (Page 4 of 6)

We’re still days away from another Saturday in college football, but here are some point spreads that jumped out at me in this weekend’s slate of action.

No. 7 Florida vs. No. 1 Alabama, 8:00PM ET
This is the second of three games the Crimson Tide will play against top 25 teams (assuming South Carolina stays in the top 25 after this week) and their second big SEC challenge. They escaped disaster last weekend in Fayetteville with a come-from-behind win over Arkansas and now take on a Florida team that crushed Kentucky last Saturday. Pundits have noted that the Gators’ offense hasn’t been as explosive as it has in years past and that may be the case. But they’ve scored at least 31 points in each of their first four games, including 48 last week against Kentucky and 31 against Tennessee two weekends ago. Nine points seems a tad high for a game of this magnitude.
THE LEAN: FLORIDA +9

No. 21 Texas vs. No. 8 Oklahoma, 3:30PM ET
Whether they were caught looking ahead or just had an off day, the Longhorns’ loss to UCLA last Saturday was devastating. The good thing is that they can’t dwell on the defeat for too long with the “Red River Rivalry” set to renew this weekend. The Sooners’ have only won by a touchdown or less in three of their four games to start the season, but they could be catching the Longhorns at an opportune time. Texas actually matches up pretty well with OU, but 4.5 points isn’t much to lay with the favorite here and the spread could go down closer to game time.
THE LEAN: OKLAHOMA –4.5

No. 11 Wisconsin vs. No. 24 Michigan State, 3:30PM ET
The Badgers are off to a perfect start on the new year, but have failed to cover against the three FBS teams they’ve faced thus far. The Spartans play tough at home and should get a huge lift with the return of head coach Mark Dantonio, who is expected to coach from the press box after he suffered a heart attack two weeks ago. Wisconsin looks awfully tempting at –1, but I fear this game could be a trap. I like MSU.
THE LEAN: MICHIGAN STATE +1

No. 22 Penn State vs. No. 17 Iowa, 8:05PM ET
I think Penn State is playing exactly how everyone should have expected them to play. They’re a young team overall and while they’ve managed to win three of their first four games, they’ve suffered plenty of ups and downs. They needed a strong second half to knock off Temple last weekend and now they have to go into hostile environment to take on the Hawkeyes team that has looked great at home (albeit against Eastern Illinois, Iowa State and Ball State) thus far. The only time the Nittany Lions played on the road this year they looked completely helpless against Alabama. It shouldn’t be total domination like it was in Tuscaloosa that day, but Iowa should wear PSU down in the fourth quarter and pull away.
THE LEAN: IOWA -7

Below is a complete list of point spreads for Week 5 in college football.

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We’ve still got a couple of days before another Saturday in college football kicks off, but here are some point spreads that jumped out at me in this weekend’s slate of action.

No. 19 Miami vs. Pittsburgh +3.5, Thursday, 7:30PM ET
This is a pretty even matchup across the board, which is why I like PITT getting the points at home in a nationally televised game. The only thing I caution is that the Panthers just lost star defensive end Greg Romeus to an injury and have been dealing with some off-field issues. But truth be told, that’s why I like them even more. The Hurricanes have won six straight over the Panthers and the public is going to be all over Miami. This line could move up to +4 or even +4.5 by kickoff and again, this is more of an even matchup than people think.
LEAN: PITTSBURGH +3.5

No. 24 Oregon State +17 vs. No. 3 Boise State, Saturday, 8:00PM ET
I always hesitate fading Boise State in nationally televised games against good opponents (and in the case of Oregon State, a ranked opponent) because they like to use these opportunities to showcase themselves to BCS voters (see the Virginia Tech game in Week 1 as a prime example). But Oregon State is no joke and went toe-to-toe with TCU in the opening weekend before eventually falling, 30-21. I think odds makers have the line set high because in the last meeting between these two teams, the Broncos crushed the Beavers, 42-14. But there’s something about getting 17 points with a ranked team that intrigues me.
LEAN: OREGON STATE +17

No. 12 South Carolina +3 vs. No. 17 Auburn, Saturday, 7:45PM ET
Maybe they were looking ahead to this game, but the Tigers were fortunate to get a win last week against Clemson at home. Auburn has won three of their past four games by a field goal dating back to a thrilling overtime win over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl last season. Seeing as how they’re a little beat up right now, I like the Gamecocks getting points here, although keep in mind that they’ve lost four straight since last beating the Tigers in 1933.
LEAN: SOUTH CAROLINA +3

No. 1 Alabama -7 vs. No. 10 Arkansas, Saturday, 3:30PM ET
I keep going back and forth on this one, but now that ‘Bama is back at full strength offensively with Mark Ingram I have a slight lean towards the Tide – even in Fayetteville. Last year, Arkansas’ quarterback Ryan Mallett threw for just 160 yards in a loss to the Tide. ‘Bama has also won three straight games in this series and although I hesitate laying a touchdown on the road against a good Razorback team, I like the Tide as of right now. (Although I admit this will probably be a game I scratch off my list and just enjoy the action on Saturday.)
LEAN: ALABAMA –7

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We’ve still got a couple of days before another Saturday in college football kicks off, but here are some point spreads that jumped out at me for this weekend’s slate of action.

East Carolina +19 at. Virginia Tech, 1:30PM ET
The Hokies are reeling after dropping their opener against Boise State and then being shocked by James Madison at home last Saturday. While they’re still very much alive in the ACC, I’m not sure what kind of mental condition Frank Beamer’s squad is in right now. So getting almost three touchdowns with an underrated, undefeated East Carolina team is a gift. This smells a little bit like a trap, but still…19 points? I like the Pirates.

USC vs. Minnesota +12, 3:30PM ET
Virginia Tech’s defeat to James Madison overshadowed the Gophers’ embarrassing 41-38 home loss to FCS South Dakota. But USC is 0-2 ATS to start the year and barely squeaked by Virginia at home last weekend. I generally like taking home teams getting points and considering this is unfamiliar territory for USC, I like Minnesota. (Although I’d like them a lot more if they were getting two touchdowns instead of 12 points.)

Texas vs. Texas Tech +3, 8:00PM ET
This is a statement game for the Red Raiders, who would love to earn a victory and catapult into the top 25. The Longhorns are only 3-3 in Lubbock under Mack Brown and we all remember what happened the last time Texas traveled to Tech. The Raiders won’t have Michael Crabtree for this game, but I see an outright victory.

Utah -22 at. New Mexico, 8:00PM ET
Twenty-two points is a ton to give up when taking a road team, but the Lobos have allowed 124 points this season, which is the most of any FBS team. Utah has won three straight over New Mexico and leads the all-time series 32-17-2. Yes, I think the Lobos are as bad as they played in the first two weeks of the season, which includes a 72-0 loss at Oregon and a 52-17 loss to Texas Tech at home last week.

Read on for the rest of this weekend’s point spreads.

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Here’s a quick run down of the top 25 action in college football for Week 1. (Dear sweet Heaven…football is back.)

San Jose State at. No. 1 Alabama, 7:00PM ET
After winning the national championship last season, Alabama looks to defend without Heisman running back Mark Ingram for their opener. They shouldn’t have any problems with a Spartans team that is 0-8 against the spread in their last eight road games and 0-5 ATS in their last five games on grass. The Tide, meanwhile, are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games in September.
Odds: Alabama –37.5 (51.5)

No. 5 Boise State vs. No. 6 Virginia Tech, 8:00PM ET (Monday)
The highlight of the Week 1 schedule won’t be played until Monday night, but it’s shaping up to be an incredible bout. The Broncos are 5-0 ATS in their last five games in September, while VA Tech is 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall. The over is also 5-0 in the Broncos last five games on fieldturf and 4-1 in the Hokies last five games at a neutral site.
Odds: Boise State –1.5 (51)

Miami (OH) at. No. 4 Florida, 12:00PM ET
The Tim Tebow-less era starts in Gainesville this afternoon when the Gators host MAC opponent Miami of Ohio. The Redhawks are 0-5 against the spread in their last five games in September, while Florida is 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
Odds: Florida –38 (54.5)

No. 5 Texas at. Rice, 3:30PM ET
Out is Colt McCoy and in is talented youngster Garrett Gilbert. The Longhorns are 4-0 against the spread in their last four meetings with Rice and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 vs. Conference USA. The Owls are just 1-7 ATS in their last eight games against the Big 12.
Odds: Texas –31 (56)

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