Thursday and today have brought us a couple of exciting college football games, but you can’t help but look towards a packed day of action on Saturday, from east to west, noon to night.
For those who are going to wager a little more than bragging rights among friends, I’m here to give you a little assistance on how your money should be spent if you’re splashing some cash on the games involving ranked teams.
Follow at your risk, and as always, for those making their bets this weekend, gamble responsibly, and if you’re going to do it, you should do it through our preferred partner, BetUS.
#24 Arizona State vs. #3 Georgia (Current Line: Georgia -7)
You can’t be too high on Arizona State after their upset loss at the hands of UNLV last weekend, but the last time an SEC team came to Tempe, it went down to the wire, with ASU going into what proved to be a wild 4th with a 17-7 lead, but coming out on the losing end in a 35-31 thriller thanks to a late touchdown by the Tigers. Their confidence might be shot right now, but the thought of being able to redeem themselves against a national title contender should lift their spirits – and their game. They may not win, but I‘ll take the Sun Devils and the points.
Tennessee vs. #4 Florida (Current Line: UF -7 ½)
Florida whipped Tennessee 59-20 in Gainesville last year, but the last two games in Knoxville have been close (21-20 UF in 2006, 30-28 UT in 2004). I think Florida’s going to win, but I feel good about Tennessee’s chances to cover.
#5 Missouri vs. Buffalo (Current Line: Mizzou -32)
Buffalo’s a pretty solid team and should make some noise in the MAC this season, but Missouri is firing on all cylinders right now on offense (57.7 points per game in three games). I wouldn’t bet the house on the Tigers covering though, because the Bulls could put up some points, and then you have to consider how quickly Mizzou will take their foot off the gas.
#9 Auburn vs. #6 LSU (Current Line: LSU -2)
Last year’s game saw LSU win 30-24, but you’ve got to think that defense will play a huge part in this one – the last two in Auburn have seen a combined 29 points scored (7-3 Auburn in 2006, 10-9 Auburn in 2004). LSU has lost their last four trips to Jordan-Hare dating back to a 31-19 win in 1998, and though the orange and blue Tigers had offensive issues last week against Mississippi State, I think they’ll hold serve at home in a tight one.
#7 Texas vs. Rice (Current Line: Texas -28 ½)
Rice hasn’t beaten Texas since 1994 and has won only twice in the series since 1960 (1965 was the other victory for the Owls), during which time, there’ve been many blowouts. Texas has scored more than 50 points in each of the last three games and won by 41 (51-10 in 2005), 45 (52-7 in 2006), and 44 (58-14 in 2007) in the last three years. The Owls can put up some points with dual-threat QB Chase Clement and receivers Jarett Dillard and James Casey, but I’m not too confident in their defense holding down Colt McCoy (27 of 37, 457 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT in two games vs. Rice), who has gotten off to a great start this season (44 of 58, 504 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT, 111 rush yards, TD in two games). I could be wrong in the end, but I’ll give Texas the points without a second thought right now.
Arkansas vs. #9 Alabama (Current Line: Bama -9 ½)
I can understand this line, given the fact that Arkansas needed late comebacks against two inferior opponents. However, the last two between these two have been decided by one and three points, and I’ll take Arkansas and the points, and if offense becomes the name of the game, I like Arkansas‘ chances to win it.
#11 BYU vs. Wyoming (Current Line: BYU -28 ½)
Wyoming is 2-1, but they had to come back from a 13-0 deficit to squeak by North Dakota St. last weekend. BYU, meanwhile, is coming off of a 59-0 rout of UCLA in which Max Hall threw seven TD passes. Wyoming’s defense could hold the Cougars down for a while, but take the home team to win big and cover without a problem.
#12 Oregon vs. Boise State (Current Line: Oregon -10 ½)
The fact that Oregon has lost another starting quarterback and will be turning to JC transfer Jeremiah Masoli and freshman Chris Harper to run the offense could make you waver on the Ducks a little with a talented Boise team coming in, but both newbies have greatly impressed in early playing time, and the Ducks sport a rushing attack that is averaging 323 yards per game, with LeGarrette Blount (285 yards, 4 TD) and Jeremiah Johnson (257 yards, 2 TD) leading the way. And while I think the Broncos could give Oregon a good run for their money (and yours), those numbers plus the friendly confines of Autzen equal a double-digit win.
Florida International vs. #12 South Florida (Current Line: USF -28 ½)
Letdown alert? After a big win over Kansas, South Florida could easily overlook the Golden Panthers, who aren’t very good on offense (10 points in two games) or defense (40 points allowed in each of their first two games). It could be interesting for a quarter or so, but in the end, the only thing to watch for might be whether the Bulls can score more points than Kansas did against FIU in their season opener (40).
#13 Ohio State vs. Troy (Current Line: OSU -20 ½)
This could be one of the more tempting lines of the week. What can we expect from Ohio State after getting blown out by USC? Troy has an explosive offense that could really test the Buckeyes’ defense. Beanie Wells is out for the third straight game, and Ohio State’s QB situation is up in the air. Troy’s fried a few BCS conference fish over the last several years, but OSU would be the biggest, by far.
I won’t go as far as saying they’ll do that, but they hung with Georgia last year (and have given the likes of LSU and Florida St. a run for their money in recent seasons as well, and put up 31 points on Florida last year), but taking the points isn’t as bold as it may seem at first glance.
#15 Penn State vs. Temple (Current Line: Penn St. -29)
Penn State has outscored their first three opponents 166-37 – an average margin of 43 points. Temple could surprise in the MAC, but there won’t be any surprises on Saturday.
North Carolina State. vs. #15 East Carolina (Current Line: ECU -7 ½)
East Carolina had a close scrape at Tulane last week, needing a late touchdown to win 28-24. N.C. State couldn’t generate much offense in losses to South Carolina and Clemson. A walk for the Pirates? It may not be, but the Wolfpack aren’t really good right now, so I’m going with ECU to keep it going and to win by more than seven.
#24 Florida State vs. #18 Wake Forest (Current Line: FSU -4 ½)
FSU blew out their two I-AA opponents, but Christian Ponder and the ‘Noles get the chance to justify their new top-25 ranking when Wake comes to Tallahassee this weekend. Ponder and the offense get a big boost with the return of all-purpose weapon Preston Parker from a two-game suspension, and the defense sees DT Budd Thacker return. There’s no doubt a bitter taste from the 30-0 loss Wake dealt FSU in their last meeting at the Doak, and I think they’ll get the job done on Saturday – but you’ll be taking a risk if you give them the points
Air Force vs. #20 Utah (Current Line: Utah -9 ½)
The Utes are off to an impressive 3-0 start and have moved into the top 20, but 4-0 won’t come easy, as the Falcons are also 3-0 and coming off of an impressive win at Houston. The Falcons won last year’s game in Salt Lake City (20-12). 10 of the 24 meetings between the two have been decided by four points or less, with 15 of 24 decided by eight or less, so I’m going to put my money on Air Force to cover – and I also think they‘ll win.
Toledo vs. #25 Fresno State (Current Line: Fresno St. -7)
Fresno State missed a golden opportunity to get a marquee win last weekend, as they lost 13-10 to top-10 Wisconsin. The Bulldogs are favored as they go to Toledo, who’s playing in their home opener. This could be a letdown game for Fresno, so taking Toledo and the points could be an appetizing pick.
If you already have an account with BetUS and want to make your picks on tomorrow’s games, go to their college football lines page, or if you don’t have an account, you can sign up and start making your bets.
