College Football Betting Previews
College Football Betting Previews
For the conference contenders, every game matters now. Here is preview the top college football games, along with the betting odds of each matchup.
(317) MIAMI-FL at (318) DUKE (+3.5, 61) ABC/ESPN2 3 :30 E
Miami is no longer in control of their fate in the ACC. The blowout losses to Florida State and Virginia Tech left the Hurricanes 7-2 (4-5 ATS) overall and 3-2 in the ACC. The Hurricanes are still mathematically alive in the Coastal Division but need to win out and have Virginia Tech lose at least once among its remaining games to have a chance. Don’t look now as Miami is on the road against a smoldering Duke squad which has won five in a row (4-1 ATS).
The Blue Devils are 7-2 like Miami and are right in the thick of the conference race. Duke has never beaten the Hurricanes as conference members (0-8 SU, 4-4 ATS). Duke cannot have its offense sputter like it is prone to do and the defense has to continue to shine. While Duke is a small underdog, Miami is 9-0 ATS when the line is +3 to -3.
(365) GEORGIA at (366) AUBURN (-3, 63.5) CBS 3:30 E
Georgia is still in the SEC East race, but cannot lose in the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry”, seeking their third consecutive division crown. The Bulldogs will have a chance to spring the upset because they have quarterback Aaron Murray and he’s gotten more familiar with the players around him who have taken over for injured teammates. The return of RB Todd Gurley adds a great deal to the offense. This will be the first time Georgia will be an underdog this season, which might be a blessing since they are 1-7-1 ATS.
What a turnaround campaign for Auburn, who is one step away from a major matchup with No. 1 Alabama at their place. The Tigers running game is one of the best in the country (No. 3) with quarterback Nick Marshall at the controls. “When you’re running the football, just keep doing it,” coach Gus Malzahn said. “That’s kind of who we’re developing into.
What has become interesting is how the defense has improved as the season has worn on, very reminiscent to 2010 national champion team. Auburn is 8-2 ATS this season.
(367) OKLAHOMA STATE at (368) TEXAS (+3, 63) FOX 3:30 E
Texas lost DT Chris Whaley and tailback Johnathan Gray to season-ending injuries last week and they will enter the weekend’s critical clash against Oklahoma State shorthanded. After a season of strife and redemption, Texas has to overcome adversity again. While coach Mack Brown has depth at those positions; the replacements are not all-Big 12 performers. For this matchup, Texas will be a home underdog for only the fourth time in the past 14 seasons. (0-3 SU & ATS)
Early in the season, Oklahoma State was scuffling and since the West Virginia upset, they have five consecutive wins (4-1 ATS) and are playing the kind of football coach Mike Gundy expected. The Cowboys are favored; nevertheless, Texas is wounded and dangerous at home. The return Clint Chelf to field general has aided Oklahoma State to be able to throw with what has turned out to be a much improved running attack. Okie State is 10-2 ATS in road games after two consecutive covers as a favorite.
(375) MICHIGAN STATE at (196) NEBRASKA (+6, 41.5) ABC/ESPN2 3:30 E
While it has not been pretty, Nebraska has stepped up their game precisely at the right time in their last two victories over Northwestern and Michigan, which has set up this Legends Division showdown. The Cornhuskers could take control of the division with the upset and will face the country’s total defense leader in Michigan State. Nebraska has been bothersome to the Spartans with a 5-0 SU and ATS record in their most recent meetings. Here is something to ponder; the Huskers are 10-0 ATS at home versus defensive teams giving up 14 or less points a game.
Coach Mark Dantonio is aware of what a victory at Nebraska could mean for his team. “We’re to a point where we go to this game and have an opportunity to at least clinch the Legends Division title if we win this football game,” he said. Having the most suffocating defense in FBS football keeps Michigan State in games and the offense does not beat itself with 10 turnovers in nine outings. The rested Spartans are 6-0 ATS after conceding 275 or less total yards in three consecutive games.
(383) STANFORD at (384) USC (+3.5, 46) ABC 8:00 E
Stanford cleared a major hurdle in its quest for a second straight Rose Bowl berth with the upset of Oregon and the Cardinal now needs to beat USC and Cal to ensure itself a spot in the Pac-12 title game as the host team. Since losing at Utah, Stanford has knocked off three ranked teams’ thanks to a stifling defense and punishing running game. After the physical whipping they handed Oregon, can the Cardinal refocus on the road against a USC squad which is playing their best football? Stanford is 10-2 ATS in road outings after three straight conferences wins.
This is USC’s first ranked opponent of the season, but this team is better than most realize as two of the Trojans three losses have come by seven points, all directly related to the kicking game. USC has the front line players to compete with Stanford, but have to avoid a physical slugfest, because they lack the depth to play that style all four quarters. The Trojans best chance is to get ball to playmakers Marqise Lee and Nelson Agholor and force Cardinal QB Kevin Hogan to be a passer. The Men of Troy are 10-2 ATS at home off a road blowout win by 28 points.
