College Football Betting Weekend Previews
College Football Betting Weekend Previews
Here is a look at the top college football betting games of the second weekend in October, which have whetted football bettors’ appetite.
(111) OKLAHOMA vs. (112) TEXAS (+13.5, 56.5) ABC 12:00 E
Texas has lost three in a row in the Red River Rivalry, with the last two frosting Longhorns fans because of the lopsided margin. Texas lost 55-17 to Oklahoma in 2011, and 63-21 a year ago. Case McCoy is the starting quarterback with David Ash still out. Texas was outplayed at Iowa State, but did have controversial final drive which gave them the victory. The Texas defense will have to play better than they have all season to contain Oklahoma. McCoy and RB Johnathan Gray can help the defense but controlling the ball to eat up time and score touchdowns to keep the pressure on.
The Oklahoma defense was stifling for most of the contest against TCU, holding them to 210 yards in the 20-17 victory. Quarterback Blake Bell and the Sonners offense was held in check by the Horned Frogs, but they should have a much better chance to move the ball on the ground against the Horms, who rank 120th against the run. This series has long had an ebb and flow and the Sooners are on a 3-0 SU and ATS run. In the last 14 years, only once has a game been decided by less than a touchdown and with the spread on this rivalry, this one will probably be outside of seven points also.
(149) STANFORD at (150) UTAH (+8.5, 54.5) PAC12N 6:00 E
Utah is 0-2 SU and ATS in conference play, thanks to a -7 turnover margin in those two contests in which they could have won either game. The Utes will have a third crack at home to break the ice versus No. 5 Stanford. Utah has the offense to stay with the Cardinal, with QB Travis Wilson at the controls, but he has to be more careful with his tosses since he has nine interceptions in two Pac-12 performances. The Utes defensive front is only allowing 3.1 yards per carry, but they are beatable on the perimeter or in the secondary (274.2 yards per game).
Thanks to the special teams, Stanford survived Washington and would figure to want to control the tempo at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Cardinal running game might have to work outside the tackles with RB Tyler Gaffney, because Utah is stout up the middle. QB Kevin Hogan had mediocre game last week throwing and should have more chances for success this Saturday against the Utes. It will be strength on strength with the Cardinal defensive front seven taking Utah’s O-line, since both like to be physical. Stanford is 7-0 ATS in road games versus offensive teams averaging 5.9 or more yards play.
(155) MISSOURI at (156) GEORGIA (-7, 63.5) ESPN 12:00 E
Missouri is a touchdown underdog traveling to Athens, but might be catching Georgia at the right time. Georgia has a host of injuries and is adding a lot of new faces on the run, which could benefit the Tigers 76th ranked defense. Offensively, QB James Franklin and the Tigers are averaging 46.6 points a contest, leading Mizzou to a 5-0 (4-1 ATS) start. Coach Gary Pinkel’s club needs to maintain its poise in this environment and play their game. The betting public has backed Missouri, down from an opening number of +10.
The Georgia Bulldogs are resilient, never giving up and finding ways to win with Aaron Murray in charge. The senior signal caller could be down three starters, opening the door for inconsistent play. However, the Tigers pass defense been beaten for an average of 340 yards an contest in its last three games, which has to excite Murray. Mark Richt’s defense is young and has not shown noticeable improvement since its first game and is surrendering 32.2 PPG. If someone prefers the underdog, much of the value has been subtracted, yet Georgia is just 4-13 ATS at home after a road victory.
(159) FLORIDA at (160) LSU (-6.5, 48) CBS 3:30 E
The Gators defense heads to Baton Rouge ranked No. 2 in the country and they will need a stellar performance to contain the diversified attack of LSU. Florida is capable of pulling this off, being equally stingy against the run (2nd) and the pass (6th). The Gators will have to create a steady pass rush on Zack Mettenberger, to throw off the timing of the Tigers proficient passing offense. Last week, junior QB Tyler Murphy threw for a career-high 240 yards and three touchdowns in completing 16 of 22 passes without a pick. With Les Miles defensive secondary more beatable than any time in recent memory (258 yards allowed in SEC action), this could the path Florida takes for the upset.
Mettenberger has really matured into a first-rate college quarterback. With the help of coach Cam Cameron, sticky-fingered pass catchers like Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry and RB Jeremy Hill, LSU is averaging 45.5 PPG. The Tigers will have to match the toughness the Gators will bring and generating explosive plays could make Florida less sure of itself and bring the usual rowdy Tigers crowd into this encounter. As difficult a place as Tiger Stadium is to play, the Gators are 6-4 and 8-2 ATS in previous 10 visits.
(163) OREGON at (164) WASHINGTON (+14, 76.5) FS1 4:00 E
Oregon has not faced Georgia’s schedule, but will have its first true upgrade this week in Seattle. The Ducks ranks third in the nation with 335.8 rushing yards per game, with Byron Marshall averaging 89.6 YPG and lethal De’Anthony Thomas averaging 84.5 YPG. If Marcus Mariota has another strong showing, he might move to the head of the class for the Heisman. The Oregon defense is holding opponents to less than half their normal scoring average (11.8 compared to 24.2 PPG) and is more physical like the 2010 squad which played for the national championship, while still having tremendous speed. Oregon has whipped Washington nine straight times (8-1 ATS) by an average of 17 points a game.
Washington proved they can play with the nation’s elite, outgaining Stanford by 210 yards and more than doubling them up on first downs (30-14). Like Oregon, the Huskies offense prefers to play at a rapid pace and they are equally as strong as Stanford, with more overall team speed. The biggest hurdle for Washington is the mental part, believing they can knock of the No. 2 team in the country, having a disastrous record against them. If QB Keith Price can play to his potential and the defense can stymie the Ducks running game, these dogs might have some bite.
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