College Football Betting Weekend Previews

College Football Betting Weekend Previews

Here is a look at the top college football betting games for third Saturday in October, which have the interest of those wagering on the collegiate gridiron.

(323) FLORIDA STATE at (324) CLEMSON (+3, 63.5)  ABC 8:00 E

Without question the game of the day on Saturday is this Top 5 matchup. Florida State had an extra week to prepare and used this time to look at all areas to become a better team for this conflict and down the line. One of the keys to this game for the Seminoles could be the running game. While Clemson is much improved from a year ago when they allowed 287 rushing yards to Florida State, they are 12^th in the ACC in rush defense when you factor just FBS competition. The Noles will need the defense to be fundamentally sound to contain all of Clemson’s weapons and not let QB Tajh Boyd pick and chosen his favorite targets.

Clemson was not themselves against Boston College, going through the motions in winning 24-14 as 24-point favorites. The Tigers will have to deal with quarterback freshman sensation Jameis Winston who has been quite poised. Clemson will have to keep their emotions in check playing at home and focus on the game, not the ramifications. What will matter most to coach Dabo Swinney is the defense, which features DE Vic Beasley, who leads the country is sacks with nine and its No.1 ranked third-down defense to contain FSU. Florida State is 0-5 SU and ATS in Death Valley since 2003.

(349) IOWA at (350) OHIO STATE (-18, 55) ABC/ESPN2  3:30 E

Both these Big Ten clubs return to action after a bye week, which would appear to favor Ohio State, who is 7-0 ATS playing at the Horseshoe with 14 days between contests. The Buckeyes proved they can win without or if quarterback Braxton Miller has an off day, being a deeper, more versatile team this season. Running back Carlos Hyde and the offensive line are really strengths for coach Urban Meyer. Ohio State allows just 86.2 yards per game on the ground, sixth best in the nation, which could curtail Iowa’s balanced attack.

The Hawkeyes last won in Columbus in 1991 (0-6, 1-5 ATS) and have a big hill to climb once again. Iowa will need QB Jake Rudock to play much better, after he made several miscues versus Michigan State and never looked comfortable having to throw the ball in second or third down and long. The Iowa defenders are good enough to be ranked 9^th in total defense in the country and has yet to permit a rushing touchdown. Besides being stout up front, they will have to be strong in the back end where Ohio State generates big passing plays.

(363) FLORIDA at (364) MISSOURI (+3, 43.5)  ESPN3  12:21 E

If somebody tells you or you see a TV talking head bragging they had Missouri as one of top teams in the SEC East, time to sound the BS meter, because they are full of it. Once again head coach Gary Pinkel’s offense is among the best in the country (13^th total offense) and after consecutive SEC road wins, they sit atop the SEC East. Unfortunately, the loss of QB James Franklin (shoulder) is inopportune and in comes a redshirt freshman Maty Mauk to face the No. 3 defense in the country. One aspect in the Tigers favor, they are in the role of underdog at home and will being playing with a great deal of confidence coming into this matchup. The downside for Mizzou is they are 4-12 ATS at Faurot Field after a road triumph.

One of the supposed strengths of Florida was supposed to be its offense line but they got their butts whipped by LSU last Saturday. This completely threw off QB Tyler Murphy and he can expect Missouri to dial up the blitzes to confuse him once again. What is not allowing the Gators offense to grow is Florida’s receivers have a hard time getting separation, limiting the passing offense. They might need to run wide receivers screens and short throws to bring the Tigers secondary up and take shots down the field.

(381) UCLA at (382) STANFORD (4.5, 53)  ABC/ESPN2  3:30 E

This is still a marquee matchup, just without quite the luster. Stanford suddenly finds itself at a crossroads home game against No. 9 UCLA. The stunning setback to unranked Utah not only dropped the Cardinal from No. 5 to No. 13 in the rankings, but it raised some serious concerns. That loss brought two questions to the forefront, what has happened to Stanford’s supposedly impregnable defense which had been gouged for over 400 yards the past two weeks and why as QB Kevin Hogan playing so poorly? Both of these need quick answers taking on a potent Bruins outfit. The Cardinal is a sickly 2-13 ATS off an upset loss to a conference rival as a favorite.

For UCLA, this confrontation is about redemption, having lost twice to Stanford a year ago and five straight (1-4 ATS) overall. The Bruins certainly seem better equipped to handle this situation with a more veteran offense led by QB Brett Hundley, running the No. 7 scoring offense. The UCLA defense is much improved and coach Jim Mora has said he will rotate defensive linemen to keep them fresh against the big Cardinal O-Linemen. The Bruins might have gained a special teams edge with Stanford kicker Jordan Williamson questionable with a leg injury. UCLA has handled both Nebraska and Utah on the road.

(383) USC at (384) NOTRE DAME (-3, 51)  NBC  7:30 E

Ed Orgeron was the right individual to possibly turn around USC’s season with his fiery demeanor. What stuck out the most was the Trojans offense was crisper in the win over Arizona with Clay Helton calling the plays. Behind QB Cody Kessler, Orgeron appeared to want the passing game to work more and it did even without WR Marqise Lee, who has moved up to probable for this contest. This has to be inviting against the Irish’s 89^th ranked pass defense. USC has depth issues from their NCAA violations and has surrendered 63 total points in the second half of their last two games.

The Fighting Irish finally showed real determination in upsetting Arizona State 37-34 and played the entire contest with passion for the first time all season. With a win, Notre Dame could get on a roll with a less daunting slate until they face Stanford to close the regular season. QB Tommy Rees must make good reads and get the ball out of hand quickly and the defensive front has to attack to get the Trojans offense off tempo. This is the best intersectional rivalry in college football and USC is 0-7 ATS away of late. Notre Dame has however lost five in a row at home to the Men of Troy.