College Football Betting Weekend Previews
College Football Betting Weekend Previews
Here is a look at the top college football betting games for last Saturday in October, which have the interest of those wagering on the collegiate gridiron.
(147) UCLA at (148) OREGON (-23, 71) ESPN 7:00 E
The UCLA offense was handcuffed by Stanford last week, held to 10 points and 266 total yards. The loss of starting tailback Jordon James blended with losing starting tackles Torian White and Simon Goines, has curtailed the running game and placed the offense squarely on the shoulders of Brett Hundley. The quarterback never looked comfortable versus the Cardinal and coach Jim Mora cannot have his team sulk or Oregon will bury the Bruins. The UCLA stop troops have to somehow slow the pace, since they have surrendered 109 total points the past two years.
Oregon failed to beat the oddsmakers for the first time, as Washington State threw 89 passes to cover the +40 spread. The Ducks have risen above a three-touchdown favorite, which seems peculiar for two Top 12 teams, but it speaks to the brilliance of Oregon. As if it needs it, the Ducks No.2 (nationally) running game gets a boost if De’Anthony Thomas returns and Marcus Mariota has thrown a touchdown pass in all 20 career games and is 19-1 (15-4-1 ATS) as a starter. The Ducks defense might be better than the one which played for national championship three years ago.
(163) TEXAS TECH at (164) OKLAHOMA (-7, 59) FOX 3:30 E
First-year head coach Kliff Kingbury is a youthful enthusiastic sort and he told his team what they have to do going to Norman at 7-0. “Just embrace the challenge,” coach Kingsbury said. “You’ve got to bring your own energy.” Texas Tech did so last week, trailing by 11 in the third quarter at West Virginia, yet, behind superlative tight end Jace Amaro and QB Davis Webb, they scored 21 straight points to win and cover 37-27. The Red Raiders have not faced this good of running attack if they can hold their own; they could stay in this confrontation.
Oklahoma quarterback Blake Bell has lost his confidence chucking the pigskin with the offense averaging 155 passing yards in the last three outings, after playing confident against Tulsa and Notre Dame. The Sooners need the balance if they are to work their way back into Big 12 title contention. While poised, Texas Tech has two freshmen signal callers and DC Mike Stoops has to coach up his players to tag the QB’s and make sure they understand they will be under constant harassment. Here is bad news about the Sooners, they are 0-3 ATS this month and 3-11 ATS versus offensive teams averaging 450 or more yards a contest.
(173) STANFORD at (174) OREGON STATE (+4, 56) ESPN 10:30 E
Stanford has won the last three meetings, outscoring the Oregon State 103-36 and covering the spread each time. But for those making sports picks, these are Beavers of a different kind. The Cardinal defense likes to make opposing teams one dimensional, which is exactly how Oregon State likes to play, with quarterback Sean Mannion leading the best passing team in the country. Stanford likes to rush the passer to get him out of his comfort zone and play zone behind, this makes more room for virtually unstoppable wide receiver Brandon Cooks to roam more freely. Coach David Shaw will have to depend on his front seven to fabricate quick pressure to make Mannion wary.
Oregon State will have problems of their own on defense. The Beavers concede 28.4 points a game and almost 400 yards. QB Kevin Hogan played a more decisive game against UCLA in making quicker decisions and was more on target with his throws. This helps prevent opponents from stuffing the box, where the Cardinal can use the ground and pound running game. The Beavers will want to play fast and cannot let Stanford control the tempo. Oregon State is 15-4 ATS off a double digit road win but the Cardinal is 12-3 ATS after home victory.
(189) SOUTH CAROLINA at (190) MISSOURI (-2.5, 52.5) ESPN2 7:00 E
With a victory, Missouri is in the driver seat to make their way to their first SEC title game and what a shocker that would be. Last week the Tigers did not miss a beat in flushing Florida 36-17 and putting up 500 yards offense with backup QB Maty Mauk running the show. The Missouri defense is also much improved, but they will be tested by a terrific South Carolina offensive line, with powerful Mike Davis, the league’s leading rusher. Dylan Thompson will be the quarterback for the Gamecocks and is a better overall passer than the injured Conner Shaw. Mizzou is 7-0 and 6-1 ATS this season.
South Carolina went through motions for more than half their game against Tennessee and got what they deserved, a loss. It would seem unlikely the Gamecocks can catch Missouri in the SEC East, but with a win and a favorable conference slate the rest of the season, they could end up in a two-way tie to win the division if they win in Columbia. Based on overall talent, South Carolina is the better team and we will see how desperate this squad really is, after playing with indifference far too often in 2013. The Gamecocks are 2-9 ATS as underdogs in the second of two road games.
(201) PENN STATE at (202) OHIO STATE (-14.5, 55.5) ABC 8:00 E
Penn State’s last win over a top-five opponent was 1999, when the third-ranked Nittany Lions routed No. 4 Arizona 41-7 in the season opener for both clubs. Penn State faces a far more difficult assignment this time, with Ohio State unbeaten since Urban Meyer hit Columbus. True freshman Christian Hackenberg has been smashing running Penn State’s sophisticated passing attack. However, this will be his first ginormous road test, since playing at Indiana does not count. Lose the 34-0 shutout against Kent State and in the other three most recent outings, the Nittany Lions defense has surrendered 39.5 points a game.
Ohio State might be 7-0, but looking at the teams they have faced and what the college football landscape looks like today, against the four best squads the Buckeyes have faced, they are 1-2-1 ATS and the lone cover was the miracle versus Northwestern. Right now Ohio State is on the outside looking in at a national championship berth, unless unforeseen circumstances take place, which in college football is a real possibility. Braxton Miller and his teammates need a Florida State like showing to begin earning more respect nationally. The Buckeyes are 8-2 SU and ATS against Penn State at home.
