Betting Recap - Week 3
By Daniel Dobish
VegasInsider.com
Overall Notes
Favorites-Underdogs
Straight Up 60-7
Against the Spread 36-28-3
Home-Away
Straight Up 46-21
Against the Spread 33-31-3
Totals (O/U)
Over-Under 30-34-1
The largest underdogs to win straight up
Akron (+17.5, ML +650) at Marshall, 65-38
North Dakota State (+14.5, +450) at Iowa, 23-21
Troy (+9.5, ML +290) at Southern Mississippi, 37-31
The largest favorites to cover
Tulsa (-31.5) vs. North Carolina A&T, 58-21
Arkansas (-28.5) vs. Texas State, 42-3
Washington State (-27.5) vs. Idaho, 56-6
Top 25 Notes
The third weekend of the college football season featured some tremendous marquee matchups, and a few games which didn't live up to their billing. Many people were skeptical of Louisville heading into their home game against Florida State, but the Cardinals doesn't have much space on the bandwagon following their 63-20 spanking of the 'Noles, turning the ACC and national picture upside down. ... Ohio State and Oklahoma hooked up at Gaylord Family Stadium in Norman for another highly-anticipated game, but it failed to live up to the hype. The young and inexperienced Buckeyes answered a ton of questions with a 45-24 roughing up of the Sooners, dropping OU out of the playoff picture with the calendar still stuck on September. The Buckeyes joined the Cardinals are 3-0 SU/ATS heading into Week 4. ... Alabama was tested in Oxford, but they passed with a 48-43 win over Mississippi. Rebels bettors avoided the bad beat, but Tide side bettors have to feel like they lost twice (see bad beats below).
North Dakota State showed why they are five-time defending champions in the FCS, topping Iowa by a 23-21 count. The Bison aren't your typical FCS team, and have a six-game winning streak against FBS teams. The loss was the first for the Hawkeyes against an FCS team after a 13-0 mark entering play.
Texas and California hooked up in another memorable game, with the Bears coming out on top 50-43. The Bears appeared to go up 13 with less than a minute to play, but the Cal RB dropped the ball at the Texas 1 on his way into the end zone, a growing, unnecessary and angering epidemic in college football. But after review the officials gave the Bears the ball back, as it was determined the Longhorns didn't come up with the ball quickly enough. It's hard to believe the second installment of this series could top last season's 45-44 Cal win in Austin.
Michigan State saved the nation from a discussion if Notre Dame belongs in the playoff picture with a 36-28 win in South Bend. The Irish made a valiant comeback, down 36-14 entering the fourth quarter before making a game of it. The performance was a far cry from Sparty's sluggish 28-13 win over FCS Furman back on Sept. 2.
Big Five Conference Report
Miami-Florida played in Boone, N.C. against Appalachian State in what was a highly-anticipated game for the upstarts from the Sun Belt. However, the Hurricanes proved the Mountaineers are not quite ready for prime time, showing off their speed advantage in a 45-10 victory. The Hurricanes moved to 3-0 SU/ATS on the season, and they have won by an average of 43.3 points per contest. ... Clemson polished off FCS South Carolina State by a 59-0 count, but they played 12 minutes quarters in the second half, and therefore there was no action in the second half. Duke slipped up on the road at Northwestern, 24-13. The Blue Devils have been the surprise of college football over the past couple of seasons, but injuries and a lack of depth have apparently caught up to coach David Cutcliffe's group. They're 0-2 SU/ATS vs. FBS teams this season while the 'under' has cashed in each of their three games.
Rutgers erased 21-0 New Mexico lead for a 37-28 win and cover in Piscataway. Not only were the Scarlet Knights able to win, but they were involved in one of many bad beats. ... Nebraska picked up a signature win for the conference, topping Oregon by a 35-32 score. The Cornhuskers picked up the game-winning touchdown with 2:29 to go, dealing Ducks moneyline (+125) bettors a tough fate. The 'Huskers are now 3-0 SU and 2-0-1 ATS heading into their first road game at Northwestern next week. ... Penn State might not be wowing them at the betting window against the line, but the 'over' is 3-0 through three games. The Nittany Lions have averaged 35.3 PPG while allowing 27.3 PPG.
Not the best of weeks for the Big 12. Oklahoma and Texas were dealt difficult losses, while Baylor won but struggled on offense early. They have now failed to cover for three times in three games. Kansas was also pounded again, slipping to 0-2 SU/ATS against FBS teams this season. ... Kansas State roughed visiting Florida Atlantic 63-7 for the win and cover in its home opener.
Arizona State avoided the upset bug Friday at Texas-San Antonio in a game featuring a pair of bad beats (see below). The 'over' has hit in each of their past two games, as they are averaging 48.0 PPG through three outings. ... Colorado fired out of the chute at Michigan, leading 21-7 after the opening quarter. However, the Wolverines outscored them 38-7 in the final three quarters. The Buffaloes still hung on for the cover at most shops as 17 1/2-point underdogs to improve to 3-0 ATS. Next up is a trip to Oregon next weekend. ... Stanford returned after a 15-day rest to dump Southern California, 27-10. Despite having Heisman Trophy candidate Christian McCaffrey the Cardinal are averaging just 26.5 PPG, with the 'under' 2-0. The Cardinal have covered in each of their outings so far.
Texas A&M posted a 29-16 road win in Auburn, improving to 3-0 SU/ATS. The 'under' is also 2-0-1 on the season for the Aggies, allowing just 13.3 PPG. ... Florida rolled to a 32-0 win over North Texas, but they lost starting QB Luke Del Rio to an apparent knee injury in the third quarter. The Gators failed to cover for the second time in three games, and the 'under' is now 2-1 for the Gators. Florida's defense has allowed a total of just 14 points through three games heading into next weekend's first road test in Knoxville. The Gators have won 11 straight againt the Volunteers. ... Tennessee posted an uninspired 28-19 win over Ohio, improving to 2-0 SU and 0-2 ATS at Neyland Stadium this season.
Mid-Major Report
Memphis smashed Kansas to move to 2-0 SU/1-1 ATS. Their defense has had it on lockdown so far, allowing just 12.0 PPG. The 'under' is 2-0 for the Tigers heading into next weekend's home game against Bowling Green. ... Southern Methodist was sluggish against FCS Liberty, but they won and barely covered in a 29-14 win as two-touchdown favorites. SMU improved to 3-0 ATS on the season heading into next Friday's game against TCU. ... South Florida continued their impressive start with a 45-20 triumph at Syracuse. The Bulls improved to 3-0 SU/ATS, and they have won their three outings by an average of 34.3 PPG.
It was another ugly week for Conference USA, as Troy of the Sun Belt continued its ascent with a surprising 37-31 win at Southern Mississippi, one of the favorites of C-USA. The Trojans have covered each of their past two heading into next weekend's game with New Mexico State. ... Marshall could have been caught looking ahead to Louisville's visit next weekend. Akron entered as a 17 1/2-point underdog, but head back up Interstate 77 with an impressive 65-38 victory. It was especially surprising since they Zips entered 0-2 ATS.
The 'over' is 3-0 for the Zips this season heading into next weekend's home game against Appalachian State. ... Ohio covered in Knoxville, covering for the second straight game after their shocking opening game OT loss. The 'under' has cashed in each of the past two for the Bobcats, too. ... The tough and unexpected start continues for Northern Illinois, as they were dumped in their home opener against San Diego State, 42-28. The Huskies are 0-3 SU/ATS, while the 'over' improved to 3-0 for NIU. The Huskies have allowed 40 or more points in each of their three games this season. ... Toledo moved to 3-0 SU/ATS, averaging 42.7 PPG while allowing just 10.0 PPG. They'll have 13 days to study up for their trip to Brigham Young.
Fresno State slipped to 0-2 SU/ATS against FBS teams with their 52-17 setback in Toledo. In those two road games the Bulldogs have lost by an average of 34.0 PPG. ... San Jose State is also in the same boat, slipping to 0-2 SU/ATS against FBS teams, losing by an average of 26.0 PPG in the two outings.
In the Sun Belt, Idaho was bounced by a Pac-12 team from Washington state for the second straight week. The Vandals are now 0-3 ATS heading into next weekend's trip to UNLV. ... New Mexico State was paddled again, and the 'over' is now 3-0 in three games for the Aggies. ... For Georgia Southern.and South Alabama, the 'under' is 3-0 through three outings.
Bad Beats
UTSA bettors appeared to be on their way to a big win on the moneyline (+1000), up 28-12 at one point late in the third quarter. However, Arizona State pushed ahead on a touchdown with 3:15 to go, taking a 32-28 lead. Even worse, 'under' (59) bettors were dealt a blow on the touchdown in the closing minutes.
Also on Friday, Baylor was never covering during their game. However, they had fourth down and goal on the 5-yard line and nearly pushed ahead for a 45-10 win and cover. It wasn't quite a bad beat, but it left Bears side bettors mumbling about missed opportunity and how much they hate the Baylor kicker for missed chances earlier in the game.
Ole Miss moneyline bettors were loving life when Hotty Toddy led 24-3 over 'Bama. However, not only did the Tide storm back, but at one point they took a 48-30 lead to give the Crimson Tide a cover. However, the Rebels rebounded with 13 points in :08 with 2:51 to go, moving back in line for the cover, almost making Alabama bettors feel like they lost twice.
UCLA led 17-0 midway through the third quarter at Brigham Young, easily covering a 3 1/2-point number. BYU ended up scoring the final 14 points of the game, including a cover-changing touchdown with just :37 remaining in regulation to deal Bruins side bettors a painful defeat.
There are plenty of people unhappy with Iowa State and their curious decision to boot a field goal with 1:29 left in regulation despite being down 41-20 at Texas Christian. That field goal pushed the total 'over' (60.5).
UGA converted on a 4th and 10 for a 20-yard touchdown with 1:29 at Missouri, screwing Tigers side bettors from a moneyline win and also killing 'under' (53.5) bettors in the process.
Louisiana State took their foot off the gas, up 23-6. Mississippi State scored the game's last 14 points in the final 4:10 of play to turn an LSU cover into a win for Bulldogs side bettors in a loss uglier than LSU's throwback gold uniforms from the 1940s and 1950s.
Rutgers was never covering until the final score of the game with 3:05 remaining, topping UNM 37-28 as 7 1/2-point favorites.
Hawaii scored a touchdown with 4:25 to play, grabbing the backdoor cover at Arizona as 23 1/2-point underdogs.
Temple converted a 34-yard field goal with 2:10 to go in regulation, covering at Penn State as 8 1/2-point underdogs.
Wyoming led 45-15 with 4:12 to go against FCS UC-Davis as 23 1/2-point favorites. But UCD connected for a touchdown with 4:12 to go, earning the most unkind backdoor covers, 45-22.