College Football Betting Previews
College Football Betting Previews
With Halloween in the rearview mirror, everything matters more in November on the college football gridiron. Here is preview the top college football games, along with the betting odds of each matchup.
(335) TENNESSEE at (336) MISSOURI (-10, 55) ESPN 7:00 E
Missouri has to refocus after blowing 17-point lead to South Carolina and realize their future is ahead of them. The Tigers are still the team to beat in the SEC East, but teams having started 7-0 or better are notorious bad bets the following week. The lesson for Missouri is playing all 60 minutes and sometimes more and being mentally stronger than your opponent, which they were not against South Carolina. Mizzou is 37-19 ATS in Columbia after one or more setbacks.
With QB Justin Worley battling a badly bruised hand, Tennessee had to burn freshman Joshua Dobbs’ redshirt against Alabama and he will be expected to see action this week. The key for the Vols is defending the run in this game, but they are allowing 4.9 yards per carry, facing a Missouri run game rushing for 5.5 YPC. Tennessee is improving and has spread potential being 16-6 ATS away after scoring 14 or fewer points.
(351) GEORGIA vs. (352) FLORIDA (+3, 47) CBS 3:30 E
Let’s forget political correctness, this is still the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” no matter what we are told to say. Both these squads enter this annual affair battered and bruised even with a bye week, but this is the SEC and only winning matters to those who follow the teams.
Georgia could have Todd Gurley return at running back, which balances the offense and take some of the pressure off Aaron Murray, who has lost several of his perimeter weapons and will face the conference’s top defense. The Bulldogs are 12-3 ATS after consecutive SEC defeats.
Florida needs an offensive spark quickly, ranked last in the conference in total offense. This is also an important contest for the Gators, who with a loss and still having to play at South Carolina and versus Florida State and are staring at two .500 regular seasons in three years. The SU winner of this neutral site fixture is 16-2 ATS since 1994.
(355) MIAMI -FL at (356) FLORIDA STATE (-22, 61.5) ABC 8:o0 E
The BCS standings might say this is a marquee matchup in the ACC with a pair of unbeatens, but oddsmakers have made Miami a very chalky three-touchdown road underdog, ouch. The Hurricanes have only themselves to blame, having to overcome double-digit deficits versus North Carolina and Wake Forest in their past two contests. Miami however is a sweet 6-0 ATS vs. teams averaging 34 or more points.
Florida State might have slid a spot in the BCS rankings to No.3, yet could move right back up with Oregon off and by crushing the Canes. The Seminoles might be third in the ACC against the run, but Miami, like Boston College has the skill to line up and go right at Florida State and possibly gain 200+ yards like the Eagles. Coming off their thumping of N.C. State, the Noles are 10-1 ATS in Tallahassee after gaining 6.25 or more yards per play in four consecutive contests.
(359) MICHIGAN at (360) MICHIGAN STATE (-5, 46) ABC 3:30 E
The three best teams in the Leaders Division will play a round robin the next three weeks starting in East Lansing. Nevertheless, this week, the Paul Bunyan Trophy is at stake. Michigan State is the only among the trio which has not lost and could effectively eliminate Michigan. The Spartans have the nation’s best total defense by a good margin (30 yards); nonetheless, they will be tested by the hated Wolverines, who are averaging 42.5 points a contest. Sparty is on a 4-1 and 5-0 ATS run in this bitter confrontation.
Michigan features an explosive passing attack, ranked fifth in the country at 10.1 yard per pass attempt. Two important aspect for the Wolverines, first, protect the pigskin, since they have two or turnovers in five of their seven outings. Next, is to get in the face of Spartans quarterback Conner Cook and not let him find a rhythm. The Wolverines are 1-9 ATS away after totaling 35 or more points.
(389) OKLAHOMA STATE at (390) TEXAS TECH (-2.5, 66) FOX 7:00 E
Oklahoma State is known for system quarterbacks in coach Mike Gundy’s offense, who put up points and big passing numbers. Not this season, as Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh are not accurate throwers. After rushing for 342 yards last week, one has to wonder if Gundy will change gears and feature the run more, which might lead to more open receivers. The Cowboys are 12-22 ATS as underdogs since 2005.
Texas Tech lost for the first time versus Oklahoma, but Big 12 football insiders I’ve talked to like how the Red Raiders did not get down in fighting uphill all day. Though the Okie State quarterbacks might have more experience, freshman hurlers in Blake Mayfield and Davis Webb have their squad No. 2 in the Big 12 in passing. The Red Raiders are 7-2 and 6-2-1 ATS when Oklahoma State comes to Lubbock.
