College Football Betting Previews
College Football Betting Previews
For the conference contenders, every game matters now. Here is preview the top college football games, along with the betting odds of each matchup.
(109) OKLAHOMA at (110) BAYLOR (-15, 72.5) FS1 7:30 E
For the past couple of weeks, those associated with the Baylor program have been talking about lack of national respect. In particular, we find coach Art Briles not being singled out having made the Bears into a big time program. His offensive schemes are masterful, with receivers spread wide, creating one-on-one matchups outside, which opens up the running game. Baylor is averaging, this averaging mind you, 63.9 points a game, on a headshaking 718 yards a contest. The Bears can start changing people’s minds by burying Oklahoma. Baylor is 7-0 ATS after gaining 450 or more total yards in five consecutive games.
Oklahoma quarterback Blake Bell recent play has helped him regained his confidence. This might give the Sooners a chance at least offensively to compete with Baylor and possibly spring the upset. If we learned one point from the Kansas State and Baylor matchup, you can run on these Bears (327 yards) and if Bell can hit Oklahoma receivers, this could get interesting. Previously, the Sooners had the better teams and are 8-1 and 7-2 ATS at Waco since 1992.
(113) OREGON at (114) STANFORD (+10, 61.5) ESPN 9:00 E
Oregon and Florida State have been playing second fiddle Alabama, switching out of the No. 2 seat the past couple of weeks. It is the Ducks turn to retake the seat. Oregon has been unbelievable all season at 8-0 and the only spread they have not covered was a -40 against Washington State. What has accounted for the Ducks even better is a much improved defense which is surrendering just 16.9 points a contest. Oregon is 5-4 and 7-2 ATS at Stanford
Head coach David Shaw’s Stanford team upset Oregon 17-14 as 18.5-point underdogs by controlling the ball for 37 minutes, moving the chains efficiently and wearing down the Oregon defense, while frustrating their offense which was on the sidelines. The Cardinal’s veteran defensive front has to win the line of scrimmage and be sure tacklers all night long. Quarterback Kevin Hogan and the offense has to raise their level of play and be ready to match points. Stanford is 15-5 ATS after two or more consecutive straight up wins the last three seasons.
(137) VIRGINIA TECH at (138) MIAMI-FL (-22, 61.5) ABC 8:o0 E
Miami can put aside its disappointing loss to Florida State with a victory, setting them up to be Coastal Division champions of the ACC. Coach Al Golden will sell his troops on the idea a victory sets the wheels in motion for a rematch with the Seminoles, this time on a neutral field. There is no hiding the loss the star running back Duke Johnson, which places more on quarterback Stephen Morris to play better. The Hurricanes are 7-0 ATS off an ACC defeat.
Virginia Tech has taken two steps backwards with recent losses to Duke and Boston College. A good chunk of the blame goes to quarterback Logan Thomas, who has been pitiful with six interceptions and made more mistakes than Richie Incognito. Even the Hokies defense is showing strains of wear and tear trying to hold up with a floundering offense. Hard to find many positives to build on for a Virginia Tech squad which is 0-11 ATS being outgained by 175 or more yards.
(195) HOUSTON at (196) CENTRAL FLORIDA (-10.5, 64) ESPN2 7:00 E
The AAC has been out of the national limelight this season, especially with Louisville suffering a defeat, however, that does not mean something is not at stake with the last two conference unbeatens going head to head. The Houston Cougars offense is the closest thing you can find to Baylor, with blazing speed on the outside and a big plays waiting to happen at a moment’s notice. Houston is 7-1 SU and ATS thanks to an opportunistic defense. The Cougars only rank 90th in total defense, yet lead the nation in turnovers forced.
Central Florida is perfectly positioned if they win over Houston, taking the conference lead and they would be favored in their four remaining AAC battles. The Knights can score with nearly the same proficiency as Houston (37 vs. 41.1 PPG), yet with a much stronger defense which ranks 20th in the country. Central Florida is 8-0 ATS in Orlando vs. passing teams averaging 275 or more yards a game.
(199) LSU at (200) ALABAMA (-11.5, 55) CBS 8:00 E
Coming into the season, there were three chances Alabama could possibly lose during the regular season and this was one of them. The Crimson Tide’s schedule could be described as –user friendly- and for the month of October they did what championship teams are supposed to do, crush the opposition and they did to the tune of 190-20. Alabama seems to be primed for a big finish and is 6-0 ATS after gaining 475 or more yards in consecutive outings.
The LSU defense might not be up to recent vintage with its 22nd ranking, nonetheless, the Crimson Tide have not faced such a diversified Tigers attack in years. With quarterback Zach Mettenberger at the controls, LSU averages 480 yards a game, with the ability to run or pass equally as well. The Tigers have no fear heading to Tuscaloosa, where they are 7-3 and 6-2-2 ATS recently.
