College Football Betting Previews
College Football Betting Previews
This is the last full weekend of college football and here is a preview of the top college football games, along with the betting odds of each matchup.
(345) OHIO STATE at (346) MICHIGAN (-16, 56) ABC 12:00 E
Ohio State got the first break they needed towards possibly playing for the national championship with Baylor falling last week. With how Michigan’s season has unfolded, the Buckeyes would like nothing better but to add to the Wolverines woes in this annual rivalry game. For just the second time in the past two decades, this confrontation will have the visitor as a double digit favorite and it has been growing all week. But the way Braxton Miller, Carlos Hyde and the Buckeyes offensive line is playing, the oddsmakers number is accurate. Ohio State is 10-2 SU and ATS since 2001 in this battle.
After looking so explosive, the Michigan offense is averaging 16.7 PPG this month, as the offensive line has been pathetic, along with offensive coordinator Al Borges play-calling. During their recent struggles, Brady Hoke and the Wolverines have been getting hammered in the press and on social media, but the Michigan coach said he has no time for the naysayers, and won’t let that noise be a distraction. The Wolverines are 1-10 ATS having dropped three of four contests.
(383) TEXAS A&M at (384) MISSOURI (-4, 66.5) ESPN 7:45 E
A variety of college football experts and football bettors thought Missouri would buckle under pressure at Mississippi; instead, the Tigers played with the confidence and handled Ole Miss 24-10. This sets up their even more important matchup with Texas A&M, since winning places them in the SEC title tilt. Mizzou’s defensive front can make life miserable for Johnny Manziel like LSU did and its tall wide receivers might not be as NFL-ready as the Bengal Tigers, but these guys make plays consistently. Missouri is 13-4 ATS after leading their last two games by 14 or more points at the half.
With Texas A&M’s porous defense, the Aggies can only hope to turn this into a shootout, yet they are 0-7 ATS away after allowing 475 or more total yards. Coach Kevin Sumlin needs a running back to step up as one has not rushed for more than 30 yards in their last two contests. Texas A&M is 107th in rush defense and Missouri averages 5.7 yards a carry, so where does the help come from, great question.
(387) ALABAMA at (388) AUBURN (+10, 54.5) CBS 3:30 E
This historical rivalry is being called the biggest one ever, while that is debatable; it certainly is of tremendous importance this season. This Iron Bowl, given its placement in the schedule with its two teams, is like a quarterfinal for the national championship and something will have to give, since Auburn is fourth in the country in rushing (320.3 YPG) and Alabama’s defense is third in stopping the rush (91.3). The other important aspect of this matchup is how Auburn’s No. 70 total defense holds up against Alabama’s offense, which is a few leftover rolls from Thanksgiving shy of averaging 40 points per game.
The sportsbooks and oddsmakers have this one right, Alabama is at least two touchdowns better on a neutral field and as CBS football analyst Gary Danielson said “Alabama simply has more cards to play than the Tigers.” Nonetheless, the best team does not always win and the Crimson Tide have had issues with mobile quarterbacks like Nick Marshall. Bama is a stellar 11-3 ATS after scoring 42 points or more in their last game since 2011, but Auburn is 9-2 ATS this season and is 6-0 ATS versus teams averaging 4.75 or more rushing yards a carry. This should be fun.
(415) CLEMSON at (416) SOUTH CAROLINA (-4.5, 58.5) ESPN2 7:00 E
In the Palmetto State skirmish, the stakes are still very high. With a victory, Clemson presumably locks up an Orange Bowl bid and would end a four-game losing skid (0-4 ATS) to rival South Carolina. ACC pride is also on the line since a Tigers win could possibly give the conference their first winning regular season record over the SEC since 2004 and put an end to being the butt of jokes by Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier about not being QUITE good enough. Clemson is 16-6 ATS after ringing up 31 or more points in consecutive outings.
South Carolina will talk how important is to knock off Clemson, but while they are playing, somebody will be monitoring Missouri, since if those Tigers would fall, the Gamecocks are playing for the SEC title. “We have no control over that game,” Spurrier said, referring to Missouri. “We’ve got enough on our hands trying to beat our instate rival, trying to win 10 games again, all that kind of stuff.” South Carolina is 7-3 and 6-4 ATS at Columbia against their neighbors since 1992.
(417) UCLA at (418) USC (-3, 51.5) ABC 8:00 E
In the big picture, this game doesn’t mean much, but digging deeper, plenty is at stake. If USC wins this L.A. clash, it would be really difficult for the Trojans brass not to hire Ed Orgeron as a permanent head coach unless some coach from Alabama said he would take the job. USC has won five straight playing with passion and is 7-3 SU and ATS against UCLA on their home turf. USC has the players in the trenches to take over this contest.
The Bruins were knocked out as repeating as Pac-12 South champs by Arizona State and can salvage the season in part with victory. “(Beating USC) would help this loss (to ASU) a lot,” wide receiver Shaq Evans said. “Anytime you can beat those guys across town, it’s a great feeling. Especially to do it on their home turf for the first time since … I don’t even know.” UCLA has not won at the Coliseum since 1997 and the Bruins have been an underdog four times this season and is 1-3 SU and ATS. Finishing 8-4 would be a disappointment for UCLA faithful.
