College Football Betting Weekend Previews
College Football Betting Weekend Previews
Here is a look at the top college football games of the weekend which have football bettors’ interest piqued.
(141) LSU at (142) GEORGIA (-2.5, 61.5)
Back in July and early August, nobody was talking about LSU as a national contender, now they are. But first, they have a rugged assignment in Athens. With Zach Mettenberger playing as the quarterback he was expected to coming out of high school, the Tigers have a high-powered offense averaging 43.2 points a game to go along with a talented defense. LSU is second in the SEC in passing yards allowed per game (173.8), but will face its biggest test to date against Aaron Murray and the Georgia passing game. The Bengal Tigers are 7-1 ATS after facing Auburn.
Georgia would be all right if this was first of two matchups this season with the Tigers, with the latter in the SEC title game. Murray and his talented offense will have to score to protect a Bulldogs defense which is allowing 29.7 points a game. Mark Richt’s offense is capable and the defense must create a steady pass rush on Mettenberger and hold up against a bruising LSU running game. Georgia continues to make special teams errors like last week against North Texas and LSU will make them pay dearly if this happens again. This is the first meeting in three years.
(145) OLE MISS at (146) ALABAMA (-15, 56)
It is evident the Alabama offensive line is nowhere near as good as last year’s, ranked last in the SEC in rushing, averaging a modest 132 yards per game. Five of the Crimson Tide’s previous six Nick Saban-coached teams generated 200+ rushing yards per game. Bama is currently averaging 4.1 yards per carry, which is a dramatic 27 percent dip from last year. Ole Miss ranks 29th in the FBS in rushing defense going into this game, allowing 114.3 yards per game.
Nonetheless, the Tide has won 11 straight over the Rebels, covering six times. Mississippi will attempt to keep Saban’s defense off key like Texas A&M did and is averaging 490 yards of offense which might do the trick. How the Rebels secondary plays against AJ McCarron will be a determining factor, since they have been beaten regularly by good throwing quarterbacks dating back to last year. Two ways to look at this contest, Mississippi is 12-4 ATS since last season while the Tide is 15-3 ATS off two no-covers when they won as a favorite.
(155) OKLAHOMA at (156) NOTRE DAME (+4, 49.5)
It has been quiet in Norman, but with two weeks to prepare, Oklahoma has serious payback in mind for their first trip to South Bend in 14 years. The Sooners lost at home to Notre Dame last season 30-13 and have been established as the favorite with Blake Bell taking over at quarterback. Bell threw the pigskin extremely well in his first start against Tulsa, forcing Notre Dame to think about the “Belldozer” as a passer and runner. The Oklahoma defense has played better this season in Mike Stoops second year as defensive coordinator and will have to be sound in the secondary against a good group of Notre Dame receivers.
Quarterback Tommy Rees and the offensive line have to start delivering, as the offense ranks just 74th in the country. The Notre Dame defense finally played with passion in the fourth quarter against Michigan State and we will find out if this is a turning point for this underachieving crew. The Irish are home underdogs and are an unreliable 17-33 ATS in home games against a team with a winning record.
(173) SOUTH CAROLINA at (174) CENTRAL FLORIDA (+7, 53)
Central Florida had a week to celebrate their upset at Penn State and this has earned them a stage in the bright lights with their 3-0 start. The Knights will play their first-ever game on national television (ABC 12:00 ET) and can make a name for themselves as giant-killer in slaying South Carolina. UCF will have a chance for the upset if the defensive line plays well and QB Blake Bortles continues to finds varied targets, as three different pass catchers have surpassed a 100 yards in three different contest. Coach George O’Leary teams are 13-4 ATS as a home dog of a touchdown or less.
If South Carolina players do not take this non-conference confrontation seriously, they could unexpectedly be a .500 team at the end of September. The Gamecocks have the size and strength in the offensive line to maneuver Central Florida, averaging 224.7 rushing yards a game. The greater concern is the South Carolina defense which is allowing 25.3 points a game. The Gamecocks have won 17 straight non-conference games with a 10-7 ATS record. (10-3 ATS if you discount FCS opponents)
(191) WISCONSIN at (192) OHIO STATE (-7, 55)
After four relatively easy victories, Ohio State is thought to be tested at the former Horseshoe in Columbus by Wisconsin. This year, the Big Ten season really counts with the Buckeyes off probation. Coach Urban Meyer has said Braxton Miller is “probable” after misssing the last 2 ½ games. In Miller’s absence, Ohio State has proven they are not as dependant on him this season. The return of RB Carlos Hyde from suspension also makes the Buckeyes offense more dangerous. The Ohio State defense will still find Wisconsin has plow horses up front, but these running backs can scoot and Wisconsin offense has more diversity.
Wisconsin has a chance for the upset if the dynamic duo of Melvin Gordon and James White are able to control the ball on the ground and score touchdowns, limiting Buckeyes possessions. First-year coach Gary Andersen still runs between the tackles with this club, but also schemes very well to get his running backs more in the open field than the previous regime. The Badgers secondary has to be very aware of Miller’s accurate throws down the field which are often daggers to the opposition. Wisky used to be a burr in Ohio State’s backside, but is only 1-5 ATS the past six seasons.
