College Football Betting Preview: Week 3
The third week of the college football season allows bettors to break down the board with some additional insight into how the teams have performed thus far in the season.
Here’s a look at 5 matchups that will be of note to bettors in Week 3.
More College Football Betting Resources
Sunday Line Report | Staff Picks
Game Day Betting Update
Thursday, September 11
Houston Cougars at 25 BYU Cougars
Spread: BYU -17.5
Total: 57
Analysis: Quarterback Taysom Hill has been a one-man offense for BYU, accounting for 685 yards and eight touchdowns through two games.
With Houston getting little time to prepare, Hill could be in for another big game. He certainly had one a year ago, when he threw for 417 yards and four touchdowns, racking up another 128 yards on the ground.
Houston can put up points too, as evidenced by the 47 they scored last week. Quarterback John O'Korn threw for 404 yards in that one. While BYU's defense has been rock solid against the run, they have been a little more generous through the air.
Lasy year's meeting between these teams played to a 47-46 final, and we could be in for more fireworks in this one.
Prediction: BYU 41, Houston 24
The Play: Over 57
The Trend: The over is 6-0 in Houston's last six games played on a Thursday.
Saturday, September 13
6 Georgia Bulldogs at 24 South Carolina
Spread: Georgia -6
Total: 60
Analysis: A big SEC showdown that lost some of its luster thanks to South Carolina's opening loss.
Georgia running back Todd Gurley will be the star of the show, as he will be every time he takes the field this season. He turned his 15 carries into 198 yards and three touchdowns against Clemson, adding a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown for good measure.
South Carolina counters with a pretty good running back of their own in junior Mike Davis, who rumbled for 101 yards and two scores last week.
This game should boil down to which side can get better play from their defense, and that's going to be South Carolina, who possess the better all-around unit. The Gamecocks' home-field advantage shouldn't be overlooked, either.
Prediction: South Carolina 27, Georgia 21
The Play: South Carolina +6, Under 60
The Trend: South Carolina is 5-1-1 ATS in the last seven meetings; the under is 9-0 in the last nine meetings.
9 USC Trojans at Boston College Eagles
Spread: USC -17
Total: 52
Analysis: USC came up with a big win last weekend, going on the road and knocking off Stanford.
To go into a hostile environment like Stanford Stadium and win against one of the elite teams in the Pac-12 so early in his tenure is a real credit to head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff.
However, that puts the Trojans in a prime letdown spot this weekend, going on the road to take on a Boston College squad that defends its home field well.
The Eagles' defense didn't put together a great performance in their ACC opener against Pitt, but Steve Addazio will surely have righted the ship in time for this one.
USC had trouble moving the ball against a stout Stanford defense a week ago and figures to struggle again this weekend.
Prediction: USC 24, Boston College 17
The Play: Boston College +17
The Trend: Boston College is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 home games.
12 UCLA Bruins at Texas Longhorns
Spread: UCLA -7
Total: 50
Analysis: UCLA really hasn't had much success living up to all the preseason hype that surrounded the team in July and August.
Jim Mora's squad really avoided a scare against Memphis a week ago, watching the Tigers tie the game in the fourth quarter before eventually coming out on top.
As for Texas, they showed a lot of positives in Week 1, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Things really came apart in Week 2, but that can probably be attributed to BYU having their number.
Expect Charlie Strong's defense to put forth a better showing in this one.
Prediction: UCLA 24, Texas 21
The Play: Texas +7
The Trend: Texas is 12-2 ATS in its last 14 games following a double-digit home loss.
Tennessee Volunteers at 4 Oklahoma Sooners
Spread: Oklahoma -20.5
Total: 56
Analysis: Oklahoma won its first two games by a combined 87 points.
The Sooners were tabbed as a preseason favorite for one of the four spots in the inaugural College Football Playoff, and they haven't disappointed. Quarterback Trevor Knight has been on point, accounting for over 600 yards in the first two games.
Tennessee has been better than expected, starting with quarterback Justin Worley, but this is a major step up in class from what they've seen so far, and they have their SEC opener in Georgia on deck.
Sooners head coach Bob Stoops takes joy in beating up on SEC teams, so he's sure to want to run up the score in this one.
Prediction: Oklahoma 41,Tennessee 14
The Play: Oklahoma -20.5
The Trend: Tennessee is 5-16-1 ATS in their last 22 games vs. opponents with a winning record.
Lines courtesy Scoresandodds.com; Trends courtesy Covers.