The final thoughts, a few predictions, and some investment advice to make your life a heck of a lot better than it currently is.
Week 3 Fearless Predictions, Game Previews
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You’re reading this, which means you don’t care about the lack of marquee matchups this weekend. You don’t need LSU-Texas or Texas A&M-Clemson for you to have fun on a college football Saturday.
To you, one way or another, New Mexico State beat Alabama last week.
This is all for spits, giggles, and entertainment purposes only, however, just in case you dabble …
Week 3 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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ACC Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
Wake Forest and North Carolina will be a whole lot more fun than whatever that was on Thursday Night Football. These two might have terrific offenses, but the total is way high at 66.5 after starting out at a more reasonable 62.5. North Carolina games have hung around way below 60 so far, but this will still come close. Stay away from this with Wake Forest -3 – it’s a 50/50 game – but if you must, go with the Demon Deacons.
– North Carolina at Wake Forest Game Preview, Prediction
It seems too obvious to go with Boston College -21 against a Kansas team that just lost to Coastal Carolina and struggled against Indiana State, but you’ll be fine. Boston College is good at football this year, and Kansas really, really isn’t. It’s a horrible matchup for the Jayhawks.
– Kansas at Boston College Game Preview, Prediction
Pitt has stayed right around +17 against Penn State, but it would be nice to get another point or two. It’s not going to happen, and you won’t need it. The Panther offense hasn’t done a thing so far this season, and it’s not going to start now. The 53.5 point total is a tad high – it started out a more accurate 48.5.
– Pitt at Penn State Game Preview, Prediction
Until West Virginia can prove it can do anything on offense, NC State is the ridiculously easy play, even on the road. The Wolfpack haven’t played anyone yet, but they’ve been sharp so far winning the first two games 75-6. West Virginia can’t find the passing game groove, and it won’t this week. The 6 is a gift, and the 45.5 total is a tad low, too.
– NC State at West Virginia Game Preview, Prediction
Louisville vs. WKU is a strange game, starting with the location in Nashville between two Kentucky schools. The Hilltoppers stunned FIU last week, but they still don’t have an offense. Believe that the Cardinals have way more than ten points in them against WKU. UofL should be giving away an extra touchdown or so, so take the gift, say thank you, and be on your way.
– Louisville vs. WKU Game Preview, Prediction
Stick with the favorites this week with the ACC. Middle Tennessee has a decent offense, and it’s playing at home, but the Power Five team is only giving away 6.5. The over on the 50.5 is relatively tasty, and you’re not asking a whole lot out of the Blue Devils to set you up.
– Duke at Middle Tennessee Game Preview, Prediction
It’s the same thing, different week, different game. Clemson can destroy Syracuse and still not cover the 28, just like it dominated Texas A&M and didn’t cover. You don’t think the Orange might be a wee bit embarrassed after what happened last week against Maryland? You’ll worry again until the end, but the Orange pass rush will take care of you.
– Clemson at Syracuse Game Preview, Prediction
Florida State going to Virginia is very, very, very, very, very scary. There have been flashes, and FSU has looked the part of something special in the first halves of games, but the D can’t handle good quarterbacks, and Bryce Perkins is about to do something terrific. UVa -7.5 is a wee high – it’s going to come down more before gametime.
Florida State at Virginia Game Preview, Prediction
Week 3 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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Big 12 Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
Eventually, this will all start to work under Les Miles. Unfortunately, the offense hasn’t shown a thing yet, and Boston College has been nearly flawless. The Eagle backfield will have no issues getting past the 21, but you can get it at 20.5 in some spots.
– Kansas at Boston College Game Preview, Prediction
Has West Virginia shown you anything so far to suggest that it might be able to handle a rock-solid NC State team? The Mountaineers just got hammered by 31 against Missouri and scored seven points. The O just isn’t working yet under Neal Brown, and NC State is only giving up six points.
– NC State at West Virginia Game Preview, Prediction
America is trying to tell you it loves Kansas State. The line opened at Mississippi State -9 and flew down fast before settling in at -7.5. K-State hasn’t played anyone with a pulse, but it’s been close to flawless. The Bulldogs haven’t played anyone all that great, either – Louisiana and Southern Miss – and it’s been just okay. It would be nice if this was back at nine, but the Wildcats could win this outright.
– Kansas State at Mississippi State Game Preview, Prediction
For some reason, the world is going with Tulsa against Oklahoma State. It started out as OSU -15, it’s stuck at 14, and either way, you’re totally fine. If you were told to give up, say, 20, you wouldn’t have a problem with that. The Cowboy offense isn’t going to mess around in what will be like a home game at Chapman Stadium, but Tulsa should be able to do its part. There’s a decent chance the 64 point total is low by at least ten.
– Oklahoma State at Tulsa Game Preview, Prediction
They know, that you know that Iowa State almost lost to Northern Iowa from the FCS world. They also know that you know that UNI always gives the other Iowa teams a hard time, and they know that you’ll think the Cyclones are a whole lot better than they showed. Whatever … Iowa is better and it’s only giving up two.
– Iowa at Iowa State Game Preview, Prediction
To be honest, considering TCU has only played one game, this is working on a theory more than what we really know. The rested Horned Frogs might just be the third best team in the Big 12. People are hammering them with all the Purdue quarterback concerns, but the 2.5 isn’t bad, even though you’ll hate giving away points on the road. ake care of anyone in the Purdue backfield.
– TCU at Purdue Game Preview, Prediction
Be careful of assuming this is as simple as Oklahoma Good, UCLA Bad. This Bruin defense might be just a wee bit better than we all think, and at home, it won’t take too many points to get past the 23.5. Don’t get too caught up in Oklahoma beating Houston and South Dakota – it might be in for a wee bit of a tussle. On the total, 73.5 is a HUGE number to hit considering UCLA’s offense hasn’t worked yet.
– Oklahoma at UCLA Game Preview, Prediction
The Texas-Rice line is all over the place depending on what you’re looking for. You can get it with the Longhorns -32.5, or as low as 31.5. Either way, that’s a big number to give up considering Tom Herman teams occasionally sputter against the Rices of the world. Texas will put this away fast and then get out, but it’s all about whether or not the Owls will actually score. If you think Rice can get 14 points, take the underdog at home.
– Texas at Rice Game Preview, Prediction
If you’re a regular reader, you know the drill when it comes to the late night games. You’re not staying up to take the under. The Texas Tech at Arizona point total has gone up from 71.5 to 78, but can be had for 76.5. That’s too high no matter what, but (say it with me) … you’re not staying up to take the under. It’s a toss-up game, but at home and getting 2.5 points, Arizona isn’t a horrible call.
– Texas Tech at Arizona Game Preview, Prediction
Week 3 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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Big Ten Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
If you really like Ohio State, then go for it. It’s been sensational so far, and going to Indiana shouldn’t slow that down enough to worry about a shocking upset. However, OSU -18 is just about right on. If you need to do it, go with the Buckeyes, mainly because there’s an outside shot that the defense shuts the Hoosiers down to a dead stop. Also, you’re not going to like it considering the Buckeyes could drop 50 by themselves, but … go with the under on the 59.5. Go light, but go under.
– Ohio State at Indiana Game Preview, Prediction
It’s the strangest line in a long, long time. Maryland started out as a -4 against Temple, even after a total and complete Terp annihilation of Syracuse. Temple has a good offense, and it’s a road game for Maryland, but you don’t want to look ridiculous if this thing is for real and that happens again. It went up to eight, and the public brought it back down to seven, but … MARYLAND JUST BEAT SYRACUSE BY 43 POINTS. If Temple ends up covering, go over, shake hands, and wish it will.
– Maryland at Temple Game Preview, Prediction
Illinois is a bit flaky so far against bad teams, but Eastern Michigan doesn’t appear to be the tight team of the last few seasons. It’s only Illini -7 – go Big Ten, or go home. The over on the 55.5 is a nice play if you think the Eagles can put up at least 20 points of this on their own.
– Eastern Michigan at Illinois Game Preview, Prediction
You’re right to loathe the idea of taking Northwestern -17.5 points against anyone. UNLV couldn’t do anything right offensively in the blowout home loss to Arkansas State, but … it’s Northwestern. You know, the team that couldn’t beat Akron last year and opened up this season getting beaten up by Stanford. The line is all over the place, starting out at -16.5 and rocketing up to 19.5 before settling in at 17.5. Hold your nose and take the ultra-flaky Rebels.
– UNLV at Northwestern Game Preview, Prediction
Minnesota might have needed two late plays to survive Fresno State and South Dakota State – it could just as easily be 0-2 instead of 2-0 – but Georgia Southern’s offense hasn’t worked so far, and PJ Fleck and the staff figured out how to stop the option cold in the Quick Lane Bowl win over Georgia Tech. The line has gone up to Gophers -16.5, but that’s still about right – they’re due for a big, easy win.
– Georgia Southern at Minnesota Game Preview, Prediction
It took you a while, a little sweat, and some elbow grease, but Penn State got you there last week over Buffalo. This will require a bit more effort against Pitt, but giving away 17 isn’t that bad considering it lost at home to Virginia by 16 to start the season.
– Pitt at Penn State Game Preview, Prediction
If you have any inkling of wanting to go with Michigan State over Arizona State, get in fast. The MSU -14 is going to end up at 15ish by gametime, and you’re going to want every point you can get. Assume the Spartans are for real, assume the ASU offense really is that mediocre, and assume that there will be a little bit of scoring even though the under is is stupid-low. Michigan State might score 41 by itself – the total is all over the place between 41.5 and 42.5 after starting out at 47.5. The market just gave you a gift.
– Arizona State at Michigan State Game Preview, Prediction
Rivalry game, schmivalry game. Iowa State might always bring a nasty D, but are you really going to care that Gameday – sorry, Amesday – is going to be there for the showdown? Nah. You’re only being asked to give away two with the Hawkeyes? Sure … super.
– Iowa at Iowa State Game Preview, Prediction
Is there a chance that Nebraska just isn’t that good? Yup. Is there a chance that Northern Illinois is just plucky enough to keep this to within two touchdowns after pushing Utah in an 18-point loss? Yup. The Huskers are overdue to bust out, but until they do, keep playing the other guy.
– NIU at Nebraska Game Preview, Prediction
Don’t spend too much time worrying about Elijah Sindelar’s health. At least, don’t worry about the Purdue quarterback for your investment purposes – go ahead and worry about him as a human, if you wish. TCU went from a +1.5 to a -2 because of the Boilermaker QB concerns. You don’t need to bother with any of it – the TCU defense will take care of anyone in the Purdue backfield.
– TCU at Purdue Game Preview, Prediction
Week 3 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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Pac-12 Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
Houston might be close to home – playing in NRG Stadium – against Washington State, but go with two beliefs here after just two weeks. 1) Houston isn’t that good yet under Dana Holgorsen, and 2) the Wazzu defense is better than you think. That means go with the Cougars – the Pac-12 version – 9.5, and the under on the 74. It already came down from 76, but this might struggle to get out of the mid-60s.
– Washington State vs. Houston Game Preview, Prediction
You’re getting a Power Five team at home against a Group of Five team, and you’re only giving away 3.5 points. You’re getting Colorado at home against an Air Force team that’s still a bit of an unknown, and you’re only giving away 3.5 points. Hopefully you got this at Buffs -1.5, but you’ll have no problems getting to four.
– Air Force at Colorado Game Preview, Prediction
All in on believing UCF is the real deal against okay Power Five teams, and totally cool on thinking the Group of Fiver will win at home with a big performance, but the nine points to give away are way too much. USC was able to rock Stanford’s world, but with KJ Costello back, it would hardly be crazy if the Cardinal won this outright.
– Stanford at UCF Game Preview, Prediction
At some point, BYU actually will be good. The line is nice and low because of the win over Tennessee, but USC might just be for real. Kedon Slovis would repeat his performance against Stanford, but the Trojans are playing just a bit stronger than they’re getting credit for. Giving away four isn’t a problem, but the total is interesting – it shot up huge. Liked the over at 48.5, love the under now on the 56.5.
– USC at BYU Game Preview, Prediction
Oh go ahead and buy in on Cal and its defense. The North Texas offense hasn’t been right so far – it sputtered way too much in the loss to SMU – and you’re getting a gift here. The world HAMMERED the total to bring it down from 57.5 to 50.5, and that still could be way too high. Cal -14 is a bit much for a team that still doesn’t have an offense.
– North Texas at Cal Game Preview, Prediction
UCLA was worse last year when it rolled into Norman, Oklahoma, and it lost by 28. Now you’re asking for the Bruins to lose by 23 points or fewer. The public did the heavy lifting for you, moving the line up from 17 to 23.5, and it might just go up even more. Go ahead and think that the UCLA D might be able to keep this from being a total wipeout.
– Oklahoma at UCLA Game Preview, Prediction
Can Hawaii bring its offense on the road? Yeah, but it’s dealing with a grouchy Washington team that’s still getting over the loss to Cal. The Huskies have the defense to stop the Rainbow Warriors that Arizona and Oregon State didn’t, and they have the power ground game to control the clock. Washington – 21.5 on Washington seems high, but Hawaii is about to run into a buzzsaw.
– Hawaii at Washington Game Preview, Prediction
How much do you really believe in Arizona coming up with a real performance? First of all, considering the defense has been a disaster so far, go with the over on the 77.5 against Texas Tech. Second, the Red Raiders have fattened up on cupcakes over the first two weeks. Bank on the Wildcat running game at home, and enjoy getting 2.5 points.
– Texas Tech at Arizona Game Preview, Prediction
Really? You’re seriously going to think Arizona State will keep the score low against Michigan State because it allowed just one touchdown each against Kent State and Sacramento State? The ASU O isn’t good enough, and the MSU D is for absolute real.
– Arizona State at Michigan State Game Preview, Prediction
Week 3 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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NEXT: SEC
SEC Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
Georgia giving away 33 to Arkansas State seems way too high. The Bulldogs will win without a problem, but its offense has just one decent performance against a Power Five program – Vanderbilt- and Arkansas State destroyed UNLV 43-17. Throw in the emotion of the day as Georgia fans will wear pink in honor of the passing of ASU head coach Blake Anderson’s wife, and this will be worth watching.
– Arkansas State at Georgia Game Preview, Prediction
Mississippi State’s defense hasn’t been the same as the 2018 version, QB Tommy Stevens is banged up – and playing – and Kansas State has been fantastic. The Bulldogs are going to be in for a close fight and could lose outright. Try to get more than 7.5, but the Big 12er is the better value.
– Kansas State at Mississippi State Game Preview, Prediction
Are you really that sure that you want to jump on the Arkansas thing now? There might be a revenge angle considering Colorado State whacked the Hogs last season in Fort Collins, but the ten is a big number. America thought so, with the line starting out at Hogs -13.5 before dropping fast. Arkansas hasn’t shown anything yet to suggest it should be -10 over a bowl of cereal. Think hard about the under, too, on the 64.
– Colorado State at Arkansas Game Preview, Prediction
Ehhhhhhhhhhhh, on Auburn hosting Kent State. The Golden Flashes are awful, but Auburn’s offense isn’t working, either. It’ll be an easy win for the Tigers, but doing it by 35 is hardly a given. They can go through the motions and win without a problem, but if Kent State gets one touchdown, you’re hosed. If you like Auburn to not hit the 35, then go with the under on the 54 – Kent State might not score.
– Kent State at Auburn Game Preview, Prediction
The Florida – Kentucky line started out at Gators -9 – the first thought was that the loss of UK QB Terry Wilson would be a killer – but it went down to -8. If you have a handle on how Sawyer Smith will run the Cat attack, good luck to you. For the rest of us, Florida and the eight points are okay, but on the road you’re a little bit nervous. UK won by 11 in Gainesville last season.
– Florida at Kentucky Game Preview, Prediction
South Carolina has a big performance in there somewhere. The team has talent, it has size, and it has speed, but it doesn’t have all three wrapped up in enough players like Alabama has. Don’t be surprised if you have to sweat this one out a bit. The Gamecocks are at home, and they’re desperate. They won’t win, but keeping this within 25 isn’t asking for the world. It won’t happen, but you can ask.
– Alabama at South Carolina Game Preview, Prediction
Week 3 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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