NCAAF Week 3 Best Bets: No 'Big Game,' but plenty of big opportunities
There is not a marquee game this week like we had in Alabama vs. Texas a week ago. Speaking of the SEC, they are starting league play this week, with a few fun games to look at but for most of the nation, this is still a week to test yourself against less familiar opponents. For better or for worse.
Now let's pick off some winners.
Last week: 1-4
Season to Date: 4-6
NCAAF Week 2 Best Bets
Kansas State @ Mizzou
Wildcats -4
This number has come down since I wrote the preview earlier in the week. I am still not seeing why as Kansas State is truly built to win on the road — experienced quarterback and offensive line and a strong defense. This team just doesn't make mistakes and the last time I checked Mizzou was a lower-tier program in the SEC (they are not brimming with talent). I am not sure where the love for the Tigers is coming from.
This is in the perfect teaser range now so it might not move any further.
Vanderbilt @ UNLV
Commodores -4.5
Yes, I never thought I would be backing Vanderbilt twice all season, let alone in back-to-back weeks. I do believe that head coach Barry Odom can get UNLV back to being respectable, but we won't see it this week. The Commodores are not the "Dawgs" but they have more than enough physicality to beat up on the Runnin' Rebels this week. They do not have to dominate, just control the game and win. I am not taking much from Michigan letting their foot off the gas and Vandy already has their road routine set.
The number is kind of dead and like above, this is a perfect teaser spot. Probably holds steady even though the game is in Vegas.
LSU @ Mississippi State
Tigers -9.5
It is easy to see why the markets are down on LSU after that big opening loss to Florida State. However, with Alabama losing at home are we sure this is not the second-best team in the SEC after Georgia? Mississippi State is probably an underrated home environment and they play good defense, but they needed overtime to beat a mediocre (at best) Arizona team last week at home. I also think that the 12:00 window is not as much of an advantage for the home side as games that are later in the day.
With a home underdog so close to the key number the books are unlikely to move this one much.
Wyoming @ Texas
Cowboys +29
I do not know if this one had a look-ahead line, but if it did Texas winning at Alabama definitely brought that number up some. This is a classic letdown spot with the Longhorns off the big win and coming back home. All week long they have been hearing how good they are and even though Wyoming already beat Texas Tech, there is no way Texas is giving them enough respect. That is not enough though. That and an underrated Cowboys' defense is why I think this one will be uncomfortable for Texas fans. Not an upset though.
Texas always garners attention but this game is off most radars. We might get an extra half point.
FAU @ Clemson
Clemson -24.5
Tom Herman is a good coach and he is looking to use FAU as a step back toward the big time (we have seen that before). Therefore, you can bet he has this game circled for his troops as a spot to show some growth in the program (this game is in prime time). I do not know what Clemson is this season, but they did score 66 points last week against FCS Charleston Southern (no they did not cover the -52). At the same time, FAU lost at home to Ohio. They just don't have the horses to do much against Clemson, especially when they have the ball. This line is very chalky of course but the Tigers are looking for another beatdown as they look ahead to Florida State next week.
This line should hold steady at just above the key number. I am not that worried about a backdoor cover either.
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