Hopefully, everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving, and perhaps more importantly than ever, a healthy holiday, too. We’re on to Week 13, and we’re pinpointing some college football underdogs to target for a potential upset and/or against the spread cover. Let’s build that bankroll as we head into the remainder of the holiday season!
College football underdog predictions: Week 13
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9 a.m. ET.
UTEP +11.5 (-110) at Rice
The Miners have been a pushover for a number of years. It’s hard to believe a stud like Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones once played in El Paso, and this team wasn’t a contender on his skill alone. Anyway, the years have been rather lean recently, but head coach Dana Dimel has built this program into a respectable team in Conference USA, albeit one with a lot of work still to do.
Yes, the Miners enter on a three-game skid, but they’re a respectable 3-4 straight up and 4-3 ATS for the season, including 3-0 ATS across the past three as double-digit dogs. Due to a crazy scheduling quirk, COVID-19 and/or a combination of both, they’re on the road for a fifth consecutive game. While they’re 1-3 SU in their past four road games, they’re 3-1 ATS.
This team has some weapons to at least keep it a one-score game. Let’s not kid around, Rice isn’t exactly Notre Dame, either. It has no business laying double digits to anyone. The Owls are 1-2 SU and ATS, and their only win is against a bad Southern Miss side on Halloween.
Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Kent State +7 (-110) at Buffalo
I have been impressed by QB Dustin Crum and the Golden Flashes offense so far this season. This is an offense which has posted back-to-back games with 62 or more points, including a school record tying 69 points against Akron in their annual Wagon Wheel rivalry game. In fact, Kent State took care of the Over itself in each of the past two contests. The defense could use a little work, but when you’re scoring into the 60’s, the defense doesn’t exactly have to be razor sharp.
Buffalo topped Northern Illinois in the opener, but it was actually outgained in that one. The Bulls took advantage of five turnovers by the Huskies, including three miscues returned by the defense for touchdowns. They blasted Miami-Ohio and Bowling Green, but the jury is still out for both of these sides against a top-flight opponent. From what I’ve seen from Kent State, the offense is a little more potent.
The Flashes are 5-0 ATS in the past five on the road, 6-1 ATS in the past seven league games and 6-0 ATS in their past six as underdogs. The road team is 7-2-1 ATS in the past 10 meetings in this series, too.
Hawaii +210 money line vs. Nevada
It’s an upset column, so we have to toss in one team to win straight up as an underdog, right?
Hawaii is home in the islands for another 11 p.m. ET start, and it’s welcoming a Nevada team which remains unbeaten, coming off an emotional, nationally-televised win over San Diego State for Mountain West supremacy, at least for the time being.
Yes, Todd Graham’s team is having a down year, as the Rainbow Warriors transition from Nick Rolovich’s run-and-shoot offense to a more traditional and balanced approach. Hawaii dropped 32 points on visiting Boise State a week ago, but fell short in the one-possession game. The problem with Hawaii has been slow starts nearly every time out.
Nevada has covered the spread six of the past eight games in this series, but the underdog is a perfect 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings, with the Under 7-0 in the past seven for those thinking about betting the total. I think QB Chevan Cordeiro and the Warriors shine on their home turf, dealing the Wolf Pack their first loss for a long plane ride back to Reno.
Want some action in these games? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]