The Massachusetts Minutemen (0-3) and the No. 17 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (3-0) meet Saturday at Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Massachusetts at Coastal Carolina odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
The Minutemen have struggled defensively, but at least they have picked up the pace on offense. UMass has allowed 42 or more points in each of its three losses with the Over going 3-0. However, the offense has scored 28 in each of the past two games, against Eastern Michigan and Boston College.
Last week, the Chanticleers passed their first true test of the season, a trip to Buffalo against a strong MAC team. But they have really been strongest at home, averaging 50.5 points per game in wins over Kansas and The Citadel, while covering each and hitting the Over in the two games.
Massachusetts at Coastal Carolina odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Massachusetts +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500) | Coastal Carolina -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Massachusetts +36.5 (-112) | Coastal Carolina -36.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 65.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Massachusetts at Coastal Carolina odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Coastal Carolina 52, Massachusetts 20
Money line
You can’t play Coastal Carolina (-10000) as a $100 wager nets you a profit of just $1. That’s ridiculous and a losing long-term betting strategy.
AVOID.
Against the spread
MASSACHUSETTS +36.5 (-112) has been terrible defensively. Coastal Carolina will score its fair share of points. However, the Minutemen have shown that they can at least move the ball when given their chance on offense. They’ll keep this one within 5 touchdowns.
We saw Coastal look mortal last week at Buffalo, and Kansas was able to score 15 points on the Chants in the first half before falling off in the final 30. Coastal is tremendous offensively, but questions still remain on defense.
Over/Under
OVER 65.5 (-115) is always the play in UMass games. The Minutemen are awful defensively but serviceable on offense. Look for QB Grayson McCall and Coastal to roll up the points in this final tune-up before getting into Sun Belt play.
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