Tag: College football CFB betting odds lines picks predictions best bets upsets underdogs

We’re heading into the final weekend of the college football regular season with some championship games also on the agenda. After an unprecedented 2020 college football season, we finally made it to the finish line. Let’s check out which dogs will be barking the loudest when the dust settles on Saturday.

College football underdog predictions: Week 16

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:56 p.m. ET.

Minnesota +13.5 (-110) at Wisconsin

Minnesota (3-3 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) and Wisconsin (2-3, 2-3) will battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe, which we can all agree is one of the best trophies in all of college football. They might also be battling for one of the Big Ten Conference’s bowl bids, too, perhaps for a spot in Phoenix in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl? We’ll see.

The Golden Gophers are playing their best football of the abbreviated season, entering on a two-game win and cover streak, averaging 29.0 points per game and allowing just 24.0 PPG. They have scored 24 or more points in five of six games overall, too.

The Badgers limp in on a three-game loss and non-cover skid, and QB Graham Mertz just hasn’t been taking very good care of the ball after an impressive start. Wisconsin’s two wins are against Illinois and Michigan, which isn’t terribly impressive. Why are the Badgers favored by two scores in a rivalry game, again?

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San Jose State +6.5 (-110) vs. Boise State

The unbeaten Spartans (6-0 overall, 6-0 MWC) and Broncos (5-1, 5-0) meet in Las Vegas for the Mountain West Conference title. Boise State is looking to maintain its dominance in this all-time series. The Broncos are actually 13-0 all time vs. the Spartans. San Jose State hasn’t started a season 7-0 since 1939. So, there are a lot of things going against the Spartans.

However, there are a lot of things going in the favor of San Jose State, too. Head coach Brent Brennan has seen his name bandied about for the Arizona head coaching vacancy, as he has done wonders in the Bay Area. QB Nick Starkel is the real deal, throwing for 1,453 yards, 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions. San Jose State is 5-0-1 ATS, including three covers as an underdog – against Air Force, San Diego State and Nevada.

Illinois +15.5 (-110) at Penn State

The Illini (2-5 overall, 2-5 Big Ten) head to Happy Valley to battle the Nittany Lions in their first game since head coach Lovie Smith was canned. Offensive coordinator Rod Smith will be at the helm for this one, and the Illini will band together and try and win it for their departed coach. Illinois is 2-1 SU/ATS in its past three road games, averaging 24.7 PPG on offense.

Penn State (3-5, 3-5) started out 0-5 SU/ATS in its first five games, the worst start in school history. However, this team has rallied and not quit, winning three in a row over Michigan, Rutgers and Michigan State. Plus, it covered in three straight, including each of the past two as double-digit favorites. The defense has been the biggest story lately, although it did allow a backup QB from Michigan State to lead Sparty’s offense to 24 points last week. The Nittany Lions will win again, but the Illini will play a spirited game and hang for the cover.

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.

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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.

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We’ve had a handful of games canceled due to COVID-19, unfortunately, but there is still plenty of exciting college football action on the schedule for the third Saturday in November. Let’s uncover some of that value with three key Week 12 college football underdog predictions.

College football underdog predictions: Week 12

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:45 a.m. ET.

Indiana +20.5 (-110) at Ohio State

I definitely do not like the upstart Hoosiers to go into the Horseshoe and win outright, but the disrespect making IU a near three-touchdown underdog is a slap in the face. Take advantage. You know the Hoosiers are using it as extra motivation in this huge measuring stick game for the program.

Indiana, which has long been a conference doormat and punching bag for its neighbors to the East, ranks 10th in the Amway Coaches Poll after a 4-0 straight up and against the spread start.

Yes, the Buckeyes are the Buckeyes, and they’re playing well out of the gate. They had an unexpected bye last week as their game at Maryland was canceled due to COVID-19. This Hoosiers team, led by QB Michael Penix Jr., is putting up 267.5 passing yards per game and 33.8 points per game. The IU defense has been stout, too, yielding just 19.3 PPG. This game is going to be a lot closer than many think.

Special Big Ten Betting Promotion!

Bet $1 on ANY Big Ten team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if ANY BIG TEN team scores a touchdown this week! Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks.

New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now at BetMGM!

Kansas State +11 (-110) at Iowa State

K-State put up a tremendous fight last week as a 14-point underdog, dropping a 20-18 heartbreaker against visiting Oklahoma State. The last time the Wildcats were 11-point underdogs, they won 21-14 at TCU (Oct. 10). The previous time they were double-digit dogs, they won 38-35 at Oklahoma (Sept. 26) as 28-point underdogs.

As a double-digit underdog, Kansas State is 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS this season. In addition, the Wildcats are 7-1 ATS in their last eight intra-conference games, too, while cashing in five of their past six on the road.

For Iowa State, it is a dismal 0-4 ATS in the past four against winning teams, while going just 2-6 ATS across the past eight at Jack Trice. The Cyclones are also just 2-7-1 ATS in their past 10 as favorites.

If those trends don’t have you excited enough for a K-State play, the underdog is also 6-0 ATS in the previous six meetings in this series.

Arizona +11.5 (-110) at Washington

The Wildcats gave USC all it could handle last week, eventually falling 34-30 to the Trojans in Tucson. While the loss was a disappointment for the Wildcats, they saw QB Grant Gunnell throw for 286 yards and three touchdowns, while RB Gary Brightwell shone with 112 yards on the ground to give the Wildcats tremendous balance.

The Huskies got off to a quick start last week, scoring 24 points in the first half; however, the offensive spigot was turned off in the final 30 minutes, and they outscored the visiting Oregon State Beavers just 3-0 for a rough Under result. More importantly, their lack of offense in the second half meant an unsatisfying 27-21 win at home as 13.5-point favorites.

Backing the Wildcats goes against the trends, as they are just 1-4 ATS in the past five meetings with the Huskies, and 0-4 ATS in the past four trips to Seattle. Their balanced offense should be able to crack the D of UW.

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.

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Additional college football coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama football / Auburn football / Florida football / Georgia football / LSU football / Michigan football / Michigan State football / Notre Dame football / Ohio State football / Oklahoma football / Tennessee football / Texas football / USC football / Wisconsin football

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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