-Golden Bears 50-31 win over Southern Utan (32-point home favorites)
-Scored 30 points in the fourth quarter (zero in the first)
-USC Trojans on deck
-Played without starting RT Matt Summers-Gavin
-Meyer isn’t happy with his team’s play
-Down to third tailback and it shows
-Braxton Miller is running the ball, getting hit too much
-Meyer is now 46-4 in September
-Won 59 consecutive regular-season non-conference home games against unranked teams
-Outgained UCF by a 248-114 margin in the first half
-Defense has five takeaways in two games
-Last meeting in 1972
-Ohio State 17-2 SU in hosting BCS no-conference schools
-Cal’s third trip East of Mississippi in eight seasons
Handicapper Line: TBD
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Florida State Seminoles
-Price threw for a career-high 327 yards
-Tar Heels were without Gio Bernard (knee)
-FSU won its opening two games by a 124-3 margin
-Starters pulled after a quarter Saturday
-Seminoles 23-6-1 versus Deacons, but four of the losses have come in the last six years
-FSU had five TO’s last year, resulting in 17 Wake points
-Seminoles have Clemson on deck (likely decide Atlantic division)
Handicapper Line: TBD
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
-Hokies still looking for someone to replace David Wilson
-Lost WR D.J. Coles earlier in the week, returning player in terms of receptions last year
-Panthers 0-2 for the first time since 2005
-Graham 19 carries, 103 yards
-Sunseri sacked six times, 278 yards
-Hokies 18-1 in true road openers
-Pitt 4-7 versus VaTech, wining the last three by 14 ppg, last meeting 2003
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
-Ryan Aplin had his second-straight 300-yard passing game, rushed for 73
-Allowed Memphis to score twice on special teams
-Totaled over 500 yards of total offense in both games this season
-Set school record with 33 first downs
-Held Memphis to 293 total yards
-Allowed Hundley to pass for 305 yards, four TDs
-Allowed Franklin to rush for 217 yards
-Allowed 653 total yards
-Lost the TOP battle by more than 15 mins
-Totaled 106 yards of total offense in the second half
-10-game win streak in September snapped
-Huskers came into the season with nine straight wins against non-conference teams at home (29 ppg margin)
-Red Wolves came into season dropping 10 straight non-conference away games (17 ppg)
-Red Wolves won their last four road games last year
Handicapper Line: TBD
TCU Horned Frogs vs. Kansas Jayhawks
-QBs completed all 17 of their passes
-One of only four FBS teams that didn’t play in Week 1
-Won ninth consecutive game, longest streak in the nation
-Gone 61-1 when gaining at least 167 yards on the ground
-Jayhawks were out-gained by 64 yards, turned the ball over three times, caused three turnovers
-Allowed 167 rushing yards to the Owls
-Still won 25 of its last 27 non-conference home games
-Five interceptions in two games (eight all of last year)
-Marks first Big 12 game for Horned Frogs
-Frogs have won three of four road games versus BCS teams last four years
-Kansas is 2-10 last 12 Big 12 home games, five straight losses by 23 ppg
Handicapper Line: TBD
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
-AJ McCarron threw for four touchdowns, defense caused the same amount of turnovers
-Outgained Western Kentucky 328-224, ran for 103 yards, allowed 46 on the ground
-Allowed six sacks
-Not trailed after the first quarter in its last 16 games
-Since 2008, perfect 19-0 in September
-Alabama has either held the lead or been tied at the break in 22 consecutive games, outscoring opponents by a 408-90 margin
-Allowed seven points or less in 18 of its last 19 first halves of play
-Allowed Louisiana-Monroe QB Kolton Browning to gain 481 total yards
-Squandered a 21-point lead
-Forced at least one turnover in 11 straight games
-8 for 8 in the red zone in scoring TDs
-Freshman QB Brandon Allen finished with 85 total yards
-Alabama has won five straight against Arkansas
-10 of the Razorbacks last 11 drives were five plays or less in last year’s meetin
Handicapper Line: TBD
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Louisville Cardinals
-Had to go with backup RBs A.J. Blue and Romar Morris, Bernard out with knee injury
-Outgained the Demon Deacons by two years (428-426)
-QB Teddy Bridgewater threw for a career-high 344 yards
-Seven of his 10 targets catching at least three passes
-Cardinals are now 15-4 when scoring more than 20 points under Charlie Strong
-Surpassed 400 yards of offense in consecutive games for the first time since 2010
-Big East is 0-2 against its closest rival conference (ACC)
-UNC entered season 4-0 last four years versus non-conference road opponents (27-14 avg score)
-Last year’s meeting was scoreless in the FH
Handicapper Line: North Carolina Tar Heels -2
Florida Gators vs. Tennessee Volunteers
-Florida had never won a game under Will Muschamp when trailing at the half (0-5 previously)
-QB Jeff Driskell sacked eight times
-Allowed the Aggies to gain 5.8 ypp in the first half (2.8 in second)
-Won eighth straight SEC road opener
-Totaled three sacks, Texas A&M gave up nine all of last year
-Bray completed 18 of 20 passes for 310 yards
-Volunteers also won both opening games last year (finished 5-7)
-Gained 500-plus years in first two weeks
-UT has lost seven consecutive games against Florida (last five by DDs)
-Team that has more rushing yards has won nine straight in the series (21 of 22), Volunteers had minus-nine on the ground last year
Handicapper Line: TBD
UAB Blazers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
-Two weeks to prepare for their first road game
-Suffered a 39-29 loss to the Troy Trojans on Sept. 1, won the statistical battle by six yards (six-point HDs)
-Allowed nearly 37 ppg last year, lost seven starters
-Ranked dead last in sacks last year
-Scored most first-quarter points in a game since Nov. 20, 2010
-Backup QB Dylan Thompson threw for 330 yards and three TDs
-Injured starter Connor Shaw is expected to start this week
-Lattimore gained 40 yards on 13 carries
-Allowed 403 yards, but caused five turnovers
-Spurrier is 45-0, 19-0 at Carolina versus schools outside of the BCS conferences
-Blazers are 2-17 versus SEC opponents, wins in 2000 and 2004
-Blazers 1-20 in road openers, eight straight losses by 21 ppg
-UAB head coach was Arkansas OC last two years
-WMU is 0-3 all-time against Minnesota
-QB Alex Carder is looking for his fourth 300-yard passing game against a BCS team, third against Big Ten
-The Broncos are 6-33 all-time against Big Ten opponents (2-5 under current head coach)
-Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill faced Western Michigan each year from 2008-10 while coaching Northern Illinois
-Gone 26-4-1 all-time against MAC opponents
-Defense has four interceptions this year, equaling their total from last year
-Kill is 2-2 against Bill Cubit (WMU coach)
-Third in the Big Ten in scoring, behind Ohio State (87) and Nebraska (79)
-Boast the top pass defense in the Big Ten, 12th nationally
-Broncos are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games versus Big Ten opponents
Louisiana Lafayette v. Oklahoma State
-Louisiana Lafayette ranks sixth nationally in rush defense (49 ypg)
-Backup QB Terrance Broadway completed 10-of-16 passes for 143 yards in taking over midway through the first quarter last week
-Excellent kicking game
-Offensive line is one of 13 that hasn’t allowed a QB sack
-Gone 5-1 in September under head coach Mark Hudspeth (15-2 since 2008)
-Oklahoma State is 8-0 all-time in the series, including wins last two years
-Won seven straight home games, longest such streak since 1984-85
-Earliest home kickoff since 2004
-Average score in this series is 41-15
-Lead the country with 23 tackles behind the line of scrimmage
-Didn’t force a turnover last week for the first time since 2010, rank 108th in the country in that category (first last year)
-Lafayette is 14-1 ATS L15 road games
-Oklahoma State is 10-3 ATS as a favorite off a SU loss
Arkansas State v. Nebraska
-Arkansas State has allowed zero sacks in first two games
-Rank seventh nationally in total offense (574.5 ypg)
-Recorded 34 first downs last week versus Memphis, most in school history
-Ran 98 plays last week, most since 1975
-Lost all nine meetings against current members of the Big Ten
-Posted at least 300 yards of total offense in 26 of L27 games
-Scored at least 30 points in its last eight games
-Rank 16th in total offense, averaging 535.5 ypg
-Last week’s loss snapped the team’s 10-game win streak in September
-Lost for the first time since the start of the 2009 season when rushing for 200 or more yards (won 19 consecutive)
-Surrendered 653 yards of offense, most since allowing 606 to Missouri in 2007
-QB Taylor Martinez is averaging 275.1 yards of total offense in 10 career September games
-Gone 10-0 SU, 6-2 ATS all-time against current Sun Belt Conference teams, average score of 47-7
-Both teams have gone OVER in their two games
-Cornhuskers are 0-6 ATS as a home favorite of 21.5 or more points
Penn State
Despite losing their first two games against the Ohio Bobcats and Virginia Cavaliers, the betting public is expecting the Penn State Nittany Lions to capture their first victory of the Bill O'Brien era on Saturday.
The Navy Midshipmen received a bye week after suffering a humiliating 50-10 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Dublin, Ireland, which could lead to a bounce-back performance here.
I'm surprised to see a heavy amount of action on the Nittany Lions as six-point home favorites, considering the Midshipmen are 13-5 against the spread (ATS) as a road underdog of seven or fewer points.
Texas A&M
One of the biggest movers on the odds board, the Texas A&M Aggies are receiving a lot of action after dropping a 20-17 decision to the Florida Gators as one-point home underdogs in their first-ever Southeastern Conference affair last week.
I'm not really interested in laying 13 points in this contest, as I believe the program needs a few more games to adjust to Kevin Sumlin's system.
Don't blindly land on the home underdog in this spot, either, with the SMU Mustangs failing to cover their two home games with a total of 56.5 to 63 the last two-plus seasons.
Virginia Tech
Based on early-season numbers, the Virginia Tech Hokies should win this game by three touchdowns, but the college football oddsmakers have established them as 10.5-point favorites. That should immediately raise a red flag to any handicapper when breaking down this game.
Sports bettors need to be careful laying this inflated number, especially with the Hokies going 0-3 ATS after posting a win of 35 or more points the previous week.
Arizona State
The Arizona State Sun Devils are off to a 2-0 start under new head coach Todd Graham, which includes an impressive 45-14 win over the Illinois Fighting Illini as 5.5-point home favorites last week.
If you take a look at the scores around the nation last week, you'll notice that the Pac-12 Conference enjoyed great success against non-conference opponents.
The public is buying into the hype.
The Missouri Tigers are currently listed as 6.5-point home favorites in this matchup, coming off a 41-20 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in their first-ever game as a member of the SEC.
I'm not interested in playing an underdog vs. a host that's 22-5 ATS after allowing more than 40 points in its previous game.
Colorado State
The Colorado State Rams are one of my play-on teams this year due to first-year head coach Jim McElwain, but I won't be joining the party this week due to the amount of action they've already received.
Sports bettors will quickly notice that the San Jose Spartans have fallen to 11-point home favorites, which is 1.5 points lower than their opening number.
The public may be right in this matchup, with the Spartans going 0-3 ATS as home favorites of 7.5 to 14 points since 2010.
Florida Atlantic
The Florida Atlantic Owls have received enough action to move from 44.5 to 42-point road underdogs against the Georgia Bulldogs this Saturday, which is a significant move with this type of spread in Week 3.
I believe the action is warranted, especially with how lethargic the Bulldogs looked in their season opener against the Buffalo Bulls, only to come away with a visually-impressive win on the scoreboard against Missouri last week.
It's also important to note that the Bulldogs may get caught looking ahead to their second SEC game against the Vanderbilt Commodores in Week 4.
Skip Holtz
The South Florida Bulls opened up as10-point home favorites against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, but that number has fallen by 2.5 points at most spots.
Sports bettors are likely fading Bulls third-year head coach Skip Holtz, who has lost his first two Big East Conference openers in straight-up fashion as a favorite.
Paul Johnson
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets can ill-afford to drop their first two conference games of the year, suffering a 20-17 overtime setback against the Virginia Tech Hokies as 7.5-point road underdogs in Week 1.
Head coach Paul Johnson should have a focused bunch in this contest, especially after dropping a 24-21 decision to Virginia as 7.5-point road favorites in last year's meeting. He has compiled an impressive 24-12-1 ATS mark when seeking revenge in his career.
Jeff Tedford
California Golden Bears head coach Jeff Tedford is certainly on the hot seat this year, but he's managed to average 7.9 wins per year in his first 10 seasons.
The program has lost both of its games as underdogs of 10.5 to 21 points since 2010, but managed to cover the spread.
Urban Meyer put up some great ATS numbers before taking the Ohio State Buckeyes head coaching job, but Tedford's 13-3 ATS run as an underdog of six or more points is hard to ignore.
Florida Gators vs. Tennessee Volunteers
This situation is often considered a trap in sports handicapping, as most of the betting public will blindly bet a ranked team as a road underdog against an unranked host. I'm not sold on that angle here.
Florida has won the last seven meetings in the series, including the last six by a double-digit margin.
There's no doubt that the Tennessee Volunteers are looking to reestablish themselves in the hierarchy of the Southeastern Conference, but they haven't kicked off as a favorite against the Gators since 2004.
I'm not interested in laying three points in this contest, especially since I established the road team as a half-point favorite.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Michigan State Spartans
College football fans have watched a lot of close battles between these two foes, which has translated in the road team going 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
Taking a closer look at this situation is noteworthy, especially with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish currently listed as six-point road underdogs.
When receiving six or fewer points in this series, the visiting side has compiled an impressive 10-1 ATS record in that situation.
You need to really like the Michigan State Spartans to lay this type of number.
Maryland’s Randy Edsall will be facing his former school for the first time on Saturday, with both sides being motivated to come away with a victory. The Terrapins are surely in the middle of a rebuilding process, playing 12 true freshman in their season opener, while coming off a big 36-27 victory over the Temple Owls as eight-point road underdogs last week.
The Connecticut Huskies aren’t going to attract many casual bettors on their side, considering the offense managed to score just seven points last week against NC State, but former Terrapins defensive coordinator Don Brown has one of the better statistical stop units in the country.
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