Betting Recap - Week 5
By Daniel Dobish
VegasInsider.com
College Football Week 5 Results
Straight Up 47-7
Against the Spread 31-23
Home-Away
Straight Up 34-20
Against the Spread 26-28
Totals (O/U)
Over-Under 26-27-1
The largest underdogs to win straight up
Troy (+20.5, ML +1000) at Louisiana State, 24-21
Maryland (+13.5, ML +425) at Minnesota, 31-24
North Texas (+8, ML +260) at Southern Mississippi, 43-28
Washington State (+5, ML +170) vs. Southern California, 30-27
The largest favorites to cover
Alabama (-30) vs. Mississippi, 66-3
Ohio State (-28.5) at Rutgers, 56-0
Washington (-27.5) at Oregon State, 42-7
South Florida (-22.5) at East Carolina, 61-31
Notre Dame (-21) vs. Miami-Ohio, 52-17
Top 25 Notes
Clemson is the No. 2 team in the land, and they became the first team to ever beat three opponents ranked Top 15 or higher before Oct. 1. The Tigers looked like the more experienced team in their 31-17 road victory at Virginia Tech, and their defense might one of the most dominant in the nation. The Tigers are now 4-1 ATS, including 2-0 ATS on the road, and they're allowing just 10.8 PPG through five outings. ... Alabama rolled past Mississippi in one of the most dominating performances of the weekend, 66-3. In two games against the SEC, the Crimson Tide have outscored their opponents 125-3. The 'over' is a perfect 3-0 over the past three outings for the Tide. ... The weekend kicked off with Washington State topping Southern California on the Palouse. After opening 2-0 SU, but 0-2 ATS, the Cougs have covered three in a row.
Miami-Florida pounded Duke 31-6 at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, handing the Blue Devils their first loss and non-cover in five games. The Hurricanes moved to 3-0 SU/2-1 ATS, including covers in each of their games against FBS foes this season. Up next for the Canes is their annual Sunshine State rivalry game at Florida State.
Auburn spanked Mississipp State by a 49-10 count, as it was a bad day all around for all of the powers in the Magnolia State. Hey, at least Last Chance U, East Mississippi CC, rolled to a 45-7 win this week over Mississippi Delta CC. Like their Yellowhammer State rivals from Tuscaloosa, the Tigers are 2-0 SU/ATS in the SEC, averaging 50.0 PPG while allowing just 12.0 PPG.
Penn State continues to get amazing performances from Heisman hopeful RB Saquon Barkley, and they ended up rolling Indiana by a 45-14 score. The Nittany Lions running back might get all the attention, but the defense is allowing just 9.4 PPG through five outings, with the 'under' going 4-1 so far.
Georgia certainly looked impressive, as they trucked Tennessee 41-0 in Knoxville, turning up the temperature on Butch Jones' hot seat. The Bulldogs are now 4-1 ATS through five outings, and the 'under' has connected in each of their five games to date. UGA is allowing just 9.2 PPG so far.
Big Five Conference Report
Florida State picked up its first win at Wake Forest, 26-19. The offense is slowly, but surely, getting better with a true freshman under center. The Noles are still 0-2-1 ATS through three games, and the 'under' has connected in each outing. ... Georgia Tech rolled North Carolina 33-7, as the Tar Heels slipped to 1-4 SU/ATS. ... North Carolina State held off a late charge from Syracuse, winning 33-25. The Wolfpack are 4-0 SU over the past four outings, but just 1-4 ATS on the season.
Michigan State isn't quite all the way back, but they took a big step forward in a 17-10 win over Iowa. The Spartans improved to 3-1 SU/ATS heading into their rivalry game next week in the Big House. ... Wisconsin knocked off Northwestern 33-24, as a late charge pushed the 'over' (51) past the line. The Wildcats also outscored the Badgers 14-2 in the final 4:46 to score the backdoor cover. ... Maryland picked up an impressive 31-24 road win at Minnesota. The Terrapins are now 3-1 SU/ATS overall, and 2-0 SU/ATS in two games on the road. The Terps are averaging 41.0 PPG on the road.
It was a light schedule in the Big 12, with just three total games. Kansas State held on for a 33-20 win over winless Baylor, but they took their foot off the gas in the second half and allowed the Bears back into the game. While Baylor is 0-5 SU, they have at least covered in each of the past two. ... Oklahoma State bounced back to top Texas Tech by a 41-34 count, but it was the second straight non-cover for the Cowboys.
UCLA rebounded with a 27-23 victory against Colorado, but they slipped to 0-3 ATS over the past three, and 1-4 ATS overall this season. The 'under' result was their first in five outings, too. ... Oregon turned in a dominant performance against California, rebounding after their loss last week at Arizona State. ... moving to 4-0 SU/ATS. The 'under' also hit for the third time thisseason. ... Washington humbled Oregon State 42-7, as they have quietly moved to 5-0 SU. It doesn't seem like many are paying much mind to the Huskies, who are averaging 39.5 PPG in their two conference tilts while covering both. They're also allowing just 8.5 PPG in two Pac-12 battles.
Florida pushed aside Vanderbilt, but lost QB Luke Del Rio to a broken collarbone. Bettors were likely breaking things, too (see bad beats below). ... Texas A&M outscored South Carolina 14-0 in the fourth quarter, as the Aggies rallied for a 24-17 victory. The Aggies have won four in a row since their stunning collapse against UCLA in the opener.
Mid-Major Report
UCF is an impressive 3-0 SU/ATS after thumping Memphis, 40-13. The Golden Knights have won each of their games by at least 27 points, going 3-0 ATS so far. ... South Florida rolled past struggling East Carolina, 61-31. The Bulls are now 5-0 SU, and they have covered three in a row. USF's average margin of victory is 30.0 PPG during the three-game cover streak. The Pirates are 1-4 SU/ATS, including 0-3 SU/ATS at home. The Pirates have lost each of their three home games by at least 20 points, with the 'over' hitting in each of their past four.
Florida Atlantic picked up an impressive 38-20 victory over Middle Tennesseee, 38-20. The Owls have covered three of their past four, with the 'under' going 4-1 through five games. ... Rice was pummeled at Pittsburgh, 42-10, falling to 1-4 SU/ATS. The Owls have dropped three in a row, and they're averaging just 6.7 PPG during the span. ... North Texas scored an impressive 43-28 victory at Southern Mississippi, moving to 2-0 in the C-USA West Division.
Ohio and Massachusetts combined for the highest-scoring game in Week 5, totaling 108 points. The Bobcats came away with the 58-50 victory, as they have now won and covered three in a row, and four of their five overall. ... Buffalo avenged a home loss last season against Kent State, 27-13. The total on this game was a bad beat (see below), as well as bad beat info on the Akron-Bowling Green total. As far as the result, the Falcons slipped to 0-5 SU/ATS. ... Northern Illinois went to San Diego State and battled hard. The Aztecs held on for the 34-28 win, but the Huskies were able to improve to 5-0 ATS.
Utah State polished off Brigham Young on Friday night, 40-24. The Aggies have covered in back-to-back games for the first time this season. The 'over' is a perfect 5-0 for USU, too. ... Colorado State went out to the islands and maintained their composure and focus, topping Hawaii 51-21 in perhaps their most complete game of the season. CSU has covered in back-to-back outings, both on the road. ... San Jose State was dumped at UNLV, 41-13. After covering in their first two, the Spartans are a dismal 0-4 ATS in their past four outings.
Bad Beats
'Over' bettors (40.5) were feeling great in the Buffalo-Kent State game, as there were 33 points on the board by halftime. The Bulls punched in a touchdown with 4:59 to go in the third quarter, but that was it. The fourth quarter was scoreless, including Buffalo's decision not to kick a field with less than two minutes to go on fourth down deep in KSU territory.
Akron-BGSU (58) had a total of 33 points on the board at halftime, too, and 50 points by the end of three quarters. However, defense reigned supreme in the final quarter, with only a pick-six by the Zips at 8:59 serving as the only scoring.
In the Vandy-Florida game, Commodores side bettors felt like they were going to score a backdoor cover with 3:14 to go in regulation, down 31-24 with a nine-point spread. However, Malik Davis ripped off a 39-yard total run after the onside kick, pushing Florida's lead to 38-24. Davis was actually chewed out by his coach for not going down and ending the game, technically giving Vandy a chance to do something. But the 'Dores couldn't come through the backdoor for bettors.
Clemson and Virginia Tech (48.5) was never really going over, but it was close. The Hokies scored with 1:32 to cut Clemson's lead to 31-17, giving 'over' bettors hope. The Tigers recovered the onside kick, and used a young quarterback in the game later rather than kneeling it out. Clemson threatened to move it into the red zone in the final ticks, but they came up just short, as did 'over' bettors.