Betting Recap - Week 6
By Daniel Dobish
VegasInsider.com
College Football Week 6 Results
Favorites-Underdogs
Straight Up 46-12
Against the Spread 28-27-3
Home-Away
Straight Up 25-33
Against the Spread 22-33-3
Totals (O/U)
Over-Under 25-33
The largest underdogs to win straight up
Iowa State (+31, ML +5000) at Oklahoma, 38-31
Bowling Green (+16.5, ML +550) at Miami (Ohio), 37-29
Michigan State (+13, ML +400) at Michigan, 14-10
Central Michigan (+11, ML +320) at Ohio, 26-23
Southern Mississippi (+10.5, ML +310) at Texas-San Antonio, 31-29
Alabama-Birmingham (+9.5, ML +280) vs. Louisiana Tech, 23-22
The largest favorites to cover
Ohio State (-30) vs. Maryland, 62-14
Washington (-28.5) vs. California, 38-7
Georgia (-17) at Vanderbilt, 45-14
Iowa (-16) vs. Illinois, 45-16
Memphis (-16) at Connecticut, 70-31
Top 25 Notes
Oklahoma was knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten at home on Saturday, and no one predicted this one. The Sooners entered as a 31-point favorite against Iowa State, but left with a devastating and inexplicable home loss. The Sooners jumped out to a 14-0 lead, and they held a 24-13 lead at halftime, so things were semi-close in the first two quarters, but you figured OU would pull away. Instead, it was the Cyclones outscoring the Sooners 11-0 in the third quarter, and they rattled off 18 unanswered points before Oklahoma tied it 31-31 with 7:18 to go. The Cyclones didn't fold, though, connecting for a 25-yard touchdown pass with 2:19 to go to silence the home crowd and win. It was especially stunning considering the Cyclones were using their backup quarterback. It also snapped Oklahoma's 14-game winning streak, and an 18-game win streak against ISU dating back to 1990. Even more rare, it just the second win in Norman for Iowa State since 1961. It was also Iowa State's first win against a ranked foe in the past 21 tries dating back to the 2012 season.
Georgia continues to roll along, this time beating Vanderbilt by a 45-14 count. The Bulldogs improved to 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS, and they have been even better since SEC play started. In their three wins against conference opponents they have outscored the opposition 117-17. The 45 points on Saturday actually helped the 'over' hit for the first time in six games for UGA this season.
Penn State struggled in the first half at Northwestern, leading just 10-0 at the break. Heisman hopeful Saquon Barkley had managed minus-1 rushing yards on eight carries in the first two quarters, but he rebounded for 75 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Penn State pulled away in the second half. The Nittany Lions have covered in back-to-back games for the first time this season, and they're 4-1-1 ATS overall. The 'under' was their third straight, and fifth in six outings.
Notre Dame was forced to use a backup quarterback in their road game at North Carolina, but it did not turn out to be a problem. The Irish were easily able to cover a 13 1/2-point number in Chapel Hill, winning 33-10. They have rattled off four consecutive covers, and they're a perfect 3-0 SU/ATS on the road this season.
Alabama passed a road test in front of the 12th man, topping Texas A&M 27-19. The Crimson Tide entered the game outscoring SEC foes 125-3 in the first two games, but the Aggies gave them all they could handle. Despite the two blowouts in league play, 'Bama is still just 2-3 ATS over the past five outings.
Big Five Conference Report
Duke slipped up at Virginia, 28-21. After starting out 4-0 SU/ATS, the Blue Devils have dropped two in a row and have failed to cover in either. The 'under' is a perfect 4-0 over the past four. ... Clemson seemed to have a little hangover in their game against Wake Forest 28-14. The Tigers are 1-2 ATS over the past three, while the 'under' has hit in each of the outings. ... North Carolina State is looking like a serious contender in the ACC, winning another big game against Louisville this past Thursday night. The Wolfpack have rattled off five straight wins and they have covered two of the past three after opening 0-3 ATS. The 'under' is also a perfect 3-0 for N.C. State over the past three contests.
Illinois turned to Jeff George Jr. under center, but the results were the same for the Illini. Iowa pounded the Illini by a 45-16 score, as the Hawkeyes improved to 3-1 ATS in four home outings. Illinois slipped to 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS, including 0-3 ATS over the past three outings. ... Ohio State was struggling on offense during the early going this season, but games against UNLV, Rutgers and Maryland have snapped them out of their funk.The Buckeyes are averaging 57.3 PPG over the past three outings with the 'over' a perfect 3-0.
Texas picked up a big confidence-boosting win over Kansas State in double-overtime, winning 40-34. After opening with a loss and non-cover, the Longhorns are an impressive 3-0-1 ATS over the past four outings. ... Texas Tech dumped Kansas 65-19, running their record to 4-1 SU/5-0 ATS. Oddly enough, the Red Raiders are normally known for 'over' results, but Saturday was just the second in five outings.
Southern California rebounded with a 38-10 victory against Pac-12 doormat Oregon State. Despite the four-touchdown win, the Trojans were still unable to cover for the fourth consecutive weekend. They're 1-5 ATS overall. The 'under' was their fourth in a row, however. ... Utah suffered its first setback of the season, as Stanford appears to be getting well. Despite the loss, the Utes are still 4-0-1 ATS through five games, and the 'under' is 4-1 in five outings.
Florida saw their late-game heroics run out against Louisiana State, as the Tigers rebounded from their embarrassing loss last week to Troy. The Tigers won 17-16 as 1 1/2-point favorites, so the Gators technically held out of a second straight cover after opening 0-3 ATS. ... Missouri picked up their first cover after opening 0-4 ATS, but the Tigers still slipped up 40-34 at Kentucky. The Wildcats are an impressive 5-1 SU, but just 2-4 ATS.
Mid-Major Report
East Carolina continues to have trouble scoring, as Temple came into Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and won 34-10. The Pirates are 1-5 SU/ATS this season, and 0-4 SU/ATS in four outings at home. The 'under' result snapped a 4-0 'over' run for ECU. ... Tulsa-Tulane was moved up a few hours due to the approach of Hurricane Nate to the New Orleans metropolitan area. The change in routine seemed to affect the Golden Hurricane, who fell behind 48-7 at half despite being only six-point underdogs. Tulsa's defense has struggled mightily this season, allowing 42 or more points in four of their six games this season. Tulsa is also 0-3 ATS over the past three outings.
Florida Atlantic routed Old Dominion 58-28, as Lane Kiffin's crew rushed for a school-record eight touchdowns. The Owls opened 1-3 SU/2-2 ATS, but they're a perfect 2-0 SU/ATS in Conference USA play. ... Southern Mississippi picked up a 31-29 road victory at Texas-San Antonio, improving to 3-2 SU/4-1 ATS. After three 'under' results to start, the 'over' is 2-0 in the past two for USM. ... Alabama-Birmingham moved to 3-2 SU/4-1 ATS with their win against Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs of LT have alternated wins and losses this season, so that might not bode well for USM in their next game Oct. 21.
Ohio fell at home to Central Michigan, as the under cashed for the fourth consecutive game for the Chippewas. The cover put the brakes on an 0-3 ATS slide. ... Bowling Green topped Miami-Ohio for a 37-29 win in Oxford, their first win in six outings. The Falcons opened 0-5 SU/ATS, but they need only to look across the field to know a bowl is still possible. Remember, Miami opened 0-6 SU last season before rattling off six wins in a row to become bowl eligible.
San Diego State ran all over UNLV by a 41-10 count. The Runnin' Rebels came out with quite a bit of emotion, and wore special helmets to honor the victims of the awful mass shooting this past week in Las Vegas. While emotions ran high early, talent took over late. No one could stop Rashaad Penny, as he tries to add to his resume for Heisman consideration. ... Hawaii hit the mainland, and hit a brick wall in Nevada. The Wolf Pack came away with a much-needed 35-21 victory, snapping an 0-5 SU/1-4 ATS run.
Bad Beats
There was an ugly, ugly bad beat in the Minnesota-Purdue (45) game. The Gophers took a 17-16 lead with 2:26 to go, so it look like lights out for Boilermakers bettors. But Purdue struck right back with 1:17 to go, and they tacked on a two-point conversion. The 'under' is still safe, right? Nope. With just 10 seconds left in regulation, Ja'Whaun Bentley returned an interception 76 yards to the house for a crushing defeat to total bettors.
New Mexico State-Appalachian State (56) was a low-scoring game after three quarters, with the game tied 17-17. It appeared 22 points in the final quarter might be a bit much, but the sides combined for 42. 'Under' bettors were sad, but it was Aggies side bettors also suffering the bad beat. The game was tied 31-31, so if you're catching 13 1/2 you're feeling pretty good. However, App State scored two touchdowns in a 3:33 span to go up 45-31 and deal side bettors an ugly half-point loss.
In the San Diego State-UNLV (55) game, the Runnin' Rebels were driving with less than 30 second to go, trailing 41-10. The Rebs made it all the way down into the red zone, threatening to score a touchdown and push the total over. But the offense sputtered, and 'under' bettors hung on for the win.
Any over bettors in the LSU-Florida (42.5) game were feeling sick afterwards. The teams combined for 33 points through three quarters, needing just a field goal and a touchdown in some combination. The teams didn't score again. Ugly.