Where the action is: Saturday's college line moves
COVERS.com
North Carolina at. South Florida – line moved from -13 ½ to -12 ½
This is the noon game on ESPN, which is why it’s getting a little more action than it might otherwise. So far bettors aren’t feeling the much talked about Bulls can cover a big number against a struggling ACC squad.
The Bulls are 3-0 (2-0 against the spread) and are coming off a win over Auburn two weeks ago. North Carolina, meanwhile, is 1-2 (1-1 ATS) and its only win came against Division I-AA James Madison. The Tar Heels are trying to shake off a pair of losses that came by a combined five points.
UNC’s biggest problem is that it can’t keep its offense on the field. The Heels rank last in college in time of possession; South Florida ranks 82nd with five more minutes per game with the ball.
Duke at Navy - line moved from -10 to -14
Duke finally snapped a 22-game losing streak last week when it upset Northwestern. Now the public is expecting a major letdown and has steadily bet Navy throughout the week to move the Midshipmen up four points to -14.
Navy is the best rushing team in the nation with nearly 380 yards per game but starting quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada could be slowed today by a pair of sprained ankles. The Middies also lost their two best starters on defense for the season a couple weeks ago, which played a big factor in their loss to 7-point underdog Ball State last week.
Michigan State at Notre Dame – line moved from +13 to +10
Regis Philbin’s pep rally at Notre Dame on Friday seemed to be enough to convince bettors to put their cash on the Irish. Notre Dame has steadily moved to a smaller underdog all week and is now at +10 at several sportsbooks.
MSU is 3-0 and Notre Dame is 0-3 to start but the two clubs have just one covered spread between them. The Irish have yet to score an offensive touchdown this season so they’ll have to find a way to get to the end zone if they hope to earn the cash for the first time in 2007.
The biggest mismatch statistic in this game is that Michigan State ranks first in the nation with 17 sacks and Notre Dame ranks worst in the nation in sacks allowed with 23.
South Carolina at LSU – line move from -18 ½ to -17 ½
This line has bounced from –16 ½ early in the week to as high as -18 ½ yesterday and it is coming back down again. There are two main factors for the move: LSU starting senior QB Matt Flynn is questionable and torrential downpours are expected tonight in Baton Rouge.
Flynn has been limited in practice this week and his status remains uncertain with a sprained ankle. Ryan Perrilloux would start in his place if necessary and the sophomore actually has more yards, more TD passes and a better completion percentage this season.
Surprisingly, the total has only moved about one point from 46 to 45 despite the fact that public safety officials are watching the weather closely today to determine if the game can go ahead. So far the game is still on but fans in Baton Rouge had better bring some sturdy umbrellas.