Top 5: College football’s top over bets
By JASON LOGAN
If totals are your forte when betting college football, then you’ve more than likely cashed in on one of these teams in the first four weeks of the season.
There are just five programs in the country that have topped the total in each of their games in which odds were available. Some are doing it with high-flying offensive while others have been on the other side of the end zone.
Utah Utes 4-0 SU (4-0 over/under)
If the Utes’ new state-of-the-art uniforms do what they promise, there’s no reason why their streak of overs should ever cease. Utah will sport Under Armour’s finest light-weight, resistance-free fabrics that claim to make athletes faster.
Whether or not that’s true, Utah is averaging almost 39 points per game and has new offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig to thank. Not spiffy new jerseys. The Utes rushing attack is finding its stride behind the wheels of Darrell Mack and Matt Asiata while quarterback Brian Johnson is getting better each game.
Utah’s defense is sharp to start the year. They’re ranked third in the country in total yards against and have given up an average of under 20 points per game. Books could be dropping the Utes’ totals based on their performance.
Baylor Bears 2-2 SU (3-0 over/under)
Hopefully the bye week won’t disrupt the Bears’ current streak of big scores. Baylor recorded its third over in an entertaining 31-28 loss to UConn, which played above the 52-point total.
The Bears’ rushing attack has been its biggest weapon on offense. They are averaging over 220 yards on the ground per game thanks to the swift feet of quarterback Robert Griffin, who leads the team in touchdowns, rushing and passing yards.
Over the past three games in which a line was set, the Bears’ contests are receiving an average total of 51 points. Their defense is allowing nearly half of those, giving up 23.8 point per game this season, and has shown a weakness to the run in their two losses.
California Golden Bears 2-1 SU (3-0 over/under)
The Bears are nothing but golden for anyone savvy enough to take the over in their last three games. Cal’s combination of high-scoring and horrible defense is a total bettor’s wet dream.
Behind a strong rushing attack in running backs Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen, Bears’ sophomore QB Kevin Riley is winning over doubters. He chucked for 423 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-27 loss to Maryland that played over the 54-point total.
The defense has been a punching bag against elite runners like MSU’s Javon Ringer and Maryland’s two-man combo. They’ve also played the victim to the pass game, allowing just under 200 yards through the air per game.
Idaho Vandals 1-3 SU (3-0 over/under)
Who said you needed to have a superior offense to become a good over bet? The Vandals’ contests have gone past the total thanks to defense that’s allowing over 47 points per game.
Idaho had 10 touchdowns scored on them against Arizona in Week 1 and haven’t shown much of an improvement since. The defense is giving up 478.5 total yards per game and the offense isn’t doing much better.
A lack of execution in the running game and turnovers are keeping the Vandals from keeping up with the competition. Idaho is averaging 21.8 points per game and it seems fans are more concerned about what their cheerleaders are wearing than how the players are performing.
Western Michigan Broncos 3-1 SU (3-0 over/under)
The Broncos’ offense is looking sharp after scoring a combined 92 points in the last two games. However, those numbers came against the sieve-like defense of Idaho and Tennessee Tech.
Quarterback Tim Heller has thrown for 1,102 yards, 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He is ranked 11th in total passing yards in the country and has led Western Michigan to an average of more than 36 points per weekend.
The defense is the big question from the Broncos. They’ve already allowed 27 points per game, most of those coming from a weak pass defense that is giving up an average of over 280 yards through the air. The D’ will be tested with three of the next four games coming on the road against conference foes.