Betting Recap - Week 2
By Daniel Dobish
VegasInsider.com
College Football Week 2 Results
Favorites-Underdogs
Straight Up 55-16
Against the Spread 28-42-1
Home-Away
Straight Up 46-25
Against the Spread 22-48-1
Totals (O/U)
Over-Under 23-48
The largest underdogs to win straight up
Texas-San Antonio (+11, ML +325) at Baylor, 17-10
Middle Tennessee (+8, ML +250) at Syracuse, 30-23
New Hampshire (+7.5, ML +250) at Georgia Southern, 22-12
New Mexico State (+7.5, ML +240) at New Mexico, 30-28
Oklahoma (+7.5, ML +250) at Ohio State, 31-16
The largest favorites to cover
Akron (-48.5) vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 52-3
Washington (-39) vs. Montana, 63-7
Kansas State (-34.5) vs. Charlotte, 55-7
Utah State (-34.5) vs. Idaho State, 51-13
Top 25 Notes
The big story of the weekend was Oklahoma handing Ohio State a loss in the Horseshoe, 31-16, avenging last season's embarrassing loss in Norman. Not only are the Sooners 2-0 SU, but they have covered each of their games, too. Next up is a meeting with Tulane, a side that is also surprisingly 2-0 ATS. ... In the battle of the Tigers in Death Valley it Clemson easing by Auburn in a low-scoring affair, 14-6. The defending national champions have allowed a total of three field goals through two games, going 2-0 ATS to start. ... Georgia fans and alumni were fired up for their trip to Notre Dame, and the Bulldogs treated their throng of supporters to an exciting 20-19 victory, as the Dawgs are 2-0 SU/ATS out of the chute. ... Southern California scored 14 points in the first, second and fourth quarters in their dismantling of Stanford, winning 42-24. The 'over' has connected in each of USC's games so far, as they're averaging 45.5 PPG through two.
Alabama rolled to a 41-10 win against Fresno State, although the visiting Bulldogs were able to pick up their second cover in as many weeks. The Crimson Tide defense has been stiff as usual, allowing just 8.5 PPG. The 'under' has connected in each of their outings todate.
Louisville posted an impressive 47-35 victory at North Carolina, led by defending Heisman Trophy champion QB Lamar Jackson. The Cardinals offense is not the problem, averaging 41.0 PPG, but their defense continues to be a question mark. Louisville has allowed 31.5 PPG, and that's something to watch heading into next week's showdown with Clemson.
Louisiana State were rude hosts to Chattanooga, winning 45-10. The Tigers are averaging 36.0 PPG while yielding just 5.0 PPG through two outings. TheTigers ended up pushing on a 35-point number at most shops, and they're now 1-0-1 ATS through the first two weekends.
Several games were impacted by Hurricane Irma, including the Miami (Florida)-Arkansas State, South Florida-Connecticut, Northern Colorado-Florida, La. Monroe-Florida State and Memphis-UCF games which were postponed. The game between Alcorn State-Florida International was pushed up to Friday night, with FIU earning the first win for Butch Davis as coach of the program.
Big Five Conference Report
Duke is off to a hot start. While their 60-7 win against FCS North Carolina Central last weekend was impressive, it paled in comparison to the sharp outing against Northwestern on Saturday. The Blue Devils allowed just 191 total yards, moving to 2-0 SU/ATS with the 'over' also going 2-0. ... Pittsburgh slipped behind 14-0 after the first quarter and they were unable to recover at Penn State, losing 33-14. The 'under' is 2-0 through two games for the Panthers, as their offense is averaging just 21.0 PPG. ... Wake Forest is off to a 2-0 start, routing Boston College by a 34-10 in the ACC opener for both teams. The Demon Deacons are 2-0 ATS, averaging 42.5 PPG.
After a disastrous 3-9 season in 2016, Michigan State looks to be back to normal. They topped a solid Western Michigan side by a 28-14 score, covering for the second consecutive week. The 'under' is also 2-0, as they have allowed just 12.0 PPG so far. ... In one of the more entertaining games of the day, Iowa erased a 10-point deficit to forced overtime, eventually winning 44-41. ... Maryland is off to a hot and expected start, topping FCS Towson by a 63-17 score. The Terps are 2-0 SU/ATS, avearging 57.0 PPG through two outings. ... Rutgers is off to an 0-2 SU start after falling at home to Eastern Michigan, 16-13. The 'under' is 2-0 so far for the Scarlet Knights.
Baylor continues their stumble out of the gate. Last week they were dropped by FCS Liberty. This week, it was Texas-San Antonio collecting its first-ever win against a Power 5 school, 17-10. The Bears are 0-2 SU/ATS. ... Kansas led 3-0 against Central Michigan after the first quarter, but they were pounded for 24 points in the second quarter and were never able to record. The Jayhawks still haven't won consecutive games since 2011. ... Texas Christian continues to play lockdown defense. While a 63-0 win against FCS Jackson State was impressive, a 28-7 win at Arkansas proved their defense is going to be solid. The 'under' has hit in each of TCU's two games so far.
UCLA didn't have any type of hangover after their excitcing win over Texas A&M last week. They fired out of the chute, grabbing a 14-0 lead over Hawaii after 15 minutes and they never looked back. The 'over' is 2-0 through two games for the Bruins, as they're averaging 50.5 PPG on offense. ... Oregon State had its doors blown off at home, losing to Minnesota 48-14 at home. The Beavers are a dismal 0-3 ATS so far, and the 'over' is 3-0. Their defense has been hammered for 46.0 PPG. Next up is a trip to Washington State, a team 0-2 ATS so far, but averaging 39.0 PPG.
Mississippi posted a 45-23 victory against Tennessee-Martin. Still, the Rebels are 0-2 ATS through their first two outings. ... Vanderbilt is averaging 35.0 PPG through two outings, and they have allowed just six total points. As such, the 'under' has cashed in each of their outings. ... Kentucky has scratched out a pair of wins through the first two weekends, but they've failed to cover in each. The 'under' is also a perfect 2-0 so far. ... South Carolina is off to an impressive start, posting a 31-13 win at Missouri. The Gamecocks held down a Tigers offense which had a 500-yard passer and 200-yard rusher last week. South Carolina is 2-0 SU/ATS, and the 'under' has also cashed in each of the battles.
Mid-Major Report
East Carolina's struggles continue, as they fell 56-20 at West Virginia. The Pirates are off to a horrendous 0-2 SU/ATS start, losing to the Mountaineers after getting whipped at home last week to FCS James Madison. ... Tulsa topped Louisiana-Lafayette 66-42, but they defense continues to struggle. The 'over' has connected in each of their outings. ... Houston had their opener postponed due to the aftermath from Hurricane Harvey, so they made their first appearance of the season in Arizona on Saturday. It was worth the wait, as the Cougars topped the Wildcats 19-16.
Charlotte slipped up 55-7 at Kansas State, as the 49ers are a dismal 0-2 SU/ATS while averaging just 7.0 PPG through two weekends. ... Middle Tennessee recovered after an opening game home loss to Vanderbilt, posting a 30-23 win at Syracuse as 7 1/2-point underdogs. The 'under' has cashed in each of their first two games, a departure from last season when the 'over' was 7-1 in the final eight games for the Blue Raiders.
Ball State whipped visiting Alabama-Birmingham by a 51-31 count, covering for the second time in as many outings. ... Bowling Green is off to a terrible start, and it got worse Saturday. They were tripped up 35-27 at home against FCS South Dakota. The Falcons are 0-2 SU/ATS, and the 'under' is 2-0 despite the fact they're allowing 35.0 PPG. ... Buffalo slipped to 0-2 SU on the season with a 21-17 loss at Army, but the Bulls are a solid 2-0 ATS. Their defense is allowing a respectable 19.0 PPG, so the 'under' is also 2-0.
New Mexico State fired out to a 30-5 lead at New Mexico heading to the fourth quarter, but they had to hang on. The Lobos cut the lead to 30-28 with 1:11 to go in regulation, but they failed on a two-point conversion to fall just short in their comeback. The Aggies are now a respectable 2-0 ATS so far. ... UNLV rebounded nicely in their trip to Idaho, winning 44-16 after being stunned at home by FCS Howard. Offense hasn't been a problem for the Runnin' Rebels, as they're averaging 42.0 PPG.
Georgia Southern was tripped up by FCS New Hampshire, 22-12. The Eagles are 0-2 SU/0-1-1 ATS and the 'under' is 2-0, as they've averaging just 9.5 PPG through two outings. ... Texas State was overmatched in their trip to Colorado, losing 37-3. The 'under' has hit in each of the first two games for the Bobcats.
Bad Beats
Oregon side bettors (+14) were feeling pretty good at halftime, as the Ducks lead the Cornhuskers by a 42-14 score. However, Nebraska turned the tables and outscored Oregon 21-0. A late turnover gave the Huskers a chance, down 14, and they took advantage, scoring with 1:11 to go in regulation.
Michigan scored 12 points in the final quarter, topping Cincinnati by a 36-14 score. 'Over' (50.5) bettors just came up short at most shops,
'Under' (54.5) bettors were feeling good with 10:07 to go. Duke had just scored a touchdown, leading Northwestern 38-10. The Blue Devils kicked a field goal with 5:07 to go, still under the total. However, a 20-yard touchdown pass with 2:50 to go crushed the Wildcats and 'under' bettors.