College football picks: Sharp bettors focus on low-profile underdogs and Clemson
The rivalry that once generated the “Game of the Century” has been reduced to something just north of a scrimmage, and bettors have reacted accordingly.
A week after Nebraska fired its long-slumping coach Scott Frost following a beyond-humbling home loss to Georgia Southern, the Cornhuskers stand as a +10.5-point home underdog to unbeaten rival Oklahoma Saturday.
“Nebraska is currently a dumpster fire after dismissing Frost,” Tipico Sportsbook’s Brian Gilmartin said. “The public is swinging in favor of the steady Sooners.”
Similarly, former top-10 Notre Dame is also reeling from its massive upset at the hands of Marshall, and the public has flocked to the belief that Cal can force the Fighting Irish to the first 0-3 start in the program’s distinguished history.
In this week’s version of college football’s “Hot Tix and Picks,” a survey of the nation’s leading bookmakers, the merciless mentality is at the forefront.
First, let's dive into the this week's hot tix.
Oklahoma (-10.5) at Nebraska
Alum Mickey Joseph takes over as interim coach for Nebraska, inheriting the mess of a Frost legacy scarred by heartbreaking narrow losses and a powerful fall from its former perch as a national power.
Meanwhile, No. 6 Oklahoma has done what it’s supposed to against its lesser competition, routing UTEP and Kent State by a combined 78-16 to start the season.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has thrown for five touchdowns thus far for the Sooners, but it’s notable to know that at the Las Vegas Superbook, Nebraska is one of the sharp players’ top plays.
The under 66.5 has also gained the public’s support.
“Last week, we saw Kent State be able to slow the pace of play versus Oklahoma in a game that only totaled 36 points," Gilmartin said. “Nebraska still has the talent on the defensive side of the ball, and Joseph should look to slow this game down in order to stand a chance.”
Cal (+330 moneyline) at Notre Dame
With first-year coach Marcus Freeman in search of his first victory following a bowl loss to close last season, bettors are speculating the Bears can win outright as an 11.5-point underdog.
“The biggest shock is Cal has a lot of favor to win the game outright … Notre Dame’s rough start (has) the impact on this being a big play this weekend,” Gilmartin said.
Conversely, there is strong backing of Notre Dame at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Louisville (+2.5) vs. Florida State
Although the Seminoles sit just short of the Paste BN Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, public bettors assess they’ll remain on the outside looking in.
In this Friday game, the Cardinals are receiving the backing mostly because they’re home.
“Louisville’s offense has been stagnant, only averaging 13.5 points per game, so they’re due for an outbreak,” Gilmartin said.
No. 2 Georgia (-24.5) at South Carolina
The defending national champions have looked superior to SEC rival (and top-ranked) Alabama thus far, and the bandwagon at Tipico and FanDuel is filling up for this Saturday SEC opener.
“This won’t come as a surprise, but the clear and obvious best team in the country to start the season has taken in the larger portion of bets," Gilmartin said. “It’s tough to lay 24.5 against a power-five opponent, but the Gamecocks also lost to Arkansas by 14. If the Razorbacks can do that, the Bulldogs must be capable of covering that number.”
Mississippi State (-2.5) at LSU
Bally’s bettors have made this their most popular choice, a position that could drop the Tigers to a surprising 1-2 under new coach Brian Kelly.
Now for our hot picks:
No. 4 Clemson (-33.5) vs. Louisiana Tech
The Tigers are riding high following opening three-touchdowns-plus victories and the new $115 million, 10-year contract extension for coach Dabo Swinney.
Louisiana Tech was routed 52-24 at Missouri two weeks ago, moving sharp bettors at the Las Vegas Superbook to make this their top pick.
Buffalo (+13.5) at Coastal Carolina
The winless Bulls don’t need to beat unbeaten Coastal Carolina they just need to stay within the two touchdowns.
And the Chanticleers haven’t cleared that threshold against either Army or Gardner-Webb thus far, prompting support from the Superbook sharps.
North Texas (+2.5) at UNLV
Despite the Rebels’ six-point loss to Cal, Bally’s sharps have backed a Mean Green team reeling from a 48-10 loss to SMU. They rebounded nicely, beating Texas Southern 59-27.
Wyoming (+16.5) vs. Air Force
With a home team getting all of these points, this Friday game is the No. 1 sharps play at Bally’s.
Wyoming posted an overtime victory against Tulsa two weeks ago while the Falcons are seen as ripe for a letdown following their 41-10 rout of Colorado last week.
Ohio (+18.5) at Iowa State
Speaking of letdowns, Superbook sharps are counting on one from the Cyclones following their upset of Iowa.
Ohio was pummeled 46-10 last week against Big Ten powerhouse Penn State.
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