College Football Week 3 betting odds: Picking Top 25 teams against the spread

Thursday

Houston at No. 25 BYU

BYU comes into this game as roughly 18 point favorites over Houston. BYU is coming off a big win over Texas, who were depleted, and are 2-0 against the spread this season. Houston on the other hand is 0-2 against the spread this season.

Friday

No. 8 Baylor at Buffalo

Baylor comes in as heavy favorites in this one with a 34.5 point spread over Buffalo. The Baylor Bears are 2-0 against the spread this season and Buffalo is 0-2. Keep in mind that Baylor won by 57 points last season and their smallest margin of victory so far in this young season is 45 points.

Saturday

East Carolina at No. 17 Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech come into this game as 10 point favoirtes. Both teams are 2-0 against the spread coming into this match up and it is going to be hard to pick one over the other. Last year Virginia Tech won by five points and in 2011 Virginia Tech won by seven points, so it has been a close match up of late. Neither one has a strong trend to support picking them in this game. East Carolina is 2-4 against the spread in their last six road games,  while Virginia Tech is 2-4 in their last six games against East Carolina. I’d go with Virginia Tech.

UCF at No. 20 Missouri

Missouri are just 9.5 point favorites in this game against UCF, who are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games and 0-1 this season. Stick with the SEC.

Kent State at No. 22 Ohio State

Ohio State suffered an embarrassing loss and will look to come out and make a statement win, but will it be enough to cover a 32 point spread? Kent State is 0-2 against the spread and Ohio State is 1-1. While Kent State is 1-5-1 against the spread in their last seven games, Ohio State is 1-6 in their last seven games and 1-4 in their last five games at home. I don’t see Ohio State winning by 32 points.

No. 21 Louisville at Virginia

Louisville are seven point favorites against Virginia, both teams are undefeated against the spread through two games in this season. The shocking trend here is that Virginia is 5-12-3 against the spread in their last 20 games at home, pick Louisville.

Wyoming at No. 2 Oregon

Oregon are 44 point favorites against Wyoming and I’m always weary of large spreads because Oregon could blow them out and still not cover. Considering the spread and that Oregon is 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games, I’ll go with Wyoming.

No. 6 Georgia at No. 24 South Carolina

Georgia are six points favorites and after watching South Carolina against Texas A&M in the opener you have to feel confident in the Bulldogs. South Carolina is 0-2 against the spread this season. Georgia doesn’t have a particularly strong record against the spread in their last six road games (1-4-1) or last seven road games against South Carolina (1-4-2) or against South Carolina in their last seven games period (1-5-1). Despite that I think you can still pick the Bulldogs.

Louisiana-Lafayette at No. 14 Ole Miss

Ole Miss are 27 point favorites, and I’m weary of large spreads. That being said, Ole Miss is 2-0 against the spread this season and Louisiana-Lafayette is 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games. If I had to pick, I’d go with the Rebels.

Army at No. 15 Stanford

Stanford come into the game as 28 point favorites against the spread, I hate large spreads like this but they’re designed to make things tough. Army is 0-5 against the spread in their last five games on the road, Stanford looking to bounce back after the USC game, go with Stanford.

Southern Miss at No. 3 Alabama

Alabama are 48 point favorites over Southern Miss. Alabama has yet to put up that many points in a game this season much less win by a margin of that size. Alabama is also 0-2 against the spread this season and 1-5 in their last six games. Southern Miss to not lose by 48.

Louisiana-Monroe at No. 10 LSU

The LSU Tigers are 32 point favorites, the last time these two teams met LSU won 51-0 in 2010. LSU coming off that strong win over Sam Houston State and their 2-0 against the spread record this year, Geaux Tigers.

Purdue vs. No. 11 Notre Dame

Notre Dame are 28.5 point favorites over Purdue. Notre Dame are 2-0 against the spread this season and Purdue is 4-10-1 against the spread in their last 15 games. I think Notre Dame will keep rolling and win as well as cover but I’m weary of this won.

No. 9 USC at Boston College

USC come into this game as 19.5 point favorites. The Trojans are 2-0 against the spread this season, but 4-1o in their last 14 road games. USC won by a 28 points last year, but can they handle the travel this year? I think the Eagles will cover the spread.

No. 12 UCLA vs. Texas

UCLA are eight point favorites against the Longhorns who are coming off a big loss to BYU. Neither team is particularly strong against the spread, I think UCLA can win by eight as the Longhorns deal with injury issues.

Tennessee at No. 4 Oklahoma

Oklahoma come into this clash against the Tennessee Vols as 20.5 point favorites. The Vols are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games and 2-4 in their last six road games. Sooners have been steam rolling teams lately, but three touchdowns is a lot. I think you have to go with Sooners, Bob Stoops loves to embarrass the SEC.

Rice at No. 7 Texas A&M

Texas A&M are 32 point favorites. A huge margin, but Rice lost by 31 points to Notre Dame and this is a better Aggie team. Aggies cover.

No. 16 Arizona State at Colorado

Arizona State are 15.5 point favorites over Pac-12 rivals Colorado. They’re only 1-1 against the spread this season, but Colorado is 0-5 against the spread in their last five games against Arizona State. Sun Devils cover.