College football betting results evening 8-31:
Syracuse(-18.5) at Liberty: HIT! The Syracuse offense was nothing special in this one, but the defense sure was. It’s not easy to shut anyone out.
SMU at Arkansas State(-2.5): HIT! Sometimes easy money isn’t so easy. Texas transfer Shane Buechele looked the part and Reggie Roberson had a monster day, not James Proche.
Georgia(-22.5) at Vanderbilt: HIT! This was mostly a methodical win for Georgia. D’Andre Swift racked up 147 yards on just 16 carries, but didn’t find the end zone. No matter. That kind of performance against this defense still makes a statement.
Georgia Southern at LSU(-33.5): HIT! Joe Burrow threw five touchdowns just because he could. There still isn’t much separation among the backs, but this offense sends a fair warning to Texas.
Middle Tennessee State at Michigan(-34.5): HIT! Shea Patterson had a nice game, but there wasn’t much special for Michigan here. This was a game they should have dominated and they did not. The defense giving up 19 points was a shock.
Oregon vs. Auburn(-3.5) at Jerry World: MISS! This one hurts. Auburn didn’t lead in the game until nine seconds left.
Miami(OH) at Iowa(-21.5): MISS! The Redhawks, behind Brett Gabbert, looked great in the first half. Unfortunately, they didn’t show up for the second. I was also wrong about more than the pick. Iowa doesn’t have to throw to the receivers. RB Mekhi Sargent led the team with 65 receiving yards.
Missouri(-17.5) at Wyoming: MISS! I knew better. The surprising thing to me was Wyoming’s offense. They were arguably the least explosive in FBS last year.
Virginia(-2.5) at Pittsburgh: HIT! The Hoos locked down Pitt in the second half. Kenny Pickett was inefficient and ineffective. Just like 2018. Look out for Virginia RB Wayne Taulapapa. He was a force in the second half.
Louisiana Tech at Texas(-20.5): HIT! Texas didn’t quite double this line, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. J’Mar Smith gave full effort, but Tech had no answer for all of the weapons on the Texas offense.
New Mexico State at Washington State(-32.5): HIT! Plug and play. Same thing every year. Anthony Gordon dazzled. The Cougar defense held tough. Hell, the running back even topped 100 yards. It’s was an air raid dream come true.
Fresno State at USC: HIT! If JT Daniels had played the whole game, I don’t think Fresno would have kept it as close. As it was, USC was really lucky to win this. The upset dream died in the end zone with about two minutes left.
Houston at Oklahoma(-22.5): HIT! I really thought the Sooners were going to cover with the way the defense looked in the first half. Overall, the defense got a little tired down the stretch, but it was still a solid performance. All Jalen Hurts did in his Oklahoma debut was run for a career high 176 yards, throw for 332 more, and account for six touchdowns. A Heisman three peat is within reach for the Sooners.
Notre Dame(-18.5) at Louisville: MISS! That stupid half. This may have been the sloppiest game of the weekend. At one point late in the first half three consecutive plays resulted in fumbles. Louisville’s offense was solid. The defense was okay. Notre Dame is just good enough to rack up points despite not playing all that well.