Ask the Oddsmakers: Which College Football Underdogs are Bettors Taking in Week 3?
By Ben Heisler
Here at BetSided, we love a good underdog money line play in college football.
In fact, we like them so much, we've written up our favorites each week, and so far, the dogs have been barking, going 5-2 so far this year!
The 3-0 College Football Upset record is on the line in Week 3, and I'm going with another top-25 matchup in this week's pick...
— Peter Dewey (@peterdewey2) September 15, 2021
Jaren Hall and No. 23 BYU (+150) as home underdogs vs. No. 19 Arizona State, find out why ⬇️https://t.co/sfiDXnL9kq
But rather than take our word for who we like, we wanted to ask the oddsmakers in Vegas ourselves to get a sense of who bettors are putting their money on. Fortunately, WynnBET trader Patrick Wall was ready to take our call, and filled us in on the team bettors are invested in for a nice payday in Week 3.
Which college football underdog is being bet in Week 3?
Michigan State at Miami (+6.5) | TOTAL: 57
”A wise man once said, ‘America loves underdogs, but bets the favorites.’ This is mostly true, but they still find some dogs to love," Wall tells BetSided.
"The dog the public is in love with this week is the Michigan State Spartans at the Miami Hurricanes. This game opened as high as 8 (points). Pros took +8 to +7 with the Spartans, but there has been some resistance to the other side. I know respected bettors with opinions on both sides of this game. The pros aren’t finding value on this money line, but the public is. Outside of multiple-leg-favorite money line parlays, there are not many money line tickets on the Hurricanes. The Spartans money line (+185) keeps popping up on our tickers. Go ‘Canes.”
Miami (-6) vs. Michigan State:
— Patrick Schmidt (@PatrickASchmidt) September 16, 2021
Michigan State is 3-10 ATS in their last 13 as the dog and 5-12-1 ATS in their last 18.
Miami is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 vs. Big Ten teams, 1-4 ATS in last 5 and 1-4 ATS in last 5 as a favorite.
Pick: Michigan State
Should Miami be on Upset Alert vs. Michigan State?
Turns out, I'll be fading the public in this matchup, as I picked Miami this week back when they were at -6 against the Spartans earlier in the week.
The Spartans have looked terrific in their first two matchups, particularly against Northwestern in their Friday night opening matchup on the road in Evanston. Transfer running back Kenneth Walker III ran 23 times for 264 yards and four touchdowns against a Wildcat defense that played incredibly stout vs. the run in 2020.
Kenneth Baker III scores TD No. 4 for Michigan State.
— Ben Heisler (@bennyheis) September 4, 2021
The last Spartans RB to score four in a game?
Edwin Baker back in 2010.
Northwestern only gave up 5 TDs in all of 2020.
As for Miami, this is an opportunity for a one time potential College Football Playoff contender to turn their season around with a quality win at home. They're still hanging onto a Top 25 spot by a thread and still hold a talent level disparity over the Spartans. The Hurricanes looked 0-2 in the face last week before eventually beating Appalachian State. I'd be surprised if they don't come out firing against the Spartans.
Expect the Spartans to upset the Canes? Want to fade the public and bet on Miami instead? Your first bet is risk-free up to $1,000 when you sign up at WynnBET!