Information factors are important when choosing sides in a college football recreation and the extra numbers you possibly can collect, the higher. Heading into Week 3, our notebooks are beginning to fill with developments for particular groups that will help in beating the books.
Traces will tighten because the season wears on with title contenders separating from the remainder of the pack. Saturday’s predictions docket consists of sides and picks for Georgia vs. Tennessee, Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame and Florida vs. LSU, three video games with postseason implications for all concerned events.
There are a couple of off-the-radar video games nationally which can be price protecting an in depth eye on, together with Colorado’s Large 12 opener with Houston.
Final week’s outcomes: Brad Crawford (8-2 straight, 7-3 ATS); Chris Hummer (7-3, 4-6 ATS). I might prefer to have Oklahoma State +28.5 again after Oregon’s annihilation, however apart from that, cannot argue with the outcomes throughout a money-making second weekend. Additionally, this is one other reminder: If you tailed our weekly Friday predictions show, you cashed one other 3-teamer (+798) from yours actually.
Season totals: Crawford (15-5 straight, 14-6 ATS); Hummer (15-5; 10-10).
For readability, these traces had been taken from FanDuel Sportsbook on Sept. 8.
Colorado at Houston -4.5
Hummer (Colorado +4.5): Houston’s protection is enjoying at an elite stage early this 12 months, which might be fascinating towards a Colorado offense that might be fronted by new starter Ryan Staub. I do not like choosing towards Houston at dwelling on this scenario. That protection is one thing that may be trusted. However I do assume the Buffaloes are a worth with that 4.5-point line in a recreation of groups which can be very even expertise smart. … Houston 27, Colorado 24.
Crawford (Houston -4.5): Staub shined in final week’s win over Delaware and offered Colorado’s employees with an information level to consider. It is clear Julian Lewis is restricted as a freshman based mostly on the play-calling and Kaidon Salter’s job might slip away if Staub has one other top-end efficiency. All this to say I like Willie Fritz and the Cougars at dwelling to cowl and enhance to 3-0 on the season. … Houston 24, Colorado 17.
Hummer (Pitt -5.5): You could watch out with rivalry video games, and West Virginia is at dwelling. However the Panthers have simply been the higher workforce this 12 months. It would not assist the Mountaineers they will be with out star working again Jaheim White, who suffered a season-ending knee harm final week. The Panthers occurring the street provides me a little bit of hesitancy. However the Mountaineers have struggled to generate any constant run recreation — they averaged 2.6 yards per carry final week in a loss to Ohio — and I believe Pitt is a legit prime 25 workforce. … Pitt 31, West Virginia 24.
Crawford (Pitt -5.5): That is consecutive four-touchdown outings from Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein, who takes his present to Morgantown this week. The house workforce has gained the final 4 matchups on this rivalry sequence, however after West Virginia’s gorgeous loss to Ohio, I am unsure how anybody might again the Mountaineers on this spot. This isn’t a premium play this week, however one you need to really feel fairly good about something beneath 7 factors until Holstein makes errors on the street. … Pitt 30, West Virginia 23.
Hummer (Georgia Tech +4.5): Am I keen to go down with the ship for my nationwide championship decide? That is how I am feeling about Clemson coming of a really lackluster effort towards Troy. This can be a sucker line to me. I might argue Georgia Tech must be favored at dwelling based mostly on what we have seen from these two groups so far. Possibly a leaky Georgia Tech secondary is the drugs Cade Klubnik wants. However Georgia Tech goes to maneuver the ball. It’ll be as much as Clemson to maintain up. I am going to begrudgingly take the take Tigers. However I am hedging with that Georgia Tech line. That is good worth at dwelling. … Clemson 31, Georgia Tech 28.
Crawford (Clemson -4.5): This is a uncommon alternative to aspect with the Tigers in a worth spot towards Georgia Tech. Clemson has gained 9 straight within the sequence and given what has transpired the primary two video games of the season for the overwhelming preseason ACC favourite, that is make or break time for Dabo Swinney’s workforce. One in all my favourite performs of the week, I am going with the Clemson cowl within the league opener with Cade Klubnik briefly quieting his critics with a late landing move within the fourth quarter to win it. … Clemson 31, Georgia Tech 20.
Hummer (Wisconsin +20.5): Possibly Alabama is mounted after a 73-0 win over ULM. However I am unable to erase what I noticed Week 1 towards Florida State. Wisconsin goes to attempt to shorten this recreation. The Badgers are a run-first workforce with a 56% run cut up, and so they have the Tenth-highest time of possession within the nation. It’ll be on what’s been a shaky Alabama run protection that’s with out its greatest DT to gradual Wisconsin’s run recreation down. I am not keen to choose the Badgers outright. However they hold it shut sufficient towards an Alabama workforce with quite a bit to show. … Alabama 27, Wisconsin 14.
Crawford (Alabama -20.5): I am not again on the Crimson Tide bandwagon but after the beatdown of ULM, however that’s undoubtedly a constructive signal for Alabama given what occurred in Week 1. That reveals me that Kaleb DeBoer has not misplaced his workforce and their response to a loss was admirable. Wisconsin’s protection is surprisingly spectacular up thus far, however that is going to be an actual check for the Badgers. … Alabama 34, Wisconsin 10.
No. 6 Georgia -4.5 at No. 15 Tennessee
Hummer (Georgia -4.5): This can be a massive check for Gunner Stockton on the street. Georgia’s proven little or no offensively thus far. To me, this comes right down to if Georgia’s offensive line holds up. If Tennessee is shutting down UGA’s run recreation and creating stress, the Bulldogs are in hassle. However I believe UGA’s entrance goes to be adequate. Plus, the Bulldogs are a a lot completely different check for Joey Aguilar than what he is seen thus far. It is tight all through, however Georgia has sufficient weapons to get issues finished on the street. … Georgia 27, Tennessee 21.
Crawford (Tennessee +4.5): Gunner Stockton and the Georgia passing recreation must present me it could produce performs downfield earlier than taking the Bulldogs right here. I do know the sequence is dominated by Georgia beneath Kirby Sensible and his protection all the time appears to have a solution for what Josh Heupel brings to the desk, however I am going with the Vols right here. It is a street begin for Stockton, the primary of his profession, and Neyland Stadium might be rocking in preparation for Tennessee’s leap into the highest 10. … Tennessee 24, Georgia 23.
Hummer (Miami -16.5): This can be a completely different check for USF this week. The Bulls quietly have given up plenty of yards this season with their blitz-happy protection. That is a troublesome mixture towards what is among the greatest O-lines in faculty soccer. I additionally assume it should be exhausting for USF to stand up a 3rd straight week after two huge wins. The Bulls hold this aggressive for some time, however the Hurricanes and a really explosive offense handle to drag away within the second half. … Miami 38, USF 21.
Crawford (USF +16.5): At what level are oddsmakers going to start out respecting Alex Golesh and the Bulls? I am going to gladly take USF and 16.5 factors on this spot on the street towards one other in-state foe. If the Bulls can pull this one off, go forward and get your Sharpie and mark this squad as playoff-bound. They’re already within the driver’s seat heading into American play later this month and are enjoying with excessive confidence via the primary two weeks of the marketing campaign. … Miami 38, USF 24.
Hummer (Vanderbilt +6.5): That is my upset decide of the week. It’ll take Vanderbilt staying dwelling towards LaNorris Sellers and to stop “Beamer Ball” from choosing up a rating on particular groups as we have seen a couple of occasions already this 12 months. However South Carolina’s early offensive efforts have not impressed confidence. The Gamecocks are simply 92nd in yards per play, and Vanderbilt is a workforce that is extraordinarily environment friendly offensively and tends to shorten video games with ball management. Possibly South Carolina’s entrance dominates the sport — the Vanderbilt O-line has been inconsistent in move safety — and Vandy struggles. However I believe the Commodores pull the upset. … Vanderbilt 24, South Carolina 21.
Crawford (Vanderbilt +6.5): South Carolina has gained 16 straight video games towards Vanderbilt. At what level does the streak finish? It could proceed Saturday night time for the Gamecocks, however the Commodores have to love their possibilities after final week’s 34-point barrage within the second half at Virginia Tech. South Carolina hasn’t seemed like a prime 10 workforce in both of its first two outings and the Gamecocks have struggled to generate a run recreation. Diego Pavia stated lots about this one over the summer season and will get his second alternative to beat South Carolina after final season’s blowout. … South Carolina 20, Vanderbilt 16.
Hummer (Ole Miss -8.5): Take the over. This can be a recreation that is going to characteristic a ton of factors, particularly when you think about Ole Miss’ defensive position appears to have taken a substantial step again from a move rush perspective in comparison with a season in the past. I actually do not anticipate Arkansas stopping Ole Miss a lot both though Razorbacks secondary has performed very nicely this season. This can be a prove-it recreation to me for that Arkansas protection, particularly on the street. I believe Ole Miss will get the duvet. … Ole Miss 45, Arkansas 35.
Crawford (Arkansas +8.5): Ole Miss hasn’t stopped the run this season and Arkansas likes to convey the growth offensively on the line of scrimmage. Austin Simmons hasn’t been all that sharp early, however the Rebels are 2-0 and a few of these errors is perhaps neglected by casuals coming into this one. All that to say I am going to fortunately take the Razorbacks and the factors. This is perhaps the viewers’ introduction to Taylen Inexperienced as nicely, a dual-threat playmaker attempting to assist Sam Pittman proper the ship at Arkansas. … Ole Miss 35, Arkansas 31.
No. 16 Texas A&M at No. 8 Notre Dame -6.5
Hummer (Texas A&M +6.5): This can be a powerful spot for Texas A&M. Not solely do the Aggies need to go on the street, however Notre Dame is coming off a bye following its Week 1 loss to Miami. This recreation will come down to a couple areas: 1. Can Notre Dame block higher? The Irish bought destroyed up entrance by Miami, and the Aggies have a superb move rush led by Cashius Howell. 2. Can Marcel Reed carry out as much as his requirements? This can be a QB that entered the season hoping to finish 70% of his passes. If he can do near that towards the Irish’s wonderful secondary, the Aggies are going to be in nice form. I’ve felt Texas A&M has been undervalued all offseason. Give me the upset on the street. … Texas A&M 28, Notre Dame 27.
Crawford (Notre Dame -6.5): That is the spot the place you’re taking the Preventing Irish to cowl in a recreation Notre Dame has to have. This workforce’s had an additional week to lick its wounds from the opening loss at Miami and put together for what Texas A&M brings to the desk — a one-man present with Marcel Reed at quarterback. Cease him and Notre Dame ought to win, maybe handily. That is simpler stated than finished, nonetheless, particularly with how this workforce seemed within the trenches a pair weekends in the past. … Notre Dame 31, Texas A&M 17.
Florida at No. 3 LSU -9.5
Hummer (Florida +9.5): There are going to be plenty of bettors and followers abandoning ship with Florida this week. That is comprehensible after a nasty loss to USF. However there’s a ton of worth with the Gators. They’re nonetheless a proficient workforce that matches up nicely with LSU Within the trenches. DJ Lagway must play higher, and the Florida teaching employees must scheme open some simpler performs for its receivers. However I might be actually stunned if it is a blowout. LSU wins the sport. The warmth turns up on Napier. However Florida retains it respectable. … LSU 31, Florida 27.
Crawford (Florida +9.5): It wasn’t Brian Kelly’s fault his gamers didn’t impress towards Louisiana Tech per week after profitable at Clemson. It is exhausting to get college-aged athletes up for a recreation like that after a seismic opener. No motivation needed this week, nonetheless. Florida is a bitter rival limping in after the loss to USF and is undervalued a bit given the circumstances. If the Gators are crushed on this spot, the tip might be close to for Billy Napier. I believe it’s going to be shut, although. … LSU 29, Florida 24.
