After opening the new college football season on a strong note with a 2-1 record in Week 1, things went south in hurry this past Saturday as all three of my top picks came up short. Heading back to the drawing board with 5Dimes’ posted college football betting odds, I have zeroed-in on my top three picks that should get me back on track in Week 3.
Air Force (+26.5) at Michigan State
The Falcons have jumped out to a 2-0 start both straight-up and against the spread with lopsided victories against Morgan State and San Jose State by a combined score of 100-23. They will certainly be stepping way up in class this week against one of the top teams in the nation, but behind a powerful running game that has amassed a total of 822 yards in just two games, they should be able to keep things closer than expected.
Also in the Falcons’ favor in this matchup is the possible letdown factor following Michigan State’s huge 31-28 win against Oregon this past Saturday night as five-point home favorites. It would be easy to see the Spartans coming out flat this Saturday after such a big win.
Virginia Tech (-5.5) at Purdue
The good news in Virginia Tech’s opening day loss to Ohio State is that its offense still managed to put 24 points on the board. The Hokies posted 42 points last week against Furman and for a team that has been known over the years for its stout defense, I really like the way this offense has played so far.
Purdue was able to bounce-back from its 41-31 loss to Marshall as a seven-point road underdog with a 38-14 win against Indiana State as a 15-point home favorite. I still do not trust the Boilermakers’ defense to keep things close as one of the bottom-feeders in the Big Ten this season. Take the Hokies and lay the points in this one.
Nebraska at Miami, FL (-4)
Nebraska posted a slow start out of the gate in a 33-28 loss to BYU as a 4.5-point home favorite and the Cornhuskers’ sketchy defense is going to have its hands full again this Saturday on the road against Miami. Nebraska has been torched for an average of 346 passing yards in its first two games and overall this defense has allowed an average of well over 400 total yards a game.
The Hurricanes are off to a 2-0 start both SU and ATS following routine wins against Bethune-Cookman and Florida Atlanta while racking-up a total of 89 points. They have been able to move the ball both through the air and on the ground and while this matchup will be a major step-up in class, Miami is going to be tough to stop in its own backyard. Go with the ACC over the Big Ten again in this one.
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