College football betting is finally back, with the regular season starting this week. Let’s have a look at the trends to watch for—starting with the Thursday games.
Marshall vs (2) Ohio State
They’re massive underdogs but can the Thundering Herd at least help bettingsharps by beating the spread in Week 1? Marshall is 4-1 ATS over its last five road games dating back to last season. It has a tall order against the BCS championship contender Ohio State. The Buckeyes are 5-1 ATS over their last six home games. And Marshall is a slow starter, going 4-10 ATS over its last 14 September games.
Southern Mississippi vs South Carolina
Southern Miss doesn’t scare easily away from home, having gong 5-2 ATS over its last seven road contests. But the Golden Eagles struggle against the SEC, winning just two of their last eight ATS versus that conference. South Carolina tends to start strong, having beaten the spread in its last four September games.
Minnesota vs Middle Tennessee State
The Golden Gophers don’t do so well when they stray from their lair. Minnesota is just 1-4 ATS in its last five non-conference games. Middle Tennessee State has the oddsmakers fooled; the Blue Raiders have beaten seven consecutive spreads. Expect the score to trend OVER in this sports betting matchup, as both teams are 4-1 over their last five games on turf.
Northern Illinois vs Iowa State
Something has to give when two hot September teams face off. Northern Illinois is 5-1 ATS over its last six September games but the Iowa State Cyclones are 8-3 ATS over their last 11 in September. Worth noting on this sports betting blog; Northern Illinois has lost five straight road games ATS and the trends strongly favor the UNDER. The under is 6-1 over the Huskies’ last seven non-conference games and 6-0 in the Cyclones’ last six home games.
(15) Pittsburgh vs (24) Utah
The Utah Utes usually treat bettors well in non-conference action, having gone 27-12-1 ATS over their last 40 against non-neighbors. But they also tend to play in more shootouts outside their conference; the OVER is 10-2-1 over the Utes’ last 13 non-conference games. With Dion Lewis in Pittsburgh’s lineup, we could see the point total spike again. Pittsburgh finished last season strongly, going 5-2 ATS over their last seven, but the Panthers are 2-6 ATS over their last eight September games.