College Football

NCAA Football Gambling: Top 5 Bets For Week 4

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:59 p.m. ET

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Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles fans react after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Camping World Stadium. Florida State Seminoles won 45-34. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA football week three is upon us. We take a look at the top five bets to make in this young season.

The third week of football gave us two shockers in FSU and Oklahoma getting rolled by Louisville and Ohio State respectively.

Our top five best from last week went (2-2-1), so we’ve yet to cross into the black yet.

Recap

We took USC +9.5 against Stanford last week, and the Trojans just couldn’t stop Stanford on the ground. They gave up 300 rushing yards and lost the time of possession by almost 10 minutes. It’s hard to score if you don’t have the ball. Loss

We took Nebraska -3 against Oregon last week, Nebraska turned the ball over once on the day and that happened in the red zone (Oregon 12 yard line). Good bet here…but result was a push.

We took Duke +6.5 against Northwestern, and Duke just couldn’t get out of their own way. They had two turnovers(a recurring theme for them), both on Northwestern’s side of the field(one in the red zone). They also missed a 34 yard field goal. Solid bet here, just not the result we wanted. Loss

We took Texas Tech -11.5 against Louisiana Tech, and the Red Raiders came through for us. Texas Tech puts up a ton of puts, but also gives up a ton as well. We felt Louisiana Tech wouldn’t be able to keep up. Solid bet here. Win

We took Miami -4 against Appalachian State. We felt that App. State was getting too much credit for their close loss against Tennessee in the opener. Miami has a better quarterback than Tennessee by far. Brad Kaaya shredded the App. State defense for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Win

We’re 6-8-1 on the season. Let’s get into our top five bets.

Sep 17, 2016; Mount Pleasant, MI, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Corey Willis (8) cuts to his left on a touchdown reception during the third quarter against the UNLV Rebels at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Chippewas win 44-21. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Central Michigan -3 vs. Virginia

Time: 12:30 p.m.

How to watch: ACC Digital Network

Where: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA

This Virginia team is awful, giving up over 30 points per game on defense. Central Michigan is averaging 41 points per game, and has already played a big road game at Oklahoma State…winning on the hail mary play that shouldn’t have happened.

Central Michigan is the better team on both sides of the ball, and Virginia is coming off back-to-back road games.

I bout this line down to -3 at -130.

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) celebrates with Deshaun Watson (4) after scoring on a 1 yard run during the third quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson vs. Georgia Tech UNDER 58.5

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (Thursday night)

How to watch: ESPN

Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA

Clemson has burned us a couple of times already, but I’m go with the under on this one. Clemson coming in this game with a huge game against Louisville on deck next week.

It’s a road game on Thursday night where weird things seem to happen. Georgia Tech runs the triple option and that clock will be running quite a bit hopefully.

Also, hopefully Clemson goes conservative with the big game on deck next week

Sep 17, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Steven Montac (22) pressures South Carolina Gamecocks running back A.J. Turner (25) out of bounds after a catch during the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. South Carolina wins 20-15 over ECU. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

ECU +11.5 vs. Virginia Tech

Time: 12:30 p.m. ET

How to watch: ACC Digital Network

Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA

ECU comes into this game perfect against the spread on the season. The covered the spread against Florida last week, and arguably should have won the game straight up if not for turnovers.

They’ve beaten Virginia Tech the last two years, granted Virginia Tech was under different leadership at the time.

Virginia Tech does seem to be better on offense under Jason Fuentes, and probably has the better defense. However, with the recent history in the series and watching ECU this year I’ll take the points.

Sep 17, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Auden Tate (18) scores a touchdown against the Louisville Cardinals during the second quarter at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State vs. South Florida UNDER 61

Time: 12:00 p.m. ET

How to watch: ABC/ESPN 3

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

I know you’re like, FSU just gave up near 70 points by themselves last week against a team that USF is eerily similar too.

That’s true, but I don’t expect USF to have anywhere near the number of explosive plays that Louisville had last week. I think the FSU defense will come out and make USF dink and dunk down the field.

They’ll also look to get Dalvin Cook going in the run game. He had a huge game against USF last season. However, the FSU offense struggled mightily last week, and I’m not quite sure they have ironed all their issues out.

Sep 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles sings with running back Leonard Fournette (7) and his team following a win against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi State 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

LSU -3 vs. Auburn

Time: 6:00 p.m. ET

How to watch: ESPN

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL

I like LSU in this one. LSU has the best player on the field in Leonard Fournette as they travel to Auburn.

LSU is the better defensive team and has the more talented team overall. Auburn will likely be playing a new quarterback as well as LSU.

However, the LSU quarterback will help the Tigers be less one-dimensional and a chance to complete those third and mediums to keep the chains moving.

I bout this down to -3 at -130.

Good luck and remember to bet responsible!