VANDERBILT at WAKE FOREST…Wake won and covered this matchup 45-25 last season at Nashville. Note however that the visiting team is 9-0 vs. the line in Vandy non-conference games since Clark Lea arrived in 2021. Dores have covered seven of last nine as visitor. Deacs have covered just 1 of last 6 reg season games after Elon opener. Tech edge-slight to Vandy, based on recent trends.
NOTRE DAME at NC STATE… First ND visit to Raleigh since rain-soaked 10-3 loss in 2016. Marcus Freeman 5-2 vs. spread away from South Bend since last year for Irish. Wolfpack only 4-10 vs. spread since start of 2022 after opening non-cover at UConn. Tech edge- slight to Notre Dame, based on team trends.
WESTERN MICHIGAN at SYRACUSE… WMU covered opener last week for new HC Lance Taylor, and Broncos have now covered 5 of last 6 since late 2022.WMU also 10-3 “under” since last season. Cuse has covered all five non-ACC games for Dino Babers since last season. Tech edge-slight to “under” and Syracuse, based on “totals” and team trends.
BALL STATE at GEORGIA… Ball State entered 2022 on a 21-7 “under” run before the “over” vs. Kentucky. After Mercer result, Georgia just 1-5 vs. spread last five laying 30 or more. Tech edge-slight to “under,”‘ based on “totals” trends.
MARSHALL at EAST CAROLINA.. Note Marshall was “under” 6-1 away from Huntington last season. If Herd getting points note 3-0 dog mark last season, but Marshall opened a slight dog here. After cover at Michigan, ECU now on 15-7 spread uptick since mid 2021. Tech edge-slight to “under” and ECU, based on “totals” and team trends.
CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH…Teams haven’t met since the days of Big East football in 2012. Entering this season, Cincy actually failed to cover its last five as a dog in the Luke Fickell era. Pitt was only 2-5 last seven as home chalk entering this season but did get beyond the number (albeit barely) in Wofford opener. Panthers now “over” 10-3-1 since a season ago. Tech edge-slight to “over” and Pitt, based on “totals” trends and team trends.
JAMES MADISON at VIRGINIA…Remember that JMU broke quickly last season and covered its first five games as an FBS member en route to an 8-3 SU and 7-4 spread mark in 2022. UVa only 2-4 vs. spread at home for Tony Elliott last season. Cavs also “under” 7-2-1 a year ago though Tennessee opener did land on “over” side. Tech edge-James Madison and “under,” based on team and “totals” trends.
PURDUE at VIRGINIA TECH…Under Jeff Brohm, Purdue covered 7 of its last 10 on regular-season road. Boilermakers now on 14-6 “over” run after Fresno opener. VPI entered this season on 7-15 spread skid before OSU win. Hokies also entered 2023 on 18-8 “under” run before “over” in opener. Tech edge-Purdue, based on team trends Tech edge-Purdue, based on team trends.
NEBRASKA at COLORADO…Old rivals, now first meeting since 2010, the last year of Nebraska in Big 12. Matt Rhule lost but did cover first game as Huskers HC last week. Nebraska now 6-3 vs. points last nine as visitor, Huskers also 4-9 “under” since last season. Forget CU pre-Deion, Buffs 1-0 in new regime, but will note “overs” now at 13-5 last 18 after TCU Shootout. Tech edge-“Over,” based on “totals” trends.
UTAH at BAYLOR…Utah just 4-8 vs. spread as reg season visitor the past two seasons. Also no covers last three as reg-season non-Pac 12 visitor. Baylor had covered its last five in Waco as a non-conference host dating back to the Matt Rhule era in 2019 prior to the Texas State shocker last week. Dave Aranda 9-4 last 13 as dog for Bears. Tech edge- Baylor, based on team trends. Tech edge- Baylor, based on team trends.
OKLAHOMA STATE at ARIZONA STATE…OSU won and covered this game last September at Stillwater in one of the final Herm Edwards games for ASU. Though Mike Gundy has now dropped 6 of last 7 vs. spread after opener vs. UCA, and also last four vs. line away from home. Kenny Dillingham 0-1 vs. spread with ASU in near-upset loss last week vs. Southern Utah. Sun Devils now 1-5 vs. points last six at Tempe. Cowboys also on seven game “under” streak after opener. Tech edge-“Under,” based on “totals”trends.
UCLA at SAN DIEGO STATE…SDSU finally got a win over UCLA in 2019 (23-14) after Bruins were unbeaten in first 22 series games. Chip Kelly however is 8-3 vs. points his last 11 as visitor stretching back to 2000. After Idaho State non-cover,Aztecs only 3-6 vs. spread at new Snapdragon Stadium. UCLA was on 14-4 “over” run entering 2023 before “under” last week vs. Coastal Carolina. Tech edge-UCLA and slight to “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.
WISCONSIN at WASHINGTON STATE…Revenge for Wiscy after losing 17-14 at home to Wazzu last September, one of the last games for Paul Chryst with Badgers. Wiscy entered 2023 just 1-5 vs. line last six as visitor, and Luke Fickell only 1-4-1 vs. spread as visitor last year with Cincy. Badgers also failed to cover opener vs. Buffalo. Cougs entered this season on 9-1 spread run last ten at Pullman. Tech edge-WSU, based on team trends.
TULSA at WASHINGTON...Tough 2022 for Tulsa, which also dropped 6 of last 7 vs. line, paving way for Philip Montgomery departure, and didn’t get past spread in last week’s opener for new HC Kevin Wilson vs. Ark-Pine Bluff . Golden Hurricane had covered 5 of 6 vs. line away in 2021. After Boise romp, Kalen DeBoer teams at Fresno and U-Dub now 9-0 vs. line in first four games of season since 2021. DeBoer teams also 10-0 vs. spread in non-conference play the past two years. Tech edge-Washington, based on team trends.
MIAMI-OHIO at UMASS...Miami now “under” 12-4 since late 2021 after opener vs. Canes. Chuck Martin just 3-9 vs. spread last 12 as chalk. UMass was “under” 8-4 for Don Brown last year prior to higher-scoring games vs. NMSU and Auburn to open 2023. Tech edge-“Under,” based on “totals” trends.
UNLV at MICHIGAN...Dating back to the Tony Sanchez era, UNLV surprisingly has covered nine straight as a visiting dog against Power 5 opposition. Rebels 9-3 vs. spread away past two seasons. Michigan now “under” 10-5 since last season after ECU opener. Tech edge-UNLV, based on team trends.
TEXAS A&M at MIAMI-FLORIDA...A&M won and covered a 17-9 defensive struggle at Kyle Field last September. Jimbo, however, just 2-6 vs. spread on reg season road past two seasons. Like last season, Miami wins and covers opener, but a year ago Cristobal dropped 10 of last 11 vs. spread. Tech edge-slight to A&M, based on team trends.
IOWA at IOWA STATE.. Matt Campbell beat Kirk Ferentz for first time last season after five straight losses to Iowa. “Unders” last four and nine of last ten in series. ISU only 9-15 vs. spread past two seasons but did handily cover impost in opener vs. UNI. Hawkeyes 5-1 vs. points away from Iowa City last year. Tech edge- “Under” and Iowa, based on “totals” and series trends.
SMU vs OKLAHOMA...Rematch of a great Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl in 1968 won by SMU 28-27. Ponies only 1-4 vs. spread away last year for Rhett Lashlee. Meanwhile for all of the problems OU had for Brent Venables last season, Sooners now 4-1 vs. spread outside of Big 12 after opening romp past Ark State. Tech edge-slight to OU, based on team trends.
AIR FORCE vs SAM HOUSTON (at Houston)…Falcs 8-4 vs. spread away from Colorado Springs past two seasons. Sam Houston got cover in first board game as FBS entry last week at BYU. Tech edge-slight to Air Force, based on team trends.
TEXAS STATE at UTSA… Big win at Baylor in G.J. Kinne debut for TSU last week. Bobcats had been just 4-7 vs. line on road for Jake Spavital previous 11 away. UTSA just 4-7 vs. line last 11 as Alamodome favorite. Tech edge-slight to Texas State, based on team trends.
TROY at KANSAS STATE…Troy 11-3 vs. line a year ago in Sumrall debut, failed to cover big spot vs. SFA in last week’s opener. Trojans were 6-0 as dog last season. K-State 5-1 last six as home chalk for Chris Klieman. Tech edge-slight to Troy, based on team trends.
KENT STATE at ARKANSAS... Bad debut for KSU’s Kenni Burns last week at UCF. Golden Flashes now on 2-7 spread skid since mid 2022. Sam Pittman now 7-0 vs. line in first two games of season since taking over Razorbacks in 2020. Hogs also on 11-3 “over” run after opener vs. WCU. Tech edge-Arkansas and “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.
EASTERN MICHIGAN at MINNESOTA…Chris Creighton’s EMU has been a superb dog play for several years, especially on road, now 12-3-1 vs. spread last sixteen in role. PJ Fleck just 3-7 last ten vs. spread since mid 2022, but has covered 6-1 last seven against non-Big Ten foes. Gophers also on 10-5-1 “under” run after opener. Tech edge-Eastern Michigan and slight to “under,” based on team and “totals” trends.
OLE MISS at TULANE…Lane Kiffin entered this season 4-9 last 13 vs. spread since late 2021, but romped past Mercer in opener. Rebels did blast Tulane 61-21 in 2021 right when Greenies were displaced by Hurricane Ida. After South Alabama win, Willie Fritz has now covered five in a row since late last season and Tulane 13-2 vs. points since beginning of 2022. Tech edge-Tulane, based on team trends.
ILLINOIS at KANSAS...Now that Illini getting a few points here, must note Bret Bielema 9-4 vs. spread last 13 as underdog. Bielema also 8-1 last nine vs. spread as visitor. Kansas has now dropped last four vs. spread in reg season after opener vs. Mizzou State. Tech edge- Illinois, based on team trends.
UTEP at NORTHWESTERN…Miners now on 9-4-1 “under” run after last week vs Incarnate Word. NU 1-7 vs. points last eight at Evanston. Tech edge-UTEP and “under,” based on team and “totals” trends.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE at MISSOURI.. MTSU’s Rick Stockstill had covered five straight vs. non-CUSA BCS-level foes until last week vs. Bama. Mizzou barely missed cover in opener, and Tigers had covered 6 of last 9 in Columbia entering this season. Mizzou also now “under” 13-4 last 17 after opener vs. South Dakota. Tech edge-“Under, ” based on “totals” trends.
HOUSTON at RICE...Last Rice win in this local rivalry was back in 2010 (teams haven’t met every year). Owls now on 6-2 spread uptick as dog in reg season after cover vs Texas in opener. Cougs 1-8 last nine vs. spread as reg season chalk. Tech edge-Rice, based on recent trends.
OREGON at TEXAS TECH…Ducks only 3-4 vs. spread away from Eugene last season, 5-8 vs. line last 13 in role. Red Raiders were 4-2 vs. spread as dog last season for Joey McGuire, also 5-2 vs. spread at Lubbock last year. Texas Tech also “over” 9-5 since last season after Wyo opener. Tech edge-Texas Tech and slight to “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.
ARIZONA at MISSISSIPPI STATE...Bulldogs won this one 39-17 at Tucson last September. Cats above water at 14-11 as a dog since Jedd Fisch took over in 2021. MSU now 2-0 SU and vs. line for Zach Arnett and 5-0-1 last six vs. spread against non-SEC opposition. Bulldogs also “over” 6-1 last seven at Starkville. Tech edge-slight to “over” and MSU, based on “totals” and team trends.
APP STATE at NORTH CAROLINA.. UNC won wild 63-61 verdict at Boone last September. Tar Heels were just 2-7-1 last ten as chalk prior to win over Gamecocks last week. App, however, now on six-game spread skid after failing to cover opener vs. Gardner-Webb, now 3-13 vs. points last 16 on board. Tech edge-slight to UNC, based on recent App negatives.
NEW MEXICO STATE at LIBERTY...NMSU won and covered this game in shocking fashion last season (49-14) as a 24-point dog. Ags now 7-2 last nine vs. line for Jerry Kill after WIU romp. NMSU has also covered last three away from Las Cruces and 3-1 last four as dog. Liberty got cover in opener vs BGSU in Chadwell debut, but had dropped last five vs. spread as chalk a year ago. Tech edge-NMSU, based on team trends.
OHIO at FLORIDA ATLANTIC...Ohio has started new season 0-2 vs, line, also now “under” 5-1 last six into this week. Bobcats were 14-7 vs. spread prior since early 2021. Ohio did win and cover shootout at FAU in 2022 opener pre-Tom Herman for Owls. Herman did fail to cover opener thanks to late Monmouth TD last week, but note his first teams at previous stops Houston and Texas were a combined 17-10 vs. the spread. Tech edge-FAU and slight to “under,” based on Herman and “totals” trends.
UAB at GEORGIA SOUTHERN... UAB won and covered in Trent Dilfer debut last week and did beat GSU last season, though Blazers still just 3-9 vs. spread last 12 against FBS-level foes. Eagles 4-2-1 vs. spread at Statesboro since Clay Helton arrived last year, also on 8-4 “under” run. Tech edge-slight to “under” and Georgia Southern, based on “totals” and extended team trends.
UL-LAFAYETTE at OLD DOMINION… After non-cover in opener, ULL now on 2-5 spread downturn since mid 2022. ODU, however, dropped last five vs spread a year ago in Norfolk, and just 3-7 overall vs spread last ten on board after opening loss to VPI. Tech edge-slight to UL-Lafayette, based on team trends.
NORTH TEXAS at FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL…Tough debut for Eric Morris last week at UNT. Mean Green also now on 9-5 “over” run since last season. Note FIU’s 6-4 spread mark last ten as dog for Mike MacIntyre, including opening week cover at La Tech. Golden Panthers also on 8-5 “under” run. Tech edge-slight to FIU, and “under” based on team and “totals” trends.
JACKSONVILLE STATE at COASTAL CAROLINA...Rich Rodriguez now 2-0 SU and vs. line with JSU in new role as FBS member. Coastal closed last season 0-5-1 vs. spread last six at Conway prior to Chadwell departure, and barely snuck inside impost at UCLA in opener of Tim beck regime. Tech edge-Jacksonville State, based on recent trends.
UCONN at GEORGIA STATE.. Jim Mora now 10-4 vs. spread since last season with UConn after opening cover vs. NC State. Huskies also “under” 9-4-1 under Mora. GSU now 2-4-1 last seven vs. spread in Atlanta after opener vs. Rhode Island. Tech edge-UConn and slight to “under,” based on team and “totals” trends.
MEMPHIS at ARKANSAS STATE…Ryan Silverfield was having all sorts of trouble covering games for Memphis away from Liberty Bowl Stadium until last season, when he covered 3 of 5 away; prior, Tigers were 0-8-1 vs. spread in nine as visitor 2020-21. Memphis also on 10-5 “over” run after opener. Butch Jones now just 5-20 SU with Ark State, also 1-5 vs. spread last six on board after Oklahoma humiliation. Red Wolves 1-6 vs. spread last seven vs. FBS-level foes at Jonesboro. Tech edge- Memphis and slight to “over,” based on ASU woes and “totals: trends.
UCF at BOISE STATE…Boise now 0-6-1 vs. spread last seven vs. non-MW foes after opening loss at U-Dub. Gus Malzahn 9-4 “over” last 13 away from home for UCF. Tech edge-UCF and “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.
TEXAS at ALABAMA…UT came close vs. Bama last season in cover at Austin. Steve Sarkisian, however, only 4-7 vs. line with Horns away from home since taking over in 2021, and last year vs. Tide was only Sarkisian cover as a dog in five tries with Horns. Nick Saban has now covered six straight at Tuscaloosa vs. visiting FBS-level reps. Bama also 8-4-1 vs. number last 13 at Tuscaloosa. Tech edge-Bama, based on team trends.
TEMPLE at RUTGERS…Temple covered 5 of last 6 a season ago as a dog. Rutgers, however, has covered its last five in reg season vs. BCS-level non-Big Ten teams. Though even after NU win, Scarlet Knights just 8-11 vs. spread at home for Greg Schiano since he returned to New Brunswick in 2020. Tech edge-slight to Temple, based on team trends.
CHARLOTTE at MARYLAND…Terps didn’t get there vs. line in opener vs. Towson, but Mike Locksley was previously 9-2 vs. line against non-Big Ten foes with Terps, including 54-21 romp at Charlotte last season. 49ers failed to cover opener for Biff Poggi last week , and now on 4-11 spread skid since late 2021. Tech edge-Maryland, based on team trends.
SOUTHERN MISS at FLORIDA STATE…Since late 2021, USM now on 14-3 spread run following opening win and cover vs. Alcorn State. Golden Eagles 9-1 vs. spread as dog during that span. FSU just 3-3 last six as chalk a year ago. Tech edge-Southern Miss, based on recent trends.
STANFORD at SOUTHERN CAL…Interestingly, Stanford has won 10 of last 17 outright vs. SC.Cardinal won and covered in Troy Taylor debut after disastrous close to David Shaw era. Cardinal was 1-5 as road dog a year ago for Shaw. USC got cover vs. Nevada but had dropped 4 of previous 6 vs line as double-digit chalk for Lincoln Riley. Trojans also now “over” 10 in a row since mid 2022 for Riley. Tech edge-“Over,” based on “totals” trends.
AUBURN at CAL... Hugh Freeze romps in opener last week, Auburn now also 9-4 last 13 after UMass cruise. Previous, Tigers had been 1-6 vs. spread last seven vs. non-SEC. Even in down period, Cal 8-4 as dog past two seasons for Justin Wilcox, and 15-6 last 21 in role. Tech edge-Cal, based on Wilcox dog marks.