Betting Recap – Week 8

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Overall Notes

College Football Week 8 Results
WAGER Favorites-Underdogs
Straight Up 47-8
Against the Spread 29-25-1
WAGER Home-Away
Straight Up 32-23
Against the Spread 23-31-1
WAGER Totals (O/U)
Over-Under 20-34-1


The largest underdogs to win straight up
Purdue (+12.5, ML +350) vs. Ohio State, 49-20
SMU (+7.5, ML +265) at Tulane, 27-23
Virginia (+6.5, ML +220) at Duke, 28-14

The largest favorites to cover
Alabama (-29.5) at Tennessee, 58-21
Wisconsin (-24) vs. Illinois, 49-20
Boise State (-23.5) vs. Colorado State, 56-28
UCF (-22.5) at East Carolina, 37-10

Top 25 Notes

-- There weren't a lot of upsets on the Saturday slate, as just eight underdogs won outright. However, there was one huge upset which sent shockwaves through the college football world, as Ohio State was pummeled by Purdue by a 49-20 score. The Buckeyes just couldn't stop the rushing attack of the Boilermakers, who suddenly have ripped off four victories in a row after three straight defeats to open the season. As far as the Buckeyes are concerned, they were held to a season-low 20 points and they're now 0-4 ATS over the past four games, and their defense has yielded 26 or more points in five of their eight outings.

--  Colorado played without Laviska Shenault Jr. (foot) in their game at Washington, and the Buffaloes got rolled 27-13. After opening the season 5-0 SU, Colorado has now dropped two in a row. The Huskies rebounded nicely after their loss last week in Oregon. While the chances of a playoff appearance are likely kaput, Washington still has a good chance at a conference title, especially if they play like they did Saturday.

-- LSU did not have any hangover after their huge win over Georgia last week. The Tigers rattled Mississippi State all afternoon in an impressive 19-3 win and defensive performance. They'll need this kind of defensive effort if they wish to slow down top-ranked Alabama, who covered a 29 1/2-point spread on the road at Tennessee, covering with plenty of room to spare. The Tide also took care of the 'over' (57.5) themselves in the 58-21 road rout.

Big Five Conference Report (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC)

-- N.C. State has been a thorn in the side of Clemson for the past few years, and many expected a fight in Death Valley in this battle of the last two unbeatens in the ACC. However, the Tigers were all over them like flies on a rib roast, firing out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter, a 24-0 lead at halftime and a 31-0 lead after three quarters. The Tigers have covered back-to-back games for the first time this season. ... North Carolina-Syracuse was a barn burner, and a very entertaining game unless you were holding an 'under' (67). See bad beats below. The Orange held on for the 40-37 victory in double-overtime, although the Heels are now 3-1 ATS over their past four games. The 'over' is also 4-1 in UNC's past five.

-- Michigan-Michigan State was a contentious affair like usual, and it probably have been much worse for QB Brian Lewerke. He was just awful in this one, but the Spartans still had a chance late. The Wolverines defense wasn't having any of that, though, and locked it down for a 21-7 win and cover. Michigan has covered a season-high three in a row. ... After disapppintment, close calls and many mistakes, Nebraska finally cracked into the win column after an historic 0-6 SU start. The Cornhuskers pounded Minnesota 53-28 to improve to 2-0-1 ATS over the past three. The 'over' is also a perfect 5-0 over the past five for NU.

-- TCU was no match for Oklahoma in the early kick window. There were just two games in the Big 12 on this day, and both games were decided by 25 or more points. Both favorites won and covered, and the 'over' hit in each game. ... Texas Tech routed Kansas 48-16 to improve to 5-1 SU/ATS over the past six outings.

-- UCLA picked up a second consecutive victory after an 0-5 SU start, but Arizona earned the cover in a surprisingly entertaining 31-30 battle. The Bruins lost starting QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson to an undisclosed injury. The Wildcats know all about that, as they were without QB Khalil Tate (ankle). ... California got rolled last week by UCLA, but they turned the tables on conference punching bag Oregon State this week. The Bears routed the Beavs 49-7 for their first cover since Sept. 8. Overall Cal is still just 2-4-1 ATS. The 'under' has cashed in three in a row. ... Utah roughed up USC by a 41-28 count, as the Trojans just can't seem to get out of their own way on the road. USC is 3-0 SU/2-1 ATS in three home outings, while going 1-3 SU/ATS in four road contests. 

-- Vanderbilt-Kentucky was a defensive slog, as the Wildcats grinded out a 14-7 victory. The 'under' is now a perfect 4-0 across the past four outings for Kentucky. ... Missouri stepped out of conference and spanked Memphis by a 65-33 count, nearly taking care of the 'over' (70.5) by themselves. The 'over' is now 5-1-1 for the Mizzou Tigers this season.

Bad Beats

-- If you had the 'under' (65.5) in the Ohio State-Purdue battle, you were likely feeling pretty good with just 27 points on the board heading into the fourth quarter. That's when the floodgates opened, however, as the teams combined for 42 points in the fourth quarter, including a pick-six with 2:08 to go to push the total over. There were 31 points in the final 4:40 of the game, too.

-- In the Miami (Ohio)-Army (47) battle, there were 21 points on the board until Army extended its lead to 21-7 with :08 to go in the third quarter. Miami scored a touchdown with 4:23 to go in regulation to cut it to 21-14, and then scored the game-tying TD with :17 left to force OT. That's when the teams combined for 19 total points and 'under' bettors were tearing up their tickets.

-- There were 44 points on the board in the UNC-Syracuse (67) game heading into the fourth quarter. UNC led 27-20 until the Orange tied it up 27-27 with 1:39 to go in regulation, forcing OT. Overtime is never what an 'under' bettors wanted to see, but it could have still ended well. It didn't. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the first OT, and UNC kicked a FG in the second OT before Syracuse ended it with a touchdown for 77 total points.

-- There probably aren't a lot of people who bet Idaho State-Liberty, but it was a raw beat if you were on the Flames -7.  The Flames scored with 1:27 to play, taking a 48-34 lead, and seemingly a cover. However, the Bengals struck for a touchdown with :24 left to end the game as a push at most shops.