Week 3 College Football Tech Trends

Bruce Marshall Sports Betting Expert

11 minute read

American football betting expert and handicapper Bruce Marshall breaks down the top trends for each college football game of Week 3. Check them out below and be sure sure to visit our college football picks page for expert selections on games this week!

Friday, Sept. 16

FSU at Louisville (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.)

• Noles have covered 4 of last 5 away from Tallahassee, and Mike Norvell working on five straight “unders” since late 2021.
• Note 'Ville "under" first two this season after closing "over" four of last five in 2021.

Tech Play: Under, FSU

Air Force at Wyoming (CBSSN, 8:00 p.m.)

• Calhoun has turned it around on Bohl, winning and covering last two meetings after losing previous three to Wyo.
• Force 5-1 vs. spread away from home last season, 12-6 last 18 vs. line since late 2020.

Tech Play: Air Force

Saturday, Sept. 17

Georgia at South Carolina (ESPN, 12:00 p.m.)

• Visitor series lately, with road team covering last six meetings.
• Bulldogs were 5-0 vs. spread as visitor last season, 9-1 vs. spread last ten away from Athens.

Tech Play: Georgia

Cincinnati at Miami-Ohio (ESPNU, 12:00 p.m.)

• RedHawks haven’t won in this historic regional rivalry since 2005.
• Bearcats have also covered last four meetings.
• Miami 1-9 vs. spread last ten reg-season non-MAC games.
• Cincy only 8-8 as DD chalk since 2020 at Paul Brown/Paycor Stadium.

Tech Play: Cincinnati

Texas State at Baylor (FS1, 12:00 p.m.)

• Bobcats just 2-5 vs. spread last seven outside of Belt but did cover at San Marcos vs. Bears LY.
• Aranda 11-5 vs. line since last season, 7-1 vs. spread at Waco, 2-0 laying 20 or more.

Tech Play: Baylor

Western Kentucky at Indiana (BTN, 12:00 p.m.)

• Tops 4-1 vs. spread last five outside of C-USA vs. FBS foes.
• WKU 11-5 spread run since last year, covered vs. Hoosiers in 2021.
• IU did rally back on Illini in opener but still just 3-11 vs. spread overall since last season.
• IU also 1-6 vs. spread last six at Bloomington after last week's non-cover vs. Idaho.

Tech Play: Western Kentucky

Purdue at Syracuse (ESPN2, 12:00 p.m.)

• Teams have not met since 2004 opener, when Joe Tiller's Purdue destroyed Paul Pasqualoni's 'Cuse by a 51-0 count.
• Boilermakers 8-2 vs. spread last ten away from Ross-Ade if tossing out abbreviated 2020 campaign.
• Orange on 8-1 spread run for Dino last nine at Carrier Dome.

Tech Play: Syracuse

Oklahoma at Nebraska (FOX, 12:00 p.m.)

• Old Big 8/12 classic rivalry did renew last season at Lincoln for first time since 2010 in 23-16 Sooners win but non-cover at Norman.
• OU 0-3-1 vs. line as visitor last season.

Tech Play: Nebraska

UConn at Michigan (ABC, 12:00 p.m.)

• Mora has opened with a pair of covers for Huskies who are actually on an 8-3 spread uptick since early last season.
• But Harbaugh on 13-3 spread run last 16 and has covered 7 of last 8 laying DDs.

Tech Play: Michigan

Buffalo at Coastal Carolina (ESPN+, 1:00 p.m.)

• Bulls came in back door to cover opener at Md but had dropped six of previous seven vs. spread.
• Bulls subsequently lost on final play to Holy Cross last Saturday.
• Buff also just 2-5 vs. spread as visitor under Linguist since last season.
• Chants on 8-3-2 spread uptick at Conway.

Tech Play: Coastal Carolina

South Alabama at UCLA (P12N, 2:00 p.m.)

• Jags got first spread cover on road for Kane Wommack in win at CMU, USA was 0-6 vs. line away last season.
• Bruins had won and covered four straight since late 2021.
• UCLA covered last three and four of last five laying double digits, before falling short vs. 48-point Alabama State last week.

Tech Play: UCLA

Ohio at Iowa State (ESPN+, 2:00 p.m.)

• Bobcats 2-4 vs. line away and 1-5 vs. spread outside of MAC since last season for Albin.
• Cyclones no covers last four at Ames hosting non-Big 12 foes.
• Worth noting ISU has covered last six and 7-0-1 last eight vs. line immediately after Cy-Hawk game vs. Iowa.

Tech Play: Iowa State

Rutgers at Temple (ESPN+, 2:00 p.m.)

• Schiano now 6-0 vs. line in September in his second spin at Rutgers after wins over BC and nearby Wagner from Staten Island.
• The Scarlet Knights also buried Owls 61-14 LY, and Rutgers is 9-2 vs. line as visitor for Schiano since 2020.
• Temple's spread skid had reach eight after the opening loss to Duke before squeezing out a narrow cover last week vs. Lafayette.

Tech Play: Rutgers

Old Dominion at Virginia (ACCN, 2:00 p.m.)

• Monarchs on 6-2 spread uptick since mid 2021.
• ODU also 4-0-1 vs. spread last five vs. ACC including cover vs. Cavs in 2019.
• UVA on 11-4 “under” run since late 2020.

Tech Play: ODU, Under

California at Notre Dame (NBC, 2:30 p.m.)

• Haven’t faced since ‘67, when Ara Parseghian’s Irish beat Ray Willsey’s Golden Bears 41-8 in South Bend.
• Marcus Freeman first ND coach to drop first three games.
• Irish did cover 5 of 7 at home for Brian Kelly last season.
• Wilcox 4-2 as dog last season, 11-4 vs. line getting points with Cal since 2019.

Tech Play: California

Tulane at Kansas State (ESPN+, 3:00 p.m.)

• Vince Gibson game!
• Greenies 6-1 “over” their last seven away from home.
• Wildcats however on 8-2-1 spread uptick last eleven as chalk vs FBS foes after Mizzou win.

Tech Play: Kansas State, Over

North Texas at UNLV (3:00 p.m.)

• Mean Green has covered five straight as visitor.
• UNT on 11-5 spread uptick.
• Rebs 8-3 vs. line last ten on board and have covered last three at Allegiant Stadium. 

Tech Play: North Texas

Penn State at Auburn (CBS, 3:30 p.m.)

• Rematch of last season at Happy Valley when Nittany Lions prevailed 28-20.
• After Ohio win, James Franklin 7-1 vs. line last eight reg season vs. non-Big Ten FBS-level foes.
• Tigers 1-5 vs. line last six since late 2021.

Tech Play: Penn State

Ole Miss at Georgia Tech (ABC, 3:30 p.m.)

• Jackets 1-6 vs. spread last seven vs. FBS foes at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field.
• Also 1-8 vs. number last nine vs. FBS foes overall.
• Kiffin 11-6 last 17 vs. line overall, 5-1 vs. points last six vs. non-SEC FBS foes in reg season. 

Tech Play: Ole Miss

Vanderbilt at Northern Illinois (CBSSN, 3:30 p.m.)

• After loss to Wake, Dores now 2-5 vs. spread outside of SEC for Clark Lea.
• Vandy has still covered four straight away from Nashville.
• Huskies just 4-6-1 vs. spread last 11 at DeKalb.
• NIU “over” 11-6 last 17, Dores “over” last four following Wake.

Tech Play: Vanderbilt, Over

Troy at Appalachian State (ESPN+, 3:30 p.m.)

• Mounties in control of series, have won and covered last four meetings, last three all blowouts (total score 140-30!).
• Trojans 2-5 vs. spread last seven on Sun Belt road.

Tech Play: Appalachian State

Georgia Southern at UAB (Stadium, 3:30 p.m.)

• Eagles actually on 5-game cover streak since late last season.
• Also covered last four as dog.
• Blazers had covered five in a row since late 2021 prior to Liberty loss.

Tech Play: Georgia Southern

New Mexico State at Wisconsin (BTN, 3:30 p.m.)

• Jerry Kill off to 0-2 SU/spread break from gate with Ags, now 1-5 vs. spread last six since late 2021.
• NMSU only 1-3 vs. spread getting 30+-points since last season.
• Prior to WSU game, Wiscy 4-1 vs. line last five as Madison non-Big ten chalk, and 2-1 last three laying 30 or more. 

Tech Play: Wisconsin

Colorado at Minnesota (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.)

• Gophers rolled in this matchup last year 30-0 at Boulder.
• Dorrell really struggling, Buffs 1-5 vs. line last six vs. non-Pac 12, also 9-5 “under” run.
• Fleck on 11-4 spread uptick since late 2020. 

Tech Play: Minnesota

BYU at Oregon (FOX, 3:30 p.m.)

• Cougs have covered their last six as dog.
• Ducks had dropped nine in a row as Eugene chalk before covering last three in role after EWU rout.
• UO 1-4 vs. line last five vs. non-Pac 12 FBS foes. 

Tech Play: BYU

Kansas at Houston (ESPNU, 4:00 p.m.)

• Jayhawks on the move with five covers in a row after stunner at WVU.
• Four of those five covers as dog, inclined to dismiss most of the previous recent failures as Leipold guns the engines.
• Cougs just 1-3 vs. spread last four as home chalk.

Tech Play: Kansas

UL-Monroe at Alabama (SECN, 4:00 p.m.)

• Saban surely remembers last meeting when his first Bama team lost to ULM in 2007.
• Saban did cover vs. Utags in opener buy just 11-17-1 vs. spread last 29 hosting non-conference foes in Tuscaloosa.
• Warhawks just 2-5 vs. spread on road since Terry Bowden took over last year, 0-2 getting 30 or more. 

Tech Play: Alabama

Liberty at Wake Forest (ACCN, 5:00 p.m.)

• Hugh Freeze got win vs. UAB last week but just 2-6 vs. line last eight reg season games.
• Wake off fast 2-0 SU and vs. spread for Clawson, Deacs 3-0-1 vs. spread last four vs. non-ACC FBS foes. 

Tech Play: Wake Forest

Marshall at Bowling Green (NFLN, 5:00 p.m.)

• Falcs stumbling, no wins or covers 4 of last 5 since late last season after EKU loss.
• Also 1-4 vs. spread last five at Doyt Perry.
• Herd 7-2 vs. spread last nine vs. non-conf foes in reg season.

Tech Play: Marshall

Colorado State at Washington State (P12N, 5:00 p.m.)

• Tough start for Jay Norvell at CSU as Rams 0-2 SU and vs. line in 2022.
• That’s now 8 SU and spread losses in a row since mid 2021 for Rams.
• Cougs have won and covered their last four at Pullman and 9-1 last ten vs. spread against FBS foes in reg season play. 

Tech Play: Washington State

Mississippi State at LSU (ESPN, 6:00 p.m.)

• Road team has covered last three in series.
• Leach has covered five straight on road in SEC play.

Tech Play: Mississippi State

Arkansas State at Memphis (ESPN+, 7:00 p.m.)

• Butch Jones actually working on covers in four of his last five games after slipping inside big price at Ohio State last week.
• Red Wolves 1-0-1 vs. line last two years vs. Tigers.
• Memphis had dropped 8 of previous 12 vs. number before Navy game, though Tigers were 4-3 vs. line at Liberty Bowl last season.
• Memphis also “under” 6-2 last eight as host. 

Tech Play: Arkansas State, Under

Akron at Tennessee (SECN, 7:00 p.m.)

• Moorhead 0-2 vs. line in 2022, he’s now 4-12 vs. line with his teams dating to late 2018 at Miss State.
• Zips 8-25 spread skid since 2019.
• Vols have won and covered first two in 2022. 

Tech Play: Tennessee

Texas Tech at NC State (ESPN2, 7:00 p.m.)

• Red Raiders 8-6 vs. line since last season, also covered 3 of last 4 as dog.
• Wolfpack however 11-3 vs. line at Raleigh since 2019. 

Tech Play: NC State

Charlotte at Georgia State (ESPN+, 7:00 p.m.)

• 49ers have been left at the gate in 2022, 0-3 SU and vs. line already, now six straight spread Ls dating to late 2021.
• Lost and no cover at Ga State last season 20-9.
• Panthers also no covers first two in 2022 but did cover 7 of last 8 in 2021.

Tech Play: Georgia State

Toledo at Ohio State (FOX, 7:00 p.m.)

• Buckeyes 0-2 vs. line in 2022 after Ark State non-cover, Ryan Day only 11-15 vs. line last 26 on board.
• OSU only 4-6 vs. spread last ten at Big Horseshoe.
• Rockets have covered last three as underdog.

Tech Play: Toledo

Pittsburgh at Western Michigan (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.)

• Revenge for Panthers after shock home loss to WMU last season.
• Narduzzi however has covered seven in a row as a visitor.
• Broncos 1-3 vs. number last four at Kalamazoo. 

Tech Play: Pittsburgh

Michigan State at Washington (ABC, 7:30 p.m.)

• Mel Tucker 11-4 vs. spread since last season but no covers last two as visitor.
• DeBoer 2-0 SU and vs. line with Huskies and now 10-5 vs. line at Fresno and U-W since last season. 

Tech Play: Washington

Louisiana at Rice (ESPN+, 7:30 p.m.)

• Cajuns off to fast 2-0 SU and vs. spread for Desormeaux after EMU win but but only 3-5 last eight as road chalk.
• Owls now on 11-3 “over” run after McNeese State romp last week. 

Tech Play: Rice, Over

UCF at FAU (CBSSN, 7:30 p.m.)

• Note Taggart 2-1 vs. line this season after closing 2021 with five straight Ls.
• Malzahn teams just 7-12 last 19 vs. spread dating to mid 2019 with Auburn (6-9 vs. spread with Knights). 

Tech Play: FAU

USF at Florida (SECN, 7:30 p.m.)

• Bulls 2-5 vs. line last seven non-conf for Jeff Scott, however USF did cover vs. Gators last season.
• Florida has now dropped last 7 as chalk after Kentucky loss. 

Tech Play: USF

Nevada at Iowa (BTN, 7:30 p.m.)

• Wolf Pack was 17-7 last 24 on board prior to loss to ICW last week.
• Hawkeyes no covers first two this season and now 1-4 vs. spread last five at home.
• Iowa also way “under” in last three games since late last season. 

Tech Play: Nevada, Under

SMU at Maryland (FS1, 7:30 p.m.)

• Mustangs did cover opener at UNT but just 2-8 vs. line last ten as visitor.
• Locksley 7-2 vs. spread against non-Big Ten teams since 2019 after romp at Charlotte last week. 

Tech Play: Maryland

UTSA at Texas (LHN, 8:00 p.m.)

• Roadrunners 5-0 as dog since last season, 10-2 since 2020 for Traylor.
• Sarkisian now has 3 covers in a row after that 6-game spread slide last season, also on 6-2 “under” run since mid 2021.
• Sarkisian is 5-2 as chalk at Austin with Horns.

Tech Play: UTSA, Under

UTEP at New Mexico (8:00 p.m.)

• Miners off slowly this season, 0-2 SU and vs. line, after covering 5 of 7 away from Sun Bowl in 2021.
• Lobos 1-0-1 vs. spread to start 2022 but didn’t cover at all in six tries at home last season.
• Note 0-7 chalk mark entering this season before opening win over lower-tier Maine and a spread push vs. Boise State last Friday.

Tech Play: UTEP

Louisiana Tech at Clemson (ACCN, 8:00 p.m.)

• This road dog role had been a good one for Bulldogs (20-8-1 in Skip Holtz era but not so much in the opener at Mizzou.
• Dabo just 1-5 as Death Valley chalk since last season after Furman result.
• Tigers also “under” four straight and 10-5 “under” since last season.

Tech Play: Louisiana Tech, Under

Miami-Florida at Texas A&M (ESPN, 9:00 p.m.)

• Canes covered last three as dog a year ago and now 6-3 last nine vs. spread since mid 2021.
• No Jimbo no covers first two this season or three in a row since late 2021.

Tech Play: Miami-Florida

San Diego State at Utah (ESPN2, 10:00 p.m.)

• Aztecs pulled out this game in OT last season at Carson.
• SDSU 4-2 vs. spread away from Carson LY, 4-1 as dog.
• Whittingham surprisingly only 1-4 vs. spread in reg season vs. non-Pac foes since 2021.

Tech Play: San Diego State

Fresno State at USC (FOX, 10:30 p.m.)

• Tedford 0-2 vs. line this season, back to 2019 season, Tedford now on 3-10-1 spread skid with Bulldogs.
• Trojans 2-0 SU and vs. line for Riley, now on 8-3 “over” run since early 2021. 

Tech Play: USC

Eastern Michigan at Arizona State (P12N, 11:00 p.m.)

• Eagles didn’t cover at ULL last week and just 1-3 as road dog since last season, but was 21-2 in role prior for Chris Creighton.
• Herm only 1-4 vs. line last five reg season vs non-Pac 12 foes after Ok State loss, but has covered 5 of last 6 laying 9 or more at Tempe.
• ASU also “under” 9-5 since last season.

Tech Play: Eastern Michigan, Under

Bruce Marshall

Bruce's unique and colorful brand of football and basketball analysis, as well as informed commentary on the national and international sports scene, has made him an in-demand guest for many years on numerous sports talk radio and TV shows across the country. Bruce's vast array of editorial work has also been featured in VegasInsider, along with the Las Vegas Review-Journal and New York Post. Bruce, who is also in the midst of several book projects, combines all of his work while splitting time between Celebration, Florida and Henderson, Nevada. More from Bruce Marshall