Week 5 College Football Tech Trends

Bruce Marshall Sports Betting Expert

14 minute read

American football betting expert and handicapper Bruce Marshall breaks down the top trends for each college football game of Week 5. Check them out below and be sure sure to visit our college football picks page for expert selections on games this week!

Thursday, Sept. 29

Utah State at BYU (ESPN, 8:00 p.m.)

• After UNLV loss, Utags now 0-4 vs. line in 2022 after 10-4 spread mark last year.
• USU last win in series 2018, didn’t play in 2020, Cougs have won and covered last two meetings.
• BYU 7-4-1 vs. spread last 12 at Provo after falling just short last week vs. Wyo.

Tech Play: BYU

Friday, Sept. 30

Tulane at Houston (ESPN, 7:00 p.m.)

• Cougs have won and covered last two years in series, last Wave series win in 2019.
• Prior to last week's upset loss to Southern Miss, Tulane had started 3-0 SU and vs. spread after subpar 2021.
• After falling short last week vs. crosstown Rice, UH 4-7 vs. spread last eleven at TDECU Stadium.
• UH 2-5 last seven overall vs. spread since late 2021.

Tech Play: Tulane

UTSA at Middle Tennessee (CBSSN, 7:30 p.m.)

• Roadrunners have won last two in series (1-1 vs. line) and 23-13 vs. spread last 36 on board since late 2019.
• UTSA 2-2 thus far in 2022 after falling short laying big price vs. Texas Southern last week.
• After rousing Miami upset, Blue Raiders on 8-3 spread uptick since mid 2021.
• UTSA also “over” seven straight since late 2021.

Tech Play: UTSA, Over

San Diego State at Boise State (FS1, 8:00 p.m.)

• After win over Toledo, Aztecs 8-4 vs. line last 12 as dog.
• SDSU also topped Broncos 27-16 at Carson LY.
• Boise just 1-5 vs. spread last six on blue carpet.
• Boise 10-1 “under” last eleven since mid 2021 after last week's snoozer vs. UTEP

Tech Play: San Diego State, Under

Washington at UCLA (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.)

• Huskies have started 4-0 SU and vs. spread for Kalen DeBoer.
• Chip Kelly did win and covered this game at Seattle last season, and has covered 6 of last 7 since late last season.
• U-Dub was 1-4 vs. line away pre-DeBoer, and note all of U-Dub's games earlier this September were played at home.
• DeBoer won this game at Rose Bowl while at Fresno LY.

Tech Play: UCLA

New Mexico at UNLV (CBSSN, 11:00 p.m.)

• Before getting blanked 38-0 at LSU last week, the Lobos off to a 2-0-1 spread start this season.
• Rebs on 10-3 spread uptick after Utah State win and have won and covered first two as Allegiant chalk this season.
• Lobos also on 11-4 “under” run after LSU result.

Tech Play: UNLV, Under

Saturday, Oct. 1

Oklahoma at TCU (ABC, 12:00 p.m.)

• Sooners have won and covered last two meetings.
• But Sonny Dykes 13-2 vs. line in first four games of season (SMU & TCU) since 2019.

Tech Play: TCU

Temple at Memphis (ESPNU, 12:00 p.m.)

• Owls have played Tigers tough, won LY at Philly in upset, covered last seven meetings dating to 2013.
• Temple however hasn’t covered last five on road since early 2021.
• Memphis no covers last four at Liberty Bowl, also “over” 5-0 since late 2021.

Tech Play: Temple

Texas Tech at Kansas State (ESPN+, 12:00 p.m.)

• Kleiman is 3-0 SU and vs. line against Red Raiders since taking over Cats in 2019.
• KSU 9-4 vs. spread last 13 vs. Big 12 foes at Manhattan.
• K-State also on 7-3 “under” run.

Tech Play: Kansas State, Under

Louisville at Boston College (ACCN, 12:00 p.m.)

• Eagles had covered four straight in series before Cards won 28-14 at home LY.
• BC has started season 0-4 vs. line after last week's humbling loss to Florida State.
• “Unders” 11-5 in BC games since last season.

Tech Play: Louisville, Under

Georgia State at Army (CBSSN, 12:00 p.m.)

• West Point rolled 43-10 in Atlanta LY.
• Slow start for the Panthers, 0-4 SU and 0-3-1 vs. line out of chute after Thurs loss to Coastal Carolina.
• GSU had entered this season covering last six and nine of last ten away from home.
• Black Knights interestingly “over” first three in 2022 after 5-8 “under” last season.

Tech Play: Army

Michigan at Iowa (FOX, 12:00 p.m.)

• Harbaugh throttled Iowa 42-3 in Big Ten title game last December.
• Even after non-cover vs. Maryland last week, Wolverines still on 14-5 spread uptick.
• Note Kirk Ferentz only 4-4 last eight as dog after greater success getting points earlier in career.
• Iowa also “under” 4-1 since late 2021.

Tech Play: Michigan, Under

Kentucky at Ole Miss (ESPN, 12:00 p.m.)

• Last meeting 2020 in 42-41 Ole Miss OT thriller at Lexington.
• Mark Stoops 9-3 last 12 vs. line as dog.
• Kiffin 6-4 vs. spread last nine at Vaught-Hemingway.
• Rebs “under” 13-4 since last 2021, Cats “under” 4-1 since late 2021.

Tech Play: Kentucky, Under

Navy at Air Force (CBS, 12:00 p.m.)

• Falcs have won and covered handily last two meetings by 63-9 total score.
• After Nevada romp last Friday, Force 13-7 vs. spread at home since 2019.
• Mids started 0-2 vs. line in 2022 but also started 0-2 vs. spread last season before covering 8 of last 10.
• “Unders” 7-2 last nine meetings, a familiar theme of Commander-in-Chief’s battles.
• Commander-in-Chief games are now “under” 41-9-1 the last fifty-one renewals!

Tech Play: Air Force, Under

Illinois at Wisconsin (BTN, 12:00 p.m.)

• Bielema 5-2 last seven as dog, and was on 8-3-1 spread uptick since early 2021.
• Illini also 12-4 “under” since start of 2021.
• Badgers have won and covered big last two meetings since upset 24-23 loss to Illini (a +30.5 dog) in 2019.

Tech Play: Illinois, Under

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

• Fleck has won and covered each of last four years vs. Brohm.
• Boilermakers 2-5 vs. line last seven as underdog.
• Gophers on 15-4 spread uptick since late 2020 after Michigan State romp.

Tech Play: Minnesota

SMU at UCF (ESPNU, 1:00 p.m.)

• Mustangs won big over Malzahn 55-28 LY.
• SMU 2-8 last ten vs. spread on road.
• Malzahn 2-6 vs. spread last seven as home favorite vs. FBS foes after another spread L last week vs. lowly GT.

Tech Play: SMU

Texas State at James Madison (ESPN+, 1:30 p.m.)

• Nice start for JMU, blowout wins and covers first two as FBS member before a rousing win at App State.
• Bobcats just 2-5 vs. line last seven as visitor.
• TSU also on 7-2 “under” run.

Tech Play: James Madison

Northern Illinois at Ball State (ESPN+, 2:00 p.m.)

• Cards no covers last four as dog.
• Ball also on 13-6 “under” run, last four “under” in series.
• Road team 4-0 vs. line in NIU games thus far 2022 after Huskies hung tough at Kentucky last week.

Tech Play: Northern Illinois, Under

Oregon State at Utah (P12N, 2:00 p.m.)

• Beavs 3-1 SU and vs. 4-0 line to start 2022 after last week's near-miss vs. USC.
• OSU has also covered last two years vs. Utes and pulled the 42-34 upset at Corvallis LY.
• Jonathan Smith 17-6 last 22 as dog, though Beavs only 2-6 last eight vs. spread away from Reser Stadium or Portland.
• Utes 6-1 vs. line last seven in Salt Lake City.

Tech Play: Oregon State

ECU vs. USF - Boca Raton (ESPN, 2:30 p.m.)

• Road team was 5-0-1 SU in six meetings into last season before the Pirates won and covered at Greenville.
• ECU on 9-3 spread surge since early 2021, though off a disappointing loss to Navy.
• USF now 1-3 vs. line in 2022 after lopsided loss to the 'Ville last week.

Tech Play: ECU

Miami-Ohio at Buffalo (ESPN+, 3:30 p.m.)

• RedHawks have won and covered 2 of last 3 meetings but Miami just 3-6 vs. spread last nine as visitor.
• Bulls 5-9-1 vs. spread since Linguist took over last season, but off impressive cruise past EMU.

Tech Play: Miami-Ohio

Central Michigan at Toledo (NFLN, 3:30 p.m.)

• McElwain has covered all three for Chips against Rockets since he took CMU job in 2019.
• Toledo had won and covered the previous four meetings.
• Rockets just 3-7 vs. line last ten at Glass Bowl.

Tech Play: Central Michigan

Fresno State at UConn (CBSSN, 3:30 p.m.)

• Bulldogs rolled 45-0 in Week Zero LY.
• Tedford, however, yet to cover in three tries this season, and his FSU teams 3-11-1 vs. spread since 2019.
• Mora has taken some heavy beatings in recent weeks but Huskies actually 3-2 vs. line this season.

Tech Play: UConn

Rutgers at Ohio State (BTN, 3:30 p.m.)

• Buckeyes have actually failed to cover 2 of last 3 in series.
• Buckeyes never let Scarlet Knights come closer than 22 in eight meetings since Rutgers joined Big Ten in 2014.
• Even after big wins the past two weeks vs. Toledo & Wisconsin, Ryan Day still just 13-15 last 28 vs. line overall.
• Schiano 7-2 as Big Ten road dog since returning to Piscataway in 2020.
• Schiano also “under” 13-7 since late 2020.

Tech Play: Rutgers

Ohio at Kent State (ESPN+, 3:30 p.m.)

• Bobcats 5-11 SU, 6-10 vs. spread for Albin since Solich retired.
• Golden Flashes 5-1 last six as chalk for Sean Lewis.
• Ohio has opened 4-0 “over” this season.

Tech Play: Kent State, Over

Bowling Green at Akron (ESPN+, 3:30 p.m.)

• Zips have actually won this game the last two years, two of their three SU wins since 2019.
• Joe Moorhead however is 1-3 vs. line with Akron, and his teams now 5-13 last 18 vs. spread.
• Falcs were 5-1 vs. line on road last season.

Tech Play: Bowling Green

Virginia Tech at UNC (ACCN, 3:30 p.m.)

• Mack Brown covered two in a row vs. VPI before last year's opener that the Hokies won 17-10 in Blacksburg.
• But Hokies 2-2 SU, 1-3 vs. line after WVU loss, and spread slump now at 10-20 since late 2020.
• Mack also on 12-6 “over” run.

Tech Play: UNC, Over

Oklahoma State at Baylor (FOX, 3:30 p.m.)

• Rematch of exciting Big 12 title game last December won by Bears, 21-16.
• Cowboys won and covered 24-14 in reg season at Stillwater.
• Gundy on 14-4 spread uptick since late 2020, Baylor on 14-5 spread surge after ISU win.
• Last three meetings “under” as well.

Tech Play: Oklahoma State, Under

Michigan State at Maryland (FS1, 3:30 p.m.)

• Spartans 6-1 SU against Terps since Md joined Big Ten in 2014, and MSU has covered 4 of last 5 meetings.
• Terps hadn't covered at all vs. Michigan, either, before scoring a comfy spread W last week.
• Though MSU 11-6 vs. spread since 2021 it hasn’t covered its last three as a visitor.
• Terps 2-8 vs. spread last ten as Big Ten host.

Tech Play: Michigan State

Wake Forest at FSU (ABC, 3:30 p.m.)

• Deacs have won two in a row SU vs. Noles for first time since 2007-08, and Wake 4-1-1 last six vs. spread in series.
• Deacs have won and covered their last three away from Winston-Salem.
• FSU has covered six straight vs. FBS-level foes since late 2021 after last Saturday's cruise past BC.

Tech Play: Wake Forest

Northwestern at Penn State (ESPN, 3:30 p.m.)

• Pat Fitzgerald 3-1 SU and vs. line past games vs. James Franklin (both Vandy & Penn State).
• Fitz 21-6 as dog away from Evanston since 2014 if excluding the 2021 season (0-4 as dog away LY).
• Cats haven't won or covered in three tries this season since the rousing opening win over Nebraska in Dublin.
• Franklin 3-9 vs. spread as Big Ten host since 2019.

Tech Play: Northwestern

Iowa State at Kansas (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.)

• Cyclones have brutalized Jayhawks lately, wins and covers last two meetings by 111-10 total score.
• KU no series SU wins since 2014, only one cover last five meetings.
• But after last week's exciting win over Duke, Lance Leipold is 4-0 SU and vs. line in 2022.
• KU on 7-game spread uptick since late 2021, and Cyclones 1-4 vs. line on Big 12 road last season.

Tech Play: Kansas

Alabama at Arkansas (CBS, 3:30 p.m.)

• No SU wins for Hogs in series since 2006 when Mike Shula was coaching Tide.
• Arkansas won 3 of 4 years (2003-04-06) for the only wins it has over Bama since joining SEC in 1992.
• But Razorbacks covered LY and Sam Pittman 11-4 vs. line as dog since arriving in 2000.
• Saban only 3-5 vs. line last eight away from Tuscaloosa.

Tech Play: Arkansas

FAU at North Texas (ESPN+, 4:00 p.m.)

• Owls had not been real road warriors lately, drooping 5 of 6 vs. line away.
• Taggart also on 19-7 “under” run since taking over FAU in 2020.
• UNT got its first cover of 2022 last week at Memphis.

Tech Play: Under

Texas A&M at Mississippi State (SECN, 4:00 p.m.)

• Road team has won and covered last two years in series between Leach & Jimbo.
• Ags however just 1-4 vs. line away for Jimbo LY.
• A&M also on 5-10 “under” run since 2021.

Tech Play: Mississippi State, Under

Georgia Southern at Coastal Carolina (ESPN+, 4:00 p.m.)

• Eagles have lost last two SU and failed to cover last three vs. Chants.
• GSU “over” 4-1 last five on road.

Tech Play: Coastal Carolina, Over

South Alabama at Louisiana (ESPN+, 5:00 p.m.)

• Cajuns have won SU last six meetings, most-recent Jags win in 2015.
• After no covers all six as a visitor last season, USA 2-0 vs. line away in 2022, part of 4-0 spread break from gate.
• ULL 6-2 vs. spread last 8 at Cajun Field.
• USA also “over” 3-1 first four in 2022.

Tech Play: South Alabama, Over

California at Washington State (P12N, 5:30 p.m.)

• Wilcox 12-3 last 15 vs. line as dog. 4-1 last five as road dog.
• Cougs 7-1 vs. spread against FBS foes in reg season under Dickert.
• Wazzu also “under” 4-1 since late 2021.

Tech Play: California, Under

UTEP at Charlotte (ESPN+, 6:00 p.m.)

• Miners on the board with their first cover of 2022 after Boise upset last Friday.
• UTEP was 0-4 vs. line prior.
• Miners also “under” 4-0-1 this season.
• 49ers had dropped six straight and 8 of 9 vs. line prior to recent upset of Ga State.

Tech Play: Under

Liberty at Old Dominion (ESPN+, 6:00 p.m.)

• Flames won and covered big LY 45-17.
• Monarchs on 7-2 spread surge last nine reg season games.
• Liberty 2-5 last seven as chalk, ODU 5-1 last six as reg season dog.

Tech Play: Old Dominion

Troy at Western Kentucky (ESPN+, 7:00 p.m.)

• Trojans have covered both as road dog thus far in Sumrall debut, road team also 3-1 vs. spread in Troy games.
• Tops however 7-2 vs. spread last nine at Bowling Green after last week's 73-0 whitewash of FIU.
• WKU 13-5 vs. spread since last season for Tyson Helton.

Tech Play: Western Kentucky

UL-Monroe at Arkansas State (ESPN+, 7:00 p.m.)

• Series dominance for Red Wolves, who have won and covered the last 12 meetings!
• Butch Jones covers first three of first four this season and five of last seven since late 2021.

Tech Play: Arkansas State

Cincinnati at Tulsa (ESPNU, 7:00 p.m.)

• Golden Hurricane has covered last three years in series vs. some very good Bearcats teams.
• Cincy just 1-6 vs. spread last seven away from Nippert.
• Note eleven straight covers as a dog for Tulsa since late 2019.

Tech Play: Tulsa

LSU at Auburn (ESPN, 7:00 p.m.)

• Auburn has won last two and covered three straight in this Tigers series.
• But Auburn no covers last five and just 1-8 last nine vs. spread since late 2021.
• Note LSU has wins and covers in three straight since the FSU opener.

Tech Play: LSU

San Jose State at Wyoming (CBSSN, 7:30 p.m.)

• Spartans pulled mild upset on Cowboys LY.
• Wyo no covers last three as Laramie chalk.
• SJSU 11-6 last 17 vs. line away reg season (plus MW title game 2020).
• Spartans also 19-5 “under” run since late 2018.

Tech Play: San Jose State, Under

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

• Owls scored the big upset last year over Blazers.
• Rice still just 4-8 as dog since start of 2021 (2-1 TY however after cover vs. Houston last week).
• Rice also “over” 4-0 in 2022, 13-3 since last season.
• UAB did cover all seven away last season but 0-1 on road thus far vs. line in 2022.

Tech Play: UAB, Over

Indiana at Nebraska (BTN, 7:30 p.m.)

• Huskers no covers last five since late 2021 and just 2-8 last ten on board since mid 2021.
• Also just 1-7 last eight as chalk.
• Hoosiers however just 3-13 last 16 on board themselves after last week's loss to Cincinnati.

Tech Play: Indiana

NC State at Clemson (ABC, 7:30 p.m.)

• Last year’s 27-21 OT win by Wolfpack was its first over Tigers since 2011.
• NCS however only 2-6 vs. spread last eight away, but 6-2 last eight as dog.
• Dabo just 2-6 vs. spread last eight in Death Valley.

Tech Play: NC State

Georgia at Missouri (SECN, 7:30 p.m.)

• The Bulldogs have won the two series meetings by a combined score of 70-6.
• Still, Georgia has won all nine SU from the Tigers since Mizzou joined SEC in 2012.
• Kirby Smart also 10-1 vs. spread away from Athens since LY.
• Georgia now “under” 6-0 since late 2021 (at least for those who got the "under" last week vs. Kent State).

Tech Play: Georgia, Under

Virginia at Duke (7:30 p.m.)

• Bronco Mendenhall dominated David Cutcliffe, Hoos winning and covering last six meetings.
• UVA series win and cover streak now at seven in a row.
• New coaches in 2022, however, and Cavs only 1-3 vs. line for Elliott out of chute following ‘Cuse game.
• Blue Devils 3-1 SU and vs. line for Elko, with first loss last week at much-improved Kansas.

Tech Play: Virginia

West Virginia at Texas (FS1, 7:30 p.m.)

• Mounties have covered 5 of last 7 in series including 31-23 win LY.
• Meanwhile, the Horns' 4-game cover streak dating to late 2021 ended with a thud in last week's loss at Lubbock.

Tech Play: West Virginia

FIU at New Mexico State (7:30 p.m.)

• Ags on the board with a win for Jerry Kill after last week vs. Hawaii, now 1-4 SU, 2-3 vs. line for Jerry Kill.
• Ags 2-5 vs. spread last seven at Las Cruces vs. FBS-level foes.
• Also rare likely favorite two weeks in a row.
• Golden Panthers 0-3 vs. line for MacIntyre, now no covers last eight since mid 2021 after the 73-0 humiliation.

Tech Play: New Mexico State

Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh (ACCN, 8:00 p.m.)

• No more Geoff Collins at Georgia Tech, which is 3-0 SU and vs. line against the Yellow Jackets the past three seasons.
• Tech did manage a narrow cover in Collins' last game vs. UCF but still enters this week on a 5-13 spread skid.
• Tech 4-7 vs. the line its last eleven away from Bobby Dodd Stadium.
• Panthers on 12-7 spread run since late 2020.

Tech Play: Pittsburgh

Colorado at Arizona (P12N, 9:30 p.m.)

• Buffs have won and covered last two meetings but Karl Dorrell 3-13 SU last 16 and 6-10 vs. spread since late 2020.
• Improved Cats 2-2 SU and vs. line this season, on 6-4 spread mini-uptick for Jedd Fisch since mid 2021.
• This is the first time since last September 18 vs. NAU that the Cats have been favored.

Tech Play: Arizona

Arizona State at USC (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.)

• Sun Devils have covered last two in series.
• But SC 4-0 SU and 3-1 vs. line in 2022, and ASU no covers last four or five of last six as visitor.
• Sun Devils also “under” 5-0 since late 2021 after last week's Utah game

Tech Play: USC, Under

Stanford at Oregon (FS1, 11:00 p.m.)

• Tree has won and covered 4 of last 6 meetings including last season on Farm.
• But David Shaw on 0-10 spread skid.
• Oregon has recovered from the Georgia beatdown to win three straight.
• Still, now four straight covers for the Webfoots at Autzen Stadium dating to late 2021.

Tech Play: Oregon

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