Without a preseason, college football can be more unpredictable from a sports betting perspective than the professional version. However, now that we are two weeks into the 2021 season, we have more information now…such as the realization that there will be no dropoff between Mac Jones and Bryce Young running the Alabama offense. However, there will be dropoff between Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud running the unit at Ohio State.
Looking ahead to Week 3, let’s look at your top college football wagering choices.
NCAA News: College Football Week 3 Must Bets
#1 Alabama (-14.5) at #11 Florida
No team played the Crimson Tide closer in 2020 than did the Florida Gators, who pushed Alabama hard in the SEC Championship before falling, 52-46. However, quarterback Kyle Trask is no longer in Gainesville, and the Gators are still trying to sort things out between Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson running the offense. Jones has struggled, but is it worthwhile giving Richardson his first career start against that Crimson Tide defense? Alabama didn’t cover that 53 ½-point spread against Mercer, but they should cover in Gainesville.
#22 Auburn (+5) at #10 Penn State
After two games, Auburn has outscored the opposition by a combined 122-10 under new coach Bryan Harsin. However, those two wins came against a team from the MAC (Akron) and an FCS school (Alabama State). Penn State went to Wisconsin and won, and they beat Ball State (another MAC team), which is why the Nittany Lions are the favorites. This is a prime time game, which will make the atmosphere even more charged as Auburn looks to play their first ranked team. Penn State should be able to win and cover.
Nebraska (+22) at #3 Oklahoma
These two teams have not played since 2010, since Nebraska left what was the Big 8 to join the Big Ten and Oklahoma joined the new Big 12. In 2009 and 2010, the teams’ meetings were both decided by a single possession. Since that realignment, though, Nebraska has disappeared from the contender conversation in college football, while Oklahoma has returned to its historical status as an elite team — at least in the Big 12. There were rumors that Nebraska was looking for ways to cancel the renewal of this rivalry, but here we are. Oklahoma struggled with Tulane in Week 1 but should have no shortage of motivation here. I like the Sooners to win and cover.
#8 Cincinnati (-3) at Indiana
Cincinnati needs a signature win every week to become the first Group of Five team to make a College Football Playoff. They dominated Miami (OH) in Week 1 before struggling with Murray State in the first half last week. Their focus may have been on this chance to take down a Big Ten team. If Indiana had beaten Iowa in Week 1, this would be an even bigger chance for the Bearcats. As it is, tough, taking down Indiana would represent the next step in the Bearcats’ resume-building process. I like Cincinnati to keep their juggernaut defense and their grinding offense going for the win and cover.
#15 Virginia Tech at West Virginia (-2.5)
Virginia Tech won the last time these teams met, back in 2017, but both of these teams play in intimidating home environments, which explains the point spread here. West Virginia fell at Maryland in a bit of a surprise in Week 1 — and Virginia Tech was able to upset North Carolina in the opener. Virginia Tech has the tools to pull off another “upset” this week, so I’m taking them to cover on the road.
South Carolina (+31) at #2 Georgia
This is the same South Carolina that struggled to hold off AAC bottom-feeder East Carolina last week. The Gamecocks bring maximum effort each week, but their talent level is not ready for them to surprise a national championship contender. Georgia has a massive chip on their shoulder this year — as they should. The defensive intensity that Georgia showed against Clemson may not last all 60 minutes against the Gamecocks, so I would lean toward the “over” once the point total comes out.
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