The news that the Pac-12 and the Big Ten are returning to the football field later in the fall makes for some interesting questions. Is the Big Ten really going to play outdoor games in mid- to late December? The conferences that already have started play are experiencing postponements; Baylor and Houston had to cancel Saturday’s game on Friday morning due to positive COVID-19 tests in Baylor’s football program. Baylor actually has yet to play, with their debut coming on September 26 against Kansas — assuming their COVID-19 cases clear up in time.
The rash of postponements and the delayed start of the Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC mean that there are not as many games as usual — but you can still score with the right College Football betting choices.
NCAA News:
Top Weekend College Football Betting Games
Saturday, September 19, 2020
Tulsa (+23.5) at #11 Oklahoma State (O/U 66.5)
2020 Week 3 Game
12:00 pm ET
ESPN
Both teams make their 2020 debuts on Saturday up in Stillwater. In 2019, Tulsa went 4-8 (2-6 AAC), but quarterback Zach Smith, who had transferred in from Baylor, returns after throwing for over 3,200 yards with a 19:9 TD:INT ratio. Wide receiver Keenan Johnson has moved on, but Keylon Stokes leads a speedy wideout group. Corey Taylor and Shamari Brooks are the featured running backs, and the offensive line returns all of its starters. On defense, almost all of the starters are new, except for cornerback Allie Green. A new collection of starters might not do very well against a high-octane Oklahoma State offense.
Oklahoma State went 8-5 (5-4 Big 12) in 2019, playing in the Texas Bowl against Texas A&M but falling short, 24-21. Tailback Chuba Hubbard returns to Oklahoma State after running for over 2,000 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns a year ago. Quarterback Spencer Sanders is the likely starter. Wideout Tylan Wallace returns from a blown ACL last year, and Braydon Johnson, Dillon Stoner and LSU transfer Dee Anderson can all fly down the field. On defense, the Cowboys should be unusually stout, with 12 of their top 13 tacklers returning for the season.
Final Prediction:
Oklahoma State 41, Tulsa 13 | Check the Odds
Syracuse (+21.5) at #25 Pitt (O/U 50)
2020 Week 3 Game
12:00 pm EET
ESPN ACC Network
The Orange and the Panthers have each played a game already, with Syracuse falling, 31-6, to North Carolina, while Pitt rolled over Austin Peay, 55-0, in a game that featured shortened quarters in the second half. In 2019, Syracuse went 5-7 (2-6 ACC), a down year after going 10-3 two years ago. In their loss to North Carolina, Syracuse saw things get out of hand in the fourth quarter, as they entered the last frame behind just 10-6.
Pitt went 8-5 (4-4 ACC) a year ago, and they beat Eastern Michigan, 34-30 in the Quick Lane Bowl. In their opener against Austin Peay, they built a 42-0 lead by halftime. Quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 277 yards and a score, and tailback Vincent Davis had two touchdowns on the ground. Austin Peay isn’t the sort of competition that gives much of a gauge for a conference game, and I’m not sure Pitt has the offense to cover this size of a line against Syracuse.
Final Score Prediction:
Pitt 27, Syracuse 13 | Check the Odds
#17 Miami (+2.5) (FL) at #18 Louisville (O/U 64.5)
2020 Week 3 Game
7:30 pm ET
ABC
Miami opened their 2020 campaign with a 31-14 victory over Alabama-Birmingham. Quarterback D’Eriq King, who had transferred in from Houston, went 16 of 24 for 144 yards and a score, and he also ran for 83 yards and scored on the ground as well. Tailback Cam’Ron Harris led the Hurricanes with 134 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Louisville also won a non-conference game last week to open their season, as they beat Western Kentucky, 35-21. Micale Cunningham went 19 of 34 for 343 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Javian Hawkins ran for 71 yards and had a touchdown, and Hassan Hall ran for 66 yards. Tutu Atwell led the team with seven catches, while Braden Smith and Dez Fitzpatrick tied for the lead in receiving yards with 110. Interesting, Miami has only covered the spread once in their last five meetings against the Cardinals. In their last four meetings, the home team has covered four games in a row. With King running the offense, though, Miami has an edge they haven’t had in years past.
Final Score Prediction:
Miami 31, Louisville 27 | Check the Odds
