THIS IS A WEEKLY COLUMN IN WHICH STUDENT UNION’S AUSTIN BROWN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMBLING LINES OF THE WEEK.
Welcome back to your weekly excuse to troll me on Twitter. I improved my record by one game from week 2 to week 3, so if you stay with me for another three weeks you may actually win some money. I did more research this week than I have for any other column so far, so you’re welcome for that. Without further ado, here are your week 4 gambling locks of the week.
Baylor (-8) vs. Oklahoma State
Yes, I know this is the cardinal sin of gambling, but this line is too good to stay away from. Your team is only as good as your quarterback in the Big 12, and Seth Russell is head and shoulders above Mason Rudolph. I don’t see how the Cowboys can keep pace with the Bear’s high powered offense. Take the Bears and the points here.
Side note – this matchup features the last two Kentucky Deluxe Bottom Shelf Performers of the Week in Chirs Callahan and Rudolph, so that is an interesting side angle to watch for.
SMU (+21.5) vs. TCU
SMU is 3-0 against the spread this season, TCU is 0-3. This is a competent SMU team going up against a TCU squad who has looked shaky at best this year. I picked TCU to cover in week 2, and I promised myself to never make that mistake again.
Colorado (+11) @ Oregon
Colorado is another team that is 3-0 ATS going against a team that has yet to cover the spread this season. The buffs hung with Michigan on the road for the majority of last week’s game. I don’t trust Oregon’s defense at all after what I saw last week against Nebraska. This line is inflated because casual college football fans don’t realize the massive cliff that Oregon has fallen off since Chip Kelly left. Take the Buffs and the points here.
Army (-14) @ Buffalo
Buffalo is definitely in the early running for worst FBS team this season. They are 0-2 including a loss to FCS Albany (shout out to my colleague Brendan Smith) on their home field. Army, however, has looked great so far this season. They are 3-0 straight up and ATS, and they have the best postgame locker room celebration in college football.
North Carolina (-6.5) vs. Pittsburgh
North Carolina has one of the best offenses in the ACC. They are averaging almost 43 points per game through three games this season. Pitt is coming off a rough loss against Oklahoma State last week, which means they will either come out guns blazing, or they will completely lay an egg. This game could be close, but I think UNC wins by at least a touchdown at home.
Those are your CFB gambling locks of the week, tune in next week for more.