Best Bets For College Football Week 3

By STEVEN VAUGHAN, 750 THE GAME

It’s time to turn it around. A 1-4 week in week two crushes me and brings the season record down to 3-7. The problem is I actually bet these games and am losing money. I need to turn it around, and I think I will.

UNLV +7.5 @ Kansas

I am going to kick it off on a Friday. UNLV is going to be competing with Boise State in the Mountain West and for the CFP this season. UNLV has already beat Houston on the road, and now, it has another big opportunity. Kansas lost to Illinois last week, but if you go back and watch that game, there is a real argument that Kansas was the better team. This will be a close game, but the UNLV defense has been great so far and will be able to slow down the Jayhawks attack. Matthew Sluka has been good at quarterback for the Rebels. He can run the football well but hasn’t proven he can throw it great. I think he can and I think he will against an average Jayhawks defense. UNLV is live to win, but I’m taking the points.

LSU -7 @ South Carolina

I hate laying points on the road in a conference game. It goes against everything I believe in, but LSU is a much better team than South Carolina. Garrett Nussmeier showed me a lot in the USC loss. I had questions, and he answered them. I think LSU is a top 15-ish team in the nation. While South Carolina is coming off a big win over Kentucky, I don’t think Kentucky is great. This is a talent advantage for LSU, and Brian Kelly wins these types of games. When he plays a ranked team, he loses, but when he faces a team that is not as talented, Kelly wins. I think LSU rolls in this one.

Oregon @ Oregon State +16.5 

On paper, the Ducks should dominate this game. Maybe I’m too close to it and have shown a bias, but Oregon shouldn’t be favored by this many points in their first road game. Reser Stadium will be full and loud. The Beavers defense will be good enough. I worry about the Oregon State offense and how effective they can be against a good Oregon defense. As long as Oregon State can get a pass rush, I think the Beavers can stay within the number. Oregon wins this game, but Oregon State makes it a game.

Colorado @ Colorado State +7.5, +213

Colorado State is still salty; they lost last season to the Buffaloes. They have said it all week. The head coach said there is a ton of anticipation for this game. That could backfire. Colorado State could come out with their hair on fire and make mental mistakes. But there is a clear game plan on how to beat Colorado. Run the football, short crossing routes, and get after the quarterback. They did that last season and should have won. Colorado coming off a bad loss to Nebraska, where they got manhandled. I think Colorado State wins this game on the field.

East Carolina +108 @ Appalachian State

Last week I bet on App State and they gave up 56 to Clemson in the first half. Some of that is Clemson, and some of that is App State. I believe App State isn’t as good as they usually are, and I think East Carolina is better than the market says they are. I have bet ECU to win the American Athletic Conference at +1100 earlier this week. The offense is better this season. They are coming off a win over Old Dominion. I am buying this ECU team to be good this season, and hoping I’m doing it before the market realizes it. ECU goes on the road and beats App State.

@steven_von