Which college football coaches do the best job coming off a two week break? Which ones use the time to prepare well and get it done ATS?
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There are riches in niches.
Take Jeff Scott, please.
He’s just 3-18 overall in his first two seasons as USF’s head coach. But give more than seven days to prepare and he’s 5-0 against the spread (ATS). The Bulls are off October 22nd before heading to Houston a week later.
Coaches who maximize bye weeks and long weeks consistently beat the number. Below are the 10 best, along with the week they’re all coming off a two-week break this season.
minimum 9 games
10. Kyle Whittingham, Utah (since 2005)
ATS After a Bye: 19-11-2 (60%)
2022 Bye: Oct. 22 (at Washington State on Oct. 27)
Few coaches are better with extra time than Whittingham, who’s also 9-5 ATS in bowl games.
– 2022 Utah Schedule Analysis
9. Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan (since 2014)
ATS After a Bye: 9-5 (64%)
2022 Bye: Nov. 5 (at Akron on Nov. 8)
After this year’s bye week, the Eagles hit the road, where they’re 30-17-1 ATS under Creighton.
– 2022 Eastern Michigan Preview
T8. Jeff Brohm, Purdue (since 2017)
ATS After a Bye: 7-3 (70%)
2022 Bye: Oct. 29 (vs. Iowa on Nov. 5)
Brohm is also 19-8 ATS as an underdog, so the Boilermakers are an even more attractive play if they’re getting points from Iowa in Week 10.
– 2022 Purdue Preview
T8. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota (since 2017)
ATS After a Bye: 7-3 (70%)
2022 Bye: Oct. 8 (at Illinois on Oct. 15)
Fleck has consistently been one of the Big Ten’s top coaches ATS since leaving the MAC for Minnesota five years ago.
– 2022 Minnesota Preview
6. Pat Narduzzi, Pitt (since 2015)
ATS After a Bye: 10-4 (71%)
2022 Bye: Oct. 15 (at Louisville on Oct. 22)
Since Narduzzi’s arrival in 2015, Pitt also ranks No. 2 nationally ATS in road games at 26-10-1 (72%). The Panthers travel to Louisville after their Week 7 bye.
– 2022 Pitt Preview
5. Bill Clark, UAB (since 2014)
ATS After a Bye: 9-3-1 (75%)
2022 Bye: Sept. 24 (at Rice on Oct. 1)
Year-in and year-out, Clark has been the most profitable Conference USA coach for bettors.
– 2022 UTEP Schedule
4. Philip Montgomery, Tulsa (since 2015)
ATS After a Bye: 12-4 (75%)
2022 Bye: Oct. 15 (at Temple on Oct. 21)
A strong case can be made for Montgomery as the most underrated coach ATS over the last seven seasons.
– 2022 Tulsa Schedule
3. Dana Dimel, UTEP (since 2018)
ATS After a Bye: 7-2 (78%)
Games After Bye Week:: Oct. 15 (vs. FAU on Oct. 22) & Nov. 12 (vs. FIU on Nov. 19)
While Dimel is just 12-33 overall with the Miners, he’s been a great at getting his team to at least bring a fight with the extra preparation time.
– 2022 UTEP Schedule
2. Jay Norvell, Colorado State (2017-2021 at Nevada)
ATS After a Bye: 7-2-1 (78%)
Game After Bye Week:: Oct. 1 (at Nevada on Oct. 7)
Norvell’s first chance to improve his after-bye ATS mark will be back in Reno to face the program he coached for five seasons.
– 2022 Colorado State Preview
1. Dave Doeren, NC State (since 2013)
ATS After a Bye: 15-4 (79%)
Game After Bye Week: Oct. 22 (vs. Virginia Tech on Oct. 27)
With extra time to prepare no one has rewarded bettors more than Doeren, who could have his best Pack team yet this season.
– 2022 NC State Preview
