We’re back for Week 3 and looking for some hidden value plays across college football. Specifically, we’re looking to see where the money is being spent—even when the other team is seeing more wagers placed on it.
These are the sharp bets and they can tell us one of two things:
- A lot of people are willing to wager against the public
- A few people are willing to wager so much more than the public that it’s tipping the scales.
With that in mind, let’s dig through some public betting data at Action Network and see which games stick out.
No. 6 Oklahoma at Nebraska (+11)
It seems like bettors are putting a lot of faith in an emotional win after the Cornhuskers canned head coach Scott Frost after Week 2. I’m not exactly buying it—especially against an OU team that could be a contender—but well:
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- 57 of the bets tracked are on Oklahoma to cover -11
- 69 percent of the money wagered is on Nebraska +11
No. 3 Ohio State vs. Toledo (+31.5)
Maybe it’s because the two teams both call Ohio home. Maybe it’s because 32 points is a lot for any team to cover. Whatever the reason, big money bettors aren’t convinced Ohio State is going to cover the spread.
- 54 percent of bets are on Ohio State
- 72 percent of the money wagered is on Toledo
No. 16 NC State (-10.5) vs. Texas Tech
Texas Tech is 2-0 and just stunned No. 25 Houston in double overtime so it’s time to back the Red Raiders, right? Well, not quite. At least not when it comes to a road game at NC State.
- 63 percent of the bets are on Texas Tech
- 66 percent of the money is on NC State
No. 18 Florida (-24.5) vs. South Florida
Florida is easily one of the most perplexing teams in the AP poll this year. They opened with the season unranked with a victory over No. 7 Utah, then fell at home to No. 20 Kentucky after surging all the way up to No. 12. That makes this spread notable.
- 50 percent of the bets are on Florida
- 93 percent of the money wagered is on South Florida
No. 21 Texas (-12.5) vs. UTSA
Covering the spread against Alabama is much more than a typical moral victory, but are the Longhorns primed to fall into a trap against a pesky UTSA team in Week 3?
- 51 percent of bets are on Texas
- 72 percent of the money wagered is on UTSA
