Week 10 NCAAF Early Game Best Bets
We have a smaller slate than normal for the Thursday and Friday games. Now that MACtion is in full swing, we are sitting with only four games, but it still means we have football every day and that’s always enjoyable. Let’s break down some of these games.
Georgia State at Louisiana
Let’s start here: Louisiana should crush Georgia State in this game. Georgia State is allowing 30 points per game. Louisiana’s defense is far superior and there isn’t much hope for Georgia State. I know the line has already moved up, but Louisiana has all of the numbers and home-field advantage to them in their favor. I’m taking the Ragin’ Cajuns -12.5 at -112. I’d be comfortable with this up to -14, potentially even higher. In four home games they’ve won by an average of almost 28 points. In fact, only one game was a one-score game. That was in the second week of the season when they were figuring it out.
Virginia Tech at Boston College
This game is a much more evenly matched pairing. Both teams enter at a .500 clip with a 4-4 record. Virginia Tech has a better offense in my opinion, but it isn’t significantly better. Their quarterback, Braxton Burmeister, has been effective at one key thing – not turning the ball over. The biggest problem to me with their offense is the line. Burmeister has been sacked 19 times this season and lost almost 150 yards. Boston College has 11 sacks on the season, so they are averaging less than two a game, which bodes well for Virginia Tech. Another thing that’s hurting Boston College for me is that they are on a four-game losing streak now. I’m taking Virginia Tech at -2.5 at -130.
Utah at Stanford
Expectations were high for Utah coming into the season, and they haven’t come close to them this year. Now they take on a Stanford team that is below .500 in a game that they should win. I’d lean towards Utah covering the spread in this one, but I’ve seen too much unpredictability from them. I’m looking at this game to be an over instead. I think both teams can throw the football effectively enough without too many interceptions. Additionally, Stanford should be able to get their run game going against a Utah team allowing about 150 yards per game. Utah’s running game also will do well against the rush defense of Stanford. Chunk plays and clock stoppages for first downs should push this game to over 54.5 points at -106.