Outkick's Vegas Top Ten For Week 2 2018
By TODD FUHRMAN
With two games under our belt we’re starting to get more clarity in the college football landscape even if most of the heavyweights are still currently beating up on their little brother. Our Bet the Board Top Ten has some notable changes after last weekend with Alabama(surprise, surprise) jumping ahead of Clemson for the top spot while a familiar face enters the fold once again. The Michigan Wolverines impressed and systematically destroyed Western Michigan in a big bounce back spot, proving at least for one week the offense under Shea Patterson could score points.
Vegas Top 10 Week 3:
1.) Alabama
2.) Clemson
3.) Ohio State
4.) Georgia
5.) Oklahoma
6.) Auburn
7.) Washington
8.) Mississippi State
9.) Wisconsin
10.) Michigan
Overrated: Stanford
Stanford is 2-0, with wins and covers at home over San Diego State and the USC Trojans. So what’s the reason for all the hatred? Let’s take a quick peak at both of those wins; Stanford only rushed for 1.8 yards per attempt in their opener and allowed over 4 yards per play on the ground. If it wasn’t for a safety near the end of the first half and a ridiculous play by Trenton Irwin that greatly changed momentum, Stanford may have gone into halftime trailing a middle of the pack Group of Five opponent. Against USC last week, in a great spot with double revenge, the Cardinals needed a +3 turnover margin to overcome going 4 of 13 on 3rd downs en route to a workmanlike 17-3 victory. Let’s not forget Stanford took professional money under on their season wins, and their on field performance hasn’t swayed the overall opinion of them despite a 2-0 start. Stanford continues to live on explosive plays, but their lack of efficiency will eventually catch up to them.
Underrated: Missouri
Missouri has one of the most talented players in the country with Drew Lock and he might ultimately be the #1 pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Lock has been on fire, starting the season 52 of 70 (yes, that’s 74.3%), averaging over 9.8 yards per attempt, with 8 TD’s and 0 interceptions. In the SEC, if your name isn’t Georgia, Alabama, Florida, LSU, or Auburn, capturing headlines isn’t easy. However, this Missouri team has quietly put together two solid performances on BOTH sides of the ball vs. UT Martin and Wyoming. While the resume isn’t going to blow anyone away, Missouri’s defense ranks in the Top 20 in yards per play allowed, at just over 4.0. With a big revenge game this Saturday against Purdue, Missouri has a chance to gain momentum before a home showdown versus Georgia.
Best Bet: Boise State +3 (-120)
This game opened 3.5 across the board but that price didn’t last long. Professional money gravitated towards the ‘dog, driving the price below a field goal to 2.5 at BetOnline.ag. The Broncos have demolished their first two opponents dismantling Troy on the highway while shredding Uconn on the smurf turf last weekend. Boise outgained Uconn by 625 yards, the largest yardage margin between two FBS opponents since 2000! Oklahoma State has wins over lessor foes in Missouri State and South Alabama, so their inexperienced signal-caller will surely be tested this weekend. Boise is averaging a whopping 12.0 yards per pass attempt behind star veteran Brett Rypien and I see similar success here for him against a Cowboys defense that has seen nothing resembling a competent offense thus far. This feels like a much bigger game for Boise State than Oklahoma State, and I think we’ll continue to see this line tick closer to PK’em until kickoff. Grab the points, although we don’t think you’ll need them as Boise goes on the road to secure a resume defining victory.