NCAAF Week 3 ATS Hit List - Our Favorite Week

With few exceptions, the mismatches keep on coming, and we may as well keep working to cash in on them.

The early weeks in college football are a vivid reminder why the NFL doesn't count its pre-season results in the standings. There are so few watchable games in early September that we wonder if even the sportsbooks sometimes lose interest.

Right. Who are we kidding?

 

Those cagey dudes are charged with the task of setting lines that keep mismatches interesting,and it serves their interests to undervalue a few scheduled annihilations here and there. Think of them as punter-bait.

After looking past an Alabama play last week because we thought that Nick Saban might have a heart on poor ol' scheduling-challenged New Mexico State ...

 

... we've been duly chastened and brought back to reality.

So prepare to cast your lot with a few juggernauts on our ATS Hit List, pick and choose what you will, and wait for the pinball scores to appear in the second half, if not before:

Washington State -10 at Houston

Yes, we know. Here's a shot at going with a home dog.

That shot's gonna miss. 2-0 Wazzu is 1-1 ATS. The Cougars’ defense has been exceptional this season, yielding 12 points per game on average. Houston's Cougar offense could be on the verge of a frustrating day. You know Mike Leach has gotta be reveling in anticpation of returning to Texas, just like he did in the Alamo Bowl. All the hot trends point to WASU covering.

Pick: Washington State
Result: Washington State 31 Houston 24 ... Houston Cougars cover

 

Ohio State -14 at Indiana

Justin Fields has been unreal for Ohio State. The former Georgia QB is a real Heisman Trophy contender. In the head-to-head, Buckeyes are 1-7 in the last 8 meetings, though. The Ohio State University -- they lost -- will make it 2-7 ATS in the previous 9 after Saturday's frolic with the Hoosiers.

Pick: Ohio State
Result: Ohio State 51 Indiana 10 ... Buckeyes cover

 

Penn State -17½ vs Pittsburgh

This used to be an awesome rivalry. Technically, it's still a rivalry, but it needs to be competitive in order to be awesome. Pittsburgh averages 17 points per game. Penn State averages 62 and allows 10 per. The Nittany Lions roll.

Pick: Penn State
Result: Penn State 17 Pittsburgh 10 ... Panthers cover

 

Georgia -31½ vs Arkansas State

It sure looks like Georgia will dominate the Red Wolves. The Bulldogs are scoring over 46 points per while allowing less than 12. Arkansas State will put up more of a fight than Murray State did in Week 2. The Dawgs will still cover.

Pick: Georgia
Result: Georgia 55 Arkansas State 0 ... Bulldogs cover

 

Notre Dame -38½ vs New Mexico

The Fighting Irish had a bye in Week 2. They failed to cover at Louisville, but they play an even worse opponent in their second game. New Mexico only beat Sam Houston State by 8 points. The Lobos have no shot of keeping this one close. Expect a Golden Domer blowout win and cover.

Pick: Notre Dame
Result: Notre Dame 66 New Mexico 14 ... Fighting Irish cover

 

Alabama -21 at South Carolina

The line seems too low. The Crimson Tide is averaging 52 points per game and allowing 6.5. Granted, Bama's only played a couple of cupcakes, but, still, they face a South Carolina squad that lost to North Carolina on the road in Week 1. Bama gets another win and cover.

Pick: Alabama
Result: Alabama 47 South Carolina 23 ... Crimson Tide covers

 

USC -4 at BYU

Who knew we'd be on the Trojans in this one? What a difference a game makes!

Freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis dominated the Stanford Cardinal with a 434-yard, 3-TD passing performance to the point Troy faithful were saying, JT Who? He’ll post similar numbers on BYU, who are returning from a road win after being less inept than Tennessee in Knoxville last week.

Pick: USC
Result: BYU 30 USC 27 ot ... Cougars cover

 

Iowa +1 at Iowa State

OK, this one's worth watching. Both these teams are pretty damn good. The real difference is that Iowa has a slightly better defense than the Cyclones. The bookies build in a 3-point home-field advantage to spreads, so they're actually hinting that they like the Hawkeyes.

The Hawkeyes should use that defensive edge to eke out a 3-point victory.

Pick: Iowa
Result: Iowa 18 Iowa State 17 ... Hawkeyes cover

 

Michigan State -10½ vs Arizona State

Sparty got the offense going against Western Michigan. MSU dropped 51 onto the Broncos. Arizona State is a better team, but this line is much too low. Sparty left, right, up the middle, over the top. They should beat the Sun Devils by 17 to 20.

Pick: Michigan State
Result: Arizona State 10 Michigan State 7 ... Sun Devils cover

 

California -13 vs North Texas

And, just like that, Washington’s dream of making it to the CFP goes up in smoke. The Cal Golden Bears went to the Great Northwest and pulled off their second straight upset the Huskies, 20-19. Cal’s for real. They’ll dominate North Texas in Week 3.

Pick: California
Result: California 23 North Texas 17 ... Mean Green cover

 

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Sportbet Columnist: Josh Bailey ... Today: 5-5

Aspiring to become the Mark Twain of sportswriting, Josh has been labelled as the up-&-coming sportswriter of the year by absolutely nobody and the new heavy hitter in sports handicapping by his mother.