LAS VEGAS — Here are some betting angles to consider as we head into the final big weekend of college football.
UTAH vs. OREGON, Pac-12 title game at Santa Clara, Calif., Friday: Utes are soaring with eight straight wins and covers dating to a Sept. 28 win over Washington State. Utah is 8-3-1 Under the total this season. The teams have split the last six meetings against spread. Ducks are just 5-11 ATS in their last 16 away from Eugene, 2-8 vs. spread in their last 10 as underdogs.
Edge: Utah, based on team trends.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN vs. MIAMI (OHIO), MAC title game at Detroit, Saturday: Chippewas are on a real surge for Jim McElwain, covering last three and nine of last 10 this season. Miami didn’t cover its last two this year but has been 21-9 vs. line in the second half of the regular season the last five years. RedHawks are 4-4 as ’dogs this season, 9-6 in that role since 2018.
Edge: Central Michigan, based on recent trends.
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE at APPALACHIAN STATE, Sun Belt title game, Saturday: Ragin’ Cajuns are 16-4-2 vs. spread in their last 22 regular-season games, though failed to cover two of their last three this season. In ’dog role, ULL is 7-1-1 in its last nine. App. State is 8-4 ATS this season, 21-7-1 vs. number since late 2017, though only 3-4 vs. spread last seven at home. That includes win and non-cover vs. Ragin’ Cajuns in league title game last year.
Edge: Slight to Louisiana-Lafayette, based on team trends.
BAYLOR vs. OKLAHOMA, Big 12 title game at Arlington, Texas, Saturday: Bears have covered their last four this season and eight of their last 11, also covered all four Big 12 games away from Waco. Matt Rhule is 4-0 vs. line as ’dog in 2019 and 10-2 in his last 12 in role. Sooners got the handy win and cover vs. Oklahoma State, but still are just 2-6 vs. spread in their last eight this season and failed to cover three of the last four against Baylor.
Edge: Baylor, based on team and series trends.
UAB at FLORIDA ATLANTIC, Conference USA title game, Saturday: Lane Kiffin’s FAU team has covered four of its last five this season and six of its last eight, and UAB is only 2-3 vs. spread in its last five this season. Blazers won C-USA title at Middle Tennessee in 2018 but have not been quite as profitable as visitors, covering just four of their last nine in role (better marks at home). UAB 0-2 as ’dog this season after a 9-4 mark in that role the last two years. Teams have not met since 2014.
Edge: Florida Atlantic, based on team trends.
CINCINNATI at MEMPHIS, American Athletic title game, Saturday: Rematch of last week’s 34-24 Memphis home win, but non-cover. Tigers are 11-5-1 vs. spread in their last 17 at Liberty Bowl. Bearcats are only 2-4 vs. spread down the stretch and 6-12 vs. number in second halves of regular season under Luke Fickell since 2017. Bearcats are just 3-7 vs. spread last 10 away. Cincinnati also is 9-3 to the Under this season.
Edge: Slight to Memphis and Under, based on team and totals trends.
HAWAII at BOISE STATE, Mountain West title game, Saturday: Rematch of 59-37 Boise State win and cover on blue carpet Oct. 12. Broncos have won and covered the last three in this series. Boise was 4-2 as blue-carpet chalk this season after 16-35 mark in this role over the previous 51 entering this season. Hawaii was 3-2 vs. line on mainland in 2019 after 2-8 mark previous 10 in role. Hawaii’s Nick Rolovich is 7-12-1 as ’dog since 2017.
Edge: Boise State, based on recent and series trends.
GEORGIA vs. LSU, SEC title game at Atlanta, Saturday: LSU is 10-4 vs. spread since late 2018. Teams met in 2018, with the Tigers winning handily 36-16 in Baton Rouge. Kirby Smart is 6-2 as a ’dog since 2017. Bulldogs covered all five of their games away from home this season.
Edge: Slight to Georgia, based on team trends.
WISCONSIN vs. OHIO STATE: Big Ten title game at Indianapolis, Saturday: Buckeyes rolled 38-7 at Horseshoe on Oct. 26. Paul Chryst was 8-4 as ’dog as Wisconsin coach until this season, when he was 0-1 in role (at OSU). Badgers covered only two of their last six this season. OSU is 9-3 vs. spread in 2019.
Edge: Ohio State, based on team trends.
VIRGINIA vs. CLEMSON: ACC title game at Charlotte, Saturday: Dabo Swinney again was hot down the stretch, covering six of his last seven this season. Swinney was 8-1-1 in his last 10 vs. the number a year ago, 4-1 last five in 2017. Tigers have covered big in the past two ACC title games and are 4-0 SU, 3-1 vs. spread last four in these games. Clemson also is 13-1-1 vs. line in its last 15 in ACC. Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall is 7-2 as ’dog the last two seasons. Teams have not met since 2013.
Edge: Clemson, based on team trends.