Week 3 of the college football season is here, and the betting scene is buzzing. There are some marquee matchups that have both pro bettors and oddsmakers talking.
One of the biggest games on the slate? No. 6 Georgia vs. No. 15 Tennessee. With sharp action shaping the odds and big money coming in, this week feels like it could get wild for college football fans and bettors.
Georgia vs. Tennessee: A Marquee Matchup
Georgia’s 2-0 straight up, but they’re 0-2 against the spread. Tennessee, meanwhile, is 2-0 both SU and ATS. Georgia’s had Tennessee’s number lately—eight straight wins, all by double digits—but sharp money early on is siding with the Vols.
Caesars Sports opened Georgia as a 6-point road favorite, but that didn’t last. Sharps jumped on Tennessee, and now the line sits at Georgia -3.5.
Georgia’s Performance So Far
Georgia kicked off the season with blowout wins over Marshall and Austin Peay. But they failed to cover the spread in both games, which has made some bettors a little wary.
Beating up on smaller programs hasn’t convinced everyone that Georgia’s a lock to cover, and it’s showing in the line movement.
Tennessee’s Betting Edge
Tennessee’s been solid, both SU and ATS. Their 45-26 win at Syracuse as a 14-point favorite in Week 1 turned some heads.
With sharp bettors backing the Vols, there’s a sense that Tennessee can keep this one close—or maybe even pull off the upset. The line movement sure hints at that possibility.
Oregon vs. Northwestern: Public vs. Sharp Money
Another matchup that’s getting attention: Oregon vs. Northwestern. Oregon opened as a 27.5-point favorite, and it’s crept up to -28.5.
Sharp money has come in on Northwestern at +28, but the public is all over Oregon. People seem to expect a blowout from the Ducks.
Public Support for Oregon
The public’s riding Oregon hard, and they’re hammering the Over too. All that action has pushed the line further in Oregon’s direction, even though sharps are on Northwestern.
Bookmakers are probably hoping Northwestern can hang around and keep things interesting.
Sharp Action on Northwestern
Sharps see value in Northwestern at +28, thinking they can cover against the Ducks. This split between public and sharp money makes this game worth watching.
Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame: A Defensive Duel
No. 16 Texas A&M faces No. 8 Notre Dame in a matchup that stands out this week. Notre Dame’s favored by 6.5 points after a bye and a tough loss at Miami.
Betting expert Paul Stone thinks Notre Dame will lean on its ground game to control the tempo.
Notre Dame’s Ground Game
Notre Dame’s running backs, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, combined for nearly 1,900 rushing yards last season. Stone expects the Irish to keep pounding the ball, trying to keep A&M’s offense off the field.
A&M’s had some trouble stopping the run, so Notre Dame’s strategy could pay off.
Texas A&M’s Defensive Challenges
Texas A&M’s run defense has looked shaky, giving up big yardage in their opener against Texas-San Antonio. That’s something Notre Dame might be able to exploit.
Big Bets and Betting Trends
There have been some huge bets on heavy favorites this week. Here are a couple that stand out at Caesars Sports:
- $21,000 on Oregon moneyline -7000: If Oregon wins, the bettor pockets $300, with a $21,300 total payout.
- $13,000 on Alabama moneyline -1400 vs. Wisconsin: Alabama wins, and the bettor nets $928.57, with a $13,928.57 payout.
It’s wild to see that much money being risked for what’s basically a sure thing, but hey, some folks just want the win.
Additional Notable Bets
Here are a couple more big wagers:
- $11,500 on Oregon -28 (-115) vs. Northwestern: If Oregon covers, the bettor gets $10,000, with a $21,500 payout.
- $11,662.85 on Utah -23.5 vs. Wyoming: Utah covers on the road, and that’s $10,602.60 profit, for a $22,265.44 payout.
These bets are a reminder of just how high the stakes can get in college football betting. It’s probably smart to keep your bankroll in check, no matter how confident you feel.
Conclusion
College football Week 3 is almost here, and the betting scene is heating up. There’s a lot of buzz around some big matchups, especially from both sharp bettors and the general public.
The Georgia vs. Tennessee clash is grabbing plenty of attention. Meanwhile, the Oregon vs. Northwestern game has an interesting public versus sharp money dynamic going on.
And then there’s Texas A&M facing Notre Dame, which looks like it could turn into a real defensive battle. It’s shaping up to be a wild week for fans and anyone with a little money in the game.
If you’re looking for more in-depth analysis or just want to dig deeper, I’d suggest checking out the full report on FOX Sports.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
