Top 3 College Football Picks as Colorado takes on Nebraska

This weekend’s college football slate features some intriguing matchups as the season continues to ramp up. So of the top-10 teams are preparing to fine-tune aspects of their game as they look ahead to games they have had circled on their calendars for months. We have a good variety of games that are expected to be close as well as expected blowouts to look forward to. The good news is, we have opportunities to make money betting on both types of games. Read on below to find my three favorite bets against the spread for this weekend.

College Football Odds: Notre Dame at NC State

Notre Dame: -7.5 (-105)

NC State: +7.5 (-115)

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish haven’t played a particularly competitive game yet, defeating Navy and an FCS-level opponent. North Carolina State had an easy start to their season as well, defeating UCONN. 

For Notre Dame, quarterback Sam Hartman has been plenty efficient, although he hasn’t been very exciting. The team’s vertical passing game is not very explosive, but they are effective. Hartman is playing conservatively, getting the ball into the hands of his receivers while keeping it away from the opponents, and letting his receivers do the bulk of the work after the catch.

If this sounds an awful lot like a game manager, that’s because it is, and that is in no way a knock on Hartman. As long as a team is winning football games, at the end of the day that is the only thing that matters, and Notre Dame is winning football games.

Hartman has struggled in the past against NC State, but with Notre Dame he has a significant advantage that he hasn’t always had in the past: A dominant and reliable run game. A quality ground attack is key to any quarterback being successful in a game manager role, and this aspect of Notre Dame’s offense will benefit Hartman immensely.

A balanced offensive approach that can eat up yards on the ground, control the clock, and allow the quarterback to focus on completing simple, short passes to move the chains and keep drives going is a recipe for success. It also helps when receivers are capable of consistently breaking tackles, creating yards after the catch, and generating explosive plays out of simple plays. 

Notre Dame-NC State Pick: Notre Dame -7.5 (-105)

College Football Odds: Nebraska at Colorado

Nebraska: +2.5 (-112)

Colorado: -2.5 (-108)

Nebraska is coming off a tough loss in a low-scoring game against Minnesota, while Colorado’s offense looked nearly unstoppable in a victorious shootout against TCU with 87 total points being scored. The Buffaloes defense didn’t look nearly as stellar, however, surrendering 42 points. 

Two timely interceptions in the redzone saved the day for the Buffaloes defense. 

I believe in Colorado’s offense and, even with them facing an improved defense in Nebraska, they should still be able to put up at least 30 points, and I’m expecting closer to 35. Although their defense is suspect, I simply don’t think Nebraska has the offensive ability to put up more than 21 points. I’m giving the points and backing Deion Sanders and Colorado to win this game by at least a field goal.

Nebraska-Colorado Pick: Colorado -2.5 (-108)

College Football Odds: Youngstown State at Ohio State

Youngstown State: +41.5 (-110)

Ohio State: -41.5 (-110)

Last week, I picked Ohio State to win and cover the spread. Although they played a fairly decent game, the Buckeyes played a relatively tough opponent and didn’t do enough to cover the spread. They came up just short, but I expect that to change this week.

The Buckeyes have a big game coming up in two weeks with Notre Dame looming large on the horizon. Make no mistake about it, if Ohio State continues to play the way that they played last week against Indiana, they’ll be in big trouble against Notre Dame. Ryan Day is well aware of this, and you can bet that his players are as well. This is why bettors backing the Buckeyes can be confident in their pick this week. Ohio State knows that they must take this game seriously and show significant improvements in their performance from last week against Indiana. The season home opener against a clearly inferior FCS opponent may be just what the doctor ordered for Ryan Day's team. I’m expecting the offensive line and running backs to impose their will, the defense to build on last week, Kyle McCord to take some shots down the field, and the receivers to run wild and turn short gains into explosive plays.

With questions to answer and something to prove, look for Ryan Day's team to keep their foot on the gas throughout the entire game and run their inferior opponent out of the stadium.

Ohio State-Youngstown State Pick: Ohio State – 41.5 (-110)