College football betting tips

"You play like you practice," the old coaches' adage goes -- and it's mostly true. To know what's likely to happen on Saturday, you've got to know what's happening in the meeting rooms and on the practice fields during the week. That's why the college football practice report is here for you every Friday with the inside word on weekly preparations around the country.

We'll check in on depth charts, game plans, personnel and health; unmask practice standouts ready to break out; assess the quality of prep, the mood of the fans and the coaches' message for the week; and let you know who's distracted and who's dialed in. All so that you can make more educated wagers.

USC Trojans (-4, 56) at BYU Cougars

After his unit gave up 43 points and 45 first downs through two games, USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast gathered his entire staff this week for an early self-scouting session. The coaches identified three problem areas that opposing teams can continue to exploit if not shored up. The Trojans' coaches saw that the perimeter defense was lacking, the unit wasn't handling misdirection plays well and was often not in position to defend opposing screen games.