Another college football slate is upon us with the Houston Cougars clashing with the Tulane Green Wave Thursday night. We dive into that matchup and the need-to-know betting notes, giving you our best bets and predictions for the Week 4 college football odds.**video
WHO’S IN CONTROL?
When the Houston Cougars face the Green Wave in Tulane on Thursday night, fans will be treated to a contrast in styles.
The Cougars love to get the ball moving, evidenced by their 11th-place showing in total plays per game (79) a season ago. The Green Wave, on the other hand, prefer to keep things slow. They've averaged just 66.5 plays so far, ranking just inside the top 100 in that category.
And while the Cougars dominated last year's meeting – earning a 48-17 home victory – the game still finished below the total, the fourth straight time the teams have converted the Under.
Look for Tulane to grind out the clock in an effort to keep Houston quarterback D'Eriq King and the rest of the Cougars' weapons off the field. The total has already tumbled 4.5 points from an opening of 60.5, and we still like the Under.
ANOTHER ONE GONE
The Alabama Crimson Tide continue to deal with injuries on their defense corps, with standout defensive end LaBryan Ray the latest to make news.
Ray is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on his foot earlier this week. He suffered the injury in last weekend's victory over South Carolina. He joins linebackers Dylan Moses and Josh McMillon on the sidelines, leaving the Crimson Tide relying on multiple freshmen as starters on the front seven.
Oddsmakers, however, aren't overly concerned, making Alabama a 39-point favorite for this weekend's showdown with visiting Southern Mississippi.
Look for Nick Saban to do whatever he can to keep his defense off the field this weekend. The Crimson Tide can ill afford another major injury among its defensive starters. We like the Golden Eagles to cover as Alabama focuses on self-preservation with the SEC schedule looming.
RUNYAN RETURNS
Michigan's beleaguered offensive line will be getting a major boost this week with word that left tackle Jon Runyan will return to action against Wisconsin.
Runyan, who has been out with an undisclosed injury, missed the Wolverines' first two games of the season but has returned to practice and should be good to go, barring a setback. His return will help boost a Michigan o-line that has struggled through the first two games. The Wolverines have already allowed six sacks after surrendering just 23 in 13 games all of last season, while the run game is averaging just 3.8 yards per carry.
Runyan's presence should make life a lot easier for Shea Patterson against a Wisconsin defensive front that has racked up five sacks over its first two games. We're keen on Michigan surpassing its team total of 20.5.
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