College Football Predictions Week 3: Brad Powers’ CFB Best Bets

This is a horrible spot for USC traveling across the country.

Since 2012, USC is just 2-16 and 1-16-1 ATS in games played in the central and eastern time zones. The Trojans are failing to cover those games by an average of 11 points per game! 

In addition, USC has one of their biggest games in recent memory on deck vs. Oregon, and its top receiver, Trent Mosley, will miss the Rutgers game with an injury.

On the other side, it’s the ultimate “buy low” spot for Rutgers, which is 0-2 ATS, failing to cover its two games by a combined 49.5 points. Rutgers did show more fight at Boston College last week but was undone by four turnovers.

I do not expect head coach Greg Schiano and the Rutgers football program to wave the white flag on the season just yet.

I'd play this to +23.

New Colorado State head coach Jim Mora Jr. is one of the most underrated coaches in college football. He inherited a Connecticut program that went 31-90 in the 10 years before his arrival and went 27-24 in his four years at the helm.

Now he’s already working his magic at Colorado State as they are off to a 2-0 start with an average cover of 16.5 points per game.

On the other side, BYU was outplayed for much of last week's game vs. Arizona, yet won by 11. 

It is important to look at market moves. BYU took a lot of money against it last week (the line opened BYU -7.5 and closed as low as -6.5 in some spots). This week, the Cougars are taking money against them again, as the line opened as high as BYU -20.5.

Even after the move, I still think there is value on Colorado State.

Finally, this will be a nationally televised game on CBS, and they’re expecting a big crowd. Typically, I only give Colorado State two points for home-field advantage, but I gave them 2.5 for this game.

I would play this to +17.

My college football power rankings only position Virginia as an 8.5-point favorite here, and this is one of my largest disparities of the week.

This is only the fourth time in five seasons that Virginia has been installed as a double-digit favorite over a power conference opponent, going 1-2 ATS in the previous three.

While the program has made major strides the last couple of years, I don’t trust the Cavaliers laying this kind of number, especially when they run a slower tempo (No. 122 in plays per minute).

West Virginia had a misleading final vs. Coastal Carolina in the opener. The Mountaineers led 24-0 at halftime, and it could have been worse as they fumbled into the end zone for a touchback.

West Virginia took its foot off the gas pedal in the second half and only won by seven. That’s creating some value here.

Finally, this game is being played in Charlotte. Traditionally, West Virginia fans have travelled better than Virginia fans.

I would play this to +10.