CFB Week 3 - Saturday Handicaps
Photo Credit: Indy Star
College Football Season Record (14-17-1) [-2.38 units]
1 Unit per Bet. Shop the Best Line.
Last weekend, we made a massive error. We gambled instead of making calculated decisions based on research. I got cocky and paid the price for it. We also chased just because Cincinnati blew a 20-point lead. We will learn from our mistakes and move on! I will be posting all of the DDSN Members Club handicaps because of last weekends errors for DDSN Nation. Some of the numbers have moved but at least you will know the handicap. Let’s go!
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11:00AM CST: LSU Tigers -6 vs. South Carolina Gamecocks; Total 48
Let’s start off with one of my favorite games of the weekend. LSU travels to Columbia to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks. On Saturday, the Tigers struggled a bit in the first half against Nicholls. South Carolina, on the other hand, embarrassed Kentucky in Lexington.
LSU lost one of its best players to injury in John Emery. The Tigers’ leading rusher had only 19 yards against Nicholls, while Nicholls rushed for 150 yards against LSU. This should be a huge opportunity for Rocket Sanders and South Carolina.
I’m not sure if I was more impressed with South Carolina’s true freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers or their defense. The Gamecocks’ defense was flying around and made life miserable for Kentucky. They forced two interceptions and held Kentucky to 2.9 yards per play on offense.
QB Garrett Nussmeier had a great game, but it was against Nicholls. He had a couple of good moments against USC, but ultimately they couldn’t get the job done. The South Carolina defense at home should present a tougher test. I think there are just too many points in this game. LSU hasn’t proven anything. South Carolina has. Let’s see if they can live up to it in this one!
The line has moved but like I said, I think South Carolina can win this game outright. Nations Play still stands at the new number.
Members Play: South Carolina +7 (-115) [via DraftKings] — SC is Now +6 (-108)
Members Play: South Carolina ML (+205) [via DraftKings] — SC is now (+200)
11:00AM CST: Memphis Tigers vs. Florida State Seminoles -6.5; Total 54
The Seminoles spent Weeks 0 and 1 getting their teeth kicked in against a couple of ACC foes. Now, they will face off with Memphis, who will have their eyes set on an upset. Memphis has yet to face any stiff competition, but they should be focused for this one.
Florida State most likely spent their bye week licking their wounds from the start of the season. Did FSU work on their run defense or offensive game? I think they were too busy having water gun fights. This is not a serious team.
We bet UNDER on any Florida State win total we could find. I didn’t expect the Seminoles to look this bad, but they do. With DJU at quarterback and the loss of so much NFL talent, it has been a much tougher hill to climb.
This is an 11 AM kickoff, and with the way the season has started for the Noles, I don’t think there will be many people in the crowd. Blood is in the water. Florida State has one of the worst rush defenses in the country, and Boston College exploited them. Memphis has a great rushing offense and a good quarterback in Seth Henigan. I don’t understand the spread. FSU has no QB, no defense, no home-field advantage, and poor coaching. Why lay a touchdown with the Seminoles?
Memphis should be able to take advantage of the poor run defense of Florida State. They have a solid QB if the running game doesn’t go as planned. I’ll take my chances with Memphis and their strong offense, which FSU has been having trouble against. Give me the TD, and they probably win this game outright as well.
I still think Memphis can win this game so you can wait to see if a 7 pops or take the 6.5. This should be a good game.
Members Play: Memphis +7 (-115) [via DraftKings] — Memphis is now +6.5 (-105)
11:00AM CST: North Texas Mean Green vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders -10.5; Total 70
We’ve got ourselves a little Lone Star Showdown in Lubbock Saturday night. The North Texas Mean Green will be showing up with their undefeated record against a struggling Texas Tech team. The Red Raiders narrowly escaped Abilene Christian in OT, then got blasted by Washington State in Pullman.
Joey McGuire is in year three at Tech and is still living off that ONE victory against Texas. “What have you done for me lately?” is starting to set in for the Red Raiders. This is a “small” non-conference game for Texas Tech, but it’s one they cannot afford to lose.
In steps North Texas, a team that’s 2-0 with a healthy Chandler Morris at QB and an offense that is averaging 500 yards per game. Yes, the exact recipe for what the Red Raiders struggle with—explosive offense.
I’m not convinced that Texas Tech’s defense is going to wake up Saturday morning and all of a sudden strap up on defense. The Red Raiders allowed 615 yards of offense to ACU and 416 yards to Washington State. Not good!
I think the Mean Green is undervalued getting ten points. It doesn’t make sense. One of the best offenses against one of the worst defenses. This most likely will be a shootout, if the Red Raiders can keep up. I love North Texas getting 10 points. They are also 3 to 1 on the moneyline if you want to get kinky.
The line has improved for DDSN Nation. It’s a play.
Members Play: North Texas +10 (-110) [via DraftKings] — North Texas is Now +10 (-108)
11:45AM CST: Boston College Eagles vs. Missouri Tigers -14.5; Total 53
These two teams met in 2021, and Boston College was able to pull off an upset win at home. Since then, Missouri has become a solid team looking to make noise in the SEC and earn a CFP bid.
Missouri has a high-powered offense, but I don’t think they are as strong on defense this season. Florida State is having a down season, but Boston College showed how well-rounded they are. Their running game has been tough, especially with QB Thomas Castellanos opening things up with his arm and legs.
The Boston College defense was just as impressive against FSU. They are experienced and should be able to put up a real test for Mizzou. This will also be Missouri’s first game before beginning conference play vs. Vanderbilt.
This will be Missouri’s first test, but they will be at home. Boston College showed the road doesn’t bother them after playing a night game in Tallahassee unfazed. It’s still a step up in competition, but BC has the team that can make this an ugly game and stay within the number.
Boston College is now +14.5, which is almost a three point swing. I cannot in good conscience recommend them at that number. If you like the handicap and think they can keep it within two touchdowns then go for it but I won’t be able to post as an official DDSN Nation play.
Members Play: Boston College +17 (-112) [via DraftKings]
2:30PM CST: Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers -17; Total 44.5
I wasn’t sure how long this number would last because I thought the Wolf Pack would take money. Minnesota is a slow, power running team. Nevada has played stout all year against better competition. They are back to being underdogs and I think they can keep this game close. Minnesota might be looking past the Wolf Pack with Iowa in a huge Big 10 game on deck. Nevada can also run the ball so I can see this be a grind out game, which the Golden Gophers love but so does HC PJ Fleck. I’ll take the points and I think this one goes UNDER.
Play: Nevada +17 (-110) [via DraftKings]
3:00PM CST: Appalachian State Mountaineers -1 vs. ECU Pirates; Total 59
Wrong team favored! We are long and hard on the ECU Pirates this season with a few futures tickets in our pockets. A big one for them to win the AAC. The Pirates are full of experience and talent on both sides of the football. I think ECU gets the outright win. We may not get any dog money again with them today so let’s grab this now.
Play: ECU +1 (-108) [via DraftKings]
6:30PM CST: Indiana Hoosiers -3.5 vs. UCLA Bruins; Total 47
The UCLA Bruins are coming off a break and have not played since Week 1 against Hawaii. The Bruins managed to come from behind and win on the final possession. Indiana, on the other hand, has dominated its first two opponents.
UCLA escaped Hawaii, but they still have a long way to go on both sides of the ball. Indiana will be a major step up for them talent-wise compared to Hawaii. Indiana is ready to make a run this season in the Big Ten. I know that sounds like a stretch, but they have some of the best talent in the country this season with a coach who knows how to win.
There will be plenty of pressure on the UCLA offense against a stout Indiana defense. I don’t think they will be up to the task. UCLA has had time to prepare, but with the inexperienced coaching staff, it still won’t be easy.
I think we are getting a discount price in this game. I can’t remember the last time UCLA had a good home crowd, so home-field advantage shouldn’t matter. I think the Indiana defense is going to be too strong, and the offense will overwhelm the Bruins. Also, UCLA has LSU up next, so they probably look past Indiana.
The Spread is now Hoosiers -3.5. This is still untested waters for Indiana and I do not like laying the hook on a FG. I HATE laying a hook in a Big Ten game. I think Indiana has a great game. This could get down to -3 again tonight. We’ll wait a bit to see this number before an official Nation Play.
Play: Indiana -3 (-115) [via DraftKings]
6:30PM CST: Colorado Buffalos -7.5 vs. Colorado State Rams; Total 58.5
This game should be a dandy. The Colorado Buffalos are coming off a highly disappointing and embarrassing road loss to Nebraska. With that loss, drama followed. Buffs quarterback Shedeur Sanders had an awful game and walked off the field a couple of minutes before the final whistle. Then, a possible rumor or truth spread that the Colorado band is not allowed to play the fight song after a Shedeur touchdown. Instead, Coach Prime demands they play Shedeur’s rap song. Whether it’s a rumor or not, it still stirs the media pot.
We don’t know much about Colorado State this season other than they got absolutely punished by Texas. In their defense, the Longhorns look like one of the best two teams in the country. What do we know about Colorado? They can move the football when Travis Hunter carries the offense, pushing off defenders. Shedeur cannot handle adversity well, which, as the leader of the offense, is an issue because it becomes a domino effect.
The talent of both sides is similar. Shedeur can be great, but will we see it? Whenever Colorado faces adversity early, it doesn’t end well, but they persevered against North Dakota State. That was in Boulder. Now, they will be on the road against one of their oldest rivals. After last season, this game will be like the Super Bowl for Colorado State. The Rams lost some NFL talent, but last year they looked like the better team, and they were on the road. It was a game they should have won.
With everything that we know, Colorado might have the better talent, but I’m not sure if it means anything if they do not play up to their potential. Colorado State will be ready for a Super Bowl that could help kick-start their season. The price is wrong in this game, and I think CSU also gets the revenge win. This was 8.5, after the Texas game 10.5, then after the Nebraska game back to 7.5. We might see a 7.5, but like I said, I think Colorado State can win this game outright.
Members Play: Colorado State +7 (-108) [via DraftKings] — CSU is NOw +7.5 (-115)
Members Play: Colorado State ML (+230) [via DraftKings] — CSU Is Now (+235)
There are a few games that I also like but I am waiting to see how we do and how the numbers shake out. We will not deviate from this list and will update accordingly. It’s a long list but like I said it will depend on how the official card goes and numbers!
2:30PM CST: Oregon vs. Oregon State NO PLAY
2:30PM CST: Texas A&M vs. Florida NO PLAY
2:30PM CST: Washington State vs. Washington NO PLAY
5:00PM CST: UConn vs. Duke — UConn +17 (-110) [via DK]
5:00PM CST: FIU vs. FAU
6:00PM CST: South Florida vs. Southern Miss
6:00PM CST: Hawaii vs. Sam Houston
6:30PM CST: UCF vs. TCU
6:30PM CST: New Mexico vs. Auburn
8:00PM CST: BYU vs. Wyoming
9:30PM CST: New Mexico State vs. Fresno State
