As we head into Week 3 of the 2024 college football season, bettors are gearing up for a weekend packed with high-stakes matchups. Of course, there are some games that will go one way from start to finish, but within the top 25 there are some games that aren’t as clear cut. That’s your opportunity to cash in big time with these odds.
We love Friday night football. It’s like a primer for all of the games on Saturday. This Friday night features a Top-25 clash as No. 14 Kansas State takes on No. 20 Arizona.
Kansas State is favored by 6.5 points in a game that’s expected to be a back-and-forth affair. Both teams are coming off solid starts to the season, and this game will likely come down to which defense can step up.
Kansas State has a proven track record with a strong ground game led by DJ Giddens, who has racked up 238 rushing yards in two games so far. Not the best in the league, but it’s been enough to get the job done. Arizona, on the other hand, relies heavily on quarterback Noah Fifita, who’s already thrown for 595 yards this season. Those numbers are a bit more Heisman worthy.
Kansas State has struggled to cover the spread, going 0-2 against the spread (ATS) so far this season, and Arizona has had similar issues. The spread at 6.5 points feels slightly generous, especially considering Arizona’s explosive offense. The over/under sits at 56.5, and there’s a solid case for the over with two potent offenses.
This could be a high-scoring affair, so we think you might want to take the over bet if both teams find their rhythm early.
Best Bet: Arizona +6.5 or the Over 56.5. Expect a closer game than the line suggests.
Michigan opened as a 24-point favorite after their Week 2 blowout to Texas, and they’re looking to make a statement against Arkansas State. Despite Arkansas State's 2-0 record, Michigan is simply a different class of team. After all, they are the defending champions. The Wolverines will aim to re-establish their dominance in this home matchup. They’re a team that is licking it’s wounds and they’re hungry for a W.
Michigan’s offense struggled last week, but Arkansas State hasn’t faced anyone near the Wolverines’ caliber. Quarterback JJ McCarthy will look to rebound, and the Wolverines’ defense, which only allowed 12 points against Texas, should have no problems overpowering Arkansas State’s attack.
However, this is where things get interesting. Both teams are 0-2 ATS this season, and Michigan's massive spread makes covering tricky. If Michigan's offense fires on all cylinders early, they could run away with the game. There’s also a chance they will play conservatively after last week’s defeat.
We might take some heat for this take, but here’s where we stand in Week 3.
Best Bet: Under 53.5. Michigan’s defense is too strong for Arkansas State to put up many points, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Michigan is content to grind out a win after the early lead.
Alabama heads into Week 3 as a 15.5-point favorite against Wisconsin, a team that’s been inconsistent on offense this year. Alabama, led by dual-threat quarterback Jalen Milroe, is 2-0 and has already scored 105 points in just two games. Of course, they started out a bit slow against South Florida, they picked up the pace as they typically do in the second half. The Tide have a 92% chance to win, according to several of the advanced models, and they’ve been covering spreads consistently over their last several outings.
Wisconsin, however, hasn’t cracked 30 points in a game this season. They’ll need to score and score a lot against Alabama if they have a prayer for winning. While their defense has shown promise, it’s hard to see them slowing down Alabama’s high-powered offense. The Badgers are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine home games, and it’s tough to trust them to cover a large spread here.
That said, Alabama is not flawless in Week 3 matchups, with a shaky ATS record of 2-8 in these situations over the last decade. Betting on Alabama to cover a large spread is tempting but risky.
Best Bet: Alabama -15.5. Despite some ATS concerns, Alabama’s explosive offense and Wisconsin’s inconsistent play make the Crimson Tide the safer pick here.
Missouri is a heavy 16.5-point favorite against Boston College. It’s hard to argue against it. The Tigers have been dominant, especially in their 38-0 win against Buffalo last week. Quarterback Brady Cook has been nothing less than efficient, and their rushing attack has been some of the best we’ve seen as well. Boston College is coming off a blowout win themselves but hasn’t faced an opponent nearly as talented as Missouri.
Boston College is 2-0 ATS this season, but Missouri has an even better track record, with two straight ATS wins. While the Eagles could put up a fight, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to keep pace with Missouri's balanced attack.
The total is set at 54 points, which seems on the lower side considering Missouri’s recent dominance and the high potential for them to run up the score if Boston College struggles.
Best Bet: Missouri -16.5. Missouri looks all set to cover this spread and hand Boston College a reality check.
This year’s edition of the Oregon vs. Oregon State game is one of the most anticipated matchups in the Pac-12.
Oregon comes into the game as a 9-point favorite, but don’t sleep on Oregon State, who has covered the spread in their last two games. The Ducks rely on quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s arm and Jordan James' rushing ability, but they’ve had moments of inconsistency in recent games, barely squeaking by Boise State last week.
On the other side, Oregon State’s dynamic duo of Jamious Griffin and Anthony Hankerson has been tearing through defenses. The Beavers also feature a sturdy defense that’s only allowed 15 points in two games. If they can control the clock and limit Oregon’s explosive plays, this game could be much closer than expected.
Best Bet: Oregon State +9. With a decent rushing attack and strong defense, Oregon State could easily keep this game within single digits.
This weekend’s slate of college football games offers a mix of marquee matchups and potential blowouts. That means there are plenty of betting opportunities.
Whether you're looking at underdogs like Arizona or betting on heavy favorites like Michigan or Missouri, there's value to be found across the board.