An awful week last week, I went 1-4 on my Group of Five best bets, pushing my record to 34-31 on the season. Despite the devastating performance – what was I thinking taking UAB to cover against No. 5 LSU?? – I’m back this week and hopeful to win some bets on Thanksgiving weekend.
It’s one of the best college football weekends of the year, and I’m stoked for this slate of games. Let’s dive into the college football betting odds and hopefully find five winners this week.
ECU -10.5 at Temple
I took East Carolina -6 last weekend, and the Pirates did me dirty, losing 42-3. Not great! But, I’m back on the Mike Houston train. I imagine this week of practice wasn’t all that enjoyable for the players, and I’d expect Mike Houston and company to finish the regular season strong against an overmatched Temple (3-8, 1-6 AAC) team. ECU (6-5, 3-4 AAC) has a talent advantage in this game, and if the Pirates execute more consistently this weekend, they have a great shot of leaving Pennsylvania with their seventh win. Give me ECU in a blowout.
Fresno State -14.5 vs. Wyoming
Wyoming (7-4, 5-2 MWC) barely fell to Boise State last weekend, but quarterback Jake Haener has been fantastic since returning for the Bulldogs (7-4, 6-1 MWC). Fresno State’s gunslinger has 12 touchdowns across four games since his return from injury, and he’s eclipsed 300 yards passing in all four games. Wyoming’s offense is lackluster, and I don’t see the defense doing enough to slow down Haener. Of note, three of Wyoming’s four losses have come by double digits.
Air Force-San Diego State under 44.5
This game features a pair of run-heavy teams with elite defenses. Obviously, oddsmakers know this, but 44 points still feels just a shade too high. Air Force’s (8-3, 4-3 MWC) last four games have ended with the two teams combining for less than 40 points, and I can see that trend continuing this weekend. San Diego State (7-4, 5-2 MWC) doesn’t possess much offensive firepower, and I see the Aztecs feeling comfortable in a low-scoring grind. If this game goes over, it likely won’t be by much.
Texas State +5 vs. Louisiana
Texas State is just 4-7 overall and 2-5 in the Sun Belt this season, but the Bobcats are surprisingly competitive. They have a win over App State and narrow defeats against Troy, Southern Miss, and Louisiana Monroe. They’re capable of pulling the upset, and Louisiana (5-6, 3-4 SBC) isn’t even close to as good as it has been in recent seasons. I wouldn’t be shocked if Texas State won, especially considering Louisiana’s subpar 1-4 record away from home this season.
Georgia Southern +4.5 vs. App State
The Eagles (5-6, 2-5 SBC) have lost three games in a row, but I don’t care because this App State team is simply average. Georgia Southern’s quarterback Kyle Vantrease should find success throwing against a defense in the middle of the league standings in pass efficiency defense. App State (6-5, 3-4 SBC) has struggled on the road, going 0-3 in Sun Belt games. I like Georgia Southern to bounce back and qualify for a bowl game in Clay Helton’s first season.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
