Look for Florida to hang around vs. Vols
Top wagering picks for college football Week 3 based on lines from BetMGM Sportsbook:
Liberty (2-0) at Buffalo (0-2)
The Flames hit the road for the first time this season, but the change of venue shouldn’t make a difference. The Liberty offense has been on point in two wins so far, averaging 33.5 points per game, including a victory against another Mid-American Conference team, Bowling Green. The Flames topped the Falcons by 10 points for a cover, and it will get the job down against Buffalo, too. The Bulls were embarrassed at home by Fordham of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), falling 40-37 despite being a 22point favorite. Buffalo is 0-2 against the spread (ATS) this season.
Pick: Liberty (-3.5)
No. 9 Tennessee (2-0) at Florida (1-1)
The Volunteers opened the season by pounding Virginia by 36 points, and it followed it up with a mediocre showing against Austin Peay of the FCS. Tennessee was undoubtedly looking past the Governors and to the first giant game of the season against its rival in The Swamp. Florida was completely overmatched at Utah to open the season, bouncing back for a win over McNeese of the FCS last weekend. While the Gators look overmatched on paper against the Vols, too, remember that Florida has won 16 of the past 18 meetings dating back to 2005. It hasn’t lost in Gainesville against the Vols since 2003, so history is on the side of Florida.
Pick: Florida (+7)
Vanderbilt (2-1) at UNLV (1-1)
Sticking with an SEC team, the Commodores are looking to bounce back after a loss at Wake Forest. This Vanderbilt offense has been powerful, rolling up 34 ppg through the first three games. Yes, the Commodores have failed to cover the spread in all three games. The Rebels were knocked around 35-7 in the Big House by Michigan, and it topped Bryant, an FCS team, in the opener. The defense has been giving, allowing 24.5 ppg, and Vandy will have more offensive firepower to help it to a cover on the road.
Pick: Vanderbilt (-4.5)
Florida Atlantic (1-1) at No. 22 Clemson (1-1)
The Tom Herman era got off to a big start, as FAU pounded Monmouth of the FCS to get the ball rolling. In the same weekend, Clemson was getting thrashed by Duke on Labor Day night. Suddenly, the small but faithful fan base of FAU was thinking big, talking possible upset in Death Valley. However, the Owls lost at home against Ohio, having a complete power outage in Boca Raton, Florida, while the Tigers had the alarm clock go off after a slow start against Charleston Southern, racing to 66 points and a rout of the FCS team. FAU might be able to hang with Clemson for a half, but look for the Tigers to pull away in the second half, similar to what it did against the Buccaneers this past weekend.
Pick: Clemson (-24)