CFB Week 5 betting trends: A bounce-back spot for Alabama?
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We dished some profitable betting trends last weekend, including the Duke-Virginia over, the Kentucky-Auburn under, and Kentucky's team total under.
If you plan on incorporating some trends into your college football handicapping for Week 4, be sure to keep these angles in mind.
Play Louisiana Tech as a road 'dog
Louisiana Tech is one of those college football mid-majors that rarely goes out of style. Although head coach Skip Holtz doesn't have the accolades - he's now on Year 8 without a Conference USA title - he's won at least nine games in four years with the program.
I also have a soft spot for Louisiana Tech as an underdog, a role Holtz has flourished in.
The Bulldogs are 23.5-point 'dogs to a BYU club that's outscored its first two opponents 103-10. We highlighted the Cougars as a good bet the rest of the year, but perhaps take this week off: Louisiana Tech is on a 27-10 run against the spread when getting points away from home.
Trend play: Louisiana Tech +23.5
TCU overs are on fire
Last week, TCU went over the total as a 3.5-point underdog to Iowa State. It was the seventh time in the last eight games the Horned Frogs cashed an over when they're underdogs.
| Opponent | Final | Over or Under |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa State | L 37-34 | Over |
| Oklahoma | L 28-24 | Under |
| Baylor | L 29-23 | Over |
| Iowa State | L 49-24 | Over |
| Oklahoma State | W 31-24 | Over |
| West Virginia | L 47-10 | Over |
| Oklahoma | L 52-27 | Over |
| Ohio State | L 40-28 | Over |
Like clockwork, TCU is an 11-point 'dog to Texas this weekend. Giddy up.
Trend play: Over 63
UAB's crushing it at home
When we talk about profitable college football head coaches against the spread, put some respect on Bill Clark's name. UAB's head man is 10-1 ATS the last 11 in October, 20-7-1 ATS the last 28 conference games, 18-7-1 ATS the last 26 at home, and 12-4-1 ATS the last 17 as a home favorite.
The Blazers get a nice tune-up in Week 5, laying -20.5 against UTSA.
Trend play: UAB -20.5
Bounce-back spot for the Tide?
Does Alabama head coach Nick Saban know when he loses against the spread? Check out how he's fared the last five games after he fails to cover.
| Opponent | Line | Final |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Miss | Alabama -36.5 | W 49-7 |
| Texas A&M | Alabama -17 | W 47-28 |
| Arkansas | Alabama -32 | W 48-7 |
| Mississippi State | Alabama -19 | W 38-7 |
| Michigan | Alabama -7 | W 35-16 |
Alabama won, but didn't cover in its 38-19 win over Missouri in Week 4. That could potentially spell bad news for Texas A&M, which is getting 17 this weekend.
Trend play: Alabama -17
Duke is a live home 'dog
Duke might soon find itself on the no-bet list, but we can give the program one more week.
The Blue Devils have lost three straight games by double digits and are getting only 10.5 points to a Virginia Tech team that looked impressive in its opener. However, this is the spot to back Duke head coach David Cutcliffe, who's on an 11-3-1 run ATS the last 14 as a home underdog.
Trend play: Duke -10.5
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.