CFB Week 8 betting trends: Will Clemson cover as huge favorite?
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UAB was the lone betting trend to cash in our Week 7 card. If you want to incorporate more trends into this Saturday's slate, consider some of these situational angles:
Clemson crushing it as a favorite
Clemson had no problem with Georgia Tech last weekend, winning 73-7. Can the Tigers cover 45 against Syracuse on Saturday?
Clemson has been a cash cow for bettors, covering 20 of the last 28 as a favorite. The Tigers have also been methodical against ACC opponents, going 19-6-1 against the spread the last 26.
Outgaining its opponents by 2.6 yards per play in 2020, expect this Clemson squad to roll again.
Trend play: Clemson -45
Is Alabama in for a letdown?
Alabama faces the dreaded hangover spot following a huge win against Georgia. Head coach Nick Saban has also struggled to cover consecutive games, with the Crimson Tide cashing just one of the last nine after an ATS win.
Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt, meanwhile, is producing solid results in the underdog role, covering five of the last six when getting points.
Trend play: Tennessee +21
TCU, Oklahoma poised for a low-scoring affair
This week's oddest trend belongs to TCU head coach Gary Patterson, who's cashed six straight unders following a bye week:
| Opponent | Total | Result | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas State | 43.5 | L 24-17 | U |
| Purdue | 52 | W 34-13 | U |
| Texas Tech | 57.5 | W 17-14 | U |
| West Virginia | 66 | W 31-24 | U |
| Oklahoma State | 68 | L 31-6 | U |
| West Virginia | 72 | W 40-10 | U |
TCU will have its hands full against head coach Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma's high-powered offense, but the Sooners are 5-2 to the under the last seven as road favorites.
Trend play: Under 59.5
Indiana struggling as a home 'dog
Head coach Tom Allen has done some great things in Bloomington, but getting his Indiana team ready to play as a home underdog isn't one of them: The Hoosiers are just 1-9-1 ATS the last 11 when catching points at home. Penn State seems set to secure a road win.
Trend play: Penn State -6.5
Fade Northwestern
Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald has been known as one of the best to back when getting points. Conversely, the longtime head coach can't seem to buy a win when laying them.
The Wildcats haven't covered any of the last nine games in which they were favored, going 0-8-1 ATS. Northwestern has also been terrible when laying chalk at home, with a 0-7-1 ATS record the last eight. Will Maryland extend the drought?
Trend play: Maryland +11
South Alabama in an odd spot
South Alabama isn't accustomed to fast starts - or winning in general - so it's no surprise the Jaguars have only been double-digit favorites 13 times since 2012. The unfamiliarity shows: The program is a dreadful 2-10-1 ATS in that spot. Take another peek at UL Monroe here.
Trend play: UL Monroe +15
(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.