Get the most from these college football odds by timing your bets
by Steve Merril
Each week during the college football season, Steve Merril looks at the NCAAF odds and tells you which spread to bet now, which one to bet later and which total to watch as the week plays out.
Spread to bet now
Oklahoma Sooners (-6.5) at Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma is currently a 6.5-point road favorite at Oklahoma State, and I expect money to come in on the Sooners. Bettors should lay the points now before this line ticks up to the key number of -7.
Oklahoma State comes in off its first loss of the season after Baylor beat the Cowboys 45-35 in Stillwater. That loss sets the Cowboys up for a hangover here even though they are playing their state rival. Oklahoma State beat Oklahoma 38-35 as a 19.5-point underdog last year, so the Sooners will be quite focused for this game. Lay the points with Oklahoma now.
Spread to wait on
Boston College Eagles at Syracuse Orange (+3)
Boston College and Syracuse have both struggled this season. The Eagles and Orange have identical 3-8 SU records as they come into this season finale. However, this game sets up much better for Syracuse than it does Boston College.
The Eagles played Notre Dame at Fenway Park last week. That was the game Boston College was sky high for, but it came up just short in a 19-16 loss as more than a two-touchdown underdog. Now the Eagles have to hit the road and play inside a dome where there will be minimal people in the stands. At least Syracuse is at home, so it will likely come with their best effort. Wait this game out and take Syracuse plus as many points as possible, especially if this line rises to +3.5 or more.
Total to watch
Arizona State Sun Devils at California Golden Bears (68.5)
Arizona State and California play completely different styles of football. The Golden Bears play a wide-open offense while throwing the football on the majority of their plays. The Sun Devils run an up-tempo offense that uses their running game to open up their passing game.
The total opened at 66, but it was quickly bet up to the current price of 68 to 68.5. The matchup sets up perfectly for a high-scoring game. California’s defense has been shredded for 205 rushing yards per game while Arizona State’s defense has been torched through the air for 330 passing yards per game on the road. Both offenses should have a lot of success, so a shootout is expected Saturday.