Sports Handicapper Ross Benjamin's Picks & Predictions

Colorado @ Arizona State 10:00 PM ET

Game# 351-352

Play On: Arizona State -7.0 (10*)

Colorado is coming off a 30-23 home loss in overtime to Air Force. That defeat thwarted the Buffalos from starting 3-0. This will be Colorado’s first road test of the season. They’re a dismal 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as an away underdog of 3.5 or greater. They’ve allowed 30 points or more in each of their first 3 contests, and they’ll be facing an Arizona State team which has allowed exactly 7 points in each of its first 3 games on their way to a 3-0 start.

Former New York Jets head coach Herman Edwards has done a more than admirable job since taking over at Arizona State. The Sun Devils have gone 10-5 in regular season games under Edwards and that includes 6-1 at home. Arizona Sate is coming off a 10-7 upset win at Michigan State last Saturday in a game they were a sizable 16.0-point underdog. Arizona State is a perfect 5-0 SU&ATS at home versus Colorado since the Buffaloes joined the PAC-12 and with an enormous victory margin of 26.0 points per contest.

Nebraska @ Illinois 8:00 PM ET

Game# 323-324

Play On: Over 62.0 (5*)

Nebraska won last season’s meeting 54-28 in Lincoln and that game went over the massive total of 72.5. I expect more of the same on Saturday night in what will be the Big 10 opener for both teams. During their last 2 games Nebraska has averaged 37.5 points scored and 492 yards of total offense per game. Illinois is 2-1 and is averaging 34.7 point scored and 407 yards of total offense per game.

Nebraska has allowed 21.0 points per game on their first 4 contests. Conversely, Illinois has given up 20.0 points per game in their first 3 games. This statistical data qualifies for a very successful college football totals betting angle which is illustrated below.

Any college football game with a total of 56.5 to 63.0 that involves teams allowing 16 to 21 points per game, resulted in those contests going 30-6 (83.3%) over the total since 2010. The average total in those 36 contests was 59.2 and there were a combined 73.8 points scored per game. Bet on this game to go over the total for a 5* wager.

UL-Lafayette @ Ohio 2:00 PM ET

Game# 321-322

Play On: UL-Lafayette +3.0 (5*)

UL-Lafayette is averaging a robust 8.1 yards per offensive play on their way to a 2-1 start. As a matter of fact, in their last 2 games they amassed 593 and 748 yards of total offense during blowout wins over Liberty and Texas Southern. Ohio has begun the season 1-2 and is allowing opponents to average 6.4 yards per offensive play.

Any road team (UL-Lafayette) that collected 575 yards or more of total offense during each of its last 2 games, and they’re averaging 6.2 yards or more per offensive play, versus a team (Ohio) which is allowing opponents to gain 6.2 yards or more per offensive play, resulted in those road teams going 30-1 straight up (96.8%) since 1992. The straight up results take on added significance because they back the road underdog in this instance. Bet on UL-Lafayette plus the points for a 5* wager.

Michigan @ Wisconsin 12:00 PM ET

Game# 343-344

Play On: Wisconsin -3.0 (5*)

Michigan is 2-0 but failed to cover each contest by 17.0-points or more. They narrowly escaped with a 24-21 home win over Army in overtime and didn’t come close to covering as a 22.0-point favorite.

Wisconsin is 2-0 while covering both games as a favorite and holding each of their opponents scoreless. They outscored South Florida and Central Michigan by a combined score of 110-0 and covered each of those contests by 26.0-points or more. Since 2004, Wisconsin has gone a superb 90-12 (.882) at home. Considering how small a spread we’re being asked to cover, that outstanding record at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin takes on special significance.

Any conference home favorite of 5.5 or less (Wisconsin) that coming off 2 straight covers as a favorite in which it held their opponents scoreless, and they covered each of those contests by 11.5-points or greater, resulted in those home favorites going 21-3 ATS (87.5%) since 1981. Bet on Wisconsin minus the points for a 5* wager.