Betting trends for conference title games: Edge for UNLV-Boise State

By Bruce Marshall Special to the Review-Journal

3 weeks ago

UNLV quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams (6) breaks free for a long run as Boise State Broncos corn ... — UNLV quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams (6) breaks free for a long run as Boise State Broncos cornerback A’Marion McCoy (7) and teammates run him down during the first half of their NCAA football game at Allegiant Stadium on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Bruce Marshall is a handicapper for CBS Sportsline. Here are his college football notes and trends for the conference championship games:

Friday

Mountain West: UNLV at Boise State (-4, 57½): The Broncos have won and covered the past two meetings with the Rebels, including earlier this season at Allegiant Stadium. But UNLV is 10-2 against the spread on the road under coach Barry Odom and 5-0 as a road underdog. Boise State is on a 1-3 ATS skid overall. Edge: UNLV.

American Athletic: Tulane (-5½, 46) at Army: The teams didn’t meet in the regular season. The Green Wave are 9-3 ATS this season, and coach Jon Sumrall is on a 28-12 ATS run dating to his time at Troy. The Black Knights are on a 1-4 ATS skid. Edge: Tulane.

Conference USA: Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State (-5, 57½): A quick rematch after Western Kentucky covered as a 1-point favorite in a 19-17 win last week. The Hilltoppers are on a 6-2 over run on the road, while Jacksonville State is on an 11-6 over run overall. Edge: Slight to over.

Saturday

Big 12: Iowa State vs. Arizona State (-2, 50) (at Arlington, Texas): The teams didn’t meet in the regular season. The Sun Devils are 10-2 ATS this season, while the Cyclones are on a 2-4 ATS skid. Arizona State is also on a 4-1 over run. Edge: Arizona State and slight to over.

Mid-American: Ohio vs. Miami (Ohio) (-2½, 44½) (at Detroit): Miami has won and covered this matchup the past two seasons, including a 30-20 home win Oct. 19. The Redhawks have won seven straight overall (5-2 ATS). Ohio has won and covered five straight, but the Bobcats are 3-3 ATS on the road this season. Edge: Slight to Miami.

SEC: Georgia vs. Texas (-2½, 49½) (at Atlanta): The Bulldogs won 30-15 as 4-point road underdogs at Texas on Oct. 19, but that was one of Georgia’s three covers this season (3-9 ATS), extending its ATS skid to 8-17-1. The Longhorns are on their own 3-5 ATS skid. Georgia is on a 7-2 under run away from home, while Texas is on a 6-1-1 under run overall. Edge: Under.

Sun Belt: Marshall at Louisiana (-6, 57): The teams didn’t meet in the regular season. The Thundering Herd are 10-1-1 ATS this season, including 5-0-1 on the road and 3-0-1 as underdogs. The Ragin’ Cajuns are on a 5-1 ATS run, but they’re only 2-4 ATS at home this season. Edge: Marshall.

ACC: Clemson vs. SMU (-2½, 56) (at Charlotte, N.C.): The teams didn’t meet in the regular season. The Tigers are on a 1-5 ATS skid, and they’re 1-4 ATS as underdogs since 2019, including 0-1 this season. The Mustangs have won nine straight (7-2 ATS). Edge: SMU.

Big Ten: Penn State vs. Oregon (-3½, 50) (at Indianapolis): The teams didn’t meet in the regular season. The Nittany Lions are 3-7 ATS as underdogs since 2021. The Ducks closed the regular season on a 5-2 ATS run. Both teams are on under runs (Penn State 10-6, Oregon 6-3). Edge: Under and slight to Oregon.