NOTRE DAME @ PURDUE (ND -7.5, 47.5)
UNDER (1H) 23.5
The sky is falling at Notre Dame. Or, at least that's what everyone thinks. I think it's a bit of an overreaction. Yes, the Notre Dame offense is terrible. Riley Leonard is no Sam Hartman, but this is still a pretty good football team.
Purdue will be pumped since they are at home against ND. But, the Boilermakers are going to struggle against this Irish defense. Hudson Card just won't get it done for Purdue. Keep in mind, this Notre Dame defense has only given up 13 and 16 points in its two games. The Irish allowed just 6 first half points to Texas A&M and 13 last week to Northern Illinois. Both first half totals went Under 23.5.
AIR FORCE @ BAYLOR (BAY -16.5, 41.5)
AIR FORCE (1H) +9.5
Both of these teams lost last week and both will be looking for answers for their anemic offenses. Air Force is a triple option team that typically has success running the football. Baylor allowed 170 rushing yards to Utah last week in their 23-12 loss to the Utes. Baylor managed just 12 points, all of which came after they were down 23-0 late in the second half.
Here's the deal in this one. All of the service academies are usually good bets against the first half spread when they are playing as underdogs. Over the last decade, the academies are 90-59 ATS in the first half. That's over a 60 percent winning percentage. With two offenses that are struggling, Air Force can keep this one close...at least early on.
KENT STATE @ TENNESSEE (TENN -49.5, 62.5)
TENNESSEE (1Q) -13.5
Tennessee goes fast and furious on offense. The Vols are averaging 60 points per game and QB Nico Iamaleava is the real deal. Under head coach Josh Heupel, Tennessee typically gets off to pretty good starts. Heupel spent three years at UCF and now enters his fourth season at Tennessee. All of his teams combined are 42-17-2 ATS in the first half.
Tennessee has covered both first half spreads this season, but tonight's number is 28.5. I don't like that, but I do like the first quarter number of 13.5. Tennessee scored 24 first quarter points last week. This week, they go up against a Kent State defense that got beat by an FCS team last week. The Vols can do the same this week.
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