College Football Betting Saturday

With one big home underdog upset already in the books for Week 2 with Vanderbilt’s come from behind win, how many more upsets will arise? Can a seemingly overmatched Washington team spoil the BCS dreams of BYU? Is Central Florida’s offense and defense strong enough to take down South Florida in the I-4 War? Penn State suffered suspensions; will they be focused at home against offensive-minded Oregon State? Can U-Miami make quantum leap and shock the world in Gainesville? Review what is being said about these and other college football contests.

Southern Miss (+17.5, 43) Auburn 12:30E GamePlan and ESPN360

Auburn plays a second straight non-conference home game, taking on Southern Miss. The Tigers are working on improving new spread offensive scheme installed by first year offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. This is last chance to rev up offense, with SEC play starting next week at Mississippi State, and the following week hosting LSU, which should be key contest to help decide SEC West. The job is made easier running behind what most insiders feel in the best offensive line in the country. The wide receivers showed inexperience in 34-0 whitewashing of Louisiana- Monroe and need to come together quickly. Auburn ended up playing Auburn football rushing for 321 yards for almost seven yards a carry. The Tigers are just 4-10 against the spread when favored by double digits.

Southern Miss has a new look with Larry Fedora the head coach, after former USM alum Jeff Bower was forced out, despite 14 consecutive winning seasons. Last week the Golden Eagles opened with Louisiana- Lafayette and dismantled them 51-21. The Southern Miss offense is bolstered by junior running back Damion Fletcher, who ran for 222 yards in wider running lanes in Fedora’s version of spread offense, which was very successful at Oklahoma State, where he was offensive coordinator. Fletcher ran for over 1,500 yards and scored 15 touchdowns a season ago and is the coach’s kind of player. “He loves practicing and every aspect of football.” Fedora said. Defense has been a hallmark in Hattiesburg; however the talent level has slipped, allowing over 20 points per game in three of last four years, after not surrendering more than 20 PPG from 1997 -2003. The Golden Eagles are 11-5 ATS in road openers.

These teams have not met since 1993 and Auburn holds the all-time series edge at 16-5. With conference tilt on deck, Auburn might look past this game like in the past and is only 5-10 ATS in last 16 meetings with non-conference foes. The Tigers are just 3-6 ATS before first conference matchup. Southern Miss has a long history of success in September with 29-12 ATS record, yet is 0-6 against the number as underdog the last few seasons.

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