As we approach Halloween, the excitement surrounding the college football betting landscape intensifies. This Friday, fans can look forward to three significant matchups, making it an intriguing time for bettors.
Key Matchups for October 31
Memphis vs. Rice
The first notable game features the Memphis Tigers, who are ranked 25th and hold a record of 7-1, facing off against the Rice Owls, currently at 4-4. Recently, Memphis triumphed over South Florida with a score of 34-31, while Rice secured a double-overtime victory against Connecticut, 37-34.
Initially, Memphis was favored by 14.5 points when the line opened. Despite this large margin, 62% of bets at DraftKings favor Memphis. Interestingly, the line has now dipped to -13.5. This decline suggests that sharp bettors see value in the Owls, who are receiving under 40% of the public support.
- Memphis: 7-1 (Ranked 25th)
- Rice: 4-4
- Initial Line: Memphis -14.5
- Current Line: Memphis -13.5
- Public Support: 62% for Memphis
Statistics also support Rice as a home underdog. Historically, unranked teams facing ranked opponents perform well against the spread. This season, unranked dogs are 62-52 ATS (54%) with a 4% ROI. Furthermore, home conference dogs hold a record of 64-49 ATS (57%) with a notable 8% ROI this season.
North Carolina vs. Syracuse
The next matchup includes North Carolina and Syracuse. North Carolina, with a record of 2-5, recently lost a close game to Virginia, 17-16, but managed to cover as 11.5-point home dogs. Meanwhile, Syracuse, currently sitting at 3-5, suffered a defeat against Georgia Tech, losing 41-16.
The line initially opened around a pick’em but shifted as sharp money moved towards Syracuse, raising them to a 2.5-point favorite. At Circa, the betting data shows that Syracuse is attracting only 40% of spread bets but 49% of the total betting dollars, indicating a strong contrarian stance.
- North Carolina: 2-5
- Syracuse: 3-5
- Previous Matchup: North Carolina’s loss to Virginia
- Line Movement: Syracuse favored at -2.5
- Public Support: 40% for Syracuse
Offensive statistics favor Syracuse, as they average 19.6 points and 398.4 yards per game. In contrast, North Carolina averages only 14.5 points and 280.6 yards per match. The total for this game has also been adjusted, dropping from 47.5 to 45.5, reflecting significant sharp action on the under.
Betting Insights
As bettors prepare for these matchups, notable trends include:
- Under bets are 19-13 (59%) this season on Friday nights.
- If the total decreases by at least one point, unders improve to 10-4 (71%) this season.
This Friday promises to deliver an exciting college football betting experience, bringing both opportunity and unpredictability. Bettors should keep a close eye on line movements and public sentiment as game time approaches.
