Outkick Bets: Can CFB's Winless Teams Make You Money?
All odds in this article come from our partner, FanDuel Sportsbook. New users win $125 (on a max $5 bet) if either the Bucs or Patriots score a touchdown on Sunday night. The odds of this happening are incredibly high as FanDuel Sportsbook is currently expecting over 5 touchdowns to be scored during the entire game. As such, a wager of only $5 is almost guaranteed to win $125. You can click here to sign up with FanDuel Sportsbook and claim this offer.
The short answer is yes. Betting against them blindly may not be the best way to go, however. There are seven teams that are completely winless so far this season and six of them are in action this weekend. I've found a few glaring numbers and hidden nuggets we should consider before clicking that PLACE BET button.
Florida State -4.5 vs. Syracuse, Total 51
Florida State is money… if you bet against them. They are 1-3 ATS and that only win comes from that wild and magical Sunday night game against Notre Dame. The Seminoles are 1-2 ATS at home (again Notre Dame). On the other side is Syracuse who is playing in another game in which they are the underdogs. They've been the dog in 4 of their 5 games including this weekend. Syracuse is 3-1 ATS overall and 1-0 on the road. Important factoid alert: Florida State has been the favorite in two other games this season and they failed to cover the spread both times and losing both.
Navy +16.5 vs. UCF, Total 53.5
Navy just covered their first spread last week against Houston (+20) but the secret to this game may be the total. Navy is 2-1 on the OVERS thus far and that includes a 42-point loss to Marshall (but a 10-point over on the total). This is easily the highest total so far for Navy but their opponent, UCF is 3-0 on the OVERS and is the 5th highest scoring offense in college football, putting down 44.7 per game. Navy’s defense is 113th in the NCAA in scoring defense allowing 33.3 points per contest.
UConn +14.5 @ Vanderbilt, Total 51.5
This is a sicko game and I will be playing it to the heavens. UConn is 2-3 ATS and 1-1 on the road. They are getting a Vanderbilt team that scores, and this is not a misprint, 12.5 points per game and surprisingly, that's not the worst in the nation (Navy, 10.0 PPG). UConn isn't much better, scoring 14.2 points per game. Vanderbilt and UConn's defenses are 120th and 126th in the NCAA in scoring defense, so can Vanderbilt score enough to cover 14.5 points? Even on each other? Can they even score at all?
UMass +27 vs. Toledo, Total 57
The most doormattiest of doormats has been UMass for a few seasons. They just haven't been anywhere near competitive but if you pay attention to them this season, it's ever-so-slightly different. They average 16.5 points per game WHICH IS STILL TERRIBLE but not the worst. It's manageable and that leads me to this: they are 3-1 on the OVERS this season and their only UNDER was a total that's ten points higher than this game is now. They have gone over the totals of 56, 57 and 56. This week: 57. If you're looking for more action, UMass is 2-0 at home ATS.
Oh, Ohio. What shall we do with thee? Ohio is a great disappointment to a lot of people. The perennial bowl-game nabber has fallen off a cliff. They are averaging less than two touchdowns a game (13.8 PPG). I think Akron's reputation is killing them with this number. The Zips average 19.0 PPG and that includes only scoring 17 total points against their two P5 opponents. Ohio is not a P5 team. Ohio is 0-4 ATS and have lost two of those outright, including one to FCS Duquesne. Akron is only 1-3 ATS but they are giving 9.5 to the 127th scoring offense in the NCAA and they are at home. Tough numbers to ignore.
UTSA has made me money in three of their four games (I didn't bet their game vs. Memphis last week) because I have been on them all season. This spot is a fun one. UTSA has to be staring at UNLV like we all have been, snickering for most of it. UTSA is also one of the top 31 teams in the NCAA in scoring (37.2ppg). UNLV is actually the best/worst team we have talked about amongst the winless teams, scoring 19.0 pointer per game. The Rebels are 3-1 ATS despite being 0-4 overall and 2-0 ATS in road games. UTSA also happens to be 15th in the NCAA in time of possession which could work in our favor if we want to take UNLV or the under. UNDERS for these two teams are a combined 5-3.