We're starting to get into the heart of the college football schedule, which means we have more data on teams. That's a great benefit, especially in the totals market.
With Week 8 rapidly approaching, here are the pace numbers for each team through Week 7:
If you're new to this piece, we'll take an in-depth look at the totals market using yards per play, Success Rate, Finishing Drives, plays per minute and more.
Using those metrics – along with a look at the weather and key injuries – the goal is to hopefully help bettors beat the market before Friday and Saturday morning.
Let's kick things off with three over/unders to bet in Week 8.
Penn State vs. Ohio State
Saturday, Oct. 2112 p.m. ETFOX
| Penn State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| +4-110 | 47.5-110o / -110u | +158 |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| -4-110 | 47.5-110o / -110u | -190 |
Odds via'Caesars. Get up-to-the-mi nute'NCAAF odds here.
Even though this is the biggest game of the weekend – and maybe the season – I think it's going to be a bit of a snoozer.
Ohio State and Penn State rank first and second in the country defensively in yards per play allowed, respectively, and gave up a combined seven points to Purdue and UMass last week.
There are problems with Ohio State's offense right now, and it starts with the run game. The Buckeyes sit outside the top 50 in both Rushing Success Rate and EPA/Rush, and they might not have a healthy running back for this game.
TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams missed the last game against Purdue and are questionable to play in this one, while Chip Trayanum exited the Boilermakers game with an injury. Ryan Day had to play wide receiver Xavier Johnson at tailback alongside fourth-teamer Dallan Hayden, so going up against a Penn State front seven that's allowing only 2.1 yards per carry and ranks top-10 in Rushin g Success Rate Allowed and Defensive Line Yards is a nightmare scenario.
That means all of the pressure is going to be on Kyle McCord to throw all over the best secondary in college football. McCord has been impressive this season, averaging 9.5 yards per attempt while ranking 14th in EPA, but he will potentially be without one of his biggest weapons Emeka Egbuka, who missed the last game against Purdue.