2010 College Football Week 3 Preview: Wagering Lines that Make You Go Hmmm...

We are starting to delve into the college football season in which wagering lines will become 'steady' after two weeks of action.

However, as each college season unfolds, there are lines that makes one scratch their head and say,"Really?"

I'll simply preview those "head-scratchers" for Week 3:

Hawaii + 11 1/2 at Colorado: 

The Buffaloes beat a sad and sorry Colorado State team at home 24-3. Then they were completely embarrassed on the road by California 52-7.

Hawaii on the other hand put up a strong fight against USC, and then won outright in a contest with Army as an underdog once again.

With the Warriors being 2-0 against the spread and Colorado standing at 1-1 ATS this season, it is hard to believe that coach in 'fire' Dan Hawkins is high on anyone's list of covering the spread in any week, let alone being a double-digit favorite at home.

Hmm, are they simply begging you to wager upon the 11 1/2 point Buffs?

East Carolina + 21  at Virginia Tech:

The Hokies completely imploded in a single week of college football play. Not only did they fail to beat Boise State in their opener, they allowed that game to beat them twice five days later against a FBS James Madison squad.

The popular theory is that they will take out their dirty work on an over-matched team over the next couple of weeks.

But when wagering, one never wants to be popular, especially when laying 20+ points for an 0-2 team.

With East Carolina standing at 2-0 with victories over Memphis and Tulsa, one would be led to believe that this is the perfect opportunity to wager against the Hokies as they fade into obscurity.

Hmm, ECU has given up more than 26 points in their first two contests, and they have put up a bevy of points in their 1st two weeks as well. Thus +21 looks to be more than inviting doesn't it.

Washington State +23 at SMU:

Is SMU that good?  Or is Wazzu that bad?

Twenty-three? Wow. SMU is a middle-of-the-road Conference USA team that can wing it around a little bit under head coach June Jones. WSU is really, really struggling to be competitive on a weekly basis, even in their non-conference schedule.

While the line is shocking, it simply may not be enough as the Cougars face the Mustangs on the road and get their heads handed to them.

Texas -3 at Texas Tech:

Put power ratings aside, the general public will assuredly be on Texas on this game.

A top-5 power team on the road, only giving three points to a team with a first-year head coach? 

Hmm, are they begging you to wager upon Texas?

SUMMARY:

I wouldn't lay a dime on these befuddling contests, as they seem to be too easy to wager upon. It is like getting baited into a straight flush in poker. While your flush looks like an absolute winner, when you flip over the cards you are dealt with a pure jab in the stomach of reality.

These four games look to be a flush on the flop—with what is assuredly a straight flush or four pair waiting for you on the river.

Wager wisely on these games, if wagering on them at all.