College Football Week 3: 3 Home Underdogs Receiving Sharp Betting Action

Home underdogs are the first thing that sharp bettors look for when new lines are released in each sport, especially during the college football season.

It's also important to know which coaches and programs excel in motivating their players to perform in front of their home fans against an opponent that's perceived as a better team.

Let's take a look at three home underdogs that are attracting plenty of attention in Week 3.

No. 3 LSU (-3.5) at No. 25 Mississippi State

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have come a long way since being placed as 12 and 19-point underdogs the last two times they've hosted the LSU Tigers.

After being out-gained in the series by a combined 1,205 yards from 2004-08, the Bulldogs have actually held an advantage in total yards the last two meetings.

Sharp money poured in on the opening line of 4.5, dropping it a full point in 10 minutes time.

Too much value was seen in the Bulldogs after nearly rallying back in a 41-34 loss as 5.5-point road favorites against Auburn in their SEC opener. 

It's likely going to come down to a battle in the trenches, between the No. 1 rushing offense and top-ranked unit against the run in the conference.

LSU is also 1-5 ATS in its last six opportunities as a road favorite.

Penn State (-7.5) at Temple

A five-point line move before Wednesday doesn't happen in college football wagering due to public money. It just doesn't.

Saturday bettors may find the line to still hold value despite the move, as Temple is 8-0 ATS as single-digit home underdogs.

Trends are an important part of sports handicapping, but this one has a major flaw. 

Al Golden is no longer the coach, as he's now found on the sidelines at Miami, FL.

It's also important to note that Penn State head coach Joe Paterno has never lost to Temple.  The last Owls victory in the series came in 1941.

The betting odds are also in a favorable spot for the Nittany Lions, covering their last four opportunities as a road favorite of 3.5 to 10 points.

No. 23 Texas (-4) at UCLA

The UCLA Bruins have won all three meetings between these two programs since 1997, covering the spread by an incredible 39.8 points on average.

Smart money isn't going to back a road favorite that has been on the losing end of that situation.

As a long-time follower of the Bruins football program, this team usually performs at a high level when you least expect it.

Saturday is one of those times with head coach Rick Neuheisel's job on the line.

UCLA's 9-0 ATS mark as non-conference home underdogs doesn't hurt either when heading to the betting window.