Against-the-Spread Mediocrity Found in Proud College Football Programs

College football bettors have been crushing oddsmakers all season when backing the top teams in the nation this season, but some of the biggest names in the sport have fallen flat.

The teams highlighted in this article have gone a combined 17-17-1 against the spread, often receiving too much public support due to their prestige rather than results on the field.

Each of these schools share one thing in common, which is being led by a first- or second-year head coach.

Let's take a look at five programs that often have bettors scratching their heads on Saturday.

Florida Gators

Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp opened the season with four consecutive wins, only to enter this week's contest on a three-game losing streak.

Quarterback John Brantley's ankle injury really derailed the team's momentum in a 38-10 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide as 3.5-point home underdogs.

He's expected back this week in a matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs, as the program looks to improve upon its 3-3-1 ATS record. 

Despite failing to cover both opportunities as underdogs against Alabama and LSU, Florida is still dangerous with a 11-3-1 ATS mark versus SEC foes when getting points.

Florida State Seminoles

Florida State Seminoles frontman Jimbo Fisher also lost his starting quarterback in a crucial game, falling 23-13 to the Oklahoma Sooners as 3.5-point home underdogs on Sept. 17.

EJ Manuel's ability to play all 60 minutes in that contest wasn't going to change the outcome, but sitting out a 35-30 road loss to the Clemson Tigers was significant.

The second-year coach has shown some resolve in rallying his squad to consecutive wins after a three-game losing streak—both coming as double-digit favorites.

The boys from Tallahassee are 3-4 ATS on the year and bettors are still stuck in the 1990s.

Avoid backing the Seminoles if they are playing at home after scoring 35 or more points, posting a 1-15 ATS record in that situation.

Looks like they may drop another one against the number in Week 9, coming off a 41-16 win over Maryland and hosting the NC State Wolfpack this weekend.

Miami-FL Hurricanes

Al Golden is probably going to regret taking the job at Miami after the NCAA finishes its investigation of the program, but he enters this week with a 4-3 straight up and ATS record.

Bettors have profited nicely in backing the Hurricanes the last three weeks, something that will likely come crashing down against Virginia at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday.

Miami is 1-11 ATS when coming in off back-to-back SU and ATS victories.

A return to mediocrity is in the cards versus Cavaliers.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame Fighting Irish second-year coach Brian Kelly was one of the best bets in college football until he arrived in South Bend.

Must be something in the water on campus.

The team is 3-4 ATS on the year and will continue to dress up as favorites when hosting the Navy Midshipmen Saturday.

Bettors will find that the Irish have failed to cover the spread in 10 consecutive meetings with this week's opponent inside Notre Dame Stadium.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State is another proud program that's being monitored closely by the NCAA and first-year head coach Luke Fickell will likely not be roaming the sidelines inside Ohio Stadium in 2012.

The Buckeyes are 4-3 ATS and will be dressing up as underdogs for the third consecutive week when hosting the Wisconsin Badgers.

Probably the best bet to remain over .500 from a betting standpoint, especially when examining the team's 45-5 SU record at home, with none of those losses coming by more than seven points.

Oddsmakers are spotting the Buckeyes 7.5 points versus the Badgers on Saturday.