College Football Week 10 Betting Preview: DJ Durkin Got Fired

• I don’t like Arizona at all
• Maryland just fired DJ Durkin, and are only 3-point underdogs
• Let’s go with Mark Dantonio here, shall we?

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We finished 1-1 last week, which brings us to 17-13-0 for the season. This week’s odds come from Bovada.

Colorado at Arizona

Team	Spread
Colorado	+3.0 (-110)
Arizona	-3.0 (-110)

The first thing you should know is that Colorado is the better team. To whit:

Colorado at Arizona Statistical Comparison

2018 Stat	Colorado	Arizona
Record	5-3	4-5
S&P+ Defensive Rank	57th	62nd
S&P+ Offensive Rank	68th	81st
S&P+ Overall Rank	65th	73rd

The second thing is that Arizona has a lot of the ingredients you look for in an overrated team. They’ve got a big-name coach in Kevin Sumlin. They’ve got a meteorically talented quarterback, in Khalil Tate.

They’re also up against a team that’s not a traditional power within the conference but has been scary all year. The Buffs did lose an ugly game to Oregon State, who should not be beating anybody, but on the whole they’ve performed well enough to attract some attention.

Betting Advice: Let’s take the statistically better team (Colorado) and the points.

Michigan State at Maryland

Team	Spread
Michigan State	-3.0 (-110)
Maryland	+3.0 (-11)

You won’t see me pick a lot of road favorites, but I will take Michigan State over a team that just fired its coach any day.

After a student-athlete tragically died during an offseason workout, an investigation revealed a toxic culture within the Maryland football program. The administration initially placed DJ Durkin on administrative leave, sparking controversy when they reinstated him. Public pressure and a negative response from students, players, and even prominent figures prompted the university to terminate his position. This situation left the team in turmoil, affecting their focus and performance on the field.

Michigan State vs Maryland Statistical Comparison

2018 Stat	Michigan State	Maryland
Record	5-3	5-3
S&P+ Defensive Rank	14th	37th
S&P+ Offensive Rank	102nd	89th
S&P+ Overall Rank	33rd	54th

That’s right: Maryland has fired DJ Durkin. They said they might, and then said they wouldn’t, and then finally did. It was a process that took roughly nine thousand days and a series of meetings that never seemed to end.

After all that turmoil, you’re left with a mediocre football team that’s been torn apart by internal turmoil and stripped of its already-bad head coach. They’re going up against one of the most consistently well-coached and physical teams in their conference, who can secure bowl eligibility with this win. I think this game will be a lot more lopsided than a three-point spread.

Betting Market Influence

Coaching changes like DJ Durkin’s firing can shift betting lines due to perceived team instability. Bettors often react to news of internal strife by avoiding the tumultuous team or exploiting favorable odds offered by bookmakers adjusting to the situation. This kind of event can lead to cautious betting approaches, as the team’s response on the field remains uncertain. Knowing how and why odds shift with such developments can be valuable for making smarter wagers.

Betting Advice: I love Michigan State here, even as a favorite.

The fallout from a coach leaving can have a significant impact on players. Team morale often fluctuates, with some athletes feeling relieved while others may be demoralized. These emotional responses can reflect in their gameplay, making it challenging for bettors to predict outcomes accurately. Understanding this emotional wave can offer insights into potential game upsets or surprisingly strong performances following a departure.

The post College Football betting Week 10 Preview: DJ Durkin Got Fired appeared first on My Top Sportsbooks.

Original source: https://www.mytopsportsbooks.com/free-picks/ncaa-college/college-football-week-10-betting-preview-2018/

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