Updated
Updated · ESPN · Sep 17
Pamela Maldonado Backs UNC +3.5 at Clemson in Week 3 Best Bet
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Sep 17

Pamela Maldonado Backs UNC +3.5 at Clemson in Week 3 Best Bet

1 articles · Updated · ESPN · Sep 17

Summary

  • North Carolina +3.5 at Clemson is Maldonado’s top Week 3 college football play, with +145 on the moneyline also rated worth a smaller wager.
  • UNC’s edge, she argues, is a pass rush ranked top 15 in pressures and sacks against a Clemson offense that has converted only 3 of 27 third downs and remains shaky at quarterback.
  • Billy Edwards Jr.’s 9.9 yards per attempt and North Carolina’s balanced backfield support the underdog case, while the Tar Heels have allowed just one red-zone touchdown in five trips.
  • Her second featured pick is Eastern Michigan-Wisconsin first-quarter under 9.5 at +105, citing EMU’s scoreless first quarters and a Badgers offense ranked 100th in EPA per play and 111th on early downs.
  • Mark Zinno’s additional leans include Alabama team total over 33.5, Rutgers +24.5 against USC, Texas A&M first-half -9.5 and Texas State -2.5.

Insights

Can a struggling historic powerhouse survive an aggressive underdog, or will early-season volatility strike again in Week 3?
Are bettors falling into a recency bias trap by fading teams that collapsed last week, or is early momentum everything?
Will an explosive offense overcome the fatigue of a grueling cross-country road trip, or is a massive upset brewing?