Illinois and Mississippi have continued to impress through two weeks against the spread, but it’s two non-power five conference teams that have done almost as much damage.
Toledo had its first game canceled due to weather, but looked far from rusty against Arkansas in week 2. Toledo entered the contest as 22.5-point underdogs, and left Arkansas with a 1-0 record a plus-26.5 against the spread mark. The Rockets are now favored by 7.5 points this week at home against another power-five conference team, Iowa State.
Memphis also is making quick work of its opponents. The Tigers are 2-0 against the spread with big wins against Missouri State and Big 12 conference member Kansas. The Tigers were actually two-touchdown favorites at Kansas, and left the game with a 32-point victory.
With an average of a plus-26 against the spread mark, the Tigers are fourth-best in college football against the spread.
Here’s how each conference has fared this college football season.
ACC, 20-8 ATS
Georgia Tech remains the class of the conference. The Yellow Jackets have won by an average of 22.2 points against the spread, while Duke also remains one of the better teams in college football against the spread with a plus-20.2 points against the spread.
Louisville, 0-2 overall, has had some tough luck so far this season. Without another team 0-2 against the spread in the conference, the Cardinals are one of three teams with a negative against the spread amount. The Cardinals are minus-6.8 points against the spread, and will face another challenge on Thursday against Clemson.
Big 12, 7-11-1 ATS
It hasn’t been a great season against the spread for the Big 12.
The Big 12 was once again under .500 in week 2, and so far four teams still haven’t covered a spread.
Texas Tech and West Virginia have been the best against the spread, with the Red Raiders plus-14.2 points against the spread, and the Mountaineers at plus-10.2 points against the spread. However, the only team undefeated against the spread is Oklahoma, which made a dramatic comeback Saturday against Tennessee.
There’s not many teams worse than Kansas in any category, but Texas can claim one of those spots. The Longhorns are averaging a minus-13.5 points against the spread, while the Jayhawks are minus-13.2 points against the spread.
The two other teams without a win against the spread are Oklahoma State and Baylor.
Big 10, 15-13 ATS
The Big 10 went over .500 after a semi-disappointing week 1 in college football.
The best team against the spread in college football resides in the Big 10. Illinois is averaging a plus-28 point average against the spread, while averaging a 46.5 margin of victory. The Fighting Illini get their biggest test of the season this week on the road against North Carolina as 9.5-point underdogs.
Penn State continues to disappoint, losing out on covers for two weeks in a row. Penn State is averaging minus-13.5 points against the spread.
Pac-12, 14-10 ATS
After a tough week last week, the Pac-12 bounced back in week 2, with a 10-2 mark against the spread. Only Arizona State and Oregon State didn’t cover the spread in week 2.
Three teams have separated themselves from the rest, at least in terms of winning against the spread. California is best at an average of plus-14.8 points against the spread, while Washington and USC are averaging a plus-13.8 points against the spread.
The worst team against the spread so far in 2015 in the Pac-12 is Arizona State, which is averaging a minus-19.2 points against the spread. The Sun Devils are 1-1 straight up.
SEC, 14-13
The SEC and Pac-12 switched roles during weeks 1 and 2. In week 1, it was the Pac-12 that disappointed. In week 2, it was the SEC’s turn.
The SEC went 9-4 against the spread in week 1, and was 5-9 in week 2, with three of those wins and losses within the conference. In games outside of the conference, the SEC was 2-6.
Mississippi has been one of the best teams against the spread at a plus-27.2 average, while Texas A&M also is showing promise at an average of plus-10 points against the spread.
Auburn has struggled against the spread so far this season, with a minus-20.2 average against the spread. Missouri also hasn’t done well against the spread, going 0-2, with an average minus-6.2 points against the spread.
