Rob Nelson of ESPN Stats & Information revisits the worst bad beats from the weekend's gambling action.
Note: Closing lines are courtesy of Westgate Les Vegas SuperBook and pick percentages are via Wunderdog Sports.
Saturday
Old Dominion Monarchs at Appalachian State Mountaineers
Closing line: Appalachian State -21
Old Dominion entered this game having covered in four of its last five games dating back to last season. On Saturday, the Monarchs were in good shape to continue their strong ATS run, as they stayed within the 21-point spread for over 59 minutes. But with 57 seconds left, Appalachian State's J.P. Caruso scored from 1 yard out, giving the Mountaineers a 24-point win.
While that final touchdown is what lost it for Old Dominion backers, woes on fourth down were ultimately the deciding factor. On that final Appalachian State drive, the Monarchs allowed the Mountaineers to convert not one, but two fourth downs. For the game, Old Dominion allowed Appalachian State to go 4-for-5 on fourth down, its most conversions in a game since becoming an FBS member in 2014. On offense, the Monarchs converted one of six in such situations. Those five failed fourth-down conversions were tied for the most by an FBS team in any game since October 2007.
Final score: Appalachian State 31, Old Dominion 7 (App State covers)
Ball State Cardinals at Indiana Hoosiers
Closing line: Indiana -16.5
Indiana led 30-0 late in the third quarter and appeared well on its way to an easy win and cover. But a late rally by Ball State gave those who bet the Hoosiers a tough loss to swallow.
After a pair of field goals by Morgan Hagee made it 30-6, the turning point came when Ball State's Malik Dunner scored on a blocked punt with 12:53 left. Indiana then allowed the Cardinals to score on their next possession, which cut the Hoosiers' lead to 10. Indiana had a chance to save its backers in the final minute but turned it over on downs at the Ball State 24-yard line.
Final score: Indiana 30, Ball State 20 (Ball State covers)
Arkansas Razorbacks at TCU Horned Frogs
Closing line: Over/under 57.5
This game ended up going over the total by 21.5 points, but make no mistake about it, this was a bad beat for those on the under. With less than 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Arkansas led 20-7, as bettors on the under had a 30.5-point cushion.
Then the fireworks began in Fort Worth. TCU scored 21 unanswered points to take a 28-20 lead with 2:05 left. Now Arkansas -- which had gone three-and-out on its previous two possessions -- needed a touchdown and two-point conversion to tie it. Austin Allen led the Razorbacks right down the field and connected with Keon Hatcher for a 16-yard touchdown with 1:03 left. The over/under would come down to the two-point conversion, and it turned out to be quite the play. Arkansas ran a reverse that Hatcher ended up throwing to his quarterback, Allen, in the end zone to tie it.
The game went to overtime tied at 28, still under the closing total of 57.5. But unfortunately for folks who took the under, there is no such thing as a scoreless OT in college football.
Final score: Arkansas 41, TCU 38 in 2OT (Game goes over)
Sunday
Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans
Closing line: Over/under 40
This game had the lowest total of Week 1, but that didn't stop the majority of bettors from taking the under (56 percent). At halftime, the Titans led 10-0, and those on the under just needed to avoid a 30-point second half.
Sparked by a pair of defensive touchdowns, the Vikings would score the next 25 points to take control of the game. With the total combined points at 35 with 2:36 left, the Titans were set to begin their final drive of the game. On the sixth play of the drive, Harrison Smith picked off Marcus Mariota and those on the under were about to celebrate a winning bet. But there would be no celebration, as the drive was extended after Everson Griffen was called for roughing the passer. Four plays later, Mariota connected with DeMarco Murray for a touchdown with 28 seconds left, and the total went over by one point.
The game went over despite the Vikings being the only team to not score an offensive touchdown on Sunday.
Final score: Vikings 25, Titans 16 (Game goes over)