Which college football coaches do the best job after a two-week break? Which use the time to prepare well and do ATS?
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There are riches in niches.
Take Jeff Scott, please.
In his first two seasons as USF head coach, he’s only 3-18 on the standings. But give it more than seven days to prepare and it’s 5-0 against the spread (ATS). The Bulls have October 22 off before traveling to Houston a week later.
Trainers who maximize bye weeks and long weeks consistently beat the number. Below are the top 10, along with the week they all take a two week break this season.
at least 9 games
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10. Kyle Whittingham, Utah (2005-present)
ATS after a bye: 19-11-2 (60%)
2022 Bye: Oct. 22 (Oct. 27 in Washington State)
Few coaches are better with overtime than Whittingham, who also has 9-5 ATS in bowl games.
– 2022 Utah schedule analysis
9. Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan (2014-present)
ATS after a bye: 9-5 (64%)
2022 Bye: Nov 5 (at Akron on Nov 8)
After this year’s farewell week, the Eagles made their way to where they are under Creighton 30-17-1 ATS.
– 2022 Eastern Michigan preview
T8. Jeff Brohm, Purdue (since 2017)
ATS after a bye: 7-3 (70%)
2022 Bye: Oct 29 (vs. Iowa on Nov 5)
Brohm is also 19-8 ATS as an underdog, so taking 10 points from Iowa in Week 10 makes the Boilermakers an even more attractive play.
– Purdue Preview 2022
T8. PJ Fleck, Minnesota (2017-present)
ATS after a bye: 7-3 (70%)
2022 Bye: Oct 8 (Oct 15 in Illinois)
Fleck has consistently been one of the top coaches in the Big Ten ATS since leaving the MAC for Minnesota five years ago.
– Minnesota Preview 2022
6. Pat Narduzzi, Pitt (since 2015)
ATS after a bye: 10-4 (71%)
2022 Bye: Oct. 15 (in Louisville on Oct. 22)
Since Narduzzi’s arrival in 2015, Pitt has also ranked 2nd in the ATS in road games nationally with 26-10-1 (72%). The Panthers travel to Louisville after their Week 7 departure.
– Pitt Preview 2022
5. Bill Clark, UAB (since 2014)
ATS after a bye: 9-3-1 (75%)
2022 Bye: 24 Sept (at Rice on 1 Oct)
Year after year, Clark has been the most profitable coach in Conference USA for Wetter.
– 2022 UTEP schedule
4. Philip Montgomery, Tulsa (since 2015)
ATS after a bye: 12-4 (75%)
2022 Bye: Oct. 15 (at the temple on Oct. 21)
A strong case can be made for Montgomery as the most underrated ATS coach in the last seven seasons.
– Tulsa schedule 2022
3. Dana Dimel, UTEP (since 2018)
ATS after a bye: 7-2 (78%)
Games after bye week:: 15 Oct (vs FAU on 22 Oct) & 12 Nov (vs FIU on 19 Nov)
While Dimel is only 12-33 overall with the Miners, he was great at getting his team to at least put up a fight with the extra prep time.
– 2022 UTEP schedule
2. Jay Norvell, State of Colorado (2017-2021 in Nevada)
ATS after a bye: 7-2-1 (78%)
Game after bye week:: 1 Oct (in Nevada on 7 Oct)
Norvell’s first chance to improve his ATS mark after the reunion will be in Reno to face the program he coached for five seasons.
– Preview of the State of Colorado 2022
1. Dave Doeren, NC State (2013-present)
ATS after a bye: 15-4 (79%)
Game after bye week: Oct. 22 (vs. Virginia Tech on Oct. 27)
With the extra preparation time, no one has rewarded bettors more than Doeren, who could have his best pack team yet this season.
– 2022 NC State Preview
– 2022 College Football schedules: All 131 teams