Rob Nelson of ESPN Stats & Information revisits the worst bad beats from the weekend's gambling action.
Saturday
Texas Tech Red Raiders at West Virginia Mountaineers
Line: West Virginia -4.5
No. 24 Texas Tech entered this game as a 4.5-point underdog, despite the fact it was playing an unranked West Virginia team. Halfway through the third quarter, it looked like bettors who took the Red Raiders wouldn't need the points, as they led 35-17.
But Will Grier and the Mountaineers wouldn't go down easy. They scored touchdowns on four of their next five possessions, while Texas Tech's offense went from being virtually unstoppable to going three-and-out on three consecutive drives. After 29 unanswered points, West Virginia all of sudden led 46-35, and Texas Tech bettors now needed a late score for a backdoor cover. After driving into Mountaineer territory in the final minutes, Nic Shimonek was picked off by West Virginia's Kyzir White, sealing the fate of those on the underdog.
Final score: West Virginia 46, Texas Tech 35 (West Virginia covers)
Michigan Wolverines at Indiana Hoosiers
Line: Over/under 43
It's safe to say that late in the fourth quarter, bettors who took under 43 assumed they had picked a winner. Indiana trailed 20-10 with less than four minutes left against a Michigan team that hadn't allowed a single point in fourth quarter all season. But the Hoosiers wouldn't go down without a fight.
After a long punt return, Indiana capitalized with a Peyton Ramsey to Whop Philyor eight-yard touchdown that cut Michigan's lead down to 20-17. The Hoosiers would then get the ball back one more time, and got in position for a game-tying field goal attempt. In what was certainly no chip shot, Griffin Oakes nailed a 46-yarder as time expired to force overtime, with the total combined points at 40. Before those on the under could fathom what just happened, Michigan's Karan Higdon scored a touchdown on the first play of overtime to push the total over and seal their fate.
Final score: Michigan 27, Indiana 20 in OT (Game goes over)
Arkansas Razorbacks at Alabama Crimson Tide
Line: Alabama -37.5
The line for this game continued to rise before kickoff with news of Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen being out with a shoulder injury. All of that late money on Alabama, however, would end up in the hands of the sportsbooks.
The Crimson Tide led 41-3 late in the fourth quarter and were covering, but the back door was still open for Arkansas. In what would be their final drive of the game, the Razorbacks converted on fourth down twice, including on fourth-and-goal when Cole Kelley hooked up with Jordan Jones for a three-yard touchdown with 3:03 left. Alabama ran out the clock and won by 32, but dropped to 5-15 against the spread in its past 20 games as a favorite of at least 30 points.
Final score: Alabama 41, Arkansas 9 (Arkansas covers)
Wyoming Cowboys at Utah State Aggies
Line: Over/under 49.5
This bad beat came down to one play, a play that those on the under are still trying to forget.
With less than a minute left in the game, Wyoming led 26-23, with the 49 combined points still under the closing total of 49.5. It seemed that a late score was unlikely, as Utah State had the ball on its own seven yard-line. But Wyoming's Carl Granderson sealed the win for his team with a safety in the final seconds, while also crushing bettors on the under, who lost by a point-and-a-half.
Final score: Wyoming 28, Utah State 23 (Game goes over)
Sunday
New York Giants at Denver Broncos
Line: Over/under 19 in 1st half
This would be a game to forget for fans of the Broncos, who saw their team lose outright to 13.5-point underdogs. It would also be a first half to forget for those who took the under.
While the first half total of 19 was as low as it gets in the NFL, the Giants led 3-0 early in the second quarter, with the under looking like an easy win. After an Evan Engram touchdown and Brandon McManus field goal made the score 10-3 New York, bettors on the under were now a play away from losing. And with 48 seconds left in the half, that play happened. Janoris Jenkins picked off Trevor Siemian and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown to set up Aldrick Rosas' extra point that sent the total over by one point.
Halftime score: Giants 17, Broncos 3 (Total goes over)