Football season is finally back! With every college football season, there are exciting teams, great players, bragging rights and, not to be forgotten, money to be won through gambling!
In the first week of the season, the schedule gods have given us a few real games, enough to help us zone out the upcoming slate of FCS opponents.
South Carolina (+5) over NC STATE - It's my opinion that the Wolfpack will be much better this year, building on a strong finish to last year and learning the O'Brien system. However, I'm not ready to say they're the favorite against a middle-of-the-road SEC squad, and the odds of a close low-scoring game are high.
This really should be illegal, and not grandfathered in.BOISE ST (-3.5) over Oregon - This is a really tough call. Oregon has an explosive offense and slightly better talent. But the Broncos have shown that they're no one trick pony, and the blue field gives them the edge in this one. I'll be rooting for Oregon to squelch Boise's chances at the BCS in week 1. If you want my support to bust the BCS, your non-conference schedule has to be better than Oregon, Bowling Green, Miami OH, and UC Davis.
OK ST (-5) over Georgia - No Knowshon, no Stafford, not so many wins, especially not over a very talented Cowboys team in Stillwater.
ILLINOIS (-6.5) over Missouri - Does Missouri have any skill players left? Not enough to out-score Juice and the Illini.
Virginia Tech (+6.5) over ALABAMA - The Hokies won't look like Clemson did last year against the Tide in the opener. First, the Tide is not as good as last year, and second, VT is a much tougher team than Clemson. Look for Tyrod's experience to be the difference in this one (at least enough to cover).
Maryland (+21.5) over CALIFORNIA - The relevant statistic here is the Terps' record against top 25 teams over the last few years. Even though Cal will be motivated by revenge, I don't see a blowout here.
And don't forget the Monday games:
Cincinnati (+6) over RUTGERS - Rutgers will soon be remembered as a one hit wonder. The Bearcats will be out to establish that they are now kings of the Big East.
FLORIDA ST (-6.5) over Miami - The defensive speed from the Noles will shut down Miami's offense.
Enjoy another exciting season!
Last season: 50-36-2 (not bad if I say so myself)
3 Responses:
You've got it all wrong on Rutgers. Just watch on Labor Day on ESPN.
Rutgers fans are surprisingly loyal and vocal. It's pretty obvious that the state of New Jersey was a sleeping college football hotbed.
Anything that halts the spread of Penn State fans is fine by me.
I wish I had time to look at college football stuff to make knowledgeable picks. Grumble conference paper...
Just looking at the lines, I like SC +5 over NC State. Same with OKST -5 over uga. No way georgia keeps it close. I liked VT +6.5 to Bama. I think Beamer can keep it closer.
Honestly, it's hard not to like BSU (-3) over Oregon. I think they have a good shot to break the BCS. Their biggest weakness are the other teams in the Weak Ass Conference.
And kudos to J-Red for the crying dook child picture. I watched that game and loved seeing the parent-made fan crushed who just assumed that dook would always win the tourney.
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