Welcome in folks’, take a deep breath and exhale all the excitement you have been holding in for months! If you are like myself, you live for college football. The tradition and pageantry of college football is unrivaled. I’m here to provide you with my favorite bets of the week. I will offer picks ATS (against the spread), O/U (over/under total points) and pick some moneyline upsets. Let’s jump right in!
*Favorites in bold.
Indiana @ FlU Open Line: -4 Current Line: -8.5 Over/Under 61
I like Indiana in this game, even with such a strong line movement. Indiana possess one of the best offensive lines in the Big Ten and returns key skill players. Indiana QB Richard Lagow is a bit unknown at this point. For FIU, QB Alex McGough will be able to find his top two receivers in Thomas Owens and Alex Gardner.
The Pick: Indiana 42, FIU 28. Over 61 points
San Jose State @ Tulsa Open Line: -6 Current Line: -5.5
This one is an interesting week 1 matchup. Tulsa has one of the best passing attacks and SJSU was 2nd nationally in pass defense in ‘15. However, SJSU replaces 2 starters in the secondary and Tulsa brings back Dane Evans and Co. SJSU traveling halfway across the country, leaves me believing in Tulsa.
The Pick: Tulsa 37, San Jose State 28
Hawaii @ 7 Michigan Open Line:-42 Current Line: -40.5
Michigan is a trendy pick to win the Big Ten and accept a CFP berth. Michigan has not revealed a depth chart to this point, so I’ll assume they are leaning toward starting John O’Korn. Michigan has playmakers at WR and the defense should be stout. Hawaii has already played one game and were 21.5 pt underdogs to Cal. Hawaii lost by 20, Hawaii will score some points in this game. I don’t see Michigan making a statement and blowing them out by 40+ pts.
The Pick: Michigan 45, Hawaii 13
16 UCLA @ Texas A&M Open Line: -1 Current Line: -3
Here is a big Pac-12/SEC showdown for opening weekend. UCLA is a trendy pick to win the Pac-12 and A&M is a sleeper in the SEC. Both teams are similar, both secondaries were lights out in 15’. A&M has some dominant players on the DL, enough to stop the Bruin’s rushing attack. The key to the game will be the athleticism of the A&M receivers against a solid UCLA secondary. Keith Ford is under the radar in this matchup. Also, UCLA won’t see an atmosphere like Kyle Field for the rest of the season.
The Pick: Texas A&M 27, UCLA 20
5 LSU vs. Wisconsin Open Line: -8.5 Current Line: -10
LSU travels North to battle the Badgers in historic Lambeau Field. On paper Wisconsin is outmatched in terms of talent. However, it’s week 1 and anything can happen. Wisconsin always has a solid defense that can keep them in any game. LSU returns Leonard Fournette and its top two receivers. Brandon Harris holds the key to LSU’s success. QB concerns for Wisconsin bothers me, and LSU has one of the best defenses in the country. LSU makes a statement in week one.
The Pick: LSU 30, Wisconsin 13
*Lock it Up Pick: UMass @ 25 Florida Open Line- 36.5 Current Line: 36.5
The Pick: Florida 55, UMass 0
Top Over/Under Bets
South Carolina @ Vanderbilt O/U 42.5 The Pick: Under 42.5
Missouri @ West Virginia O/U 50.5 The Pick: Under 50.5
Oklahoma vs. Houston O/U 68.0 The Pick: Over 68
Rice @ Western Kentucky O/U 63.0 The Pick: Over 63
Bowling Green @ Ohio State O/U 64.0 The Pick: Over 64
Upset Alert (Moneyline Underdogs)
*Games that are worth a look. Not predicting them.
*Favorites in bold.
Indiana @ FlU Open Line: -4 Current Line: -8.5 Over/Under 61
I like Indiana in this game, even with such a strong line movement. Indiana possess one of the best offensive lines in the Big Ten and returns key skill players. Indiana QB Richard Lagow is a bit unknown at this point. For FIU, QB Alex McGough will be able to find his top two receivers in Thomas Owens and Alex Gardner.
The Pick: Indiana 42, FIU 28. Over 61 points
San Jose State @ Tulsa Open Line: -6 Current Line: -5.5
This one is an interesting week 1 matchup. Tulsa has one of the best passing attacks and SJSU was 2nd nationally in pass defense in ‘15. However, SJSU replaces 2 starters in the secondary and Tulsa brings back Dane Evans and Co. SJSU traveling halfway across the country, leaves me believing in Tulsa.
The Pick: Tulsa 37, San Jose State 28
Hawaii @ 7 Michigan Open Line:-42 Current Line: -40.5
Michigan is a trendy pick to win the Big Ten and accept a CFP berth. Michigan has not revealed a depth chart to this point, so I’ll assume they are leaning toward starting John O’Korn. Michigan has playmakers at WR and the defense should be stout. Hawaii has already played one game and were 21.5 pt underdogs to Cal. Hawaii lost by 20, Hawaii will score some points in this game. I don’t see Michigan making a statement and blowing them out by 40+ pts.
The Pick: Michigan 45, Hawaii 13
16 UCLA @ Texas A&M Open Line: -1 Current Line: -3
Here is a big Pac-12/SEC showdown for opening weekend. UCLA is a trendy pick to win the Pac-12 and A&M is a sleeper in the SEC. Both teams are similar, both secondaries were lights out in 15’. A&M has some dominant players on the DL, enough to stop the Bruin’s rushing attack. The key to the game will be the athleticism of the A&M receivers against a solid UCLA secondary. Keith Ford is under the radar in this matchup. Also, UCLA won’t see an atmosphere like Kyle Field for the rest of the season.
The Pick: Texas A&M 27, UCLA 20
5 LSU vs. Wisconsin Open Line: -8.5 Current Line: -10
LSU travels North to battle the Badgers in historic Lambeau Field. On paper Wisconsin is outmatched in terms of talent. However, it’s week 1 and anything can happen. Wisconsin always has a solid defense that can keep them in any game. LSU returns Leonard Fournette and its top two receivers. Brandon Harris holds the key to LSU’s success. QB concerns for Wisconsin bothers me, and LSU has one of the best defenses in the country. LSU makes a statement in week one.
The Pick: LSU 30, Wisconsin 13
*Lock it Up Pick: UMass @ 25 Florida Open Line- 36.5 Current Line: 36.5
The Pick: Florida 55, UMass 0
Top Over/Under Bets
South Carolina @ Vanderbilt O/U 42.5 The Pick: Under 42.5
Missouri @ West Virginia O/U 50.5 The Pick: Under 50.5
Oklahoma vs. Houston O/U 68.0 The Pick: Over 68
Rice @ Western Kentucky O/U 63.0 The Pick: Over 63
Bowling Green @ Ohio State O/U 64.0 The Pick: Over 64
Upset Alert (Moneyline Underdogs)
*Games that are worth a look. Not predicting them.
- 1. Western Michigan over Northwestern
- 2. BYU over Arizona
- 3. Boston College over Georgia Tech
- 4. South Carolina over Vanderbilt
- 5. Toledo over Arkansas State