Week 0 and the first part of Week 1 has lived up to College Football and all the wackiness we have come to expect. Nebraska up 11, trying an onside kick, and ultimately losing. The punter from South Carolina State forgetting to punt and then remembering to punt 10 yards past the line of scrimmage. Sean Clifford still hanging around and overthrowing receivers by 10 yards, but coming up clutch when it mattered and leading Penn State down the field for the last second touchdown and victory. Let’s win some money and get into the picks. Here are my top 5 picks heading into the weekend in no particular order.
Oregon +17 (-110) vs UGA in Atlanta
UGA is fresh off their first championship since 1980 (before the internet age) and are kind of hosting the Ducks in Atlanta at the Chick-Fila-A kickoff game. This will certainly feel like a celebration in their first game since their championship and I feel will lead to a hangover. In addition, UGA lost 15 players to the draft and 9 of them on the defensive side. There will also be some familiarity with UGA on the Oregon sideline as their new HC, Dan Lanning, was the DC at UGA just 8 months ago. Don’t forget Oregon’s new QB Bo Nix and his multiple games against UGA while at Auburn. I like Oregon to hang around and be pesky enough to cover. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this line move to 17.5 as well for some extra value.
Kentucky -16 (-110) at home vs Miami (OH)
Miami will make the 140 mile drive down to Lexington to collect their check and their L. Kentucky has been getting a lot of preseason love and with good reason. Penn State transfer, Senior Will Levis, will be taking snaps and is getting into the 1st round in some 2023 mock drafts. Levis will have a field day against a suspect Miami secondary. UK will protect Kroger Field and come out with a 1-0 record overall and ATS.
Utah -3 (-105) on the road vs Florida
Utah is entering the season as defending Pac-12 champs and co-favorites with USC. They have a punishing form of play and will have a lot of success on the ground. Florida will break-in new HC Billy Napier without a cupcake game, but instead (insert food comparison to Utah). Florida gave up 52 points to Samford (that is not a typo for Stanford) at home just last November. Utah will be able to score and control the clock to win and cover the 3. The rebuild will take a bit more time in Gainesville.
BYU -12 (-110) on the road vs USF
This is a very puzzling line and one that jumps off the page as a WTF? If this game was played 3 weeks from now, I see the line being 17+. BYU has a stacked offensive line and a veteran QB that is surrounded by talent. USF finished 123rd in defense last year and are not expected to be much better. USF will return 19 starters, but they just aren’t good as they went 2-10 last season. The only thing that could be BYU is the Florida heat, but BYU will roll.
Side note: USF is in Tampa which is not South Florida. That alone should be enough to bet against them.
Arizona ML (+195) on the road vs SDSU
SDSU will be opening Snapdragon Stadium by playing host to the Pac-12’s Arizona Wildcats. Arizona is trending in the right direction with key additions through the transfer portal including Washington State and Pac-12 Freshman of the year QB Jayden de Laura. Joining de Laura is UTEP WR transfer Jacob Cowing who posted over 1,300 yards last year. Arizona will simply score too much for SDSU to keep up and SDSU will not be able to rely on their punter this season. Arizona is also available at +6.5 if you want the points which also makes for a great teaser option to get them to +14.