Wake Forest Demon Deacons over Florida State Seminoles: I am not expecting Wake to have a chance s/u however with these many inflated points offered that is not critical. Wake can effectively run the ball and that is a big adv as a big dog. Chews up clock and keeps the game close. This a flat spot for Flor St. as I often refer to win and move on. Flor St. is off a physical emotional win over Mia 20-19 a blocked extra point with one minute left. Next on tap Clemson. Wake would do little to motivate a spirited effort by the home side.
Arkansas Razorbacks over Alabama Crimson Tide: Ala comes in the #1 ranked team and deservedly so. 5-0 a high profile team led by Saban to bet on them you will almost always pay a premium. That soed not mean they will not cover because anything can happen in one game but it will cost you more if you take that side. Last year in Ala they beat Ark 27-14. Now the venue changes to Ark. Ark is no pushover they are ranked 16th. In what will likely be a lower scoring game the points offered are substantial with the value pointing to the home team.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons over North Carolina St. Wolfpack: NCst is off a bye. WForest is off an upset over Ind on the road as a 7 point dog. This line opened 9.5 and has continued to climb to a point where we now get excellent value. Yes QB Hinton out and RB Carney is out but those injuries have been accounted for in the line and more. NCst has excellent balance on offense however WForest has been able to put pressure on the QB and has an excellent 2ndary. This game will be much closer than expected with the back door if necessary will be wide open.
Ohio State Buckeyes over Oklahoma Sooners: First test of the year for OHST. Barrett will not be intimidated by this road matchup. OHST despite the roster turnover has a solid defense and excellent balance on offense. Okl is a good football team not great. That opening game loss in Houst would be a concern and now despite being at home they take a big step up in class.
Virginia Tech Hokies over Tennessee Volunteers: This is a lot of points especially at a neutral site. This game will be played at a speedway in Bristol Tenn about midway between both campuses. Approx 150,000 fans are expected. Regardless when you have a defense as good as Virg Tech these points become very attractive. Both teams were unimpressive in their respective opening games. In fact Tenn was forced to OT By App St even though they were a 21.5 point favorite.
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles over Kentucky Wildcats: S.Miss has a new head coach in Hopson. They have a top flight QB in Mullens. S. Miss off co-ord Dawson was fired by Kent last year. You know he is going to want to rub it in. Secondly he will be able to help the defense prepare for the Kent offense. Kent defense has lost 7 of 8 leading tacklers. Stoops is on the hot seat with a very disappointing finish to last year.
Florida International Golden Panthers over Indiana Hoosiers: A lot of points to be spotting on the road in game 1. Jr QB Jagow looked good in spring but he has big shoes to replace in Sudfeld. Ind has a balanced offense and will put up some points. However this team lost 4 on the defensive line and what should be a high scoring game FIU will get their share of points as well. Fiu returns 9 on offense. JR QB McGough will be at his 3rd year at the helm. They also have an experienced RB with Gardner. Lack of a pass rush will hurt FIU.
Clemson Tigers over Alabama Crimson Tide: Anytime I can get these many points no matter what game or what team with a side that can win outright sign me up. This is not to take anything away from Ala but these points offered are excellent value. I have this game at 4.5.
Oregon Ducks over TCU Horned Frogs: Yes everyone is aware Boykin is out for TCU. However the line has not moved enough. It is also very likely to continue to go up so we will jump on this now. Secondly what is being overlooked is the loss as well of WR Dotson for TCU. It is being overshadowed by Boykin and not accounted for properly in the line.
Houston Cougars over Florida State Seminoles: Past reputation of Flor St. coming from a power conf has this line higher that it should be. It will be the Flor St defense against a well balanced attack of Houst that will determine the s/u winner.