College Football Week 1 Odds, Picks & Prediction: Friday (9/2)
Letâs take a look at the College Football Week 1 odds, picks, and predictions for Fridayâs games.
And check out our other game previews and picks for Week 1 of College Football:
- New Mexico State vs. Minnesota
- Georgia State vs. South Carolina
- Nevada vs. Texas State
- Western Kentucky vs. Hawaii
- North Carolina State vs. East Carolina
- Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
- Boise State vs. Oregon State
- Arizona vs. San Diego State
- Utah State vs. Alabama
- Middle Tennessee vs. James Madison
- Cincinnati vs. Arkansas
- Florida State vs. LSU
- Utah vs. Florida
- Colorado State vs. Michigan
- Rice vs. USC
- Oregon vs. Georgia
- Louisiana-Monroe vs. Texas
- Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
College Football Week 1 Early Odds, Picks & Prediction: Friday
TCU vs. Colorado
Youâll have to get this one quick, as it was at TCU -10.5 a few days ago and seems to get bigger by the day! Sonny Dykes will bring a lot more offense to this team as his SMU teams were top 15 in passing and averaged over 300 passing yards per game. TCU was firmly in the middle last season at 60th in passing. While they wonât jump up into that top 15 range, I think they should be much better with Chandler Morris at QB.
Quentin Johnston is an NFL-caliber receiver that only had 33 receptions last year and 22 as a Freshman, but that will change very quickly under Dykes. I know Iâve talked about continuity, and TCU has a new coach and offensive system, but Colorado is rough. They lost eight games last year, seven of which were wider than this margin, and I believe TCU will overpower them. Horned Frogs are easy in this one!
Bet: TCU (-13.5)
- Scott Bogman
Indiana vs. Illinois
This game is going to be UGLY! Illinois was really impressive in their Week Zero win against Wyoming, scoring in every quarter and piling up over 250 rushing yards. That task wonât be as easy this week in a road matchup against Indiana, as the Hoosiers return six starters, including two All-Conference players. Illinois also has the advantage on defense because they played together last week and held Wyoming to 212 total yards and two field goals.
Indiana is only returning three starters, but they all are on the line. My concern is that the starting QB, the top two RBs, and the No. 2 WR are all transfers. I feel this game will be two struggling offenses slugging it out. Illinois is struggling against a strong defense, and Indiana is struggling due to a lack of live reps together. In this picture Iâve painted, it benefits to take the team getting the points and the under, so weâll do that in an early season slugfest!
Bet: Illinois +4.5
- Scott Bogman
Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech
A confluence of factors has us on the under.
Defensive-minded former Penn State DC Brent Pry will not have a full complement of offensive personnel in his debut. Virginia Tech projected starting RB Malachi Thomas has been out with a leg injury for a few weeks and is expected to miss this game. The Hokies will roll with a platoon of Jalen Holston and Keshawn King.
Virginia Techâs new quarterback, Marshall transfer Grant Wells, will acclimate to a new supporting cast behind an offensive line that has four true freshmen on the two-deep. Virginia Tech has very little talent in the receiving corps.
Old Dominionâs defense finished No. 11 in the nation in points per scoring opportunity allowed in the red zone. Virginia Tech does not project as a strong red zone offense, anyway.
The forecast is calling for 15 mph winds in Norfolk on Friday evening. Thatâs the point, statistically, where wind begins to wreak havoc on offensive football, particularly on the pass. I expect a low-scoring chess match.
Bet: UNDER 48.5
- Thor Nystrom
Western Michigan vs. Michigan State
Bet: Michigan State -19.5
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