By Doug Upstone
Sides Only
CFB- USC at Hawaii Thursday 11:00 EDT ESPN
Those betting on sports do not believe motivation will be an issue for USC to start the season for coach Lane Kiffin’s crew, as the Trojans began at -18 and are presently -21. With no bowl game in their immediate future, this is an inverse bowl game of sorts for USC. Everyone knows Kiffin’s club has superior talent and is expected to carry on first game tradition of 12-1 and 11-2 ATS mark.
CFB- Minnesota at Mid. Tennessee State Thursday 7:30 EDT ESPNU
The Blue Raiders went from 3.5-point home faves to +2.5 underdogs with the indefinite suspension of QB Dwight Dasher for accepting a loan in violation of NCAA rules. Coach Rick Stockstill announced Sunday sophomore Logan Kilgore will start at quarterback for M.T.S. and he was 21 of 34 for 322 yards in their spring game after transferring this past January from Bakersfield College in California. The shaken Blue Raiders are 2-6 and 1-4 ATS in home openers.
CFB- Arizona at Toledo Friday 8:00 EDT ESPN
Off back to back bowl seasons, Arizona tries to take the next growth step in respectability with 10 offensive starters back and a rare national cable audience. The Wildcats have diverse offense led by QB Nick Foles and they are being counted on to add to Toledo’s rebuilding issues, moving from 12.5 to 14.5-point road favorites. Toledo will rely on veteran offensive line to pull the upset and Arizona is 0-6 ATS as road favorites of more than four points.
CFB- Miami-O at Florida Saturday 12:00 EDT ESPN
The Gators are 35-point pick at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after first being acknowledged as 30.5-point choice. Under Urban Meyer, Florida is 17-3 ATS vs. FBS non-conference foes.
CFB- Northwestern at Vanderbilt Saturday 7:30 EDT GamePlan
The sudden departure of former coach Bobby Johnson, who brought respectability to the Vanderbilt program, has left a void in this Nashville-based university. Commodore head coach Robbie Caldwell is attempting to keep things on track with the 12 returning starters. Visiting Northwestern was taken from 3-point road favorites to 5.5, with a veteran offense line already in place and is 8-2 and 7-2 ATS marks in initial contest of the season.
CFB- Texas vs Rice Saturday 3:30 EDT ESPN
The Longhorns don’t open at home for the first time since 1995 and have been bet downward to 30.5 from original forecast of 32-point chalk. That is interesting news since Texas is 18-0 and 12-5 ATS against non-conference in-state schools with average winning margin 38 points.
CFB- UCLA at Kansas State Saturday 3:30 EDT ABC/GamePlan
Oddsmakers hung a +1.5 on Kansas State in Manhattan and those reviewing the football betting line flipped them to 1.5-point favorites. These are two young teams trying to move up the ladder in respective conferences. The Wildcats can win and cover if RB Daniel Thomas is established early against unproven UCLA defensive tackles. The Bruins need QB Kevin Prince to play solid, limit turnovers and have clutch kicker Kai Forbath supply winning margin.
CFB- LSU vs North Carolina Saturday 8:00 EDT ABC
This was supposed to be the return of North Carolina football on a grand stage, facing a marquee opponent. The Tar Heels were a Pick when the number was originally released and were slight favorite’s at most wagering outlets until NCAA investigation into agent-related benefits that has since expanded into a probe of possible academic misconduct. With the possible suspension of an undetermined amount of players that might not be decided until late in the week, UNC figures to continue to be an even larger underdog (three-points today) by game time.
CFB- Cincinnati at Fresno State Saturday 10:00 EDT ESPN2
Coach Pat Hill loves when big-time programs visit raisin-country. For those watching football betting lines, Fresno State has gone from 1-point home favorite to -3. Of concern has to be the Bulldogs 2-10-1 ATS record as home betting choice the past four years.
CFB- UL-Lafayette at Georgia Saturday 12:20 EDT GamePlan
The Bulldogs 1-10 ATS mark as chalk at Sanford Stadium and 7-18 ATS record as double digit favorites, tells story of how superior everyone believes Georgia is over UL-Lafayette talent-wise. Coach Mark Richt’s ‘Dogs departed as 24-point play and reside at -28 this Monday.
Totals Only
CFB- Marshall at Ohio State Thursday 7:30 EDT BTN
The second-ranked Buckeyes have caught the attention of football bettors as the total has risen from 45 to 47, with QB Terrelle Pryor deemed ready for a huge campaign after Rose Bowl coming out party. Marshall returns seven starters on defense, but the Buckeyes figure to score and are 47-27 OVER when they total 28 or more points.
CFB- Florida Atlantic at UAB Thursday 7:30 EDT
The Owls of FAU have just three starters back on offense and none of that trio is a quarterback or offensive linemen. That would suggest a heavy dose of RB Alfred Morris for Florida Atlantic. UAB returns nine defensive starters and though they permitted over 450 yards per game last season, facing a one dimensional foe should help, along the more experience. The total has moved from 56 points to 50 and the Blazers are 10-2 UNDER when they allow 3.5 to 4 rushing yards per attempt.
CFB- Illinois at Missouri Saturday 12:30 EDT FSN
It’s an important year for Ron Zook at Illinois if he expects to be back next season as head coach. The Fighting Illini has arguably the least experienced quarterbacks in the country and Missouri will be without RB Derrick Washington due to off the field issues. Little wonder this normally high scoring affair has plummeted from 57 to 54 points thanks to online football betting players.
CFB- Texas vs Rice Saturday 3:30 EDT ESPN
The football betting line moved against Texas in this in-state encounter and the total has followed suit with the Longhorns and Rice at a 58.5 number after being released at 63 by oddsmakers. Texas has only scored less than 48 points in last six meetings and the Owls have not surpassed 14 points in past seven tries. With Texas 23-10 OVER in September and Rice 29-10 OVER in the first half of the season, not certain the total is headed the right direction.
CFB- New Mexico at Oregon Saturday 3:30 EDT
Off a 1-11 campaign, New Mexico has an uphill challenge in Eugene vs. the defending Pac-10 champion Oregon Ducks. Oregon has 17 starters in the fold and should be able to name the final score. Will the Lobos be able to match last year’s meager total of 16.3 PPG? Football bettors are guessing “No” with total in freefall from 59.5 to 55. Oregon is 22-8 UNDER when they allow 14 or less points.
CFB- Washington State at Oklahoma State Saturday 7:00 EDT FSN
With three wins in the last two years, coach Paul Wulff of Washington State might be overmatched at this level, but has 17 starters back and will seek better results starting in Stillwater, OK. Coach Mike Gundy might be in some hot water himself, with depleted troops (10 starters back) and nobody raving about the talent on the Oklahoma State campus. This combination of factors has the total mobile and progressing upwards to 49 after starting at 47. The Cougars are 21-9 OVER when the total is between 42.5 and 49 and the Cowboys are 29-14 OVER in lined home contests.
CFB- Arkansas State at Auburn Saturday 7:00 EDT FSS/GamePlan
Coach Gene Chizik believes his offense can score on anybody and they will have a chance to post a big number on Arkansas State being 31-point favorites. The wagering masses see the Tigers having plenty in the tank and were not satisfied with original total of 54 and bumped the number to 57.5. The key number for this battle seems to be 14 points for Arkansas State. The Red Wolves are 21-6 UNDER when they score 14 or less points and Auburn is 32-11 UNDER when they permit 14 or fewer points.