I’m back, baby. After taking the summer (mostly) off and working behind the scenes as the new Student U Editor in Chief (not to flex), I’m ready to hand out some winners this college football season. Week 0 is, in my opinion, the hardest week to gamble in college football. There aren’t many games and the itch to hammer every single one of them is real. Although I may end up doing just that, here are three bets I love for this weekend.
Northwestern (+11.5) vs Nebraska
I know many have tabbed Nebraska as the greatest 3-9 team of all time last season, and that may be true. But the Huskers entering a Week 0 game as double digit favorites in Ireland is too much. This will be the first time in the last 25 years that Nebraska will feature a QB not named Martinez and, although I like Texas transfer Casey Thompson under center, can we trust Nebraska’s offense to be firing on all cylinders? I don’t think so. Northwestern’s passing offense will probably continue to stink in 2022, but their defense should be better and they can run the ball fairly well. I expect a traditional Big Ten battle in Ireland. Nebraska should win, but Northwestern will keep it close enough to cover. Let’s not forget Nebraska shot themselves in the foot seemingly every single weekend last year.
Wyoming (+13) at Illinois
Another big line that I see the underdog keeping close. I’ve seen former Syracuse QB Tommy DeVito up close and personal the last few years. I always thought he had the tools to be great. However, he could never put it together and was eventually benched last season. Now on a new team wearing the same orange and blue colors, DeVito is ready for his next challenge. I’m sorry, but Tommy DeVito favored by 13 points against a non-FCS team is troubling. Wyoming boasted a solid pass defense last year and this might make Illinois one dimensional on offense. The Cowboys are by no means a good football team, as they lost both of their quarterbacks from last year, but they do have some nice offensive pieces returning that can help out new signal caller and Utah State transfer Andrew Peasley. Unfortunately for Wyoming, they can’t bring back the best QB in the NFL Josh Allen for this one. Expect another Big Ten type of game where defenses rule the day. The Pokes will keep this one close.
Nevada (-8.5) at New Mexico State
I’ve read so much on this game that I almost changed my initial pick of Nevada. The Wolfpack were my original lock of the week and I’m sticking with them. This line opened around 13 and has since dipped all the way down to 8.5. This is usually a warning sign that some sharps are loving the Aggies, but I’m ignoring this and saying I just love this line even more. Both sidelines will feature new head coaches, with Ken Wilson for Nevada and Jerry Kill for New Mexico State. The two things that hurt Nevada this week are half their team and coaching staff leaving for Colorado State, the NFL, and elsewhere, and the fact that despite a 2-9 record, New Mexico State was a spread covering machine last season. Here’s the good news, Wolfpack fans and bettors. The Aggies STUNK last year at defending the run and Nevada features two veteran backs in Toa Taua and Devonte Lee. Last year, Nevada was a pass-heavy offense under Carson Strong’s big arm. Now, new head coach Ken Wilson wants to feature a more balanced attack. While this game may stay close early, New Mexico State just does not have the talent to hang with Mountain West athletes. Give me Nevada to cover and win by double-digits.