Current Record: 2-0
What’s up guys! Working on sweat and generator power as Hurricane Ida came through and caused massive damage to the Gulf South, but here we are. Week 1 is here after a profitable sample from Week 0 (2-0). I have 5 plays for this week, so enough talk, lets get down to it.
North Carolina (-5.5)
North Carolina will start off it’s potential National Title run Friday night in Blacksburg. Sam Howell will have his team and new offensive weapons ready to strike against Justin Fuente’s underachieving Hokies. Howell will have the tough task of breaking in his new WR and RB squad in Lane Stadium, which can be one of the rowdiest places to play.
Virginia Tech leads the overall series 24-12 and are 4-1 in their last 5. But this is not Frank Beamer’s team and, most of all, this is Mack Brown’s Tar Heels. The Hokies are returning plenty of starters, but I believe Howell proves too talented to be stopped Week 1. Look for the Heels to cover the 5.5.
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Miami (OH)/ Cincinnati (OVER 50.5)
I think Desmond Ridder starts his Heisman campaign roaring out the gate against the Red Hawks. All of the trends and angles for this game scream under but I’m not buying it this week. Miami OH is 18th in the country in returning production and Chuck Martin has Blaine Gabbert’s younger brother Brett at the helm. Returning all but 2 starters and Northwestern transfer Isiah Bowser, I see Miami OH hanging in there against the Bearcats in the first half.
Ridder will see his offense through in the second half and turn up the volume on the defense with help from deep threat Alec Pierce and Bama RB transfer Jerome Ford. I see the Bearcats securing the win, but in a more high end scoring affair than anticipated. (Projection: Cin- 37, Mia(OH)- 20)
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University of Miami (+19.5)
Call me crazy or insane I do not care. I am all in on the D’Eriq King hype train this season. Miami is returning all but 1 playmaker on offense in TE Brevin Jordan and has the most experienced offensive line in the NCAA. Alabama is breaking in a brand new QB in Bryce Young, which hasn’t been a problem in the past but this is a new year.
This is also the first time in King’s college career that he gets to play in the same offensive system and coordinator in Rhett Lashlee. Lashlee was the offensive coordinator at Auburn the year that they knocked off Bama with the famous “Kick 6”. Look for Miami to bring absolutely everything at Alabama and cover the 19.5 and possibly shock the world. I’ve seen crazier things happen.
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Ohio (+1.5)
Longtime Head Coach Frank Solich shockingly decided to hang em up just over a month ago, which took the team by surprise. But fear not, as longtime Associate Head Coach Tim Albin steps in, so we shouldn’t expect too much variance with the team. Syracuse is just a mess in general.
Dino Babers has not been able to replicate his past success with this bunch and is not expecting a much more promising 2021. I believe this is a case of ACC over MAC pricing and I do not see The Orange coming on to the Bobcats home turf and claiming a win. Look for Senior RB De’Montre Tuggle to run ragged across the Syracuse secondary and guide the Cats to a Week 1 win. If you can find ML, I would highly suggest it.
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Nevada (+3)
The Wolfpack, led by QB Carson Strong, is in my opinion, just a better team than Cal. There just falling victim of lesser conference pricing. The Pack are 5-1 ATS as underdogs and 4-2 ATS in it’s last 6 overall. Cal is 0-4 ATS as a home favorite and HC Justin Wilcox is 0-8-1 as a home favorite the past 3 years.
Nevada isn’t great as an away team, but I see the numbers playing in their favor. Look for Strong to make the necessary plays and RB Toa Taua to be the Swiss Army knife for this offense. Take the +3 and watch the dog bark Saturday night.
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Best Bet: LSU (-3)
Don’t overcomplicate things. UCLA demolished an extremely inferior Hawaii and LSU is still one of the most talented football teams in the nation. Sometimes line moves after 1 game can make or break a bet and in this case the pendulum swings in the Tigers favor. Maxx Johnson will be anxious to get the Bayou Bengals started on the right foot and lead his offense, featured by explosive WR Kayshon Boutte.
LSU features one of the most deadly cornerback duos in the nation with Eli Ricks and Heisman hopeful Derek Stingley Jr. Dorian Thompson-Robinson could only complete 10 passes against the Warriors and I don’t think Charbonnet will see as many Swiss Cheese holes in the Tigers defensive interior. Another flame to light LSU’s fire is Hurricane Ida, as the Tiger’s want nothing more than to bring home a W from California and put some smiles on the faithful’s faces. Look for the LSU Tigers to unleash their teeth on the Bruins and cover the 3.
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Honorable Mention: Duke (-6)
Not sure why this line is so short, considering Duke handled Charlotte last season 53-19 as 10 point favorites. Charlotte was one of Duke’s 2 wins in 2020 and Charlotte doesn’t seem to move the needle much more heading into 2021. Charlotte gets Duke at home this week, so that could have caused the line variance, but I expect David Cutcliffe’s squad to take care of business in what seems like his farewell season. Slight lean to Gunnar Holmberg and the Duke offense to scratch their way to a victory in Charlotte to start 2021 1-0.
Best of luck to all that are tailing and please keep everybody who was affected by Hurricane Ida in your prayers. Let’s keep this train rolling!