There’s a lot to be excited for as the fall season approaches, but I’m personally most excited for week one of college football. Last week was an appetizer, but as the great Eric Cartman once said “Appetizers are what you eat before you eat, to make you more hungry.” Tomorrow night is going to be awesome as my UConn Huskies will play in front of a packed crowd against North Carolina State and the Utah Utes will host the Florida Gators. I’m ready to get back on my horse and win some picks this year so here are three bets for tomorrow nights games.
NOTE: All lines are from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Yearly Record: 2-1
UCF vs Kent State Over 55.5
The spread for this game is UCF -36.5, and after taking USC -31 vs San Jose State, I’m opting to stay away from massive lines like that. But what does intrigue me is the 55.5 over. Last season with John Rhys Plumlee at quarterback, the Knights averaged 32.8 points per game, but against non Power 5 and non AAC schools, they averaged 48 points per game. I think with how much returning talent UCF has on offense, they’ll put up 42-49 points. The Knights defense is slightly above average, but I’m banking on Kent State scoring at least 10 points. Maybe that’s a boneheaded way to think, but I believe this over cashes very closely.
Utah -4.5 vs Florida
This feels like a no brainer. Utah at home laying 4.5 points to Florida is my lock of the night. Last year when these two teams faced off in the swamp, Florida won 29-26 and sealed the deal with a late interception. But that was a more talented Florida team. That team had Anthony Richardson at quarterback who ran for three touchdowns and one of the nation’s best offensive linemen with O’Cyrus Torrence. Both of those guys are gone and at the helm is Graham Mertz, who frankly isn’t one of the nations 50 best quarterbacks. This game is going to be the start to a long and painful season for Florida.
Even with Cam Rising out, I love the Utes. I know it will be a lot to be thrown into for backup QB Bryson Barnes, but with weapons like Mycah Pittman, Ja’Quinden Jackson, and Money Parks around him, there’s no reason he won’t light up Florida’s below average defense. Hammer the Utes -4.5.
UConn +14.5 vs North Carolina State
Tomorrow night, UConn is going to surprise a lot of the college football world. While I’m way too nervous to bet UConn money line, I feel extremely confident in them receiving 14.5 in front of a packed Rentschler Field. Part of the reason I like this is because I think the Wolfpack are going to disappoint this year. Devin Leary transferred out and they lack talent and experience on both sides of the ball.
For UConn, they didn’t lose much at all this offseason. They brought back Christian Haynes and Noel Ofori-Nyadu, who were a part of an offensive line that allowed only 18 sacks in 2022. Weapons wise, they still have Justin Joly, Victor Rosa, Devontae Houston, and brought in Brett Buckman. The one question on offense is transfer quarterback Joe Fagnano, but from what I’ve read and watched of him last year at Maine, he’s a baller. The Huskies defense is also returning a lot with Jackson Mitchell being the most notable. Unlike the Gators who talked about earlier, the Huskies are in for a huge year and it starts tomorrow night.
