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Bettors, the time has come. We are finally able to place some bets College football Again. Feels good, right?
While many fans are waiting for the action to kick off in Week 1, I decided to get the party started early with some bets from Week 0. Remember, it’s always worth diving into a market if you do your research.
But that’s what I’m here for. I’ve done the research for you. And as a former college football lineman who also played football. NFLI have a very good perspective to share from the football side and from a bettor’s point of view.
Let’s dive into it.
All times ET
Saturday, August 24
Florida State vs Georgia Tech (Afternoon, ESPN)
There will be heavy betting on the first game of the college football season, with the public going with Georgia Tech and the under.
Florida State is entering 2024 with new players on the field. The Seminoles have a new quarterback, running back, top receiver and two offensive linemen. They have to replace two defensive linemen who were selected with the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, as well as five other starters. There is also the notion that the Seminoles will be drunk off of their 13-0, 2023 regular season, resulting in a sluggish start.
Georgia Tech had a weird first full season under Brent Key in 2023. The Yellow Jackets won several games they shouldn’t have won, but then got beaten by a MAC team. They’re hoping for more stability in 2024, and after constant roster changes, Tech feels like this year is going to be better.
From 2022 to 2023, Georgia Tech’s offense improved a lot, and that unit is bringing back several key pieces in 2024. The defense should be better after hiring a coordinator in the offseason and adding new pieces on that side of the ball. However, I don’t think Georgia Tech is ready to cover a game like this, and it’s a very public side, so I’d stay away from it.
Instead, I’ll take a prop for one player for the first game of the season.
Florida State’s offensive game will always feature the run under head coach Mike Norvell. The Seminoles return three offensive linemen, plus their offensive line coach is the offensive coordinator. They lost trey benson But there’s still plenty of talent in the running back room. There’s uncertainty in the receiving room after losing talent to the NFL. There are no proven weapons and someone – or several – will need to emerge in the passing game to make up for the transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei,
DJU is on the team for the third time in three years. He played three seasons CLEMSONthen on one Oregon State before coming to FSU. He’s very talented, but he’s not accurate and throws for a lot less yards than people think.
He only averaged 219 yards per game at Oregon State and I expect the same to be true at his new team as the Seminoles emphasize the run and the offensive line. And since this is Game 1 and they don’t have proven weapons on the edge, I think it will be even more run heavy play for Norvell.
With all that in mind, I’m taking DJU to under 231.5 passing yards for the first game of the season.
Pick: DJ Uiagalelei under 231.5 passing yards
CFB Week 0 Player Props: Oregon’s Evan Stewart and Dillon Gabriel
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SMU had the best scoring offense in the country last season, averaging 38.7 points per game. The Mustangs bring back eight starters, including all of their skill position players. That leaves them with three new offensive linemen, but they have a great offensive line coach who has developed talent over the last few years.
SMU should be able to continue moving forward with their powerful offensive strategy under head coach Rhett Lashlee.
Nevada was terrible last season and won just two games. The Wolf Pack has a new staff, but this group may struggle again this season. Bill Connelly’s SP+ has Nevada projected to finish 120th this season, while SMU’s offense is expected to rank 22nd.
Last year — against a defense like Nevada — SMU scored 55 Templeagainst 69 Tulsa and 59 against NavyI’m betting on the Mustangs’ ability to get off to a fast start against the Wolf Pack this season.
Pick: SMU team scored over 41.5 total points
Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He played eight seasons in the NFL for five different teams. He started at right tackle for the University of Oregon for three seasons and was selected second-team All-Pac-12 in his senior year. Follow him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartzGeoffSchwartz,
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