COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK ONE

Thursday 8 PM Mississippi -2.5 (-120) @ Vanderbilt Mississippi was playing like a top 15 team in college football at the end of last season. They were playing very well and executing on both sides of the ball. The Rebels have a significant advantage with Bo Wallace at Quarterback and have a better defense. Vandy will be without an experienced starting Wide Receiver so expect their inexperienced QB to struggle in the pass game. This is a first game for Mississippis million freshmen 5-star recruits so I look for the Rebels to bring their top game, get a lead early and force Vandy to have to pass more than they want. Ole Miss should be able to stack the box while not having to worry about Vandys pass game, weakling the Vanderbilt run game. Vandy wont have this luxury and will have to play a more balanced defense due to the solid passing of Bo Wallace. I was going to play this at -3, but the line thankfully dropped to -2.5 so I really like it now and am willing to pay for it. Mississippi 28 Vanderbilt 19 Saturday 12:20 PM Toledo +24 @ Florida Like last year, Florida is going to have a tough time scoring touchdowns with the sloppy QB play of Jeff Driskel this season. The Gators are missing key offensive personnel due to injury (2 best linemen, starting RB and WR). Florida has a huge matchup at Miami next week so they wont be looking to run up the score if the game is decided. Toledo returns a 1500+ yard running back and 4 offensive line men from last years team that was one of the best teams in America at running the rock. Florida has a retooled front 7 on defense and I expect Toledo to be able to find some holes with their spread attack early. Look for Florida to have a conservative offensive approach while Toledo being able to run the ball and take time off the clock. I expect Toledo to play Florida tough for a while and keep it within 3 touchdowns. Florida 31 Toledo 16 Saturday 3:30 Central Michigan +31 @ Michigan Michigan is overrated this year and this line is way too much. They have a huge game vs. Notre Dame next week as well. Centrals glaring weakness is their secondary but Michigan still cant pass the ball like top 25 teams should be able to. Central has shown that they have been able to score vs. Big 10 teams in the previous years and I expect them to put up a few points in this one versus a team that will be looking to stay up for a bigger game next week. Giving 31 is way too many points for a Brady Hooke coached offense. Michigan is stating 3 inexperienced interior linemen (2 Guards and Center), so expect Michigan to have to grind out large drives that take time off the clock. CMUis 6-2 vs. the spread in their last 8 games versus Big 10 teams which shows just how excited Central gets when face Big 10 teams. Michigan 34 Central Michigan 17 Saturday 3:30 PM Syracuse Vs. Penn State -8.5 (Game in New Jersey) Syracuse isnt going to score much in this game. Penn State brings back a solid defense with a very good secondary and a few talented edge rushers. Syracuse will be with a new coach and quarterback. I expect Christian Hackenberg to start for the Lions and play well behind an experienced O-Line with a power rushing game to help aid him. Since Syracuses defense lacks a serious edge rusher, they are forced to blitz early and often and bring pressure with linebackers and defensive backs. Bill OBrien is the best play caller in football and will exploit these blitzes with his three talented tight ends and the Big 10s top receiver Allen Robinson. Syracuse shouldnt have the vertical threats in the passing game to keep Penn State out of the box. Im predicting a low scoring game that Penn State walks away from with a solid win. Penn State 27 Syracuse 13 3 Team 7 Point Teaser- North Carolina +20, Penn State -1.5, and Florida State 3 Money Line- Western Kentucky +180 Bobby Petrino at home versus a bad Kentucky team that he wanted to coach. Good value here. Total- PSU/Cuse UNDER 52.5 Took this early, I dont think Cuse is going to put up a lot of points and PSU could take a little while to get going on offense. Total- BYU/ Virginia UNDER 50 Low scoring game with BYU grinding out drives and beating UVA up in the trenches