Week Zero Is Here

   There are only 8 games this week but hey, it’s College Football. Everybody gets going next week, but since we are going to watch this week, we may as well find something to play. Strictly for entertainment purposes only of course.

   Some pretty good information I found for us to consider. The day games to look at starts at 11:00 AM Central Time. TCU and North Carolina travel across the pond to play in Dublin, Ireland. The line opened as TCU favored by 8 1/2, but is currently sitting at 6 1/2. The Toads ruined Belichick’s debut last year routing them 48-14. Things to look at; TCU is 6 and 1 straight up and 5 and 2 against the spread versus The ACC, as well as 3 and 1 in openers. North Carolina however is 0 and 8 straight up against the Big 12 and 1 and 7 against the spread. That is enough for me to lean TCU – 6 1/2. The next game is North Carolina State going to Virginia. The home standing Cavaliers are favored by 3. Talk about contradicting stats. North Carolina State has won the last 4 games and 6 of the last 7. However Virginia is 8 and 2 straight up and 7 and 3 against the spread in opening games. I will pass on this game and just watch it. There are a couple of FCS teams moving up and playing their very first games as FBS teams. I have some stats on both to give you if you want to play, but I am passing on these. North Dakota State is hosting Jacksonville State and is favored by 10. The excitement level will be through the roof. Jax State is 0 and 6 straight up and 1 and 5 against the spread on the road versus non conference opponents. The other team joining the “big boys” this year is  the Sacramento Hornets traveling to play Eastern Michigan.  The Eagles are favored 8 1/2. They are also 8 and 2 straight up, but only 6 and 4 in openers. Sacramento State is 6 and 1 all time versus FBS teams. I will just keep an eye on these 2 games.

   There are 2 games with big lines. I can give you this information for you to consider. #14 Southern Cal is favored 27 1/2 over San Jose State. The Trojans are 12-6-1 against the spread versus non conference as well as 5 and 0 straight up and 4 and 1 against the spread in openers. San Jose State is 7 and 3 against the spread versus non conference. The other game with a large line is Florida State favored by 38 at home to New Mexico State. The Seminoles are only 3 and 3 against the spread in openers, but New Mexico State is worse at 0 and 7 in opening games. They are however 8 and 5 against the spread as a 20+ point dog. If you have followed my blog in the past, you know I don’t play any games with a line this high. However, if you like the stats,  trends, or just feel froggy, then jump.

   There are 2 interesting night games to delve into. Hawaii travels to Standford. The Cardinal are favored by 3. New coach Tavaita Prichard hopes to avoid the upset Hawaii sprang last year. Stanford is only 13-27 straight up at home recently and 14-25-1 against the spread. Hence the new Head Coach. I thought I would lean Hawaii, but decided to pass. That is a long travel and 3 is a low number. Since there is no gun to my head, I will pass on this one. The late game of the night has Memphis and new Head Coach Charles Huff going out to Vegas as a 3 point dog at UNLV. Memphis is an impressive 11 and 1 straight up in openers and 7-5 against the spread. UNLV is 4 and 0 straight up and against the spread in their openers. The Rebels are also 14 and 6 straight up and 16 and 4 versus non conference opponents. Dan Mullen starts his second year here and got former 5 star recruit Jackson Arnold from Auburn via Oklahoma. If the “quarterback whisperer” can get him to reach his potential, then it is possible for UNLV to reach their win toal of 10 from a year ago. New Memphis coach, time zone change make kickoff for them feel like 11:PM, and only 5 defensive starters back going against Mullen ad Arnold. I will play UNLV and lay the 3.

   That is it for this week. Lets quickly review the light selection this week. Lean TCU – 6 1/2 and play UNLV -3. Good luck. Check back next week on my blog as the college football season will be in full swing.