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You’re reading an article about betting on college football. Life is good.
- Week One Picks: 2-1 (66%)
- 2019-20 Picks: 4-1 (80%)
We're here to dive into the numbers, teams, and picks setup for this weekend in college football. I could honestly find a way to bet on every game but instead I scour the large slate of college football games and pick which ones present the most value for you.
Follow me on Twitter @sgjanik_6 to chat about football and my picks. I’m also on the Action App @sgjanik6 where I’ll post all the picks below and more this season. Here’s the motto we’ll take through the year: Bet. Sweat. Keep the wallet wet.
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USF at Georgia Tech (-6)
O/U: 62
The Charlie Strong-led Bulls are coming off a 49-0 loss to Wisconsin in Week 1. Quarterback Blake Barnett wasn’t too good in his first season at USF last year and obviously 2019 isn’t off to a good start. While he was once a heralded recruit, there’s a reason he’s now at his third school since leaving high school. He went 13-for-30 for 109 yards and two interceptions last week. While his receivers didn’t do him any justice, this offense is in a dismal spot. Dating back to last year, they’ve dropped seven straight games. The USF defense was one of the nation’s worst last year, but luckily they get to play a Georgia Tech team who has a new coach with a new offense that is using players who were recruited for the triple option offense.
Georgia Tech got dismantled by top-ranked Clemson 52-14 to open the season, and it could have been worse. The Yellow Jackets have a new coach in Geoff Collins and 2019 marks the first season since 2008 that Tech isn’t running the triple option offense. However, Collins is tasked with putting together a competitive team with former coach Paul Johnson’s roster. There is no set quarterback as of yet, as three guys threw a pass in Week 1, with the best being James Graham going 4 of 7 for 72 yards and a touchdown. Collins has no idea who his quarterback is, which is pretty essential to being a mildly successful football team. One plus side for Georgia Tech, their defense was able to intercept Trevor Lawrence twice last week, so if they can make Barnett and crew uncomfortable, it could get ugly.
This might be the worst game on the entire slate, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be had. USF and Georgia Tech’s offense are in bad places right now. Both side’s are left replacing some playmakers on defense, but it’s hard to expect anything exciting from either of these teams.
Pick: Under 62
Coastal Carolina at Kansas (-7.5)
O/U: 54.5
Coastal is fresh off a tough 30-23 loss to Eastern Michigan in Week 1. Fred Payton threw for 304 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. Dual-threat back C.J. Marable rushed for 49 yards, while also catching seven balls for 84 yards and a score. As in any game, turnovers were the deciding factor, so Payton needs to work on his decision making. While the preparation for Hurricane Dorian has effected the team’s travel plans, Coastal was solid last year on the road, going 4-3 against the spread (ATS) as visitors.
Kansas needed a late-fourth quarter drive to beat FCS Indiana State 24-17. Not exactly what fans want to hear, but quarterback Carter Stanley was efficient, going 20-for-29 for 249 yards and two touchdowns. However, this week they get back All-Big 12 running back Pooka Williams, who was serving a one-game suspension for an arrest. Williams is the bread-and-butter of this team but aside from him, this offense has some issues that head coach Les Miles will have to iron out. Last week, the defense forced two turnovers but going against an FCS team, that’s nothing to write home about. Kansas has a ton of work to do to become competitive in the Big 12.
Coastal has more talent all-around and going on the road should help them forget about everything happening back home with Hurricane Dorian. Kansas went 3-3 ATS at home last season and welcoming Williams back will definitely give them an edge. This game opened with the Jayhawks as -10 favorites but has since shifted downward. If it gets to -7 or below, then you can start considering to lean Kansas, but jump on the Chanticleers before it gets to that point.
Pick: Coastal Carolina +7.5
Nevada at Oregon (-24)
O/U: 61.5
Nevada just pulled off an incredible 34-31 upset of Purdue in Week One, thanks to 17-unanswered points in the fourth quarter by the Wolfpack. A walk-off field goal by Brandon Talton overshadowed redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Strong's 295 yards passing with three touchdowns. Strong was given the keys to the offense in camp and coach Jay Norvell was rewarded with a victory over a Power Five team. An important thing to note is that Nevada was always playing from behind against Purdue, and it is surely to be the same case against Oregon. Strong should continue to force feed receiver Elijah Cooks and Kaleb Fossum, and while Oregon is sure to be angry after their season-opening loss, Nevada's offense is capable of hanging in there.
The Oregon Ducks couldn't get the job done in the second half against Auburn in Week One, blowing an eight-point lead to lose 27-21. Missed opportunities to put points on the board spelled doom for the Ducks, but star quarterback Justin Herbert was still solid, throwing for 242 yards and a score. That all came with Oregon's receiving corps being decimated with injuries. While those are still likely to linger into this week, Herbert showed no problems targeting the guys he had available. Oregon is looking to bounce back, and in a big way, so a statement win is important for coach Mario Cristobal.
The total has gone over in each of the last two times these team's have met and . Oregon is in a spot at home to put up a lot of points after a tough loss, while Nevada is looking to prove that their win over Purdue wasn't a fluke. Look for Herbert to show off his big arm, despite missing his top targets. For Nevada, Strong is a young arm with a lot to prove in another big game for the Wolfpack.
Pick: Over 61.5
