151 Akron vs.152 Ohio State (betting odds: -34)
12:00PM EST ESPN 2Jim Tressell closed
out his Buckeye career on a run of 55-24 ATS. Don't expect the same from Luke
Fickell. For starters the Buckeyes have just 8 RS and feature a tandem of
virgin QBs in Bauserman and Miller. The good news is they are hosting an Akron
team who was just 1-11 SU LY. Though returning 14 RS they do not figure to show
much improvement under the guidance of second year HC Ianello. An inexperienced
offensive line will be overwhelmed by the Ohio State defensive front. Their
inept offense may be the worst in the country. This is clearly a bottom 10
team. They are 8-18 ATS L2Y and were just 1-3 ATS +20+ LY. This number is 10
points less than last years close but amply inflated for the public perception
that the Buckeyes have plenty to prove following their off season debacle.
165 BYU (betting odds: -3) 166 vs. Mississippi 4:45 PM
EST ESP
BYU starts their
maiden voyage as an independent. Wrong place. Wrong time. These mountain boys
will not enjoy the heat and humidity of a southern afternoon in early
September. The Cougar season began as a disaster in 2010. Virgin QB Heaps led
the team to a 1-4 SU ATS start when they lost 31-16 at Utah State. It meant
they had averaged just 15 PPG in their first 5 games. Considering they had
averaged 35 PPG in the previous 2 years this was clearly unacceptable. It was
at that point that HC Mendenhall assumed the DC duties and the QB Heaps began
his ascent. Before you get too excited about this momentum consider that their
last 6 opponents (5-1 SU ATS) were Wyoming, UNLV, Colorado St., New Mexico,
Utah (their loss) and UTEP. In my opinion that does not qualify them to be a
road favorite at an SEC school opening week. Particularly one whose coach and
team have plenty to prove. The Rebels come off a 4-8 SU ATS season in which -6
net TOs helped contribute to a -104 AFP. HC Nutt now enters on negative runs of
4-10 ATS, 2-6 ATS home and 2-5 ATS dog. The bottom line is this: This is an SEC
home dog with much to prove at a site that should be of great advantage. The
rebels have made an upgrade in experience, quality and depth. This upset is
absolutely no surprise to this bureau.
149 Utah State vs.150 Auburn (betting odds -21 1/2 )
12:00PM EST ESPN
Defending champs open
the season laying 3 TDs less than they would have at the end of last year.
Mostly because they have a nation low 6 RS. But that 14-0 SU, 10-4 ATS season
is history for the Tigers. Their inexperience is furthered by the fact that
more than half their roster is underclassman. Despite that fact this has
fostered an "Us against the world"
mentality. This has not been the Tigers role of late. They are just 2-6 ATS
against NC and 1-5 ATS -10+. Should they be covering at one point in time it is
highly probably Chicik will do enough experimenting to leave the back door
open. Utah State will certainly not be awed by the environment. This is a team
who in recent years has traveled to Oklahoma, Nevada, Boise, Utah, A&M,
BYU, Fresno and Hawaii. Those are all arguably tougher venues than the Plains
of Auburn. Third year HC Anderson has logged an 8-2 ATS RD record including 7-0
ATS as +10+. The Utags have 15 RS with some solid skilled position players and
what should be a vastly improved defensive front. A notable reduction in value
along with the fact that State will field a virgin QB is the only thing keeping
this from a high rating.
Free Picks: BYU at Mississippi -- Best Bet from Marco DAngelo
What college football bettors need to know about BYU at Mississippi
(Saturday, September 3rd, 2011) from Pregame.com - Including a free best
bet from Marco D'Angelo and analysis from host RJ Bell.