Wake Forest @ Tulane (+6)
Wake Forest returns a lot of production this year on both offense (74%) and defense (69%) for 72% returning production overall. Their offense was extremely explosive last year as they averaged 465.8 yards per game and 6.29 yards per play. Their defense left a bit to be desired, but the offense was able to make up for that. With returning that much production on defense, they should be a bit improved this year. Wake Forest also returns their leading rusher to go along with an upperclassman stacked offense and defense as they only start 3 underclassmen on offense and 2 on defense. The wild card here will be their true freshman QB Sam Hartman. I would expect a conservative game plan here to get him into game action. They were a run heavy offense last year and I don’t see that changing in the early part of the season.
Tulane returns a lot of their offensive production (86%), but not a lot of their defensive production (44%). Their total returning production is 65%. The major concern here is their defense. They didn’t have a good defense last year as they ranked 98th giving up an average of 436.1 yards per game and 6.68 yards per play. They also start 5 underclassmen on defense. The bright side for Tulane will be their offense early on this year. They return starting QB Jonathan Banks. He’s a senior and second year starter for this team so we’ll see if they open up the offense for him at all. He’s a dual threat QB who mostly ran last year in a run heavy offensive scheme. Tulane also lost Dontrell Hilliard who was their leading rusher at 1,091 yards for the season. Darius Bradwell will have some big shoes to fill, but he did average 6.2 yards per carry last year. We’ll see if he can keep up that kind of production this year.
With Wake Forest being led by upperclassmen on both sides of the ball, I think they’ll be able to protect QB Sam Hartman from making big mistakes in this game. A run heavy offense with an improved defense should see Wake Forest pulling this game out, especially with the defensive woes Tulane could see early in the season. Also, since we haven’t seen a ton of returning production on Tulane’s defense, and with both defenses being a bit shaky, we’ll take a look at the total on this one. Take Wake Forest -6 for 2U. Also take Over 55 for 1U.
Miami @ LSU (+3.5)
Miami should have a distinct advantage in this game as they return 68% of their offensive production and 70% of their defensive production. Miami should be improved on both sides of the ball and will want to make up for their 3-game losing streak at the end of last season. Malik Rosier should also be improved and not make the bad mistakes he was prone to last year, especially at the end of the year. Miami also got a new indoor practice facility this year. We’ll see if it has any advantage going forward. Miami also starts only 1 underclassman on offense and defense. That experience should also carry an advantage.
LSU only returns 39% of their offense and 57% of their defense. They are starting 7 underclassmen on offense and 6 on defense. They will be trying to replace their QB Danny Etling & RB Derrius Guice. They did bring in Joe Burrow as a transfer from Ohio St to help out at QB. This team will be very inexperienced in the skill positions, and Ed Orgeron is not a good coach in my opinion.
As I stated in the video, I do believe the neutral field is an advantage for Miami as they skip having to go to Death Valley for a night game. Mark Richt should also coach circles around Ed Orgeron. Take Miami -3.5 for 2U.
