More CFB Week 1, More Tennis

The Volunteers probably should be a top 25 team but preseason rankings are usually terribly inaccurate. We lean towards Ball State (+34.5), that’s a huge line for Week 1 and this is a huge game for the Cardinals, who had a down year in 2021 at 6-7 but usually they’re one of the more formidable offenses in the MAC. This just isn’t a great matchup for them to regain confidence. The Volunteers’ defense is better than advertised, in our opinion, and I think Ball St., who still has plenty of kinks to figure out, won’t get on the scoreboard very much on Thursday. I’m on the under.

This line has gone up and we think it’s gone up too much. JT Daniels, the transfer from GA and USC, has yet to reach his full potential but he’s in a good spot to prove he can hang with the big boys in Week 1 against a dominant Pitt defensive line. Fortunately the Mountaineers bring a veteran, highly-skilled offensive line and while they’ll likely make mistakes and blow some coverages on defense (they’re young and inexperienced), Pitt doesn’t have soaring offensive talent and I think this game is more evenly matched than people think. Taking the dog.

This is a BIG game at Purdue for both teams who are trending in opposite directions. Penn State has no momentum to speak of heading into this season. Hopes were high in 2021 but we saw them stumble badly down the stretch. Sometimes hype and belief can get you far, but we think the Nittany Lions showed their true selves at the end of last year’s campaign. Meanwhile Aidan O’Connell, the surging 6th year ultimate senior, returns as Purdue’s starting QB after a great year. He earned nearly 4,000 passing yards, threw for 28 TDs and only 11 INTs, he’s a good decision maker, and Purdue’s offense is bound to get more potent with Iowa transfer Tyrone Tracy joining the mix and enough talent to keep Brohm’s complex, high-octane offense in gear. I think it’ll be too much for Penn State, who just doesn’t have elite talent on offense and a defense that largely depended on turnovers last year. This is the Boilermakers’ game to lose.

I like that North Carolina got a warm up game against inferior competition last week, putting up 56 points in a nice, comfy home win. They probably won’t do the same on the road in Boone, lately they’ve been horrendous on the road, but they should be able to move the ball against an App St. team that’s not known for stopping any power 5 conference team. App State, on the other hand, can turn into a juggernaut on offense at home. Like the over.

This total is just too high. Both teams lost a ton of defensive talent but both teams retained a ton of defensive talent, too. Oregon acquired a few 5 star talents on offense this offseason but I’m not worried about it against the Bulldogs – Georgia may have its best backfield in years and its D-line receives an A+ rating from most sources that know. I think this game feels like a playoff, slows down, and we see a ton of good defense. Oregon’s speed will make big plays but GA keeps them in check for the majority of this contest.

Coastal Carolina gave up a ton of playmakers last year and they also gave up a whopping 230 rush yards per game last season. Army is always dangerous in their first game against vulnerable rush defenses and I think they could control the clock with ease in this. Taking the Black Knights for a road upset.

The Gators should not be the underdog in this contest, in our opinion. Of course they have to be as Utah comes into this rnaked #7 in the country, but the Gators could have one of the best QBs in all of college football this season. One of the most respected college football writers, Phil Steele, is reportedly very high on Anthony Richardson and we’re in agreement. Dude has elite athletic talent and all the intangibles to be a game-wrecker. Oh yea, and this game is in a hostile environment at the Swamp. All Florida for me, and ML should be in play, too.

Alabama -41 (-110) against lowly Utah State is probably the right side… just hate big numbers like that. Wouldn’t blame ya if you did, though.

Notre Dame +17.5 (-105),  to win 1.5 units
Everyone loves the Buckeyes and for good reason. They’re absolutely loaded with talent, especially on offense, and CJ Stroud is set to have a big year. That’s all fine and good, but there’s one area where Ohio State could be very vulnerable; their offensive line. Play schemes to accommodate speed make elite O-line play less important in college football, but Lindy’s preseason magazine, a highly touted and respected source for college football before the Week 1 kickoff, ranks the Irish as having the 4th best secondary AND defensive line in the country. Ohio State lacks O-line depth and arguably their best lineman, a 3 year sophomore, is coming off an ACL tear last season. Notre Dame is fired up under their new head coach and although they still have many question marks on offense, their showing against Oklahoma State in Marcus Freeman’s first game as HC is a good sign that this program will fight for their new leader. On top of that, Ohio State owns an unimpressive +9 margin against their last 15 ranked opponents, dating back 3 seasons under Ryan Day. Last season they beat Utah by only 3, Michigan by 15, Penn State by 9 and they lost outright to Oregon. Their one impressive showing vs ranked opponents last year was a win against an overrated Purdue team, ZzZzZ. Long story short – Notre Dame’s legacy is full of pride and they know they’re a big underdog heading into this contest. With Ohio State’s proclivity to let down and demonstrate underwhelming production despite their overwhelming talent, we have to take the Irish in Week 1.