Analyzing The Complete Betting Guide and Winning Favorites for NCAAF Week 1
Straight-Up, No Chaser
Stanford at Rice
When: Saturday, August 26, 9:00 PM Where: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park TV: ESPN NCAAF Odds: Stanford -33.5 Analysis: The Stanford Cardinal may have lost do-it-all superstar Christian McCaffery, but they’re still light years better than the Rice Owls and have absolutely no shot of losing their regular season opener whatsoever. Rice went 3-9 last season and gave up a jaw-dropping 37.3 points per contest defensively while putting up a modest 25.2 points per game offensively. While Stanford lost three games (10-3) and never really contended for the PAC-12 title, the Cardinal were still one of the nation’s best defensive teams under head coach David Shaw and finished the season ranked a stellar 18th in points allowed (20.4 ppg). Stanford may not cover the insane point spread in their opener, but they’re a lock to win outright! NCAAF Week 1 Pick: Stanford 35 Rice 14Ohio State vs. Indiana
When: Thursday, August 31, 7:00 PM Where: The Rock, Bloomington TV: ESPN NCAAF Odds: Ohio State -20 Analysis: Look, while I’m not real fond of head coach Urban Meyer, I do love dual-threat signal-caller J.T. Barrett and I recognize that Meyer has built Ohio State (11-2 SU, 6-7 ATS) into a perennial national powerhouse. With that said, the Buckeyes are the ‘super easy’ pick to beat the hell out of a pitiful Indiana Hoosiers (6-7 SU, 6-7 ATS) squad that lost more games than they won a year ago, including their 38-17 road loss against the Buckeyes. While Ive got Barrett and the Buckeyes as a straight-up winner in their opener against Indiana, I say, don’t be surprised to see them cover the spread as virtual three-touchdown favorites. NCAAF Week 1 Pick: Ohio State 35 Indiana 14Utah State at Wisconsin
When: Friday, September 1, 8:00 PM on ESPN Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison NCAAF Odds: Wisconsin -34 Analysis: I’m a big believer in Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers and I believe they will challenge for the Big Ten title in 2017, particularly if they get some competent play out of the quarterback position. Utah State went an awful 3-9 a year ago and has absolutely no chance whatsoever of upsetting the far superior Badgers no matter where they play.ATS Winners
Maryland at Texas
When: Saturday, September 2, 11:00 AM on FS1 Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin NCAAF Odds: Texas -17 Analysis: I’ll get right to the point by saying that I’m completely enamored with Texas head coach Tom Herman and I believe he’s going to put the Longhorns back on the national map in a big way in no time at all. Having said that, I’m also going to urge you to back the Maryland Terrapins to cover the spread as 17-point road dogs simply because it’s an early season matchup that looks like a classic ‘trap’ game if you ask me. Texas will likely be a lot better as the season progresses as opposed to early on. I know the Terps went 1-6 ATS on the road a year ago, but I’m backing them to get it done in the Lone Star State in Week 1.![NCAAF Week 1 Pick Temple Owls +15.5 Points](https://cdn.mybookie.ag/wp-content/uploads/JUL-24-Complete-Betting-Guide-and-Winning-Favorites-for-NCAAF-Week-1-02.jpg)