College football odds Week 1: Best bets, why you should take the Ducks
By Geoff Schwartz
FOX Sports activities NFL Analyst
Now that Week 0 is out of the best way and Week 1 of school soccer is lastly right here, it is time to make some wagers. Bettors, in your marks!
However again to Week 0 for a second. I informed you there could be some worthwhile motion throughout final weekend’s video games, and I used to be proper. For instance, did you see that Northwestern-Nebraska recreation? Kudos to the Wildcats for masking and successful in Eire. In case you thought Week 0’s slate was a enjoyable bunch to wager on, you are in for a deal with. We now have some heavyweight battles proper off the bat, so buckle up.
Let’s bounce into my favourite bets for Week 1. I do not assume this will likely be surprising to anybody, however I’ve a choose for the sport between my Oregon Geese and the defending champion Georgia Bulldogs.
Maintain studying to search out out what I take into consideration the massive Geese versus Dawgs recreation and a few different marquee matchups. And, as common, the chances are courtesy of FOX Guess.
No. 12 Oregon vs No. 3 Georgia (3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC)
Oregon Geese
ORE
Georgia Bulldogs
UGA
I’m not right here to persuade you that Georgia is any much less higher than y’all consider, however I’m right here to level out that Oregon has the expertise to maintain this recreation shut.
The Georgia Bulldogs are the defending champions, and regardless of dropping half of their once-in-a-generation protection to the NFL Draft, they nonetheless have a number of first-round picks who will begin on Saturday in Atlanta. No. 88 Jalen Carter is healthier than all three of the Georgia defensive linemen drafted within the first spherical simply final April. Kelee Ringo, the cornerback who intercepted Alabama’s Bryce Younger to seal the Bulldogs championship, is close to the highest of draft boards at his place. Plus, Nolan Smith could be a recreation wrecker.
These are only a few of the a number of blue chip gamers the Dawgs have on the roster. And this is not information to many, however practically 80% of their roster includes of four- and five-star highschool recruits.
With that being stated, Oregon has sufficient gamers to make this a recreation early on. The Geese have defensive gamers in any respect three ranges who will garner first-round NFL Draft grades. On the line of defense is Brandon Dorlus, at linebacker is preseason All-American Noah Sewell and on the surface is Colorado switch, Christian Gonzalez. Linebacker Justin Flowe has not performed a single recreation in two years and is on draft watch lists due to his expertise alone.
The Georgia offense is constructed round its run recreation and tight ends. Nevertheless, the Dawgs have to interchange each working backs, two beginning guards and vast receiver George Pickens. I consider the Geese can use their protection to blunt Georgia’s speeding assault, which ought to pressure quarterback Stetson Bennett into errors.
One other issue to contemplate is Oregon’s new head coach Dan Lanning is Georgia’s former defensive coordinator. His information of scrambling reads for Bennett and filling gaps within the run recreation will assist the Geese on this matchup, at the least early on.
I can not take Oregon to cowl the complete recreation due to their quarterback, Bo Nix. Oregon will run first, play motion cross and try and keep away from errors within the passing recreation. However Nix is not reliable, particularly in opposition to an opponent of this caliber. Oregon returns its offensive line, and the roster has younger gamers who can affect the sport instantly. The Geese even have excellent ability expertise that may run with the Georgia protection. Nevertheless, let me say this once more: they’ve Nix, who’s mistake-prone. The QB will even be paired with an unproven offensive coordinator in Kenny Dillingham, amplifying Nix’s points in opposition to a crew like UGA.
The next two elements are why Oregon can hold it shut within the first half. First, the Geese have a stout and bodily protection that may confuse Georgia’s offense. Oregon additionally has an offense scripted for fulfillment within the first half. The second half is the place Georgia’s measurement and expertise will pose a difficulty for the Geese. I’ll seize Oregon first half.
Central Michigan @ No. 12 Oklahoma State (7 p.m. ET Thursday, FS1)
Central Michigan Chippewas
CMICH
Oklahoma State Cowboys
OKST
Give me the Chippewas to cowl this unfold in Week 1.
Oklahoma State is a stable crew and can find yourself within the thick of the Huge 12 title race, however the Cowboys have a ton of manufacturing to interchange from final season. They misplaced their two greatest offensive weapons and 7 defensive starters, together with their 4 main tacklers.
Central Michigan returns their stable quarterback and MAC Offensive Participant of the Yr in working again Lew Nichols. Additionally they return a cross rush ranked twenty fifth in sack charge and a protection ranked first in school soccer in tackles for a loss.
It is also price noting that Oklahoma State has struggled to start out the season in these video games in opposition to lesser foes. The Cowboys had a seven-point win in opposition to Missouri State final season, a nine-point win in opposition to Tulsa in 2020 and a loss to this Central Michigan crew in 2016.
PICK: Central Michigan (+22 at FOX Guess) to lose by fewer than 22 factors (or win outright)
UTEP @ No. 9 Oklahoma (3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FOX)
UTEP Miners
UTEP
Oklahoma Sooners
OU
The most secure play on this recreation is taking the Miners plus the big quantity and hoping they will do sufficient to cowl. Additionally, Oklahoma has didn’t cowl these large spreads over time.
I’m increased on Oklahoma than most as a result of they’ve a gifted roster, even with a brand new teaching workers. The Sooners have a brand new workers that encompasses a first-time head coach, a brand new quarterback, a brand new play caller and new gamers everywhere in the roster after the switch portal defections. Oklahoma may begin slower on this recreation than anticipated as a result of groups take time to come back collectively. Nevertheless, as soon as they get going within the season, be careful.
I will seize the factors and benefit from OU’s sluggish begin.
PICK: UTEP (+31 at FOX Guess) to lose by fewer than 31 factors (or win outright)
Illinois State @ No. 18 Wisconsin (7 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1)
I’m going with the Badgers right here as they may management the road of scrimmage all recreation lengthy. Search for them to tack on late touchdowns to cowl the 33-point unfold.
Wisconsin has probably the most unheralded working again within the nation with Braelon Allen. As a 17-year-old true freshman, he rushed for 1,286 yards on 186 carries, good for a whopping 6.8 yards per try.
Wisconsin’s protection completed final season ranked second in effectivity, which implies Illinois State gained’t have the ability to transfer the ball in any respect this recreation.
The Badgers are extra gifted and far greater within the trenches and can run away with this recreation.
PICK: Wisconsin (-33 at FOX Guess) to win by greater than 33 factors
Geoff Schwartz performed eight seasons within the NFL for 5 totally different groups. He began at proper deal with for the College of Oregon for 3 seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice his senior yr. He’s an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. Comply with him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.
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