NCAAF Pick: Tennessee -28 (-108) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
A mismatch in Nashville and a couple of close contests in Seattle and Houston are part of our handicapper’s best bets for the first big Saturday of the college football season.
Coming off a tragic end to the 2022 campaign, Virginia faces a very stiff test to begin 2023 with matchup against a Tennessee team with designs on the 2023 SEC title.
The Boise State-Washington contest features one of the nation’s best running offenses against one of the nation’s top passing units.
UTSA heads to Houston looking for revenge after the Roadrunners dropped a tough triple-overtime battle at home to the Cougars to begin last season.
UTSA Roadrunners vs. Houston Cougars
Saturday, September 02, 2023 – 07:00 PM EDT at TDECU Stadium
Remember the bit about it being hot in Texas? Well, it’s going to be in the low-90s in Houston on Saturday evening when the Cougars host the UTSA Roadrunners, and you can throw in very muggy air to go with those temps for a steamy setting.
Experience Keys Roadrunners Win & Cover
The NCAAF odds have just about done a 180 since numbers went out with Houston favored by 2½. UT-San Antonio is now going for -1½ with the total up around 60.
The Roadrunners are moving to AAC this season, essentially taking Houston’s place as the Cougars shift to the Big 12. While UTSA is expected to be in the running for a ACC crown right away, Houston is not going to threaten in the Big 12.
The Pick
Experience is on UTSA’s side…along with wanting to make up for a triple-overtime loss at home to Houston last year. The Roadrunners won’t let the lead slip away this time.
NCAAF Pick: UTSA -1½ (-108) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Boise State Broncos vs. Washington Huskies
Saturday, September 02, 2023 – 03:30 PM EDT at Husky Stadium
Do you like watching a strong ground attack? Then you’re going to love the Boise State Broncos. Do you prefer an all-out aerial assault? Then the Washington Huskies are your team.
Can Broncos Stay Inside 2-TD Spread?
Once the Volunteers finish up whipping the Cavaliers, ABC will shift its cameras from Nashville to Seattle for what promises to be an interesting collision between Boise State and Washington. BetOnline, like most shops, is selling the Huskies as 14½-point favorites and is also in agreement on 58½ for the total.
New Clock Rule Won’t Prevent ‘Over’
All signs are pointing up for Andy Avalos and Boise State after they made it to the Mountain West Championship last season. The Broncos dominated the conference for years, and are the favorites on the college football futures to win it this time, with the ground game the reason why.
Kalen DeBoer and Washington are right there with USC at the top of the mortally-wounded PAC-12 entering 2023. The Huskies have one of the top quarterbacks in Michael Penix Jr. and two of the top receivers in Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze.
The Pick
This could get ugly if Boise State’s secondary isn’t ready, but the Broncos should at least help the Huskies send this one past the total.
NCAAF Pick: Boise State-Washington Over 58½ (-105) at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Saturday, September 02, 2023 – 12:00 PM EDT at Nissan Stadium
While the thermometer may still be sporting triple-digits here in the Texas Hill Country, the first sign of fall is upon us with Saturday’s full college football action. That means heading to my favorite tavern to catch early games with a Bloody Mary, or two, and among the early matchups this week is an ACC-SEC clash between Virginia and Tennessee.
Vols Favored by 4 Touchdowns
Technically, it’s a neutral site affair in Nashville, though we know the Volunteers will be in the majority and Rocky Topping their little hearts out. The Cavalier fans who do show up are going to get tired of hearing the tune during what promises to be a few hours of misery with most of the top-rated offshore sportsbooks favoring Tennessee by 28 and 55½ for the scoreboard target.
Vols Will be Pass-Happy Once Again
Tony Elliott’s first season as Virginia’s head coach was going to be difficult enough just rebuilding a program that had gone flat in Bronco Mendenhall’s final two seasons. It was made more difficult with the tragedy that cost three Cavalier players their lives in a shooting.
Elliott scoured the transfer portal to help juice an offense that was 126th in the nation in scoring, and the good news is the Cavaliers returned the bulk of their defensive starters that were at least passable in the ACC.
The Pick
That passable defense will be taking on a pass-happy Tennessee offense. Joe Milton III will try and fill the big hole left by Hendon Hooker’s departure, which won’t be easy. But the Volunteers have many of the right pieces back to make Milton’s job easier.
On a warm afternoon in Music City, the Cavaliers won’t give their defense enough time on the bench, and the Volunteers will wear Virginia down for a 44-10 win.
NCAAF Pick: Tennessee -28 (-108) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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