Week 1 of the college football season is finally upon us, and we finally have a full Florida board. That means every single team in the State of Florida is playing. I’ll be giving a breakdown of each team’s matchup and if you should bet on the game or not.
Bryant Bulldogs vs. Florida International Panthers (-9.5)
Once again, a new era of FIU football is beginning. Coach MacIntyre is now steering the ship, a coach known for turning around programs that had been struggling for a while. This will take some time and won’t happen overnight. Gunnar Holmberg, the transfer QB from Duke, will be the starter and should be steady all season for the Panthers. FIU opens as 9.5-point favorites against an FCS team. I expect the Panthers to be able to handle this game pretty easily. They have too many big-time playmakers on offense and a top 10 WR in the country in Tyrese Chambers, who you can expect to have a big-time play at any point in the game. It also seems like the Panthers found someone to pair up with Chambers on the outside in Indiana transfer Jacolby Hewitt. I don’t think Bryant will be able to keep these two in check, and FIU should be able to do whatever they want through the air. I believe FIU will blow out Bryant and smash the spread.
- FIU wins and covers the -9.5 spread
Florida Atlantic Owls (-3.5) vs. Ohio Bobcats
FAU got a chance to play Week 0 and destroyed a good Charlotte football team. Now, the Owls will travel to Ohio, who weren’t that good last year, and it looks like they will have a bounce-back season. This will be a big test for the FAU defensive line as Ohio will pound the rock repeatedly. This not only tests the d-line but it will serve as a test for the FAU running game as Ohio has a terrific linebacker that’s one of the best in the MAC. FAU won’t have 500 yards of offense again, but I still think this offense will be too quick and be too good for Ohio.
The key to this game will be the FAU defense trying to stop this Ohio offense. In Ohio’s last eight games, when they score 30 or more points, they are 7-1. They only did that three times last season but still went 3-0 when they did score 30. The Bobcats will try to run the ball and keep the ball out of this potent FAU attack. I still think FAU is far too talented to lose this game. They have a different demeanor about them. This season, they’ll play fast and physically and I look for them to win and cover the spread again.
- FAU wins and covers the -3.5 spread
#25 BYU Cougars (-12) vs. South Florida Bulls
The Bulls are going to surprise a lot of people. Coach Scott hit the transfer portal hard and completely retooled this defense and offense and just a shot in the arm of talent this team has brought in. I expect Gerry Bohanon and this retooled offense to keep up with BYU. The problem is that USF’s defense was awful, and even with all the new talent, are they ready to play a veteran top 25 team in BYU? I don’t think they are, and it’ll be up to the offense to win this game, and I don’t see that happening.
If you want to bet on this game, I would say wait and live bet it at halftime if USF is in the game. Other than that, stay away from this game. I think USF runs out of gas and loses late, but they can put the country on notice that they will be competitive this season, and Jeff Scott is moving the program in the right direction.
- USF loses and they don’t cover the +12 spread
#7 Utah Utes (-3.5) vs. Florida Gators
If you’re a Gator fan, just off the hype you have heard about Anthony Richardson; you would smash the Gators for an upset win. I would, too, if Richardson is as good as advertised, but we don’t know yet. Utah has its eyes set on making the playoffs this year, and this is a deep and very experienced group. Most of their players are 22 to 23-year-old grown men. On top of that, they have returning QB Cameron Rising who almost upset Ohio State last year. To go along with Rising, they have star running back Tavion Thomas, making this one of the best backfields in the entire country. The Gators will try to counter this offense with a ground attack, with Richardson being the spearhead. The only problem is Utah’s defense against the rush is one of the best in the country as they hold offenses to 3.7 rushes per attempt. Bill Napier will have his hands full during his first game as Florida’s head coach, and as much as I love Napier and what he did at Louisiana. I don’t see Florida winning this game. Unless Anthony Richardson comes out guns blazing and immediately makes a name for himself as the best player in college football, this will be a long afternoon in the swamp. This is another stay away from this game.
- Florida loses and they don’t cover the +3.5 spread
South Carolina State vs. Central Florida Knights (-43.5)
The knights open their season at home on Thursday night against SCS. This should be an easy win for the knights, a tune-up game for their big-time matchup against Louisville. Usually, if I see a big number like this, I would stay away because starters won’t be playing much of the second half. UCF second-string QB Mikey Keene is a better thrower than John Rhys Plumlee. So the offense should still be able to put up some points in the second half. Not too much to say about this game UCF fans hate, but they should be rolling into week 2 1-0.
- UCF wins and cover the spread -43.5
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs. #16 Miami Hurricanes (N/A)
The Mario Cristobal era starts with a cupcake matchup. So lopsided that you can’t bet this game on some websites. Expect Miami to roll and dominate all phases of the game. This team won’t play a power five opponent till week three, so until then, you can sleep on these games because they will be massive blowouts.
- Miami will win
Florida State Seminoles vs. Louisiana State Tigers (-3.5)
This is a tough game to predict two schools trying to get back in the spotlight. FSU will be tested. This will be a good barometer test to see how they stack up against the upper echelon of college football. LSU brings in a new coach, Brian Kelly, with a ton of talent. Not many coaches can walk into as good of a situation as he did.
The Tigers haven’t named a starter yet, but we can all assume it’s Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels. The question is the Noles defense ready for a game like this, and can the Offensive line hold up against an imposing LSU defensive line. Who will win in the trenches? That’s the key to the game right there. I think FSU is legit. I think Treshaun Ward and the Seminole running game are legit. The program needs this win badly. It’s on a “neutral site” in New Orleans. Even with a hostile environment, I love FSU winning this one. I look for a big upset win and for FSU to get back on the map.
- FSU wins and cover the spread +3.5 .Extra bet the over at +51
It’s going to be a great weekend in Florida as all teams are in action . FOOTBALL IS BACK BABY!!!