Betting early-season college football can be tricky. While you have an idea of what teams will look like and how they'll perform, you can never be truly sure until everybody is on the field and the snaps count. Still, while it can be scary to bet with so many unknowns at play, there's something that's far more terrifying: not having anything to bet on at all.
So since I couldn't imagine sending you into a new college football season without picks, I'm bringing you a special lite edition of The Six Pack -- this week known as The Four Pack -- as the 2021 college football season gets underway with Week 0 action on the field.
Game of the Week
Nebraska at Illinois
The first game of the season also happens to be the "biggest" game on the slate, as the Big Ten season will kick off with a West Division showdown between Illinois and Nebraska. This game was initially meant to be played in Dublin, Ireland, but COVID changed those plans. Still, no matter where it's being played, getting a Big Ten game on the first day of the season is a bonus.
This is an interesting matchup as Nebraska is looking to shake off several disappointing seasons while the Illini begin a new era under Bret Bielema. Both teams have plenty of returning experience, but while Illinois beat Nebraska 41-23 in Lincoln, Nebraska, last season, that result was a bit misleading. The Cornhuskers turned the ball over five times, and I'm not sure the Illini can bank on that happening again.
Plus, as I mentioned, Illinois has a new coaching staff, and that new staff is bringing a new look to the defense. The Illini are transferring from the zone coverages and 4-3 base of Lovie Smith's defense to what is more likely to be a 3-4 under this new staff. But as Nebraska fans can attest, the transition from 4-3 to 3-4 can be difficult when you don't have the right personnel for it. Because of this, I think the Cornhuskers will have success moving the ball, and in the end, will manage to cover. Nebraska 31, Illinois 23 | Pick: Nebraska -7
Lock of the Week
UConn at Fresno State
OK, just because it's a lite edition doesn't mean we aren't diving headfirst into the deep end with our first Lock of the Week. You're darn right I'm taking a four-touchdown underdog! You might argue that UConn didn't even play last season, but that just means the Huskies have fresh legs. Plus, you know, these are the defending national champions, according to The New York Times. Treat them with a little more respect.
Seriously, though, this spread seems a little too large in my estimation. It's not like I expect the Huskies to be very good this season, but I'm not ready to trust Fresno State as this large a favorite, either. The Bulldogs were only 3-3 last season, and the wins came against three teams that combined to go 2-14. Fresno State 41, UConn 17 | Pick: UConn +27.5
West Coast Game of the Week
Hawaii at UCLA
First of all, Hawaii playing while the sun is still out on the mainland just feels wrong. This game should not be starting before 10 p.m. ET. It's an injustice against college football fans everywhere, but there's not a whole lot we can do about it, so let's just grit our teeth and bet.
I'm high on UCLA entering the season, and I think it will win this game comfortably, but it's hard for me to ignore Chip Kelly's history in nonconference games. In short, he doesn't seem to care much about them. In two seasons at UCLA, the Bruins have gone 1-5 ATS in nonconference games under Kelly, with the lone cover coming as a 31-point underdog to Oklahoma in 2018. The Bruins have only been favored in two of the games, and they lost both (Cincinnati in 2018 and San Diego State in 2019). Again, I think the Bruins get the win, but I'm not going to rely on them covering while doing so. UCLA 42, Hawaii 27 | Pick: Hawaii +17.5
Bottom 25 Game of the Week
UTEP at New Mexico State
What an absolute banger to start the season. I don't release my Bottom 25 rankings until after the season has begun, but both of these teams have spent plenty of time in them over the years. UTEP has won the Bottom 25 title twice, and New Mexico State is a serious contender to take the crown home this season.
As an independent, NMSU had a tough time finding opponents in 2020, so it wound up playing only two games during the spring. The last game was a 36-29 win over Dixie State, which sounds like the name of a generic school in a movie. The first game was a 43-17 loss to something called Tarleton in February. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Aggies aren't going to be very good this season, so I'm putting my money with the Miners. UTEP 35, New Mexico State 14 | Pick: UTEP -10
Who will win every college football game, and which teams will sink your bankroll? Visit SportsLine now to get college football picks for every FBS game, all from the model that simulates every game 10,000 times and went 56-36 on top-rated picks last season.
"four" - Google News
August 27, 2021 at 12:34AM
https://ift.tt/3ylAl8Y
The Four Pack: Nebraska vs. Illinois, UCLA vs. Hawaii among best Week 0 college football picks - CBS Sports
"four" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2ZSDCx7
https://ift.tt/3fdGID3
No comments:
Post a Comment