UTEP +3 -110
UTEP has to figure out how to fill the holes on the offensive line but their offensive playcalling makes up for the loss somewhat. Buffalo's defense has some guys back but lost their best players and is going to be worse than last year. Buffalo's offense has almost everyone back and on the surface, you'd think they were going against a crap defense because of last year's numbers. Not so, says I. UTEP has alot of guys back including a good amount of talent returning on the defensive line and I expect lots of improvement from that unit. The Miners win this one on the road.
UTEP has to figure out how to fill the holes on the offensive line but their offensive playcalling makes up for the loss somewhat. Buffalo's defense has some guys back but lost their best players and is going to be worse than last year. Buffalo's offense has almost everyone back and on the surface, you'd think they were going against a crap defense because of last year's numbers. Not so, says I. UTEP has alot of guys back including a good amount of talent returning on the defensive line and I expect lots of improvement from that unit. The Miners win this one on the road.
South Carolina -11.5 -110
This one should be a route. South Carolina needs a new QB but they have a stud offensive line that is going to absolutely bully NC State's D line. 300 running yards shouldn't be that hard if the Cocks want it. NC State has too many young guys on offense and South Carolina's D will be causing turnovers all day long. Look for a big improved from the SC D this season. I have this one as 38-13 and this line should be -17.5 or more.
This one should be a route. South Carolina needs a new QB but they have a stud offensive line that is going to absolutely bully NC State's D line. 300 running yards shouldn't be that hard if the Cocks want it. NC State has too many young guys on offense and South Carolina's D will be causing turnovers all day long. Look for a big improved from the SC D this season. I have this one as 38-13 and this line should be -17.5 or more.
Stanford +4 -110
The Cardinals are at home and just have a ton more guys coming back. Oregon St has almost no one on D coming back even though I do really like their JUCO DE Kuli. Stanford has their offensive line cemented and should move the ball enough to score some points. On offense, Oregon St doesn't really bring much back either and neither of their QBs are impressing me. Stanford's defense brings almost everyone back as well. Experience plus home field advantage makes this one automatic. 24-23 Cardinals.
The Cardinals are at home and just have a ton more guys coming back. Oregon St has almost no one on D coming back even though I do really like their JUCO DE Kuli. Stanford has their offensive line cemented and should move the ball enough to score some points. On offense, Oregon St doesn't really bring much back either and neither of their QBs are impressing me. Stanford's defense brings almost everyone back as well. Experience plus home field advantage makes this one automatic. 24-23 Cardinals.
I am a SC alum and I am clueless as to what stud OL you are talking about. Their best OL (Jamon Meredith) has to sit the first 2 games of the year. His backup, Hutch Eckerson has a minor knee injury and if he can't go by game time, his replacement who is similar in talent is Quentin Richardson, a R-Frosh. The only spots going into the opener on the OL that are set in stone as of today are RT and RG. The rest are up for competition.
Now with all that said, I do think this line is light and thats because I have NC St scoring a MAX of 13 points but more like 10 or less in this one. The SC defense with a healthy Jasper Brinkley, Nathan Pepper, Captain Munnerlyn and Jordin Lindsey back from suspension is a completely different animal than what they put out there at the end of last year. I don't see State successfully throwing on SC and Ellis Johnson is an upgrade at DC.
Baylor Bears +13 -110
Wake's offensive line needs alot of help to get the skill players the time they need. Baylor's defense isn't great either but is decent and the switch to a 4-3 will help. On offense, Baylor has almost everyone back including an upgrade at QB and should be a much improved unit. Wake's defense looks good as well but with the loss of two guys on the D-line, I think Baylor can get a good push on offense. At home, 13 points is just too much.
Wake's offensive line needs alot of help to get the skill players the time they need. Baylor's defense isn't great either but is decent and the switch to a 4-3 will help. On offense, Baylor has almost everyone back including an upgrade at QB and should be a much improved unit. Wake's defense looks good as well but with the loss of two guys on the D-line, I think Baylor can get a good push on offense. At home, 13 points is just too much.
Alabama Crimson Tide +5 -110
Bama is solid on both sides of the ball. Clemson has a good D but the offense is going to have some issues. That offensive line is in bad shape and three new guys are being worked in. The Clemson D Line destroyed the O line in the spring and Bama should be able to do the same thing. All the skill players in the world are not going to be able to do anything without an offensive line to give them time. Crimson are strong on both sides and the more rounded team. +3 or better is good value.
Bama is solid on both sides of the ball. Clemson has a good D but the offense is going to have some issues. That offensive line is in bad shape and three new guys are being worked in. The Clemson D Line destroyed the O line in the spring and Bama should be able to do the same thing. All the skill players in the world are not going to be able to do anything without an offensive line to give them time. Crimson are strong on both sides and the more rounded team. +3 or better is good value.
Careful with this one . . . . Baylor may have 9 offensive starters coming back but they only averaged 18 ppg last season and they are all having to learn completely new offensive schemes with their new coach. I see no value in playing Baylor this game, but I will not play the game at all so good luck to you.
The latest word on Kuli is there a chance he could be academically ineligible. We still don't know for sure and he could surface on campus in September or it could be January. I guess a redshirt is a possibility, but I'm praying that he plays this year. My Beavs need him. Depth is a major issue this year at many positions. Even though depth is an issue, I think come week 1 they should be healthy enough to have more talent than Stanford. A big concern is Jeremy Perry on the OL. If we don't have him I'm nervous.
I hate to admit it, but if you got Stanford at +4 you do have a little value. But, hold off on your bet till you see who OSU put out there on the offensive line come gameday. QB and the line are BIG concerns now.
