Still didn't finish the card. Will have to wrap it up in a few hours after tennis.
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4-0 thus far in college. 6-0 last 3 weeks in Canadian foots. Feels good about getting beat up in baseball.
Games I'm not capping:
App State/Michigan - Not enough data on App State versus FBS
Notre Dame/Rice - UND too many suspensions, Rice star WR "?"
Georgia Southern/NC State - Not enough date on Georgia Southern versus FBS
Arkansas/Auburn - No one knows how long Marshall and the other suspensions are for
My Odds:
Penn State -8, 45
Ohio State -21, 55
UCLA -24, 59
Troy -8, 56
Northwestern -13, 73
Nebraska -22, 48
Boston College -27, 47
Marshall -28, 70
Alabama -15, 51
Georgia -5, 51
Purdue -11, 48
Kent State -4, 44
Oklahoma -36, 54
Florida -34, 52
USC -20, 54
Mississippi State -43, 64
Washington -15, 59
Leans:
Penn State +2
Waiting to hear from Mike on this one. Likely going to add it even though it goes against some things I tend to avoid. Penn State has an entire new coaching staff and they lost about everyone from their offensive line so I expect the offense to start out slow early. That being said, Hackenberg is one of the best QBs in college football and you aren't going to shut out a guy that good. UCF lost most of their offensive line as well and will turn to a redshirt freshman at QB who has never thrown a pass. I'd be a bit surprised if UCF got more than 20 points here and have them pegged between 17 and 20. Getting +2 seems like a nice deal here.
Ohio State -15
A quick glance would tell you that the Ohio State offensive line has a ton of new faces but you also have to figure an improvement seeing as these are guys who have been in school for all 2+ years of Urban Meyer's offense. Year 3 of a Meyer offense is when his guys get dangerous. I don't even really care that Miller is out. The team is going to rush for 200+ yards a game which will open up 250+ more passing. Navy's defense can't stop them. Navy's offense actually looks pretty good with everyone back. Not very often that Navy has experience. That being said, no one can run on Ohio State. Even with Spence suspended on the D line they are still one of the top units in football. Navy can't score if they can't run. Even if Navy scores 17 which is a bit high end I still don't see them sticking within 3 scores or so.
Troy +2.5
The under is technically a play based on the numbers but I have the feeling this could turn into a shootout potentially. Both teams have new QBs and garbage defenses. The thing is that UAB has new coaches and new schemes while Troy has had the same guys in place forever. UAB switching to a more run-based offense (not like Navy since they'll still pass but will run like 50-60 times a game if possible) and I think they struggle with it a bit out of the gate. At least enough where they shouldn't be favored over an offense that can potentially put up 30-50 on them. Will likely lay off here since so much is unknown about how UAB will look early.
WVU +25.5
Might play this. Kind of scared since it's Bama, but this year's team has a new QB and very few returning pieces of defense. I trust Holgersen's offense to find a way to put up some points against a team as stacked as 'Bama, although getting to 20 might be their top end. Alabama has a new QB (2 of them actually since Sims and Coker will both play) but they also have a new OC so who knows if Kiffin will screw with things. Alabama will pound the ball as much as possible which will make for a game that supports the big underdog with the clock running more. With the Crimson Tide likely in vanilla mode and happy to churn out 5-6 yards a carry I don't know if they'll score more than 31-35 or so. WVU should be improve quite a bit offensively and 10 points could be all they need to cover here. Will probably end up adding it.
Mississippi State -29.5
Can't decide on this one since usually I don't like big favorites just as a general rule. I actually expect Southern Miss to improve quite a bit and for their offense to be very good in conference play, but the fact of the matter is they are working in a new offensive coordinator on the road against an excellent SEC defense. Even with a garbage TD I'm not sure they can get past 14 or so. The Southern Miss defense has no chance against this offense. The Bulldogs are stacked and could potentially average 38+ this season and the Golden Eagles gave up 50+ against every team that could run the ball a little against them last year. Numbers suggest a play so I'm interested in hearing what others think.
Plays:
California/Northwestern o61.5
California is in year 2 of Dykes' high-flying offense and they are going to be a threat to score against anyone. Starting QB is back for Bears and this squad put up 30 with 400+ passing yards against Northwestern last year when they were far less experienced. Wildcats' defense isn't overly impressive and they lost a projected starter from an already questionable D line. Northwestern's offensive line has all 5 starters back and even with a new QB/RB/WR I think they can crush Cal. Golden Bears lost most of their defensive line and are going to give up like 250-300 rushing yards here. Northwestern marches up and down the field at will with California putting in 30 or so and Wildcats at 40 or so.
Boston College -17
BC has very little coming back on offense but they do have a very good offensive line and that is all they'll need against UMASS. Minutemen are switching to a 3-4 this year and their defensive line looks weak (gave up 216 yards per game rushing last year). It will be a small miracle if UMASS gives up less than 300 rushing yards. BC will march down the field at will. Massachusetts has new schemes on offense as well and their offensive line is not going to be able to push around a big conference team. Boston College's D line is nothing special but I don't think UMASS can do a damn thing against them. This is a blowout waiting to happen and I feel I was fairly conservative in calling for the Eagles to only win by 27.
Marshall/Miami OH o59.5
Miami OH could do nothing to stop anyone last season and if they keep Marshall under 50 it should be considered a win for them considering they are learning new schemes with very little talent. Thundering Herd are going to average over 40 a game this season. Stud offense. Stud QB. OL looks nice. Now, there is a chance Marshall covers this total by themselves but if they don't there is reason to believe Miami OH can pitch in. They were awful last season but return 4 starters on the O line and have Andrew Hendrix (formerly of Notre Dame) at QB. Hendrix has a bit of speed which should help this offense out quite a bit. He's not Taylor Martinez back there but he can take off if needed. The guy is a veteran senior and should get a score or two on the board. Come garbage time I think he'll be good for 7-10 points with Marshall's backups in. Realistically we only need about 10 from the Redhawks to get this over but I'm expecting a bit more than that late.