Game
Nebraska @ Illinois
Time (ET)
1:00 (ET)
Last year, Illinois beat Nebraska 41-23 on the road. While this is a new year and new teams, Illinois is returning their quarterback, Brandon Peters from last season. Who in their last matchup threw for 205 yards and a touchdown. The big headline for this game is Bret Bielema’s return to college football and the Big 10. While Nebraska won’t be starting their QB who threw 3 INT’s in their last matchup, I do believe they will have their hands full with an experienced Illinois team.
Pick: I’m taking Illinois +6.5
UConn @ Fresno State
2:00 (ET)
UConn will be back on the field after not playing during the Covid season last year. While there is little to no doubt in my mind that Fresno State comes out looking sharp as the team averaged 32.8 points last season. And UConn only averaged 18.9 the last time they were on the field. That said, I do not have any faith in UConn’s offense to keep up and score points. I am taking the under and putting my faith in Fresno State to win big.
Pick: I am taking Under 62.5 and Fresno State -27.5.
Hawaii @ UCLA
3:30 (ET)
Seeing Hawaii slated to kickoff at anytime other than 10pm Eastern is always an issue for me. Hawaii can score points but can they score enough points to keep up with the likes of UCLA? I think they absolutely can, regardless of what time kickoff is. Chip Kelly and the Bruins are 2-6 as favorites and Hawaii was 4-2 against the spread last year as an underdog. QB Chevan Cordeiro lead Hawaii with over 2,000 passing yards and over 400 rushing yards last season. He will give the Bruins plenty of headaches to worry about. Especially when UCLA’s passing defense was ranked 114th in the country last year and gave up 274 passing yards a game.
Pick: I am taking Hawaii +18
UTEP @ New Mexico State
9:30 (ET)
Honestly, the only thing I know is that New Mexico State did not play last year during the Covid season. And while UTEP won 3 games last year, only one of those was against an FBS opponent. But not so fast, UTEP is returning their entire offense this year. Yes you read that correctly. Their entire offense. Anyone who has ever played a team sport before knows how important it is to be in sync with the guys next to you.
Pick: UTEP -10.5
Southern Utah @ San Jose State
10:00 (ET)
Obvious choice here that San Jose State wins this ball game. And I’m not just saying that because I coach San Jose State in my NCAA 14 dynasty. San Jose State is up against an FCS opponent who went 1-5 in 2020. Sure they took some tough loses loosing each game by one possession, but you know what they say. Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. If you love CFB than I have no doubt you’ll be up late watching this one and seeing San Jose run away with it.
Pick: San Jose State -23.5
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