By: Jeff Melinyshyn (@jmel1125)
Well, Week 1 has come and gone. Hopefully, I did not lead you astray last week. Also, hope you came back because I gave great advice and not because you are looking to recoup what you lost. Overall, I was pretty close on my predictions for each game. The one that stuck out was Auburn being favorites (did not see that coming, and neither did Auburn’s defense apparently).
Let’s recap shall we… I gave you Florida to win, and ride the Bama Express along with Oklahoma, and Tennessee. I smashed a lot of overs but of course, defenses play too. Can’t win ’em all. But here’s to Week 2 and more winning bets (queue the Mike Singletary “I want winners!”).
Auburn vs USC
Rematch of a championship? Yes, please! USC did a good job in Week 1 against my favorite A&M which was a loser. I apologize to the community. Kade let us down and spam his DM’s, please. But I digress. Auburn has weaknesses in the defense and USC seems to want to take advantage of that again. Everyone knew the schedule Auburn had out of conference. This is tough but USC will be favored in my opinion.
Sportsbook Prediction: USC (-9.5), O/U 72.5.
Jeff’s Opinion: USC ought to be favored and they will. I can see Auburn straight-up winning. I like the under in this one.
Pick ‘Em: USC
Miami vs Texas A&M
Miami was victorious in a game in which the teams were still scoring. Will Miami be able to find their defense this week against A&M? Will A&M find their offense? This is an intriguing matchup. A&M with a freshman QB is always difficult. It is the right of passage in the CFSL.
Sportsbook Prediction: Miami (-5.5), O/U 76.5.
Jeff’s Opinion: I like Miami to cover and get the dub. They have the vet QB. I do like the under as well.
Pick ‘Em: Miami
North Carolina vs Penn State
This matchup has game-of-the-week vibes. Penn State played well against Florida, but could not execute down the stretch in clutch time. I was intrigued by the running backs for Penn State. I do think North Carolina is going to give opposing offenses problems.
Sportsbook Prediction: North Carolina (-11.5), O/U 72.5
Jeff’s Opinion: This is hard. My heart says take UNC with the points, but my brain says Penn State could cover. This could be one to stay away from the spread and just take UNC to win outright. The O/U I would take the over.
Pick ‘Em: UNC
Florida State vs Ohio State
Florida State got a solid dub in Week 1 over Auburn. Ohio State is different though. Can Michaels have the same success or will we see another Freshman QB struggle? Pence is going against his pupil again. Storylines will be plenty.
Sportsbook Prediction: FSU (-9.5), O/U 75.5
Jeff’s Opinion: I think FSU covers the under-hits. If it is over 75.5 then definitely under. If it is lower take the over.
Pick ‘Em: FSU
Virginia Tech vs Michigan State
Tech showed up against a solid Oklahoma team and probably should have won. But we don’t work in shoulds of’s. Michigan State barely escaped Georgia. Has Michigan State rebounded? Is Tech for real? One of these questions will be answered.
Sportsbook Prediction: Mich St (-8.5), O/U 76.5
Jeff’s Opinion: I like Tech a lot. I was able to call that game and they have weapons. The fact they may not be favored is my lock of the week. Take Tech like I said to take Florida. I would take the over as well.
Pick ‘Em: Tech
Florida vs Oklahoma
Don’t be surprised if Florida wins this contest. I don’t think Oklahoma will have the same weapons. Florida on the other hand has Jackson on offense and teams have not been able to stop him. Can he get rid of the drops though?
Sportsbook Prediction: Oklahoma (-7.5), O/U 72.5
Jeff’s Opinion: My other lock of the week, Florida is another upset. I am not taking O/U in this one.
Pick ‘Em: Florida
Michigan vs LSU
Congrats Ike, you played well last week and covered against Bama. What is your prize? Take on Wookie after LSU came back and won against Clemson. This is a tough one and a lot of people are on the wookie bandwagon.
Sportsbook Prediction: LSU (4.5), O/U 79.5
Jeff’s Opinion: Don’t be surprised if Michigan covers again. If this spread is higher, say 8.5 or above, take Michigan to cover. LSU has a lot of weapons and they played in tough weather conditions. I will take LSU to win and smash the over.
Pick ‘Em: LSU
Clemson vs Alabama
Congrats Wetzel, you lost last week against Wookie, now you face Bama. I don’t know what you did to piss off the admin for these back-to-back tough games, but then again you did campaign lol. Clemson has some questions to answer as a team. Can they close games out? Sometimes as a team, you need to learn to close out a game you are winning. Bama narrowly escaped.
Sportsbook Prediction: Bama (-12.5), O/U 72.5
Jeff’s Opinion: I like Bama to cover, win, and the under. I think the weapons of Bama will play a factor in this one and ultimately be too much for Clemson’s defense.
Pick ‘Em: Bama
Texas vs Georgia
Texas got routed by North Carolina. But at least the overhit. Georgia almost pulled it off. Maybe the SEC is still the toughest conference in the CFSL. This one could be a lot closer than people think. Texas needs all phases to play better and Moreland will be the first to tell you that.
Sportsbook Prediction: Texas (-10.5), O/U 77.5
Jeff’s Opinion: I like the over in this one. It is tough thinking about who will win. But I think Georgia covers and Texas wins. So, do with that as you will.
Pick ‘Em: Texas
Tennessee vs Oregon
Both teams are 1-0 in this out-of-conference battle. Oregon showed out and made me look good on Cole’s podcast. If I was smart, I would have told you to take Oregon last week. But I said stay away like an idiot. Tennessee played well. But they are going to need more from their receiving core.
Sportsbook Prediction: Oregon (-3.5), O/U 67.5
Jeff’s Opinion: People like Tenn and I get it, but like death and taxes, Tennessee will hurt you. I will not be a part of that. Give me Oregon or give me death.
Pick ‘Em: Oregon
Colorado vs Kentucky
Well, here is my first apology to the readers. I am sorry for saying Colorado/Ohio State would be the game of the week. I lead you to your death. But luckily we have week 2. I like Colorado in this matchup. Kentucky will have an uphill climb.
Sportsbook Prediction: Kentucky (-10.5), O/U 70.5
Jeff’s Opinion: Kentucky is going to look different, but Colorado still has weapons. I like Colorado to win.
Pick ‘Em: Colorado
Notre Dame vs West Virginia
ND is in the rebuild still and it showed. They played Tennessee well and just could not deliver. Still young and learning. Though by looking at League Chat you’d think they are on the same tier as USC/Auburn/FSU/ and the other top teams. Talk is cheap, and we are a result business. West Virginia is a better team than week 1 showed. Gunner Rice is still an X-factor.
Sportsbook Prediction: Stew Virginia (-10.5), O/U 68.5
Jeff’s Opinion: If the O/U is in the 70’s take the under. Murph loves the under and will be in bed before this game even kicks off. Take West Virginia and thank me later.
Pick ‘Em: WVU
