What three games appear to be the best bets and the best picks against the spread going into Friday of Week 1? Here you go. Enjoy.
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– Week 1 Expert Picks & Predictions: Saturday
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For Saturday and throughout the season, this will be the Ten Best Picks Against The Spread article, but for the Friday night FBS vs. FBS games – eight in all – it’s being whittled down to the top three.
Best ATS Picks So Far: 1-2
Click on each game for the game preview and fearless prediction.
3. Wisconsin at USF
playMGM LINE: Wisconsin -10.5, o/u: 59
ATS PICK: Wisconsin
I totally and completely hated this pick when it was Wisconsin -13.5 for a long while – and even went on Gill Alexander’s show on VSIN saying this might be an overall upset alert, with the caveat that it was only for games with -7 spread or higher – but at 10.5 …
FIIIIIIINE. I’m in on the Badgers.
It seems like Wisconsin has fixed the glitch after last year’s general malaise. The defense appears to be ready for a big season, Jack Coan stepped it up and grabbed the starting quarterback job, and the receiving corps should be among the program’s best it’s been in several years.
But the real reason for the pivot to liking the Badgers -10.5? The weather.
Assuming this game goes on – and Dorian doesn’t force a cancellation or date change – the expectations are for rain, storms, and high heat and humidity. That’s where Wisconsin’s offensive line kicks in.
The Badgers should be able to blast away on the Bulls if it gets sloppy, and the Bulls might not be able to do much of anything on the Bucky D.
Considering the potential weather issues, like the 10.5, love the under on the 58.5.
Get tickets for Wisconsin vs. USF
NEXT: Guaranteed Lock of the Century – take OSU to cover …
2. Oklahoma State at Oregon State
playMGM LINE: Oklahoma State -14, o/u: 72
ATS PICK: Oklahoma State
Sometimes in Week 1 you just make a pick because it feels right and assume that nothing massive has changed.
Oregon State should be a whole lot better and stronger in Year Two under head coach Jonathan Smith. It should find its way to at least four wins, it’ll come up with an upset or three, and it should be far more competitive and dangerous …
It should.
This is still a Beaver program that allowed 34 points or more in every game against an FBS team last season. It lost its last four games last season by more than 14 points in each one, and lost nine games by more than two touchdowns.
Oklahoma State’s offense is going to be good enough to throw 45ish points on the board – it’s going to be ready for a shootout right away – and it’s asking for way too much for the Beavers to keep up, even at home.
But you’re worried that a Mike Gundy team might struggle a bit with such a fish-out-of-water non-conference game away from Stillwater … whatever.
He has won three straight bowl games, and two years ago his Cowboys whacked Pitt on the road by 38.
Assume a shootout, and assume OSU – the Big 12 version – rolls.
Get tickets for Oklahoma State vs. Oregon State
NEXT: This program really, really, really, really needs to finally have some fun …
1. UMass at Rutgers
playMGM LINE: Rutgers -15.5, o/u: 55.5
ATS PICK: Rutgers
Come on, Rutgers, you’re a Big Ten team. Act like it.
Let’s just say UMass is in a transitional phase.
It has a new head head coach in 35-year-old Walt Bell, it has a new starting quarterback, and …
There won’t be any lick of a running game right away, and the defense needs a whole lot of work after giving up 55 points or more six times and allowing 43 points per game.
There’s no pass rush, the linebacking corps is going to be an early problem, and …
Again, Rutgers, Power Five up.
Last year’s Scarlet Knight team had a miserable 1-11 run with an offense that failed to score more than 17 points in any of the last 11 games. But it started out with a 35-7 win over Texas State.
They were horrible in 2017, too, but the steamrolled Morgan State 65-0, hung up 52 on Howard early on in 2016, and scored 37 against New Mexico a week after.
New year, new coach, new team, but UMass lost six games last season by 15 or more – and it wasn’t playing in the Big Ten East.
Rutgers, put the foot down on the gas and crank up as many points as you can. Have a little fun.
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All The Week 1 Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC
– Week 1 Expert Picks & Predictions: Saturday
