Picks By Uncle Rico
College Football Picks
Thursday:
Kent St +36.5 (-110)
UCF -36.5 (-110) / 56 (-110) / NA
Kent St covers / OVER
-They play non-conference teams tough, and held Georgia to a 39-22 win
last year.
NC St -14.5 (-110) / 46.5 (-110) / -650
UConn +14.5 (-110) +470
UPSET ALERT
UConn covers / UNDER
-The Fighting Jim Mora’s are looking to build off of their 2022 campaign.
With NCSt’s tough run defense & UConn’s awful offense (19.4pts/gm,
117), it should be a low scoring game.
Florida +4.5 (-110) / +164
Utah -4.5 (-110) / 44 (-11) / -198
Utah covers / UNDER
-Revenge game for Utah. They return QB Cam Rising, FLA loses Anthony
Richardson to the NFL & is replaced by Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz.
Too much is unknown of this once highly touted recruit (#1PP, #21 overall).
Nebraska +7 (-110) / +215
Minnesota -7 (-110) / 43.5 (-110) / -265
UPSET ALERT
Nebraska covers / OVER
The Matt Rhule era begins for Cornhuskers fans. Rhule was known for his
high powered offenses (Baylor), while P.J. Fleck has sustained mediocrity,
having yet to take the Gophers to the next level. A massive turnover on the
offensive side (QB/RB) should affect the bottom line.
Friday:
Central Michigan +14.5 (-110) / +455
Michigan St -14.5 (-110) / 45.5 (-110) / -625
MSU covers / UNDER
MSU will look to display their identity of D & Ball Control O. Look for a 28-
10 score.
Miami (OH) +17 (-110) / +550
Miami -17 (-110) / 45.5 (-110) / -800
Miami covers / OVER
Blaine Gabbert’s little bro Brett Gabbert (who also happens to be the
Miami-OH QB) gave The U some pregame bulletin board material by
saying the Miami (OH) is the REAL Miami. Also, look for UM QB Van Dyke
to reintroduce himself to the country.
Louisville -7.5 (-105) / 48.5 (-110) / -298
GA Tech +7.5 (-115) / +240
Louisville covers / UNDER
Louisville’s strong run game should take another step, while GA Tech will
be another miserable version of itself. Plan on them going backwards in a
sort-of neutral site game Mercedes-Benz Stadiumin Atlanta.
Stanford -3.5 (-110) / 58.5 / -120
Hawaii +3.5 (-110) / +142
Stanford covers / UNDER
Everything about this game says “UPSET ALERT”, from the people of
Hawaii rallying around their team after a devastating fire, Timmy Chang as
the OC, etc. And while the Pac12 may be a conference on the decline,
Stanford is never an easy out. David Shaw always has his kids ready to
compete.
Sat:
Colorado +20.5 (-110) / +700
TCU -20.5 (-110) / 63.5 (-110) / -1100
Colorado covers / OVER
TCU loses a ton of skill position players on their offense, including OC
Garret Riley. Plus, never count out Prime Time when the lights are
brightest.
UTSA -1.5 (-110) / 60 (-110) / -125
Houston +1.5 (-110) / +105
UPSET ALERT
Houston covers / OVER
While UTSA is predicted to have a potent offense this season, this line is
clearly an example of Rich Rodriguez hype. Houston at home should cover
easily.
Bowling Green +9.5 (-108) / +280
Liberty -9.5 (-112) / 50 (-110) / -355
Liberty covers / OVER
Jamey Chadwell comes over from Coastal Carolina to replace the highly
successful Hugh Freeze (Auburn). Expect Liberty to win easily at home.
West Virginia +20.5 (-110) / +850
Penn State -20.5 (-110) / 50.5 (-110) / -1450
Penn State covers / UNDER
This is the team James Franklin has envisioned. Their defense will be tops
in the nation, and WV has a habit of getting cooked when they play high
ranked defenses. Also, look for 5-star QB recruit Drew Allar to take the
reins in a low-scoring, but dominant, affair.
South Carolina +2.5 (-105) / +110
North Carolina -2.5 (-115) / 64.5 (-110) / -130
UPSET ALERT
South Carolina covers / OVER
UNC is a favorite to contend for an ACC title. Drake Maye is easily the
most-hyped sophomore QB in the nation, and deservingly so. That being
said, USC QB Spencer Rattler is amidst his last campaign to salvage a
career that saw him go from #1 overall recruit, Heisman hopeful, and
predicted #1 overall pick in the 2022 draft to benched, replaced (thx Caleb
Williams), and transferred to South Carolina. Expect a high-scoring dog
fight where the margin for error is slim.
Toledo +9.5 (-110) / +295
Illinois -9.5 (-110) / 45.5 (-110) / -375
Illinois covers / UNDER
Expect Brett Bielema’s team to handle Toledo easily, scoring early & often.
Sunday:
Oregon St. -16.5 (-110) / 55.5 (-110) / -900
San Jose St +16.5 (-110) / +600
OSU covers / OVER
DJ Uiagalelei leaves Clemson for brighter pastures in Corvallis in hopes of
resurrecting his NFL draft stock (similar to USC’s Spencer Rattler). In doing so, he should also help OSU take another step in strengthening their
program.
LSU -2.5 (-110) / 56.5 (-110) / -142
FSU +2.5 (-110) / / +120
UPSET ALERT
FSU covers / UNDER
LSU will be looking to avenge their loss to FSU from last season, but Brian
Kelly’s teams tend to fail when the lights are the brightest. LSU’s Jayden
Daniels will need to outplay FSU’s Jordan Travis for LSU to stand a
chance. Look for a low-scoring, one possession game favoring FSU in
Doak Campbell Stadium.
Monday:
Clemson -13 (-110) / 55.5 (-110) / -500
Duke +13 (-110) / +380
Clemson covers / OVER
Cade Klubnik will be starting the season as the unquestioned starter for
Clemson. While Duke should be a competitive team, look for Clemson to
make an early ACC statement during this conference road game on Labor
Day.
