Don’t miss College Football Over/Under Picks as a new season begins! In one of the more bizarre moments of the transfer portal era, Miami-Ohio coach Chuck Martin is accusing the Alabama program of “illegally” recruiting Graham Nicholson, the terrific kicker who went 35 of 37 on extra points and 27 of 28 on field goals last year, becoming the first consensus All-American in school history.
He transferred to Alabama in the off-season, one of dozens of college players who have taken advantage of the new maneuverability in the sport.
Coaches like Clemson’s Dabo Swinney may take a dim view of the freedom that players have these days, but with a looming settlement on the horizon that is likely to have schools paying players directly, college football is finally making its businesslike identity overt.
As we approach the beginning of the regular season, don’t miss our sports betting suggestions on point totals in the first weeks of action.
Week Zero – Week One Over/Under College Football Over/Under Picks
SMU Mustangs at Nevada Wolfpack (O/U 55.5)
Saturday, August 24, 8:00 pm ET
The point total here opened at 57.5 and has shrunk slightly as action has favored the “under.”
SMU won their first conference title in 40 seasons last year, winning the AAC. However, their Fenway Bowl appearance against Boston College was a bit of a dud as the Mustangs fell, 23-14, on a soggy field.
The problems they faced came in the trenches, as BC’s lines were both much bigger than SMU’s. SMU’s quarterback, Preston Stone, is among the highest rated in the ACC, so it will be interesting to see how they stretch the field.
Nevada finished 2023 with a 2-10 record, ending the season with a thud in a 42-6 loss to the Wyoming Cowboys. Quarterback Shane Ilingworth went just 15 of 27 for 175 yards and an interception.
The team finished with 201 yards of offense, a fairly low total for a college game, especially given the fact that Wyoming is not known for having a shutdown defense. SMU’s defense showed up last year, especially in pass defense and pass rush, so if SMU can shut the run-down, this could be a long day.
NCAAF Pick: Take the over.
^He's already accomplished, but @ElijahRoberts98 still has more left to prove.
— SMU Football (@SMUFB) August 22, 2024
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Clemson Tigers vs Georgia Bulldogs (O/U 49.5)
Saturday, August 31, 12:00 pm ET
This game is a neutral-site showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and shows off the two teams that have won four of the last nine national championships.
Clemson has fallen off a bit in recent seasons, maintaining bowl eligibility but failing to appear in the ACC Championship the past two seasons.
Georgia is ranked #1 in the nation, while Clemson sits at #14. Georgia looks to continue the revenge tour after getting left out of the College Football Playoff and has Carson Beck returning for his senior season at quarterback.
He threw for 3,941 yards and 24 scores while running for four more in 2023. Tight end Brock Bowers, wide receiver Ladd McConkey, and the top two tailbacks on the roster entered the draft, but Trevor Etienne transferred in from Florida to carry the ball.
The defense was fifth in points permitted per game last year and should reload.
Clemson finished last year 9-4, but they lost to Florida State, Miami and N.C. State by one possession each after falling in Week 1 to Duke, 28-7.
In a 12-team bracket, though, it would have been interesting to see if Clemson could make the bracket. The Tigers were seventh in yards permitted per game last year and had four defensive scores and 28 takeaways.
That defense should return, but the offense doesn’t seem particularly improved as Cade Klubnik is back at quarterback.
He threw for 2,844 yards and 19 scores, but they were just 43rd in FBS in rushing offenses (174.3 yards per game) and 51st in scoring (29.8 points per game).
NCAAF Pick: Take the under.
^NCAA Football Kick Off Schedule
- Week Zero: Saturday, Aug. 24
- Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (in Dublin, Ireland)
- Norfolk State vs. Florida A&M
- SMU at Nevada
- Montana State at New Mexico
- Delaware State at Hawaii
- Week 1: Thursday, Aug. 29 to Sunday, Sept. 1
- North Carolina at Minnesota
- Clemson vs. Georgia
- Miami (FL) at Florida
- Notre Dame at Texas A&M
- Penn State at West Virginia
- Georgia State at Georgia Tech
- North Dakota State at Colorado
- South Dakota State at Oklahoma State
- LSU vs. Southern California
- North Carolina Central vs. Alabama State
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