The early weeks of the college football season are rife with upsets each year, as teams that had entered the season heavily hyped find themselves on the wrong end of losses to teams far below them in the rankings. There are some intriguing college football betting matchups for us to consider as we enter Labor Day weekend. Take a look at our research and suggestions on these games — while there are never guarantees, we feel confident in our straight up picks for this weekend’s NCAA football betting action.
College Football Week 1 SU Picks and Predictions
Thursday, August 31
Tulsa at Oklahoma State (7:30pm ET)
Both Tulsa and Oklahoma State posted 10-3 records, with the Golden Hurricane going 6-2 in conference play, while the Cowboys went 7-2 in the Big 12. The two programs meet for the first time since 2011, when the Cowboys routed Tulsa, 59-33 — but the Hurricane are head and shoulders above where they were back then. Even with the loss of quarterback Dane Evans, Tulsa’s offense should still be highly prolific, no matter whether Chad President or Luke Skipper wins the starting job. D’Angelo Brewer, who picked up 1,425 yards on the ground in 2016, will carry a great deal of the offensive load. The Tulsa defense is their weak link, but senior defensive end Jesse Brubaker is definitely the anchor, who picked up 5 ½ sacks and a pair of picks last year.
Mason Rudolph returns at quarterback — last year, he threw for 4,091 yards with 28 touchdowns and just four interceptions, and his favorite target, James Washington, returns for 2017, after picking up 10 scores and 1,380 yards in receptions last year. Justice Hill, last college football season’s Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, picked up 1,142 yards on 2016 and returns this year as well. On defense, the Cowboys do a good job stopping the run and harassing the passer, but their secondary is a weak link. So I see this turning into a barburner — but I also see the Cowboys winning straight up.
Saturday, September 2
Cal at North Carolina (12:20pm ET)
North Carolina took a step back from two seasons ago, when they came within a controversial call of knocking off Clemson in the ACC title game. Last year, they finished 8-5 (5-4 ACC), finishing their season with a 25-23 loss to Stanford in the Sun Bowl. California posted a 5-7 record (3-6 Pac-12) a year ago and looks to rebuild around a running offense. Cal brings in Tre Watson, who ran for 709 yards a year ago, along with Vic Enwere (336 yards). Cal still has yet to name a starting quarterback, with Ross Bowers and Chase Garbers vying with South Carolina transfer Brandon McIlwain for the job. Cal’s real issues come on defense, though, as they permitted 42.6 points per game.
The Tar Heels also come in without a set starter at quarterback, although freshman Chazz Surratt and LSU transfer Brandon Harris are the two likeliest candidates. Stanton Truitt transferred in from Auburn to key the running attack — a big gamble for North Carolina, given that Truitt has a total of 215 rushing yards in his whole college resume. Their defense did a good job against the pass last year — but they had some problems against the run. Given that the Tar Heels get to play this at home, and given that both teams are in some transition, I like North Carolina to win straight up.
Maryland at Texas (3:30pm ET)
The Longhorns start a new chapter under Tom Herman, who comes from Houston to lead a talented Texas squad. Herman’s strengths as a coach are definitely on the offensive side, and he has a terrific quarterback in Shane Buechele, who threw for 2,958 yards and 21 scores (along with 11 picks) last season). The problems for Texas came on defense last year, as they have permitted 30.9 points per game over the last two college football seasons combined.
Maryland features Ty Johnson at tailback, who picked up 9.1 yards per carry last season — and Lorenzo Harrison averaged 7.2 yards per attempt — so the Terrapins can run the ball. However, the Terrapins have a difficult time stopping the run. I see Tom Herman rejuvenating this Texas team on both sides of the ball, and while the defense might still struggle a bit, Maryland is not an offensive powerhouse. Give me the Longhorns for the win.
