Week 1: Nittany Lions vs Knights Predictions
NCAA Football Week 1 betting action sees the Penn State Nittany Lions taking on the UCF Knights all the way over in Ireland. Cappers Picks provides free college football handicapping tips all season long.
This will be an interesting contest between stalwart and upstart programs. To make matters even more interesting the game comes to us from Europe. At least we will have some awesome breakfast viewing on Saturday.
College Football Odds
Penn State Nittany Lions vs. UCF Knights
Saturday August 30
8:30AM
Croke Park – Dublin, Ireland
ESPN 2
College Football Betting Lines: UCF -2
College Football Betting Total: 48.5
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Penn State
It is hard to state just exactly where the Penn State program is these days. I like the hire of new coach James Franklin and there is no doubt that Christian Hackenberg is a very promising QB.
This year they are still ineligible for postseason play so many are saying they are treating this game like a bowl game. I get the parallel but playing so far from home and so early in the season I am not sure the comparisons are fair. This will be a fun kick off for Saturday though.
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Hackenberg may be playing on Sunday soon enough but he is missing his top receiver from a year ago and might find that this UCF secondary is as good as any he will face all season long.
They will probably have more success on the ground in this one but will it be enough to win. Not sure whose idea it was to play this one in Ireland but I don’t think that is going to help PSU.
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UCF
The Knights enter this season looking to show the depth of the program. It is easy to say last year was the best season of its existence with 12 victories, a conference championship and a BCS Bowl win. Then they had their quarterback selected near the top of the draft.
With all those accolades and exoduses there could definitely be a hangover effect coming into the season. There is still a lot of talent down in Orlando but they will need to focus as well.
It looks like Pete DiNovo is going to get the early nod to replace Blake Bortles and if he can be competent the Knights should be able to compete well in the AAC.
There is a ton of athletic talent returning on defense and the offense has more than enough skill at receiver and running back. They just need someone to drive the car and not crash so to speak.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends:
- Nittany Lions are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in August.
- Under is 4-0 in Nittany Lions last 4 games in August.
- Under is 20-6 in Nittany Lions last 26 non-conference games.
- Knights are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.
- Knights are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games on grass.
NCAA Football Week 1 Prediction: UCF -2
Love the value on UCF in this one. Sure their QB is an unknown at this point but they have lots of other advantages all over the field. The location has no real advantage for either side and the Knights beat PSU last year too.
4* NCAAF Score prediction: UCF 28 – Penn State 17
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