Week 1: Bulldogs vs Trojans Spread
College Football Week 1 betting action sees the Fresno State Bulldogs taking on the USC Trojans on Saturday, Aug. 30 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Cappers Picks provides free NCAA handicapping tips all season long.
The USC Trojans enter the 2014 college football season as the No. 15 team in the country, according to the preseason polls. That’s good news for fans of this storied program, but remember what happened last season? USC faithful are hoping for a better turnaround season.
College Football Lines
When: Saturday, Aug. 30 2014 9:00 p.m. ET
Where: NEG Stadium
TV: ESPN
NCAA Football Spread: LSU -5
NCAA Football O/U: 50Click here to view… ATS Betting Stats & NCAA Football Gambling Insight!
Fresno St.
The Fresno State Bulldogs were an impressive 11-2 this past season. They went 7-1 in conference, but USC is a completely different beast entering 2014 than most of the programs they took down the year prior.
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The big question for the Bulldogs is: How will they adjust following the departure of the face of their organization, David Carr?
Brandon Connett is now the man in charge of the quarterback position, and he’s taking over a roster that was No. 1 in the entire country last season in passing yards per game.
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Although Carr was an incredible leader for this group, you have to assume the system had at least a little something to do with the success.
Look for the Bulldogs to expand upon the system that led them to 43.4 points per contest in 2013 (the sixth-best number in the nation), and look for them to start with a decent offensive performance against the Trojans in Week 1.
USC
USC is also dealing with a new man leading the offense, but for the Trojans, it’s the man on the sidelines. Steve Sarkisian is in as head coach, and his offensive approach will surely have some growing pains throughout the season, especially early in the year.
All that said, the Trojans are ready to challenge for the Pac-12 South Division title. In the starting lineup, this group is one of the most talented around the country.
The problem is depth. This group isn’t ready to face injuries because of sanctions the NCAA placed upon them reducing scholarships the past few seasons.
Again, luckily for this group, you won’t have to worry much about depth in the opening contest. Injuries shouldn’t be a massive problem in Game 1, and sticking with the same theme, neither should tired legs.
CFB football handicapping trends
- Over is 8-2-1 in FRES last 11 vs. Pac-12.
- FRES are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. Pac-12.
- Under is 5-2-1 in FRES last 8 games overall.
- Under is 11-4-1 in USC last 16 games overall.
- Under is 37-16-2 in USC last 55 home games.
Week 1 College Football Betting Prediction
This is a rematch of last season’s Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl. In case you’ve forgotten, that contest ended in a 45-20 trouncing in favor of the Trojans.
Both teams look slightly different at this juncture, but the Trojans are still favored by 21 for a reason. The Bulldogs should make this one a contest early, but expect USC to run away late with a strong win in Week 1.
ATS Prediction: USC -21
Final Week 1 Score: USC 45 – Fresno State 21
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