Sometimes a talented team suffers an excruciating upset loss to an opponent that is perceived to be inferior, and that provides a good setup for their next outing, when they’re more “alert,” and you’ll see an adjustment in the line that could shift things to your advantage.
College Football Betting Bonuses
And sometimes the team in question really IS that bad, in which case success won’t come your way.
This week we’ll have to see which of those scenarios takes shape, as we use one of the Pac-12 favorites in part of our parlay bet.
Washington Huskies at Michigan Wolverines Parlay
Time: Saturday, September 11th at 8 PM ET
ATS Odds: Michigan Wolverines -7 (-105) vs. Washington Huskies +7 (-115)
The Play: WASHINGTON +7 (-115)
Well, obviously if you are a U-Dub backer here, you are banking on the proposition that they will bounce back after the shocking 13-7 loss to FCS entry Montana last weekend. You’re banking that they’re quite a bit better than that. And you’re probably figuring Michigan is not quite as good as their 47-14 win over Western Michigan.
No one could forecast that Washington QB Dylan Morris was going to throw three interceptions. And while Cade McNamara was hailed as an impressive new leader of the Wolverine offense, he only had nine completions and two yards rushing.
The Huskies brought back way too much talent (18 starters overall) to discount them now.
Illinois Fighting Illini at Virginia Cavaliers Parlay
Fighting Illini vs. Cavaliers Picks
Time: Saturday, September 11th at 11 AM ET
ATS Odds: Virginia Cavaliers -10 vs.Illinois Fighting Illini +10
The Play: VIRGINIA -10
We have been following Illinois the last couple of weeks, and although coach Bret Bielema’s preferred strategy involves running the ball and executing a rather low-risk passing attack, you have to believe that Artur Sitkowski put the ball up too many times (42) in last week’s loss to UTSA. Indications are that Brandon Peters, the original starter who left the opener with a shoulder injury, won’t be ready to take the reins again. And to be honest, we’re not sure it would make a big difference for the Illini.
Virginia QB Brennan Armstrong probably has a bit of an edge over either of Bielema’s signal-callers, and there is no getting around the fact that Bronco Mendenhall has had a solid defensive line the last two years (allowing less than 4 ypc both years). On the technical side, Virginia is really able to extract a home field advantage, as they have covered nine of their last ten games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.
Georgia Southern Eagles at Florida Atlantic Owls Parlay
Eagles vs. Owls Picks
Time: Saturday, September 11th at 3:30 PM ET
ATS Odds: FAU Owls -7 (-115) vs. Georgia Southern Eagles +7 (-105)
The Play: FLORIDA ATLANTIC -7 (-115)
FAU got themselves a cover against Florida last week, although admittedly it came through the back door. It wasn’t necessarily the best showcase for the progress Willie Taggart may be achieving in his second year on the job. With ten starters having returned on both sides of the ball, along with a number of transfers, FAU can’t help but be better than they were last season. N’Kosi Perry, who who was at least good enough to get some starts at Miami, was a big “get” for the Owls at quarterback.
On the other side, Georgia Southern believes it may have found a trigger for its option offense who can also pass the ball. Cam’Ron Ransom was recruited by the likes of Virginia Tech, Boston College, Kentucky and Marshall, but the situation is still in the stages where they are trying to settle upon someone who can really take over.Shai Werts, who ran this attack extremely well for the last three seasons, took a grad transfer to Louisville.
FAU lost last year’s meeting 20-3. They didn’t get run over by Werts and the option; their problem was that they were entirely non-offensive. They’ve addressed that to some degree, and the defense is more than good enough to contend for their conference (Conference USA) title.
Air Force Falcons at Navy Midshipmen Parlay
Falcons vs. Midshipmen Picks
Time: Saturday, September 11th at 3:30 PM ET
ATS Odds: Air Force Falcons -5.5 vs. Navy Midshipmen +5.5
The Play: NAVY +5.5
Navy was pretty much beaten pillar to post by Marshall last week, losing 49-7. That was an embarrassment for the academy, but no less an embarrassment than they suffered last year when the Air Force, which didn’t even have enough players to field a full team, buried them 40-7 behind 369 rushing yards. The Falcons wound up leading the nation in that category (on a per-game basis) in 2020.
So after using four different quarterbacks in last week’s game, things look very bleak for Ken Niumalatolo’s team on Saturday, right? It appears that way, except that Navy didn’t necessarily fail last week because it couldn’t move the ball. They had 337 rushing yards and 24 first downs, holding the ball for 41 minutes. They just couldn’t figure out a way into the end zone. And they also could not stop the Herd’s passing game, as they put it in the air 33 times for 363 yards.
Air Force won’t throw it much, as you know, and we’re willing to bet that you’ll see a different emotional attitude from a Navy team that, after all, brought back nine of its starters on the defensive side.
Iowa Hawkeyes at Iowa State Cyclones Parlay
Time: Saturday, September 11th at 4:30 PM ET
ATS Odds: Iowa State Cyclones -4.5 (-105) vs.Iowa Hawkeyes +4.5 (-115)
The Play: IOWA STATE -4.5 (-105)
Great matchup between the coach who has more current tenure than anyone else in FBS football (Kirk Ferentz, in his 23rd year at Iowa) and Matt Campbell, who is the latest red-hot coaching name on the collegiate level, who has turned down huge money from the NFL in order to remain in Ames.
Iowa State also might be the next big thing in the Big 12, ready to challenge Oklahoma and maybe contend for a spot in the playoff. Throw out the close shave last week against Northern Iowa (which has happened before to them). Campbell, who coached at Toledo previously, has not beaten Ferentz yet. But the Cyclones have one of the best QB’s (Brock Purdy), running backs (Breece Hall) and wide receivers (Xavier Hutchinson) in the country, not to mention a veteran offensive line with everyone intact. Heck,they even have a better tight end (Charlie Kotar) than Iowa has. And that’s news.
