@CWofCCH Week 1 Picks, News and Notes

@CWofCCH Week 1 Picks, News and Notes

Week 1 is rapidly approaching and its time to center in on my 3 favorite games. Other games are worthy of mention in some news and notes. Catch all of the podcasts and picks (been hitting openers since June) @CCHPicks.

Florida Atlantic v Tulsa, Over 62.5

In this contest last year, 71 points were scored in Hollywood, Florida. Tulsa was -3 in the Turnover department leading to a 39 point loss when the spread was a pk. With 63 being a key number in the Over/Under department, grab the 62.5 now as other books approach 63.

Tulsa returns 10 starters on Offense, while the defense looks for an identity with 6 returning starters (and only 5 of 12 top tacklers). This is also Philip Montgomery’s first season as a Head Coach, after stops as the QB coach at Houston and Baylor (RG3, Case Keenum, and Bryce Petty in the stable).

FAU comes in with no slouch at QB with Jaquez Johnson, who would be the best in the CUSA if it wasn’t for Brandon Doughty. This team is strong at the line of scrimmage and can put up points against new defensive personnel with the Golden Hurricanes. FAU also brings back just 3 of their top 7 tacklers from 2014. Mistakes will be Made… Points will be scored.

Supporting Trend: Tulsa is 11-1 Over as the Home Team since the beginning of 2013

Charlotte v Georgia State, 49ers +6.5

Both teams return 17 returning starters each from 2014. Georgia State has been in the FBS for 2 years, posting a 1-23 record straight up. Charlotte comes in as a first year FBS team (and only their 3^rd year in existence). They were no exceptional talent in the FCS, posting 10-12 in 2 years of play. This is certainly a dumpy dumpy game to be involved in, but +7 is starting to pop at some books. A team that has 1 win in the past two years (and against a FCS team at that), is a touchdown favorite?

Injuries have certainly taken over for Georgia State. Kight Dallas (starting LB) has a concussion ending his year, Donovan Harden (starting WR) is out with a foot injury. And Robert Davis, another WR for GaState, has an undisclosed injury making them very shallow at WR. Charlotte scored over 33 points in 9 of their 12 games last year, while returning their starting QB and the bulk of the offensive line.

My personal ratings had this as a 3 point game, and +6.5/+7 is too much hate for the newest member of the FBS… Charlotte 49ers, and sprinkle that Over also.

Ohio State v Virginia Tech, VT +11.5

Personally a game I scooped up at +19 earlier this year, and then hit again at +17. The current line is around +11/+11.5 with most shops hanging that juicy dead number of +11. Just looking at this game logically, you are going to give me the team that won last year on the road some home field and 11 points? This was the exact point spread in Columbus last year and what happened?

I have a hard time buying Ohio State wanting revenge, considering they won the National Championship. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, is not afraid of the Buckeyes because of last years victory. Checking the suspensions & injuries, it is not looking good for the Buckeyes with Joey Bosa at DL (suspension) out for this game and WR Noah Brown (injury) out for the season.

With more than 80% of the tickets coming in Ohio State, this seems like a perfect place to capture some dog points and possibly spring a small percentage on the Moneyline!!!

News and Notes

Utah has a 7-0 and 11-3 ATS streak at home. Good luck Harbaugh.
Central Michigan is 1-8 ATS as a home underdog since 2010. That will not get any better with the new coaching staff after Enos left, and the Pokes coming to town
Mississippi St is a 9-1 Under as an away favorite since 2010, and there is a massive overlook spot to LSU
Even though the line is dropping for Michigan State, they are 12-2 ATS as an Away Favorite, while Western Michigan is 1-8-2 ATS as a Home Underdog
The Under is 10-2 for the Akron Zips when they are Away Underdogs

Follow me on Twitter @CWofCCH and at CCHPicks.com.