College football is almost back, so it's never too early to start pouring over the betting board to dig and try to help bettors spot winners before they go to the bet window.
With point spreads already available for 50+ games scheduled through the end of Week 1 on Labor Day, including underdog Oregon (+17) vs. Georgia on Sept. 3 in Atlanta, there are plenty of potential bets to ponder.
Here are a few that stood out - from a bettor's eye.
Oregon (+17) vs. Georgia: Sept. 3, (Atlanta)
Clearly, the betting market has plenty of respect for Georgia, which lost a record 15 players to the NFL Draft from last season's national title roster, and enters the season with questions still lingering over starting QB Stetson Bennett's legitimacy despite his heroics vs. Alabama last January. A solid offensive line and overall depth should help UGA avoid a total free fall, but how quickly the defense comes together and staying power behind center are legit concerns.
The Ducks, heading south to play arguably the most important game in school history with a former SEC QB (Bo Nix) and a first-time head coach (Dan Lanning) who just helped UGA win a national title (as defensive coordinator), in addition to having their entire starting offensive line back from a season ago, are athletic and physical enough to run all day with the Dawgs. If not, capable of shortening the game with an effective running attack. Additionally, look for Oregon's size on both sides of the line of scrimmage to give Georgia some trouble.
The big spread, which Georgia bettors helped move after opening closer to (+14) in most 'books, speaks to the respect bettors still have for UGA, discarding the underdog Ducks, who had all off-season to prep and scheme for Georgia under Lanning, employed in Athens from 2019-2021.
His familiarity with the Bulldogs, not to mention Nix's shot at redemption against an SEC opponent, makes Oregon a live 'dog.
FSU (+3) vs. LSU: Sept. 4, (New Orleans)
Why consider a bet on the Seminoles, entering what is going to be quite an unfavorable environment in the Superdome in New Orleans for Brain Kelly's head coaching debut with LSU? The short line speaks volumes despite all the hoopla surrounding the Tigers, who are in the middle of a serious rebuild just a couple of years removed from winning a national title.
For all their recent on-the-field troubles, FSU, coming off five straight losing seasons after a run of double-digit win seasons, which included a national title, is far deeper into their teardown with head coach Mike Norvell than the Tigers are at this point.
Let's not forget the Seminoles bounced back to win five of their last eight games, after losing four straight to start the 2021 season, including a season-opening OT loss to Notre Dame. Quarterback Jordan Travis, who appeared to turn the corner late last season, threw nine touchdown passes in the final six games of 2021; a stretch that included wins over Boston College and Miami.
FSU also gets the benefit of playing Duquesne a week before taking on LSU - clearly an advantage for a program looking to build on it's identity.
The Tigers, also also hit the transfer portal hard after hiring Kelly, has tons of work ahead of themselves, including settling on a starting quarterback between senior Myles Brennan and Arizona State arrival Jayden Daniels. I'm also weary of teams, no matter what the level, not settled at quarterback.
So, what better place to have a coming out party than in New Orleans? Just be careful it's not the underdog Seminoles cashing a winner in the Big Easy.
Cincinnati (+7) @ Arkansas: Sept. 3
The Bearcats, fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance, but heading into 2022 without stars Desmond Ridder and Sauce Gardner (both in the NFL), are still a strong bet to win the AAC - even with a new starting quarterback and offensive coordinator.
Cincinnati, returning it's entire offensive line from last season, and featuring loads of skill depth on their roster, definitely warrants a strong look in this spot - even more so when you consider the Razorbacks 2021 fortunes, which included wins over Rice, Texas, Georgia Southern and Arkansas Pine-Bluff, might be a bit overblown. In between, Arkansas also lost at home to Auburn.
Plus, the 'Hogs have plenty of work to do on defense. Throw in their new status as SEC darlings despite a serious schedule ahead, starting with Cincinnati, and it might not be too long before that pig in Sam Pittman's backyard will need a good cleansing.
Grab the points with the Bearcats and Luke Fickell, the better of the two head coaches in this spot. And it's not even close.
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