Picks for 9/7/24
College Football
NOON EST
Rotation # 313-314
Pitt/Cincinnati Over 62.5 (loss)
Cincinnati had a weak defense a year ago, so they brought in a new defensive coordinator, and it doesn’t look any better after the 400 yards they allowed to an FCS school. Pitt has a freshman QB and a new running game, but the Bearcats allow even weaker competition to run all over them. Cincinnati likes to run the ball and should have an easy time against a Pitt defensive line that lost all their starters from a year ago. It will be hard for Pitt to win at the line of scrimmage against a veteran Bearcats offensive line. Cincinnati has more experience, but their defense holds them back. Take the Over.
College Football
NOON EST
Rotation # 319
Texas -7 over Michigan (win)
Texas is a nice size favorite on the road in Ann Arbor. Michigan is the defending champion but lost a record 13 players to the NFL draft class. The Jim Harbaugh era is over; the Wolverines are breaking in a new head coach, new quarterback, and four new starters on the offensive line, with three never starting before this year. Michigan needs an established receiver who can step up and be reliable this early in the season. Texas returns QB Quinn Ewers and four massive starting offensive linemen, and their 4th year coaching staff is ready to take the next step. The Longhorns brought in a few transfers at wide receiver to help them pick up where they left off. Texas has a massive edge on defense solely because Michigan will struggle with their offense. Take Texas.
College Football
NOON EST
Rotation # 322
Oklahoma State -9.5 over Arkansas (loss)
Arkansas brought in a new offensive coordinator and a brand-new running game. QB Taylen Green looks to take the next step up in competition from his playing days at Boise. The Razorbacks offensive line has four new starters and might have difficulty getting in sync early on. Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy enters his 20th season. QB Alan Bowman returns, and elite running back Ollie Gordon is a Heisman hopeful. The Cowboys return all five senior starters on the offensive line. Ollie Gordon should average over 100 yards per game once again this year. I believe the Cowboys are further ahead at this point of the year on both sides of the ball and should have no issues winning at home. Take Oklahoma State.
College Football
10:30 PM EST
Rotation # 395-396
Mississippi State/Arizona State Over 59.5 (loss)
Mississippi State is getting no love from the oddsmakers as they are 5.5-point underdogs to a team that finished 3-9 last year and is making its debut in the BIG 12. The Bulldogs brought in a new coaching staff, Baylor transfer quarterback Blake Shapen, new running backs, and a new offensive line. The SunDevils have a new offensive coordinator who brought in Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt as their quarterback. With all of the uncertainty on offense, the defenses are even more of a question mark. Mississippi State doesn’t have anybody in the secondary that the Sun Devils will be scared to throw on. The SunDevils have a senior-class offensive line that is great in size. The jump in competition is yet to be determined, but tonight’s game should be very entertaining. Look for both coaches to take advantage of holes in the opposing defense. Take the Over.