The college football season began Thursday night September 2nd but Saturday September 4th will feature over 40 games across the country. Among the games that could be fun to watch but not bet, are the UCLA Bruins taking on the Kansas State Wildcats and Connecticut versus the Michigan Wolverines. Both games are listed as three point spreads with Kansas State and Michigan favored according to the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook.
The first games of the college football season are tough to handicap. Teams are in competition for the first time and most have not played as a unit until one month prior to their opening game. Mistakes will abound as teams shake off the cobwebs. Always proceed with caution and have fun making plays on Labor Day Weekend college football games.
Purdue Boilermakers Vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish -11 12:30 PM PST
Purdue is a team in transition as well as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. One key edge Brian Kelly has with his Fighting Irish team is a seasoned group of recruits. Charlie Weis wasn't the greatest game coach in college football but he was a great recruiter. The cupboard was left full for Kelly and he will benefit his first two seasons.
Purdue felt they were robbed in last year's game against Notre Dame and they did beat Ohio State last year. This season is head coach Danny Hope's second season replacing legend Joe Tiller. Hope's best scenario for the 2010 season is a six-win season and minor bowl appearance. Take Notre Dame to cover the 11 point spread and win by two touchdowns on their home field.
New Mexico Lobos Vs Oregon Ducks -34 12:30 PM PST
Oregon has issues with discipline that have crippled them for PAC 10 Conference play later in the season. Gone for this game is premier running back LaMichael James for one game and Heisman candidate Jeremiah Massoli has been dismissed from the team. James was in a domestic dispute and Massoli was arrested for theft.
Oregon will make sure this game is over quickly on the home field. Look for the Oregon offense to work in their new quarterback Darron Thomas early and often in this game against a much weaker opponent in New Mexico. Take Oregon -34 to cover the huge spread by halftime in this game.
Washington Huskies Vs BYU Cougars -3 4:00 PM PST
PAC 10 teams have long had trouble with most Mountain West Conference teams. The Washington Huskies 2009 college football season was defined by their impressive victory over PAC 10 powerhouse the USC Trojans. This year Washington opens up in Utah versus a BYU team that will become an independent in 2011. BYU is tough at home and they will cover the 3 point spread against Washington.
Oregon State Beavers Vs TCU Horned Frogs -11.5 4:45 PM PST
Oregon State has struggled against the Mountain West in the past and almost lost to the UNLV Rebels last season. Oregon State has the potent brother combination of Jacquizz Rodgers and James Rodgers and new QB Ryan Katz but defense may be the demise of Oregon State in this game.
This year the Beavers play TCU in Cowboys Stadium and this could be an advantage for Oregon State. The cavernous Cowboys Stadium will seem empty with only 15,000 fans in attendance. Take TCU -11.5 points to cover the spread and win this game by two touchdowns.
Cincinnati Bearcats -1.5 Vs Fresno State Bulldogs 7:00 PM PST
The 2010 Cincinnati Bearcats are not the team that went undefeated in the 2009 college football regular season. Gone is Tony Pike and the one man wrecking machine of Mardy Gilyard. Now Zach Collaros will have to prove his worth as a starting college quarterback. Don't bet on it. Pat Hill, the head coach of Fresno State, loves to schedule teams such as Cincinnati to kick off his season. Take Fresno State as the home dog to win outright in this key opener.
Todd Jacobs - Todd Jacobs is a freelance writer with publishing credits including USA Today, Orange County Register and Speed TV.
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