Adventures in Gambling 2009: College Football Week 1

Every week I'll give you my picks for five ACC games and five matchups around the country. Lines are from Bodog. Gambling isn't encouraged or discouraged, but if you're using my picks as your lone resource, well, you're gonna get what you deserve.

ACC Games
(My pick listed first)

NC State -5 vs. South Carolina
Baylor +2.5 at Wake Forest
Maryland +21.5 at California
Alabama -6.5 vs. Virginia Tech
Florida State -6 vs. Miami

I don't see NC State or Baylor having any trouble getting wins in Week 1. Maryland won't win, but it won't get blown out, either. The Crimson Tide will keep the Hokies at arm's length throughout the game and win by a touchdown. Virginia Tech just won't be able to score enough points to win the game. FSU wins because its at home and because Miami is a team you want to face early this year.

National Games
(My pick listed first)

Oregon +4 at Boise State
BYU +22.5 vs. Oklahoma
Oklahoma State -5.5 vs. Georgia
New Mexico +14 at Texas A&M
Central Michigan +13.5 at Arizona

I'm really high on Oregon this year, which of course means it'll get blown out on the Smurf Turf. BYU has too good an offense to get beaten by more than three touchdowns in Jerry World. Yes, I know I'm putting way too much faith in Bill Young to have the OSU defense improved in 2009. This is more of a test bet. If OSU fails, I know I can't trust it the rest of the season. I looked at a lot of road favorites this week, especially UConn and LSU. Then I decided that betting on two road favorites in the same week would be a bad, bad idea. I have a feeling betting against Texas A&M will be a recurring theme here throughout the year. Im definitely going to watch Cincinnati +6 at Rutgers. It'll be a big test of how bad Cincy's defense is and how bad Rutgers' offense is.

Last Week
ACC: N/A
Natl: N/A
Total: N/A

Year to Date
ACC: N/A
Natl: N/A
Total: N/A