What ten games appear to be the best bets and the best point total picks going into the first weekend of Week 1? Here you go. Enjoy.
Week 1 Fearless Predictions, Game Previews
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– Week 1 Expert Picks & Predictions: Saturday
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10 Best Over/Under Point Total Picks So Far: 2-1
Click on each game for the game preview and fearless prediction.
10. Miami University at Iowa
LINE: Iowa -21.5, o/u: 47
POINT TOTAL PICK: Under
The total line went down from 49 to a far more worrisome 47, at least if you’re going for the under. It should still all be fine as long as the Iowa defense does its job.
Under Kirk Ferentz, Iowa usually doesn’t have a whole slew of problems in the openers, but the games are kept relatively low-scoring, at least lately. The Hawkeyes beat Northern Illinois 33-7 top start out last season and beat Wyoming 24-3 to kick off 2017, and …
Beat Miami University 45-21 to start out 2016. Expect both defenses to take control of this one, and for the Hawkeyes to stay in control after getting up early.
9. East Carolina at NC State
LINE: NC State -17.5, o/u: 52.5
POINT TOTAL PICK: Under
The line hasn’t moved a whole lot since going down from NC State -20.5 to 17.5, but the point total dropped like a stone. It was great for the under at 58, and not so wonderful at 52.5, but you’re hoping for the Wolfpack defense to rise up and rock.
The State O might be explosive enough to score 58 like it did in last year’s blowout win over the Pirates, but the D only allowed three points. The call is that new ECU head coach Mike Houston to do just enough to make the game more competitive, but mostly, to keep the game from getting out of hand. If NC State is held to under 40, it’ll be okay.
8. Virginia Tech at Boston College
LINE: Boston College -4.5, o/u: 58.5
POINT TOTAL PICK: Under
Boston College has more of an offense than you might think, but it won’t have enough of one to make this any sort of a shootout. Six of the last seven Eagle games last year were finished under the 58.5 – including last year’s 31-21 win over Virginia Tech – and expect more of the same.
The Hokies will be a whole lot better and stronger, but don’t expect these two to score in the 30s – this will be a tight battle with each team scoring in the mid-20s.
7. Houston at Oklahoma
LINE: Oklahoma -23.5, o/u: 80
POINT TOTAL PICK: Over
It’s a Sunday night game – and the only game going – and you really, really don’t want to be on the wrong side of this if it happens to be the wild and insane shootout it’s supposed to be. The Oklahoma defense will be better, but it won’t be a brick wall. Combine that with the Houston defense that won’t get off the bus, and it’ll be a blast.
It might not be the 59-56 shootout like it was when Dana Holgorsen’s West Virginia team pushed the Sooners last year, both teams should be in the 40s.
6. Toledo at Kentucky
LINE: Kentucky -11.5, o/u: 61.5
POINT TOTAL PICK: Under
Who thinks Kentucky is going to start putting up big points? Apparently, the public does, with the total going down a tick, but not enough. The Toledo defense is sketchy, but can the offense do much against another strong UK D? The Wildcats failed to score more than 30 points in nine of the last 12 games last season, and 12 of the 13 games were played under 61.5 points.
