The mood in the dungeon has been chipper all week, which frankly runs contrary to our mission, but the extra walkin’ around money that comes with a 7-1 start to the year is impossible to deny. I’ve even paused research and development in the Mental Anguish Department seeing as UNC football is rendering it unnecessary. We’re on to bettin’ against UNC in Week 2.
Obligatory Bet Against UNC Of The Week
It’s fair to wonder if the Bill Belichick era has already peaked with that debut against TCU, but I for
one believe that the man has plenty left in the tank to give us. UNC is a relatively modest 13.5-point favorite against a very bad Charlotte team, which might be an overcorrection from Week 1, but nevertheless I persevere. The 49ers and the points came through in Chapel Hill last year, so let’s run it back.
Is NC State Worth Betting This Week?
Now, sure, you could look at last week as the continuation of a lengthy trend of NC State not being good enough to get out of its own way and fully expect more of the same against Virginia, as that’s entirely logical. I, however, am in denial and so you can give me NCSU -3.
Around The Country
Baylor vs. SMU -2.5: SMU did not look so hot against East Texas A&M, which my research indicates is a real school with a campus and everything, but Baylor just gave up 300 yards rushing at home to Auburn and I am struggling to buy the notion that these two teams are evenly matched.
UConn +7 vs. Syracuse: I’m not convinced Syracuse is the better team, let alone a touchdown better. This could end up being one of the more entertaining noon games, which is an odd thing to say about something that involves UConn football but is nevertheless true.
WKU moneyline vs. Toledo: I usually have at least one SP+ special and here is this week’s edition: Toledo is a touchdown favorite at home but SP+ likes the Hilltoppers to win outright, so hey why not.
Michigan vs. Oklahoma -4.5: Bryce Underwood is probably gonna be really good, and this bet may end up looking foolish, but given the circumstances—big step up in competition, just his second game, night game on the road—I like the Sooners to give him trouble.
Stanford vs. BYU -20.5: The Cardinal averaged 3.9 yards per play against a Hawaii defense that ranks 118th in SP+. We have not yet fully grasped just how bad this team is going to be, I suspect.
UCLA vs. UNLV +2.5: Speaking of bad, UCLA has an argument for most disappointing Week 1 performance, as not only did the Bruins get smoked at home by Utah, but Nico Iamaleava was awful. I’m no sports genius, but maybe Iamaleava should have stayed at the school with the good head coach who runs an offense that makes QBs look good—where he would also be making twice as much money.
