Hey there, sports fans! It’s me, Cam, and I’m here to talk odds, lines, and props.
Now, I know, other writers have been our “picks guys” in the past, but I enjoy this topic as well, have been learning more about it in previous years, been doing pretty darn good in my sickos picks on various podcasts with friends (Hey Joey, Hey Mike!), and now, I’m gonna bring you my thoughts on things weekly.
I know there have been a couple of weeks of football already, but I’m starting my picks season now!
As always,
I’m using the lines and odds I’m referencing are courtesy of our friends over at the FanDuel Sportsbook, and are all live on the site as of 11pm Wednesday when I’m writing this instead of sleeping like I should be. I’ll keep track of my record weekly, and share the W’s (and eventually some L’s) with you all as well.
The Miami pick(s)
FAMU +57.5
Let’s start with the Canes, shall we? I loved Miami -53.5 at open, but that’s gone up to Miami -57.5. At that number, you can still lay the points with the Canes, but with Mario Cristobal’s admiration for FAMU coach Quinn Gray, the fact that Miami **ONLY** beat FAMU 56-9 the last time these teams played — in 2024 with Cam Ward and the Bomb Squad on offense — AND the potential for Miami’s starters to see limited to no action in the second half, I’m going to take the points with FAMU +57.5. That’s a MASSIVE number, and Mario Cristobal teams don’t run up the score, so even in this mismatch of a game, I gotta be smart.
Darian Mensah over 300 passing yards -138
This is a negative value prop, with you having to bet $138 to win $100, but this is a virtual certainty. Easy money.
Darian Mensah over 2.5 passing touchdowns +130
This is a puzzling prop for me, but I’ll take it. And, this makes up for the previous prop which has slightly unfavorable odds. Wait, did they get this wrong and mean O/U 3.5 TDs passing? **checks site** no. They meant 2.5. Oh well. Gimme that.
Elija Lofton 25+ yards receiving +124
This is more speculative than the previous items, but this is just going off the fact that Miami is SO much more talented than FAMU, and one big play cashes this bet for me. Worth the risk with favorable odds.
Miami Defense (any player) to score a touchdown +210
Sack fumble? Scoop and score? Pick-6? Any ONE of those and this cashes, with some very strong odds. Worth the shot, IMO.
Picks of the Week
A collection of picks other that I like this week:
Minnesota +1.5 vs Mississippi State
P.J. Fleck’s team has played well at home in his tenure in Minneapolis, and I think their physical brand of football helps them Row The Boat ™ to a cover and outright win.
Cal +3.5 at Syracuse
This is a pick for JKS, and because I don’t like Syracuse. A calculated risk that I’m fine with taking for another underdog to win outright.
Oregon +12.5 at Oklahoma State 1st Half
Up 2 td’s at the half against an Ok State team who just scored 10 points total in yet-another loss to Tulsa?! Sign me up.
North Dakota State at Air Force Under 47.5
Two teams who love to run the ball and control the clock. Gimme the under.
New Mexico State at Hawai’i Over 49.5
I know Hawai’i hasn’t scored much this year, but I think this is more their level of competition. Balance that with an NMSU team that’s averaging 34ppg after 2 games and I think a game played in the mid-20s to 30s on both sides of the ledge is entirely possible.
So there you have it. Cam’s first week of public picks and props. Let me know which picks your tailing, and which ones you’re fading as we head into week 2 of the CFB season.
