Football Picks For the Weekend

Week 1 of college football came and passed with some success at the window. Get the full recap here. This weekend, we kickoff the NFL season, while attempting to find some value in a college slate far less exciting than last weekend.

Here are the games I’ll be targeting this weekend:

Akron +24.5 at Wisconsin

Wager: Risk $55 to win $50

Analysis: Wisconsin is a team I was down on to start the season. So down in fact that I took a position on the team to win under seven games this year. They went a long way towards proving me wrong by upsetting LSU in Week 1, but they haven’t converted me just yet. Bart Houston proved very little in the first game, and the secondary was not tested.

Akron had a very stout rush defense last year and should be able to force Houston to win the game. I think the Badgers win, but I’ll take the points against a team I think is being vastly overrated. Tenth in the nation?!

Tennessee -11 vs Virginia Tech

Wager: Risk $55 to win $50

Analysis: There is no denying Tennessee came out flat last week. Their offense did not look good. That being said, their defense looked very strong and Virginia Tech is not a great team this year. The Tech offense especially is very lacking. I expect Tennessee to come out hungry to prove themselves in a prime time game that could be played in front of 150,000 people. If Virginia Tech puts up more than 14 points I will be surprised. Expect the Vols to role in this one.

Arkansas +7.5 at TCU and Arkansas ML

Wager: Risk $27.5 to win $25 and Risk $25 to win 60

Analysis: The Arkansas offense struggled mightily in their opener against LA Tech. I expect a different team to show up in primetime this weekend. They should have success running the football against a Horned Frog’s defense that did not exactly shut down South Dakota State.

Kenny Hill will be the X-factor in this game. If he proves to be an upper echelon quarterback this is probably a losing wager, but I’ll take my chances with the points and a juicy money line sprinkle.

Tampa Bay ML at Atlanta

Wager: Risk $50 to win $65

Analysis: If you listened to our most recent podcast you will know I am a big fan of Jameis Winston. I think the Buccaneers are a young team on the rise, and I am completely out on Matt Ryan and the Falcons. This game is in Atlanta, but getting +130 on Tampa Bay seems like a steal. If Tampa’s secondary improvements can slow down Julio Jones, the Bucs should roll. Expect a big game from Mike Evans.

Houston -5.5 vs Chicago

Wager: Risk $55 to win $50

Analysis: The Bears have struggled with injury problems in the preseason. Their offensive line specifically had a rough go of it. Recent additions of castoff Packers pro bowler, Josh Sitton, and Hard Knocks star, Eric Kush, may bolster the unit but they face a tough test Week 1. J.J. Watt will play for the Texans, and he leads a defensive front that is one of the best in the business. I expect a long day at the office for Jay Cuter as he attempts to adjust to life without Adam Gase.

Offensively, Houston should be much improved with the additions of Brock Osweiler, Lamar Miller, Braxton Miller and Will Fuller. This team won nine games last year with Brian Hoyer at the helm. Finally playing with a competent quarterback will be like attempting to dunk after completing the full Air Alert program.

LA Rams – 2.5 at San Francisco 49ers

Wager: Risk $55 to win $50

Analysis: The Rams may have one of the best defenses in the NFL. The 49ers are starting Blaine Gabbert. I think Case Keenum and Todd Gurley will be able to put up enough points to allow Aaron Donald and company to carry the Rams to victory.

I normally avoid road favorites in the NFL, especially with a subpar quarterback. On Monday night, however, I’ll be making an exception.

NFL Week 1 Super Contest Picks:

  1. Tampa Bay +2.5 at Atlanta
  2. Houston -6 vs Chicago
  3. LA -2.5 at San Francisco
  4. Miami +10.5 at Seattle
  5. Detroit +3.5 at Indianapolis

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