While every college football fan is boiling over with excitement for the beginning of the season, those who like to wager on games may not be quite as giddy.
Apart from a couple marquee matchups, the first week of the season usually lends to several large spreads and few good games.
This year is a bit different, but not by much.
For those that are unfamiliar with how point spreads work, here’s a quick tutorial.
Games are handicapped by odds makers to level the field for the underdog. The team that is favored will appear with a (-) next to their name and an underdog will have a (+) next to it, followed by the amount of points that will be added or subtracted to that team’s final score.
I’m going to take my stab at 10 games from across the country this week and see how I would do if I were laying down money in Las Vegas.
 
LSU (+4) over Oregon
With Jarrett Lee at the helm, the Tigers’ offense takes on a new look. But that look is a good one.
More emphasis will be placed on the power running game, a strong point with sophomores Spencer Ware,Alfred Blue and Michael Ford available. The stringent LSU defense will be quick enough to handle Oregon’s fast-paced attack.
The Tigers will not just cover the spread, but win the game outright.
 
Auburn (-23) over Utah State
The defending national champs may be without former star quarterback Cam Newton and former defensive tackle Nick Fairley, but they will still be too powerful for Utah State.
The Tigers will chug along with running back Michael Dyer powering to a solid season-opening victory.
 
Florida State (-29) over UL-Monroe
Jimbo Fisher’s squad is being primped and primed for an Atlantic Coast Conference and a potential national title run.
Quarterback E.J. Manuel and the Seminoles’ high-powered offense will cruise by the Warhawks defense en route to an easy victory.
Kent State (+38.5) over Alabama
Alabama will win the game outright, no doubt. But the loss of former quarterback Greg McElroy will hamper the Crimson Tide right out of the gate.
Quarterback A.J. McCarron may be ready eventually, but I don’t see Coach Nick Saban letting him have full control immediately. Expect a heavy dose of running back Trent Richardson and a big win. But also expect Saban to have a little mercy on his alma mater.
 
Buffalo (+31) over Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh will win this game, but a Dave Wannstedt-coached team will rarely, if ever, win by more than 31 points. This weekend will be no different.
 
Houston (-2.5) over UCLA
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel needs to have a big season to keep himself off the proverbial hot seat. Unfortunately he will not get off to a great start this year.
Houston quarterback Case Keenum will provide too much offensive firepower for the Bruins to handle.
 
USC (-23.5) over Minnesota
The Trojans are barred again from postseason play, but will still be a force to be reckoned with, led by junior quarterback Matt Barkley.
Minnesota is led by first-year head coach Jerry Kill and still appears to be in rebuilding mode. There’s not much optimism coming from Minneapolis this fall.
 
 Oklahoma (-25) over Tulsa
The Sooners come into the season with the nation’s top billing and will be able to strut their stuff Saturday.
Just a week ago, wide receiver Damaris Johnson, Tulsa’s all-time all-purpose yards leader, was suspended indefinitely after being charged with embezzlement.
With their top offensive threat out, the Golden Hurricane will be hard-pressed to score on the vaunted Sooners defense.
 
Baylor (+3.5) over TCU
Last season’s Cinderella story will come to a quick end in 2011.
Replacing former quarterback Andy Dalton will be too much for TCU to handle and Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III will cement his Heisman candidacy with a Week One upset win.
 
Georgia (+3.5) over Boise State
Upset of the week here.
Despite the fact that the Bulldogs are attempting to replace former all world receiver A.J. Green, who was drafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray has a year of starting games under his belt and is ready to lead his team to its first Southeastern Conference Championship game since 2005.
 
 
Rob Landry is a 23-year old mass communication senior from Mandeville. Follow him on Twitter@RobLandry85.
 
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