Here are WEEK 1's best Strong Plays & Parlays..
8 TEAM PARLAY: $20 to win $2,000
Southern Cal -19
Texas -28
Oklahoma St -14
Oklahoma -29.5
Georgia -27
Nebraska -35
Auburn -30.5
Florida -34
STRONG PLAYS:
South Carolina -14
*Spurrier's best team as a Gamecock, FINALLY consistent QB play, arguably the best WR's in the SEC, as usual a stout defense, and a legitimate contender in the SEC east. Must slow down the explosive offense of Southern Miss, which the Gamecocks are more than capable of. Too much speed on offense and defense for the gamecocks to grind this one out. Arguably best WR's and stud running back Marcus Lattimore, SC should not have problems scoring, unless Garcia finds a way to screw things up. Spectacular secondary should eliminate passing attack and make this game one dimensional, and SC has always been stout against the run.
Southern Cal -19
*This is still USC, and it still has more talent stockpiled than anyone else. Lead by freshman phenom Matt Barkely, who will be much improved in his sophomore season as well as an embarrassment of riches at RB (including Reggie Bush clone Dillon Baxter), and speed at WR/TE this is still a loaded USC team capable of hanging with anyone and obliterating average opponents. The OL is solid and the defensive line should be one of the best in the country, linebackers are NFL prototype, big and fast, and the secondary will be a question mark. Nonetheless, USC should be able to score at will against Hawaii and get enough pressure on the QB and stops to ensure the blowout.
Texas -28
*Doesn't Texas always blowout Rice in the season opener? This series will be no different. A top 5 defense, including arguably the best secondary in the country and offense lead by a veteran OL, rookie QB Garrett Gilbert and insane speed at WR, RB and TE this team will not be stopped on offense, will take away the passing game of Rice and make them one-dimensional. Since when has Rice been known for running the ball? Rout…
Oklahoma St -14
*Ranked in the top 10 in 2009, lost Zack Robinson and Dez Bryant, gain new offensive coordinator (former Rice OC, installing Air Raid pass happy offense) and you got yourself a bon-a-fide rebuilding year, right? Well not if your playing Washington State. The Cowboys will still be good, most likely even more explosive on offense with new pass oriented attack. Okie State will take a step back in the Big 12, but should have no problem covering this line at home, against arguably one of the worst college football programs in the FBS. This is the year Paul Wulff gets the boot. Rout…
Oklahoma -29.5
*Oklahoma lost 5 games in 2009. That's right FIVE games. Stoops hates to lose, especially when the teams he fields are chalk full of NFL talent. Oklahoma is my favorite to go UNDEFEATED, win the Big 12 and the National Championship. Lead by Landry Jones (who I think will have a Bradford-like breakout year) veteran OL, stud set of WR's, RB Demarco Murray and another solid defense, this will be THE team to beat. ROUT!
Cincinnati -1
*Why Cincinnati is only favored to win by one point is beyond me! Yes they lose their head coach and stud receiver, but still return a stud QB in Zach Collaros, a stable of RB's and the best WR core in the Big East. The defense should be solid as well. This will be a fun shootout to watch, but I don’t see Fresno State slowing down the Bearcat attack…
Georgia -27
*Arguably the best OL in the country, protecting NFL caliber RB’s Washaun Ealey and Caleb King. Stud receiver AJ Green and an SEC stout defense, that should only improve from an unusually sub-par season in 09. SEC vs Sun Belt equals ROUT!
Nebraska -35
*Nebraska starts the season in the the top 10 and is a trendy favorite to win the Big 12 and the National Championship. Coach Bo Pelini has put the Cornhuskers back on the map, and has turned them into a ferocious defensive machine. The offense is the only weak link, and an improved offense will dictate how far they can go. Nonetheless, this will get ugly. I don’t see the Hilltoppers scoring in this one, shutout…
Auburn -30.5
*Auburn brought in new HC Gene Chezik, and new OC Gus Malzahn. The OC is what seems to have breathed new life into this once lackluster offense. Coming off a breakthrough season, including a down to the wire game against National Champions Alabama, Auburn is most definitely a contender in the SEC and dark-horse National Title contender. Cameron Newton, (once a 5 star Florida recruit) should be a perfict fit in this spread offense, along with stud receivers, a top OL, and plenty of speed at RB, this offense should hum like a well oiled machine. Offense should set the pace, defense should be solid and get enough stops to cover this spread. Rout…
Texas Tech -12
*SMU certainly has the WR's and firepower to hang with Texas Tech. I mean this is a June Jones coached team. But, it's hard to beat Texas Tech at it's own trademark playing style. Even with a new defensive minded coach in Tommy Tuberville, Tech will still be using their air raid offense formerly installed by coach Mike Leach. The defense though will switch back to a 3-4, and I expect huge improvement. This will be the difference maker, and ultimately Tech will be the more complete team and get more stops. Tech will fire away, and play stingy defense to cover this spread in convincing fashion..
Florida -34
*Legendary Tim Tebow makes his way to the NFL, in steps 5-star recruit John Brantley. This is still Florida though, and that means ungodly speed at the skill positions. WR, RB and OL should all be fine. Defense takes a notch or two back, lead by a veteran and speedy secondary; Florida is still an SEC and National Title contender. Miami (Ohio) is in the top 5 worst college football programs in the country, and Urban Meyer LOVES to run up the score. Line should be covered in the first half, and all the 5 star subs should blow this game into the 50’s, ROUT…
Alabama -39
*National Title contender, returning Heisman award winner Mark Ingram, starting QB, NFL prototype WR's and an always sound Saban coached defense. This one can get as ugly as coach Saban wants it. Starters will rest the entire 4th quarter, scary thing though, is the subs are just as good. Saban is a class act, and not usually one to run up the score. Nonethless, this offense is fast and experienced, and the defense will have a very slim margin of error under the watch of Saban. Bama should score at will, pounding the ball and looking to incorporate more of a passing attack into his offense. The defense should be solid and sound, keeping the mistakes to a minimum. Even with a young defense, there is simply too much speed and talent to keep this remotely close. Possible shutout alert, Rout…
