SOUTH BEND, IN - APRIL 23: Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Drew Pyne (10) looks to throw the football in action during the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring Football Game on April 23, 2022 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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I love the following three plays for betting on week one of the 2022 College Football season. Check out the top football betting sites.
Check out the top sportsbooks for betting on week 1
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Florida State vs LSU (-2.5): Sunday, Sept. 4 (New Orleans)
Is Florida State back on the rise?
Following a run of five consecutive double-digit win seasons (including a national championship) from 2012-16, FSU is just 26-33 combined over the past five seasons. It’s been tough for the Seminoles, but there were signs of life last year under Mike Norvell. In Norvell’s third year on the job, FSU can make a strong statement by spoiling Brian Kelly’s LSU debut in New Orleans.
FSU’s coaches have tried to upgrade the roster with transfers, a strategy Kelly also employed ahead of his first year with the Tigers. Included in LSU’s group of transfers is ex-Arizona State QB Jayden Daniels, who will compete with senior Myles Brennan for the starting job. If Kelly wants a mobile option, Daniels is likely the guy. Kelly’s QB choice could be a bit of a hint toward what the offense will look like.
I think the Seminoles are back, but playing LSU in Louisiana will be no easy task. Take the Tigers and give the 2.5 points.
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Notre Dame at Ohio State (-14.5): Saturday, Sept. 3
It’s a new era for Notre Dame, and it begins in Columbus against one of the top teams in the nation. Marcus Freeman, previously the defensive coordinator for the team, takes over as head coach. He inherits a strong roster, especially on defense. Although the offense is well-equipped with experience, it must also find a new quarterback. Drew Pyne and Tyler Buchner will be the QBs in this year’s competition.
Ohio State saw three receivers leave for the draft but should see little drop-off now that Jaxon Smith Njigba and QB C.J.Stroud are back. Stroud was a Heisman finalist for 2021. Ryan Day’s double-digit favorites, the Buckeyes, are again loaded and are 17-11-1 ATS.
This still feels like a large number. Only four times was Notre Dame, an underdog by 14 points or more during the Brian Kelly era. The Irish lost all four games but were 3-1 ATS.
14.5 points is way too much to give a talented Notre Dame. Take the Irish and the 14.5 points.
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West Virginia at Pittsburgh (-7): Thursday, Sept. 1
How good is it to see the Backyard Brawl back on the schedule? These two haven’t played one another since 2011 and strangely enough, the renewal of this rivalry will feature two former USC quarterbacks.
Pitt is on the heels of an ACC title run that saw Kenny Pickett vault himself into a first-round QB prospect. With Pickett now on the Steelers, Pitt brought in ex-USC QB Kedon Slovis to take the reins of the offense. But it’s an offense that may look a little different after offensive coordinator Mark Whipple left for Nebraska (Frank Cignetti Jr. replaces Whipple). All-america receiver Jordan Addison transferred to, you guessed it, USC.
JT Daniels is expected to take over as the Mountaineers’ starting quarterback on the West Virginia side. Daniels, whose injury at USC cleared the way for Slovis to start, won a national championship at Georgia but did so in a backup role behind Stetson Bennett. Can Daniels and new coordinator Graham Harrell provide some life for a WVU offense that underwhelmed in three seasons under Neal Brown? Make sure you take a look at our top football betting tips.
With two new offenses being installed, this is a tough Week 1 game to handicap. I’m inclined to lean toward the underdog, so waiting for some potential line movement past the key number of 7 feels like the right move here. Take West Virginia and the 7 points in this one.
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