CFB: Week #1 / Thurs Sept 2 Game Opinions

Southern Miss at South Carolina -14.0 (47.0)
Southern Miss is 2-11 in road openers and have lost the last 5 by average of 15 ppg. They lose 8 starters on offense including 1000 yard rusher Damion Fletcher.
Since Spurrier has taken over the helm at South Carolina, the Gamecocks have not been known for explosive offense, they average slightly over 20.0 per game the past two seasons and 23.6 in his 5 years. This may change a little as they are returning 9 starters on the offensive side of the ball. They will be without standout TE Weslye Saunders who has been suspended and Spurrier has given no indication about his return date. Gamecocks have won 10 consecutive opening games and Steve Spurrier is 24-1 as a head coach in openers.
Opinion: None…South Carolina will win but averaging only 20 pts per game makes it very iffy to cover a 14 point spread.
T-Rating Line: South Carolina -14.16 

Marshall at Ohio State -28.5 (47.5)
This is one of those opening day non-conference mismatches. Marshall loses leading rusher Darius Marshall who had 1177 yards on the ground last year. They have lost 10 straight openers by an average of 23 ppg, they are 1-13 vs ranked FBS opponents.
Ohio State has their sights set on a national championship this year. They return 9 starters on an offense that averaged nearly 30 ppg last year. They have won 31 consecutive home openers.
Opinion: …Would consider a small play on OSU if could get the line down to 27 or less..Easy win for the Buckeyes but tough to lay 4 TD’s+ in an opening game.
T-Rating Line: Ohio State -29.97

Northern Illinois at Iowa State -3.5 (47.5)
Northern Illinois is 5-0 ATS in their last five non-conference road games. Under HC Jerry Kill, they went from giving up 31 points per game in 2007 to just 18 in 2008 and 22 in 2009 and could improve on that as they return 9 starters on the defensive side of the ball.
Iowa State is in somewhat of a look ahead situation as they face in-state rival Iowa next week where they will be seeking revenge following last years embarrassing 35-3 defeat. They are 10-1 in home openers the last 11 years. They were very respectable on defense also as they gave up only 21.8 average.
Opinion: I may be looking at an under play on the total in this game. Will have to do more research..No opinion on the side play
T-Rating Line: Iowa State -4.10

Pittsburgh at Utah -2.5 (49.5)
** Diamond Club 2 Diamond Member Selection

USC -21.0 at Hawaii (53.0)
USC loses 6 starters on both sides of the ball including 1000 yard rusher Joe McKnight and their two leading receivers Damian Williams and Anthony McCoy. Starting QB Sophomore Matt Barkley was mediocre at best in his first season, with a 15 to 14 TD to Interception ratio and a 56.9% completion, with their lowest points for average in the past 10 years (26.5). They have won their last 12 season openers and hold 28-1 record against the WAC.  They were only 2-5 ATS last year as a road favorite.
Hawaii 23 points per game last year was the lowest output in over a decade. The 30 allowed was the most since 2005. Hawaii is 0-6 versus USC with an average score of 19-62.
Opinion: These are two teams with a lot of questions to be answered. No way to figure this one out. Just stay away from it.
T-Rating Line: USC -21.03

Minnesota -3.0 at Mid Tennessee (48.5)
Minnesota struggled on offense last year averaging 20.9 per game the lowest average in the last 7 years. It may improve however as they return 9 starters to the offense. The defense maybe the problem for them this year as they lose 9 starters on that side of the ball.  They are 8-2 as non-conf road favorite the last 10 situations.
Middle Tennessee will be without starting QB Dwight Dasher, they will be starting a JC transfer sophomore QB. They are coming off a very good 10-3 season and have most of their key players returning. However, they are 1-5 in non-conference home openers the past 6 years.
Opinion: This was going to be a small play for me but the suspension of the starting QB has to keep me off the game.
T-Rating Line: Minnesota -1.25

Friday August 3
Arizona -14.5 at Toledo (60.0)
Arizona doesn’t fare well as a big road favorite, they are 0-6 as a rd fav of 4 points or more in the last 6 situations. Arizona is 0-8 in road openers last 8 years, but 5-0 versus MAC opponents in the last 5 meetings. They return 10 starters to the offense but lose 7 on the defensive side. After a 10-3 season in 2008 Mike Stoops has been unable to get this team over .500 as they are 33-39 during his tenure going 7-7 last year, they are 35-31 ATS.
Toledo is 6-3 as a home dog the past 4 years going 2-0 last year. They couldn’t stop anyone last year giving up an average of 38.0 ppg. Toledo has been at home to 6 BCS teams since 2001 and has a SU record of 5-1. They are 14-4 in home openers last 18.
Opinion: I have no idea by how much Arizona can with this game if at all with their terrible road opener record.
T-Rating Line: Arizona -15.34