Written by Rohit Ghosh
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College Football: Week 1 - Big Games, Big Picks
College football kicks off this weekend and we've got you covered through the week starting tonight. Make sure to check AccuScore’s NCAA Football section for insight and analysis for every matchup.
South Carolina @ Vanderbilt | Thursday [9/1] 8 PM EST [ESPN]
South Carolina usually heads into the season with relatively higher expectations, but that’s just not the case this year as they head into their first regular season with a starting QB yet to be named.
Vandy doesn’t have much, but it does have an experienced squad. That’s a fairly important variable when one side doesn’t know who its leader will be on the field.
We’ll get to see Will Muschamp in a new environment as he starts his second head coaching gig; Muschamp was the head coach at Florida from 2011 to 2014. His experience speaks for itself and AccuScore sims agree.
The sims are close, but SC - on the road - averages 24.1 points per game in sims; Vandy is at about 23.9.
Betting Trend:
South Carolina is 7-1 straight up (SU) in its last 8 games on the road against Vanderbilt.
Best Bet:
Based on simulation data, The hot-trend pick on this matchup is on the total: over 58 percent of matchups go OVER 42.5.
Kansas St. @ No. 8 Stanford | Friday [9/2] 9 PM EST [FS1]
The only chance Kansas State has in staying competitive in this matchup is if Stanford struggles early with a new QB. RB Christian McCaffrey will be asked to do a whole lot this season, and it might start from this game's very first possession.
Betting Trends
-Stanford is 7-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last 9 games at home looking back at last season.
-Stanford is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home.
Best Bet:
There's a three-star (out of four) AccuScore hot trend pick in this matchup and it's very attractive. The total combined score stays UNDER 48 in 60 percent of simulations.
No. 3 Oklahoma vs No. 15 Houston | Saturday [9/3] 9 AM EST [ABC]
The fun gets going early Saturday morning when Houston 'hosts' Oklahoma at NRG Stadium in what's expected to be a high-scoring contest.
Oklahoma led the Big 12 last season averaging 5.5 yards per carry in conference matchups - Houston has to contain that ground attack early. Oklahoma boasts a potent offense, but it all relies on a strong rushing attack.
As long as Houston's defensive line can contain them, the Cougars have a shot in any matchup with Greg Ward Jr. leading the way at QB. Houston covers a +10 spread in about 56 percent of simulated matchups.
Keep an eye on Sooners TE Mark Andrews. He's an interesting weapon for Oklahoma who - according to some recent reports from Jim Trotter - will be used more like a wide receiver this season. He had seven TDs last season.
Best Bet:
The total combined score stays UNDER 68 in nearly 59 percent of simulations, a three-star (out of four) AccuScore hot trend.
