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Football season is the best time of year, period. Think about all the fun you’ll have watching your favorite team lose weekly. And when your team finally wins a game, it’s the best feeling in the world. Then you can go online and boast to friends whose teams finally plunged.
This means it’s time to start thinking about your pick’em pool. What could be better than trying to predict which team will screw up their season the most?
Our friends at SportsLine have provided us with the spreads we need to help you predict Thursday’s matchups, so you can be sure to make some informed decisions before making your picks.
Arizona @ San Diego State (-5.5)
The San Diego State Aztecs will take on the Arizona Wildcats in their first season game this Saturday. According to oddsmakers, all signs indicate a San Diego State victory.
North Carolina State (-11.5) @ East Carolina
This Saturday, the NC State Wolfpack will take on the East Carolina Pirates in their first game of the season, and if the oddsmakers are to be believed, the Wolfpack are favored to win. Of course, anything can happen on the field.
North Carolina (-0.5) @ Appalachian State
On Saturday, North Carolina will be playing its first game of the 2022 season against Appalachian State. The oddsmakers have declared North Carolina the favorite to win by a small margin. Appalachian State is a tough, scrappy team, and they’re not going to go down without a fight. While North Carolina may be the favorite on paper, don’t count out Appalachian State.
Tulsa (-5.5) @ Wyoming
The oddsmakers may be favoring Tulsa this Saturday in their first football game of the season against Wyoming, but don’t count the Cowboys out just yet. The Cowboys will have to rely on their defense to shut down Tulsa’s high-powered offense, but if they can do that, they have a good chance of coming away with an upset this Saturday.
Buffalo @ Maryland (-24)
The Maryland Terrapins will take on the Buffalo Bulls in their first game this Saturday afternoon. The oddsmakers favor Maryland by a -24 spread, and it looks like it will be a rough weekend for the Bulls.
CO State @ Michigan (-30.5)
The oddsmakers favor Michigan this Saturday in their first football game of the season against Colorado State. Of course, only time will tell if that prediction comes true. But one thing is sure: it will be a great game.
Cincinnati @ Arkansas (-6)
In their opening game of the season against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday, the Arkansas Razorbacks are the suggested pick according to oddsmakers. Of course, as any fan knows, anything can happen on game day. The Bearcats could come out swinging and score an upset victory. Or maybe the Razorbacks will cruise to an easy win.
Bowling Green @ UCLA (-23)
As any sports fan knows, the oddsmakers don’t always get it right. There have been many occasions when the underdog has won against all odds. However, this Saturday’s game between UCLA and Bowling Green is shaping up to be a different story. The oddsmakers are favoring Bowling Green by a wide margin, and there’s good reason to believe they will come out on top.
Rutgers @ Boston College (-7)
It looks like the oddsmakers are giving Boston College a pretty good chance this Saturday in their first football game of the season against Rutgers. According to the latest odds, Boston College is favored by 7 points.
UTEP @ Oklahoma (-30.5)
This Saturday, the Oklahoma Sooners will take on the UTEP Miners in their first football game of the season. And if the oddsmakers are to be believed, the Sooners are strongly favored to come out on top.
Texas State (-1.5) @ Nevada
Odds point to a Texas State victory this weekend in their opening game against Nevada. According to the oddsmakers, the Bobcats are favored to win by a small margin of 1.5 points. Even though the odds may be stacked against them, the Wolf Pack could still come out on top with such a small spread.
Middle Tennessee @ James Madison (-5.5)
The oddsmakers may be giving James Madison the edge this Saturday, but don’t count out Middle Tennessee just yet. The Blue Raiders are coming off a decent season in which they won seven out of thirteen games, and they’ll be looking to make a statement in their opener against JMU.
Houston (-4) @ UTSA
The oddsmakers may favor Houston this Saturday in their opening game against Middle UTSA, but the Roadrunners could still come out on top. UTSA is playing at home, in front of a friendly crowd and the Roadrunners have a strong defense that could give Houston’s offense trouble. So while the odds may be against them, the Roadrunners have a fighting chance this Saturday.
Liberty (-3.5) @ South Mississippi
The oddsmakers may favor Liberty in their opening game against South Mississippi this Saturday, but don’t count the underdogs out yet. While Liberty may be the favorite on paper, South Mississippi has the potential to give them a run for their money.
Army @ Central Carolina (-2)
Army may be a decided underdog in their first game this Saturday against Central Carolina, but the teams are almost evenly matched. The spread is small, and this will surely be a close game.
FAU (-4) @ Ohio
One game that is sure to draw a crowd is the opening game of the season between Florida Atlantic University and South Ohio. The oddsmakers favor FAU by a minimal spread of 4, but with two closely matched teams, anything could happen on game day.
UMass @ Tulane (-28.5)
As the old saying goes, “the proof is in the pudding.” And this Saturday, the oddsmakers are certainly putting their money where their mouth is. If the oddsmakers are correct (and they usually are), it looks like Tulane will have a very successful season.
Oregon @ Georgia (-17)
Thanks to a strong showing last season and some key offseason acquisitions, the Bulldogs are favored by oddsmakers this Saturday in their opening game against Oregon.
BYU (-12) @ South Florida
The BYU Cougars will take on the South Florida Bulls in their season opener this Saturday. Oddsmakers have installed the Cougars as a heavy favorite, and while the Bulls are looking to upset the odds, it won’t be easy.
SMU (-10.5) @ North Texas
This Saturday, all eyes will be on SMU as they take on North Texas. The oddsmakers favor SMU, but North Texas is not to be underestimated. They’ve got a strong defense and an explosive offense. One thing is sure: It will be a riveting game for fans to watch!
Troy @ Ole Miss (-21.5)
The oddsmakers are certainly favoring Ole Miss this Saturday in their opening game against North Troy. It’s not hard to see why, either. Ole Miss has long been a powerhouse in the NCAA, and they have a heavy-hitting roster this season.
Rice @ USC (-32.5)
While there are plenty of intriguing matchups to choose from, the oddsmakers strongly favor USC this weekend in their matchup against Rice. If you’re looking for a strong pick in week one, USC might be it.
Miami OH @ Kentucky (-16)
In the season opener, the oddsmakers strongly favor Kentucky over Miami, OH. The Wildcats are favored by a spread of 16 points, which is a pretty sizable margin.
Georgia State @ South Carolina (-12.5)
The oddsmakers are favoring South Carolina over Georgia State this year on the season’s opening weekend. And who can blame them? The Gamecocks are coming off a strong season.
Utah (-2.5) @ Florida
Very few games have a spread as small as Utah and Florida this Saturday. Both teams are evenly matched, but the oddsmakers are marginally favoring Utah. Even though Utah may be slightly favored, don’t count out Florida State just yet.
Memphis @ Mississippi State (-14.5)
All eyes will be on Mississippi State this Saturday in their opening game. They are favored to win against Memphis. If the Bulldogs can pull off a win, it will be a big statement to the rest of the country. But even if they come up short, it’s sure to be an exciting game.
Notre Dame @ Ohio State (-17)
The oddsmakers may favor Ohio State over Notre Dame on the opening weekend of college football this season, but I wouldn’t count the Fighting Irish out just yet. Notre Dame has one of the most robust defenses in the country, and they’ll be looking to shut down Ohio State’s high-powered offense.
Utah State @ Alabama (-41.5)
While there will surely be plenty of close games and upsets this weekend, the oddsmakers heavily favor one team on the opening weekend. Alabama is a solid favorite to win its opener against Utah State. The Crimson Tide is a powerhouse when it comes to college football, and they’re expected to cruise to an easy victory over the Aggies.
UL-Monroe @ Texas (-37.5)
The UL-Monroe Warhawks are no strangers to being the underdogs. In 2012, they upset then-No. 8 Arkansas 34-31 in overtime. This year, they open their season against the Texas Longhorns, who are heavy favorites according to the oddsmakers. The Warhawks may be the underdog again this year, but they might be ready to prove the doubters wrong once more.
Louisville (-4) @ Syracuse
The Louisville Cardinals will take on the Syracuse Orange in their season’s opening game this weekend. The oddsmakers favor Louisville, but Syracuse seems confident they can pull off an upset with the four-point spread.
Boise State @ Oregon State (-2.5)
Oregon State will take on Boise State in a highly anticipated matchup this weekend. While the oddsmakers are marginally favoring Oregon State, Boise State should not be underestimated, especially with a tight spread.
West Kentucky (-16) @ Hawaii
Oddsmakers heavily favor West Kentucky this weekend in their season opener against Hawaii. In any case, Hawaii will be looking to prove the oddsmakers wrong and come out with a win on Saturday. If you’re looking for a long shot to pick this weekend, don’t forget about the team from the 50th state.
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