The 2020 college football season is now formally underway with the very first FBS video games happening Thursday. The official Week 1 continues Saturday, though absolutely nothing about this weekends schedule appears like what weve concerned get out of opening weekend recently. There are no video games in between mega powers being played in NFL stadiums. But this is where we stand.
Rather, its a Week 0 slate in Week 1; mostly the sort of video games you might wish to view on a Thursday night instead of a Saturday during primetime. Nothing about 2020 has felt ordinary, so why should college football?
While my weekly choices column, The Six Pack, will return in full-force starting in Week 2 when theres a fuller slate of video games, I couldnt let you go into the very first weekend of action without any picks. I care excessive for you to let you walk through this wilderness alone, without The Process to hold your hand.
With action beginning early in the day and continuing late into the night, lets take a look at the finest games on the schedule Saturday along with my choices and forecasts for what will take place in those contests..
And a one lean for good measure … SMU at Texas State (+22)– 4:30 p.m. on ESPN: SMU -22.
Perpetuity Eastern|Chances via William Hill Sportsbook.
Middle Tennessee at Army ( -3.5)– 1:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network: Its obvious that I enjoy betting unders in any game involving a service academy, however Im not as fond of that play here. Because I d much rather be on Middle Tennessee in this matchup, thats. While its difficult to understand what to anticipate in the opening video games of a season like this one, my instinct informs me that offenses will be slower out of the gate than defenses. This is because offenses are about timing and repetition, all of which were lost this season with minimal practice time.
Well, you understand what type of offense counts on timing and repeating more than anything else? An option offense like the one Army runs. Im not exactly sure how crisp the Black Knights will watch out of the beginning blocks. Plus, another viewpoint thats pretty basic to follow is that you wish to wager on Service Academies when theyre underdogs and fade them when theyre preferred. Army has actually gone 10-15-1 ATS as a house favorite under coach Jeff Monken. Pick: Middle Tennessee +3.5.
The nerve of a football game to have a total in the mid-70s on the first weekend of the season. It initially opened at 68.5 and has been wagered up nearly a complete goal. I cant assist but think a part of that is due to nothing more than fans excitingly betting an over to start the season.
BYU at Navy (+2)– 8 p.m. on ESPN (Monday): I do not love this. When it opened as a 3-point underdog, I loved BYU. Now that the line has actually moved to the Cougars being favored, its not as luring. I do like them to win, so rather than counting on them to cover the spread, Im taking them on the moneyline. Its worth the extra juice to get rid of that hook on the 1.5. Now, I know that I simply informed you to take service academies as pet dogs, but thats on the spread. Plus, as Ive gone over, I think alternative offenses will struggle more than other offenses early. We also have to think about that Navys offense is replacing Malcolm Perry, who was most likely the best player the programs ever seen. Thats challenging to do! BYUs defense can slow down this attack, and I believe quarterback Zach Wilson takes an advance in 2020. That process will begin on Monday night. Select: BYU -120 (not ATS).
The 2020 college football season is now officially in progress with the first FBS games taking location Thursday. The main Week 1 continues Saturday, though nothing about this weekends schedule looks like what weve come to expect from opening weekend in recent years. There are no video games in between mega powers being played in NFL arenas. While its hard to understand what to anticipate in the opening video games of a season like this one, my instinct tells me that offenses will be slower out of the gate than defenses. The nerve of a football game to have an overall in the mid-70s on the first weekend of the season.
