Thursday Night Week 1 Handicaps
Photo Credit: The Crow’s Nest
2025 Record: (1-3) -2.05 Units
4:30PM CT: Boise State Broncos -5.5 vs. USF Bulls; Total 62
What an appetizer we have to kick off the official Week 1 of the College Football season! Two non-P4 schools that have College Football Playoff aspirations battling it out in Florida. Companies and conferences want a larger playoff for more money, but this is most definitely a Playoff game. USF will have the home field as well. Will it be a little too warm and muggy for the team from up north? Great questions. Boise has a young quarterback, but after last season he has all of the experience he needs. Will this be a letdown after last season? I don’t put much stock in the loss of Ashton Jeanty. He’s not exactly replaceable, but it’s not a death sentence. USF is on an upward trajectory. It’s year three for USF HC Alex Golesh, which is about time for a real turnaround. I think that starts tonight. Once this game got down to -5 for Boise, I checked in with the Encyclopedia (@cfegrind) and he agreed with the line movement. This was enough for me to decide on the USF side. I like the home-field advantage this time of year; it’s also an early kick-off. I think this game lands 3 in either direction. I’m taking the points. Love it on the moneyline as well. Posted this one before close on X/Twitter. This one closed USF +4! FOLLOW ON X!
Play: USF +5.5 (-111) [via BetOnline]
Play: USF ML (+174) [via BetOnline]
6:00PM CT: East Carolina Pirates vs. NC State Wolf Pack -14; Total 62
Not only is this a rivalry game but the ECU Pirates took it to NC State in their bowl game last winter. Revenge on the mind? I think so. Wolf Pack head coach Dave Doeren doesn’t have a short memory and for good reason. This NC State team is stacked and flying under the radar. ECU has struggled mightily on the road. Don’t over think this one.
Play: NC State -14 (-110) [via BetOnline]
7:00PM CT: Buffalo Buffs vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers -17; Total 43
I am not trusting this Minnesota team. Buffalo has some underrated talent. I think they can keep this one close. This got up to 18. I took 17.5 and now it’s down to 17. This will be the MAC close call.
Play: Buffalo +17 (-110) [via BetOnline]
8:00PM CT: Nebraska Cornhuskers -6 vs. Cincinnati Bearcats; Total 51.5
I don’t understand the Nebraska hype. I did last year but now they have lost plenty of talent. Cicinatti on the other hand is bringing back the whole team. Neutral field game but I still think this number is too much. I got this at +7 and now it’s down to 6. I will still take it. This should be a fun game.
