One of the season’s early high-profile games will be in Week 2 when Notre Dame, a four-point favorite, plays host to Michigan. Both programs are trying to regain past glory and are coming off week 1 victories. Notre Dame, which opened a six-point favorite, was solid, but no overly impressive with its 23-12 victory over Purdue.
“We’ve got some work to do,” first year coach Brian Kelly said in a report. “We are not there yet, believe me. Trust me. But we took a step today and we’re going to keep pounding at it and working at it.” The Wolverines were a bit more impressive in their 30-10 win over Connecticut. And, they may have found their quarterback in Denard Robinson. It was the Michigan defense, which was a big problem last season, which stepped it up. It held Connecticut to four of 15 on third-down conversions.
Georgia Tech (-13) vs. Kansas: The Yellow Jackets opened a seven-point favorite, but after Kansas’ pathetic 6-3 loss to North Dakota State, the early steam was all on Georgia Tech. And, for good reason: the Yellow Jackets rolled behind Joshua Nesbitt, who scored three touchdowns.
Wake Forest (-5) vs. Duke: Both teams posted easy opening wins against sub-par competition. But the early steam is on Wake Forest after it posted a 53-13 rout of Presbyterian.
California (-7.5) vs. Colorado: The Golden Bears opened a four-point favorite, but have quickly been bet up to 7 ½. The Buffs easily beat rival Colorado State, 24-3. But it was Cal, who crush UC Davis 52-3. Kevin Riley led Cal, throwing for three touchdowns and 258 yards. He came out of the game in the third quarter.
Miami Ohio (-16.5) vs. Eastern Michigan: The RedHawks, which opened 18 ½ point favorites only managed four field goals in a 34-12 loss to Florida. The game was closer than expected as the Gators could not mount much of an offense.
“I think turnovers and a lack of discipline cost us the football game,” said Miami coach Michael Haywood in a report. “We can’t make mistakes on offense and we have to keep pressing forward and eliminating the mental errors.”
Eastern Michigan lost to Army 31-27, but showed more offensive power than Miami, and the line has come down.
Boston College (-17) vs. Kent State: Boston College, which opened a 15-point favorite, started fast against Weber State and held on for a solid victory. Kent State routed Murray State, but that not impressed the early betting.
Alabama (-12) vs. Penn State: It may have been only San Jose State, but Alabama looked impressive in its 48-3 rout. The Tide, which opened a 9 ½ point favorite, is getting the early betting money. Penn State was impressive, also in its win. But having a true freshman quarterback to go against Alabama has the bettors siding with the Tide.
Central Florida (-3.5) vs. N.C. State: Rusell Wilson threw for four touchdowns in N.C. State’s 48-7 win over Western Carolina. Central Florida opened a 6 ½-point favorite, but with a game under its belt already. The betting public has sided with N.C. State early on.
