Betting odds from Bovada

UCF

UCF is a big favorite, with 96% of simulations by accuscore predicting a win over Akron. College football oddsmakers agree, setting the line 24 points in UCF’s favor.

UCF QB Blake Bortles won the starting job after finishing strong in 2011. He’s a local product from Oviedo, which is about 30 minutes away from the UCF campus. He has a strong arm and competed 68.2% of his passes as a frosh, with 6 TDs and 3 INT. He’ll be making the first start of his career.

Quincy McDuffie, Josh Reese, Breshad Perriman, and Rannell Hall are all strong receivers that should keep the UCF passing game strong. J.J. Worton will be huge, as always…and is coming back strong after his suspension resulting from his arrest in March.

Last year, they ranked 55th in the nation in passing, but things should be better this year. This is likely their most talented receiving core in school history.

“Instead of having one explosive guy on the field, they probably have three at a time now,” senior defensive back Kemal Ishmael said. “They’re hitting us with a combo, one-two punch.”

The passing may not be the key though with some strong RBs. Latavius Murray, Storm Johnson (transfer from Miami Hurricanes), and Brynn Harvey all could have 1000+ yard seasons. The OL must improve, though. Jordan Rae will anchor it.

The Knights are expected to go 9-4 by Athlon magazine in their last year in Conference USA. Next year the Knights will join the Big East.

AKRON

Akron just doesn’t stack up to the Knights. Predicted to go a dismal 2-10 by Athlon. They’ve used a pro-style offense with very little success over the past two seasons, but Rob Ianello was fired because those performances were so poor, with 119th and 115th national ranking over those two seasons.

They are going to have another losing season, and the misery will begin today. They were 1-11 both the last two years, so even a two win season is an improvement. They really aren’t a true D-1 level program, despite having moved up in 1987. Terry Bowden is a great coach, but they need a strong recruiting class or two, and they just haven’t had them.

Our handicappers are primed for another great season and reasonable plans are available to line your pockets!