NCAA odds lines against the spread over/under total picks predictions – Page 287

Stanford vs. Kansas State odds, expert picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Stanford vs. Kansas State odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Stanford Cardinal and Kansas State Wildcats meet Saturday in a neutral-site game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET. Below, we look at the Stanford vs. Kansas State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

Stanford won four of six games in an abbreviated schedule in 2020. Senior QB Jack West has been tabbed as the starting quarterback, and his life will be made easier with the ability to hand off to RB Austin Jones. The latter gobbled up 550 rushing yards in his six games last season.

K-State will try to take advantage of a Stanford defense which coughed up 31.7 points per game and 6.6 yards per play. Look for RB Deuce Vaughn to be leaned on early and often, as the Cardinal really struggled against the run.

Stanford vs. Kansas State odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:15 a.m. ET.

Money line: Stanford +133 (bet $100 to win $133) | Kansas State -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Stanford +3.5 (-125) | Kansas State -3.5 (+100)
Over/Under (O/U): 53.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

Stanford vs. Kansas State odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Kansas State 30, Stanford 20

Money line

KANSAS STATE (-165) is a fine play straight up in this neutral-site battle at Jerry World. It should play like a home game, as the Wildcats are a little more familiar with AT&T Stadium and should have quite a few more fans making the trip into what is essentially Big 12 country.

Really, as long as QB Skylar Thompson is back to his pre-injury form, and the Deuce gets loose for the Wildcats, this could turn out to be a rather lopsided affair.

Against the spread

KANSAS STATE -3.5 (+100) is a decent value at even money, although I don’t love a line of three and a hook. Still, I think the Cardinal defense will have its hands full with a talented K-State attack.

Look for the Wildcats to push for a double-digit win before the dust settles in the Metroplex.

Over/Under

UNDER 53.5 (-107) seems like a bit of a low number, but it’s the right total. I’d go lightly and take the Under.

Stanford’s defense up front is a little lacking, but it’s decent in the back end. While I expect K-State to run with abandon, running also runs the clock. Under bettors love running teams dominating.

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LSU at UCLA odds, expert picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s LSU at UCLA odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The LSU Tigers and UCLA Bruins meet Saturday night at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the LSU vs. UCLA odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

It will be the season opener for the Tigers, who were a disappointing 5-5 in last season’s COVID-19-shortened season, failing to fill big holes after the departure of QB Joe Burrow and others following the 2019 national championship season. Sophomore QB Max Johnson takes the full-time reins as starter with senior Myles Brennan waiting in the wings.

UCLA (1-0), which opened with a 44-10 rout of visiting Hawaii last Saturday, has no such quarterback issues as senior QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is back under center and looking to take another step forward.

He averaged 285.2 total yards per game last season, and had 130 yards and 1 touchdown against Hawaii but didn’t need to do much as tailbacks Zach Charbonnet, a Michigan transfer, and Brittain Brown combined for 184 rushing yards and 4 TD.

The Bruins lost four games in 2020, but all four losses were by six or fewer points.

LSU at UCLA odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 4:10 p.m. ET.

Money line: LSU -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | UCLA +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
Against the spread (ATS): LSU -2.5 (-115) | UCLA +2.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 64.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

LSU at UCLA odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

LSU 38, UCLA 31

Money line

LSU (-140) straight up is a solid bet, and won’t cost you much more than laying the points. Just take the Bayou Bengals to win straight up, and forget about the points.

Johnson is making the start under center, and there is some concern about how he’ll fare on the road in front of fans; however, WR Kayshon Boutte will help him make big plays, and the Tigers have a pair of true freshmen who could step right in to help, too. Watch wideouts Jack Bech and Deion Smith, who are poised for big things from the get-go.

Against the spread

LSU -2.5 (-115) is a decent play laying the points. Take the Tigers on the road in the Rose Bowl, especially as they should help to shut down Dorian-Thompson. CBs Derek Stingley Jr. and Eli Ricks are one of the best combinations in the SEC, and perhaps the nation.

Over/Under

OVER 64.5 (-115) is the lean, although I’d only make a small-unit play on that. LSU has the tools to put up good points, and the defense allowed 34.9 points per game and 7.3 yards per play in 2020.

So, the opportunity is there for the Bruins to do big things on offense and hang in the game, as long as they can navigate the tricky waters with that top-notch cornerback duo trying to shut them down.

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Texas Tech vs. Houston odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Houston Cougars odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders meet the Houston Cougars in their season openers at NRG Stadium in Houston for a cross-conference battle. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Texas Tech vs. Houston odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

Both Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells and Houston’s head coach Dana Holgorsen enter their third season with neither having an above-.500 year thus far. The Red Raiders finished 4-6 in 2020 while the Cougars were 3-5.

The Red Raiders have 17 starters returning: Eight on offense and nine on offense. The Cougars also bring back the same number of starters on each side of the ball. ESPN’s college football guru, Bill Connelly, ranks Texas Tech and Houston neck-and-neck in returning production for 2021 (69-70th).

Texas Tech at Houston odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 3:10 p.m. ET.

Money line: Texas Tech +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Houston -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Texas Tech +1.5 (-110) | Houston -1.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 64.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

Texas Tech at Houston odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Texas Tech 34, Houston 28

Money line

GIMME TEXAS TECH (+100) for 1 unit because they are more experienced—the Red Raiders have a Big 12-high 12 super seniors—and junior transfer, former-Oregon QB Tyler Shough, gives Texas Tech an edge in the quarterback matchup.

These two squads rank near each other in Football Outsiders’ F+ ratings overall and on both sides of the ball. Houston and Texas Tech have nearly the same returning production and an equal amount of returning starters.

Also, I think the market’s assumption is that Houston junior QB Clayton Tune and this offense takes a step forward in Holgorsen’s third season on the job.

However, Wells has a slightly better record in his three seasons at Texas Tech as Holgorsen in Houston. Furthermore, the Red Raiders had a plus-differential in yards per play against tougher competition than the Cougars, who had a negative net yards per play.

Moreover, Shough is a four-star recruit who passed for 1,559 yards last season with a 13 touchdown-to-6-interception ratio and led Oregon in rushing attempts. Shough will have a lot of support at his new home in Lubbock, Texas and should pick up where he left off in Oregon.

BET TEXAS TECH (+100).

Against the spread

The spread and the money line are identical for Texas Tech-Houston so PASS and STICK WITH THE MONEY LINE.

Over/Under

“LEAN” to the UNDER 64.5 (-108) for a half unit only because the Texas Tech-Houston total opened at 69.5 before it was steamed down to the current numbers. The reason for the line movement was because oddsmakers sided with the “sharp” money, which is backing the Under at a nearly 80% clip (according to Pregame.com).

But, the best part of that line movement is that it’s going in the opposite direction of a public that’s betting the Over at roughly a 60% rate. It’s a bit of a sweet spot in sports betting when you’re on the same side as the “wiseguys” and fading the public.

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Indiana at Iowa odds, expert picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Indiana at Iowa odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 17 Indiana Hoosiers travel to Kinnick Stadium for a Big Ten showdown against the No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes for both teams’ season opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Indiana vs. Iowa odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Indiana was one of the surprise stories in the Big Ten last season with a 6-2 record and finished in the top-25 for the first time since 1988. The Hoosiers return 17 starters (eight on offense, nine on defense) including junior QB Michael Penix Jr., who was lost to a season-ending torn ACL against the Maryland Terrapins Nov. 28.

After falling to 0-2, Iowa rattled off six straight wins to end its 2020 campaign and five of those victories were by double digits. The Hawkeyes bring back 14 starters (seven on each side of the ball) including junior QB Spencer Petras, leading rusher RB Tyler Goodson and preseason All-American C Tyler Linderbaum.

Indiana at Iowa odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 3:10 p.m. ET.

Money line: Indiana +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Iowa -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Indiana +3.5 (-105) | Iowa -3.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 46.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

Indiana at Iowa odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Iowa 30, Indiana 21

Money line

PASS even though I like the Hawkeyes in this spot because Iowa (-200) is a little out of my price range for an outright win.

Iowa has won seven of the last eight meetings against Indiana but the last time these programs faced each other was in 2018.

Against the spread

GIMME IOWA -3.5 (-115) for 1 unit because the Hawkeyes should maul the Hoosiers up front and I have a few reasons to think Indiana will regress this season.

Iowa consistently develops offensive linemen that get drafted while Indiana isn’t known for its defensive prowess and ranked 113th in line yards allowed per play last season.

On top of that, Indiana ranked 111th in yards per rush last season, Iowa’s defense was fifth in yards per rush allowed and the Hawkeyes return their entire secondary. So, I’m expecting Indiana to have a lot of third and long situations and the Hoosiers were 82nd in third-down conversion rate.

Also, the Hoosiers had a minus-0.4 yards per play differential last season and benefitted from a conference-leading 20 takeaways. Iowa ranked 26th in offensive turnover rate and had a plus-1.1 yards per play differential.

Finally, there are a couple of other minor factors giving me confidence in Iowa such as a return back to a legitimate home-field advantage this season, Penix returning from a torn ACL and Petras being in his second season at the helm of Iowa’s offense.

BET IOWA -3.5 (-115).

Over/Under

Slight “LEAN” to OVER 46.5 (-112) for a tiny wager if at all because I much prefer Iowa to cover rather than the total.

However, we have some “reverse line movement” as roughly 85% of the cash wagered is on the Over, according to Pregame.com, but the total has been steamed down from the 47.5-point opener. It’s always a red flag when the House makes the more popular side cheaper.

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Northern Colorado at Colorado odds, expert picks and prediction

Analyzing Colorado’s Friday night opener against FCS Northern Colorado, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Colorado Buffaloes were one of the Pac-12 Conference’s surprises in 2020 and kick off their 2021 campaign at 9 p.m. ET Friday by welcoming the Northern Colorado Bears, of the Football Championship Subdivision, to Folsom Field in Boulder. Below, we look at the Northern Colorado-Colorado odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

First-year CU coach Karl Dorrell earned Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Buffs to a 4-2 finish in the COVID-19-addled 2020 season. The campaign, though, ended with back-to-back double-digit losses to Utah and Texas, the latter coming in the Alamo Bowl, and Dorrell and Co., are now starting anew with redshirt freshman quarterback Brendon Lewis taking the reins.

Lewis, though, will have capable help in RB Jarek Broussard, the reigning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, and 2020 second-team All-American linebacker Nate Landman, who tore his Achilles tendon in the December loss to Utah.

At least CU played actual games in 2020. Northern Colorado, of the Big Sky Conference, saw COVID wipe out its 2020 season, and after electing not to play in the spring, the Bears will be playing Friday for the first time in 650 days.

Northern Colorado has a second-year college head coach in former NFL wide receiver and winning Colorado high school coach Ed McCaffrey. His son Dylan will start at quarterback after transferring from Michigan — one of 17 FBS transfers on the Bears roster.

Northern Colorado at Colorado odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 2:35 p.m. ET.

Money line: Northern Colorado +1700 (bet $100 to win $1,700) | Colorado -100000 (bet $100,000 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Northern Colorado +37.5 (-107) | Colorado -37.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Northern Colorado at Colorado odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Colorado 41, Northern Colorado 14

Money line

It’s a hard PASS here as we’re not laying -100000, and we’re not getting near enough corresponding value on the decisive underdog at +1700.

Against the spread

Siding with a team that hasn’t played in nearly two years and is picked to finish last in its 13-team FCS conference sounds like a frightful proposition on the road against a Pac-12 foe.

However, with the inexperienced CU quarterback and all the uncertainties of opening against an almost completely unknown opponent, we’ll bank on NORTHERN COLORADO (+37.5, -107) and its influx of FBS talent to keep things close enough.

Over/Under

For most of the reasons above, we expect a feeling-out process on both sides for much of the opening 30 minutes of this contest. Lewis and the Buffs will take charge in the second half but look for the UNDER 56.5 (-110) to just slide in.

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Oregon State at Purdue odds, expert picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Oregon State at Purdue odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Oregon State Beavers and Purdue Boilermakers meet Saturday in their season opener at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Oregon State at Purdue odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

The Beavers won just two of seven games last season, but they were a prolific offense. All five of their losses were by 13 or fewer points. QB Tristan Gebbia could get off to a hot start against Purdue – last season’s 12th-ranked pass defense in the Big Ten.

The Boilermakers welcome back RB Zander Horvath, and they have a big-play option in WR David Bell. If Purdue can get some stability at quarterback, and a little bit better offensive line play, it could be dangerous offensively. Defense is a big concern though, after allowing 29.8 PPG in 2020.

Oregon State at Purdue odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 2:22 p.m. ET.

Money line: Oregon State +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Purdue -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Oregon State +7.5 (-112) | Purdue -7.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 68.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

Oregon State at Purdue odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Purdue 38, Oregon State 31

Money line

Purdue (-280) is on its home field, but really that’s about the only differentiating factor here. Both teams have solid players at some of the skill positions, and then both teams have big shoes to fill in other areas on offense. Neither side sports a particularly attractive defense.

AVOID, and look to the spread instead.

Against the spread

OREGON STATE +7.5 (-112) is my favorite play on the board here. This line went up to seven and a hook from a flat seven Thursday, and I was ecstatic. I think that half-point is going to make a huge difference.

Oregon State doesn’t get blown out. Playing at Purdue is a tough assignment for its opener, but the Beavers will keep it within one score.

Over/Under

OVER 68.5 (-112) is the lean here, ever so slightly. While I don’t mind betting lines because of the half-point, it doesn’t really sway my thinking here. I think we’ll get a total approaching 70, but not enough to bet any real money.

A small-unit play is warranted as neither side has a great defense, but don’t expect a video game result either.

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Akron at Auburn odds, expert picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Akron at Auburn odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Akron Zips and Auburn Tigers meet Saturday in their season opener at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and the game can be viewed on ESPN+. Below, we look at the Akron at Auburn odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

The Zips won just one of their six games inside the MAC last season, so facing an SEC team on the road certainly isn’t optimal. Akron makes its first foray into SEC country since a 28-3 loss to South Carolina in 2018.

Auburn turns to head coach Bryan Harsin to lead the way. Perhaps he can unlock the potential of QB Bo Nix. We might also see LSU transfer QB T.J. Finley getting a chance to run the show. The fact the Tigers lost their top three wideouts from 2020 certainly doesn’t help, so expect Auburn to lean on RB Tank Bigsby early on.

The Tigers spanked the Zips 42-0 in the only previous meeting between these schools in 1988.

Akron at Auburn odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1:35 p.m. ET.

Money line: Akron +1700 (bet $100 to win $1,700) | Auburn -100000 (bet $100,000 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Akron +37.5 (-105) | Auburn -37.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 55.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

Akron at Auburn odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Auburn 45, Akron 6

Money line

There is no way to justify risking $100 for every 10 cents won, so AVOID playing Auburn (-100000), and look to the spread instead.

Against the spread

AUBURN -37.5 (-115) is a bit on the risky side, mostly because of its struggling offense. The Tigers need to be better in 2021, and hopefully Harsin can bring the magic he had working with quarterbacks at Boise State.

The Auburn defense held the opposition to just 24.7 points per game last season, and the Zips will have a difficult time trying to solve that unit.

Over/Under

UNDER 55.5 (-108) is the play, mostly because of Akron’s struggles on offense, and Auburn’s sturdy defense. Those are the two biggest reasons not to roll the dice and go Over.

Plus, we really need to see a big improvement from the Auburn pass game before counting on the Tigers to start ticking off Over results.

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Fresno State at Oregon odds, expert picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Fresno State at Oregon odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

It’ll be football with brunch this Saturday in Eugene, Ore., when the Fresno State Bulldogs and Oregon Ducks kick off at 2 p.m ET (11 a.m local time). Below, we look at the Fresno State vs. Oregon odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

Fresno State had a productive tune-up last week, shutting out Connecticut 45-0 (and outgaining them 538-107) in its opener. QB Jake Haener was prolific through the air, going 20-for-26 for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns, which poses a threat for an Oregon secondary without starters Jamal Hill and DJ James (suspension).

Things get much tougher this week for the Bulldogs, however, as Oregon is loaded with four straight top-15 recruiting classes under head coach Mario Cristobal. The Ducks defense is highlighted by all-everything DE Kayvon Thibodeaux and five-star LBs Noah Sewell and Justin Flowe.

The Ducks return a stable of skill position players and the entire offensive line on a ball-control offense that averaged 6.8 yards per play (12th in the nation) last season.

Fresno State at Oregon odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Money line: Fresno State +750 (bet $100 to win $750) | Oregon -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Fresno State +20.5 (-110) | Oregon -20.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 63.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

Fresno State at Oregon odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Oregon 38, Fresno State 24

Money line

We can’t reasonably recommend Fresno State to win this straight up, as a $100 bet on the Oregon ML would return just $7.14 in winnings. PASS.

Against the spread

Sure, it was just UConn, but Fresno State showed no signs of rust and now has the benefit of getting that first game action under its belt.

Oregon is a far more talented team, but this is its first game, the Ducks failed to cover in four of their last five games last season, and there are concerns over just how explosive the offense can be under QB Anthony Brown.

Take the points here, as FRESNO STATE +20.5 (-110) should be able to keep this relatively close.

Over/Under

The combination of Oregon’s excellent front-seven and slower-paced offense makes this ripe for an Under, which is what happened in each of its last three games in 2020. Take the UNDER 63.5 (-108).

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Penn State at Wisconsin odds, expert picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Penn State at Wisconsin odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

Camp Randall Stadium will be jumping Saturday for a Big Ten matchup between the No. 20 Penn State Nittany Lions and No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers in Madison, Wisc., at noon. ET. Below, we look at the Penn State at Wisconsin odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Penn State salvaged their 2020 season by winning (and covering) their last four games after dropping their first five. The defense gave up just 17 points per game during the win streak and finished top-30 in yards allowed against both the run and pass.

However, there are questions on offense as third-year QB Sean Clifford took a step back from his promising 2019 campaign. The Nittany Lions are on their third offensive coordinator in three years.

It’s a similar story for Wisconsin, which returns nine starters on an elite defense that allowed just 300 yards per game (fifth-best in the nation) and 17.4 points per game (9th) last year. The offense was brutal and averaged just 25 points per game as the run game yielded an un-Wisconsin-like 3.9 yards per carry (83rd in the country).

Penn State at Wisconsin odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9 a.m. ET.

Money line: Penn State +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Wisconsin -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Penn State +5.5 (-112) | Wisconsin -5.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Penn State at Wisconsin odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Wisconsin 24, Penn State 21

Money line

This should be a tight match between two evenly-matched teams with similar styles of play. Wisconsin holds a slight edge on defense, but Penn State has a bit more firepower on offense.

Home-field advantage might be the deciding factor, so a small-unit play on WISCONSIN (-230) feels like the right move.

Against the spread

We mentioned earlier that Penn State covered their last four games in 2020; we didn’t mention that Wisconsin failed to cover in their last four Big Ten conference games down the stretch.

This spread is too wide for what should be a close game so go with PENN STATE +5.5 (-112) to cover.

Over/Under

The 49.5 line seems inflated in a game featuring two of the conference’s best defenses, particularly in Week One when both offenses will be working out the kinks.

Take the UNDER 49.5 (-105) in what should be an old-fashioned Big Ten slugfest.

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Louisiana at Texas odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns at Texas Longhorns odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and Texas Longhorns will meet in the season opener at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Louisiana at Texas odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

The upset-minded Ragin’ Cajuns are one of two Sun Belt Conference teams in the preseason Top 25 rankings. That’s the first time the SBC has had two teams in the preseason rankings.

Louisiana is no slouch, just ask Iowa State. The Cajuns routed that Big 12 member 31-14 in last season’s opener.

Texas turns to former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian as head coach replacing the departed Tom Herman. The Longhorns will use QB Hudson Card as its starting signal caller, but Casey Thompson is also expected to see time. Card will have the luxury of playing behind four returning starters on the offensive line.

Louisiana at Texas odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 7:50 a.m. ET.

Money line: Louisiana +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Texas -340 (bet $340 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Louisiana +9.5 (-112) | Texas -9.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 58.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

Louisiana at Texas odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Texas 31, Louisiana 29

Money line

Texas (-340) will cost you more than three times your potential return, and that’s risky business in a game featuring two Top 25 teams.

AVOID.

Against the spread

LOUISIANA +9.5 (-112) should be able to keep this a one-possession game. I wouldn’t even be surprised to see them going for the tie late, perhaps misfiring on a two-point conversion. Texas -9.5 (-108) will be lucky to escape with a victory in Sarkasian’s debut on the sidelines.

Don’t sleep on the Ragin’ Cajuns, they easily could win this game. QB Levi Lewis is a stud, and he has a top-notch offensive line protecting him.

Over/Under

OVER 58.5 (-108) is the lean, but only go with a small-unit wager here. We haven’t seen Card in action. Lewis and the Louisiana offense is pretty powerful, but they also lack a clear-cut No. 1 wideout, so they’ll be adjusting to some new players, too. Still, once these two offenses settle in, we should see plenty of fireworks.

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