In Thursday’s college football action, The Citadel Bulldogs and Coastal Carolina Chanticleers will meet in a season opener at Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The game can be viewed on ESPN+. Below, we look at the The Citadel at Coastal Carolina odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Coastal Carolina is ranked No. 24 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
The Bulldogs make the short jaunt up US 17 from the “low country” to the Grand Strand to take on the Chanticleers. The Citadel went 0-4 in last fall and 2-6 in spring ball.
The Chanticleers are one of two Sun Belt Conference teams ranked in the Top 25. Louisiana is No. 23. It’s the first time the Sun Belt has two teams in the preseason rankings.
QB Grayson McCall is a star, who has the luxury of being behind an offensive line that returns all five starters. McCall also has his top targets in WR Jaivon Heiligh and TE Isaiah Likely back in the mix.
The Citadel at Coastal Carolina odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:19 a.m. ET.
- Money line: The Citadel +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500) | Coastal Carolina -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): The Citadel +35.5 (-120) | Coastal Carolina -35.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 57.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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The Citadel at Coastal Carolina odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Coastal Carolina 48, The Citadel 10
Money line
Needless to say, you can’t play Coastal Carolina (-10000), risking $100 for every $1 won. There’s just no value there.
AVOID.
Against the spread
COASTAL CAROLINA -35.5 (-105) is going to get off to a quick start, as McCall and the Chants pick apart the undermanned Bulldogs. The Citadel last played April 17 and didn’t have a full offseason to rest. That will play a factor, especially against one of the best Group of 5 teams in the nation.
In addition, The Citadel employs the triple-option and doesn’t have the means to pass its way back into games once it falls behind. That’s exactly what it will do here, fall behind early.
Over/Under
OVER 57.5 (-108) is the lean, ever so slightly. This is worth a small-unit bet, as the Chanticleers will certainly do their part to put points on the board. If The Citadel is able to get to double digits, this game has a great shot of hitting the number.
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