** MINNESOTA -25 vs BUFFALO
COACH FLECK'S DEBUT!
So here we are at the start of a brand new football season and I'm going to get it cranked by picking a couple of college games. Now, for those who have followed, you should know that I will not play too many college games. I specialize in mostly NFL forecasting, but here and there my sportsbook site gives me a free bet with a new deposit, and I like to re-deposit in the beginning and cash out at the end. This means that this first straight bet play is guaranteed. If I lose they refund me, so I think this is worth it. Caoch P.J. Fleck will be making his debut with the Gophers, and to me he's making his real debut to CFB. I think he's an extraordinary coach, and did a phenomenal job with Western Michigan last year. I also think that good coaches usually make a statement in their first game with a new team. He did lose his first game with W. Michigan in '13, and also went 1-11 in that first season, but that was different. He had to totally build that program there, and that's not the case with Minnesota. They already have had a pretty decent football program, going 9-4 last year in the Big 10, and have been pretty consistent on the defensive side of the ball. They are only bringing back 5 starters on defense this year, but 2 of those players are their best defensive players, and their 2 sack leaders from last year. There is also enough upperclassmen on the defense to not lack too much experience. They're bringing back 7 starters on the offense and that includes their 2 headed monster of a running game, who accounted for over 1,700 rushing yards last season. I really think the Gophers could be a contender and surprise team in the Big 10 west this year. As for Buffalo, they were just awful on offense last year, and their defense was really not better. I do think they can and probably will be improved this year on both sides, but I also don't see them being on the level of this Minnesota team.
PREDICTED SCORE : GOPHERS 35 BULLS 6
Another play I kind of like -
* LSU -14 vs BYU
I think the Tigers have the top 2 coordinators in the country, and while they're only bringing back 5 starters on defense, they too have a lot of upperclassmen coming back. They also have a great offensive back field, which includes arguably the best RB in CFB. Arden Key will be out, but I think they've got some good talent that's come in, and I believe there is a talent gap between these programs. I do think the Cougars are a good, hard-nosed team, but I don't think their defense will be able to stop Matt Canada, and his offense for four quarters. Speaking of Canada, this guy is really hard to prepare for, and has said that he has never had talent like LSU. I think he will have some fun with the RB's he has and will run a lot of different, intelligent plays this year, that will make the Tigers' offense hard to stop. On defense, I think they should be just fine, especially for this game, because Aranda is the best defensive coordinator right now.
PREDICTED SCORE : TIGERS 34 COUGARS 16
