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College football is back, and it couldn’t return soon enough.
The only drawback to Week 1 in college football is that half the games pit elite teams against lowly FBS teams or worse. But no matter, there are plenty of interesting games to handicap as the college weekend stretches to five days with the NFL out of real action for more week.
As for a quick word about me: I’ve been picking college football for the last seven years for The Trentonian (N.J.) and voting for the Heisman for five years.
My record last season against the spread was 119-99-3, giving me my second good year in a row. For full disclosure, I was just a hair under .500 for the five years prior combined.
But enough talk. Let’s get to business.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
Texas A&M (+11) at South Carolina, 6 p.m., SEC Network
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The Aggies have several big holes to fill on offense, and Columbia is not a comfortable place to do so. Last season the Aggies had the worst defense in the SEC, and the Gamecocks will make them pay.
Osborne’s pick: South Carolina covers the 11 points at home.
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Tulane (+6 1/2) at Tulsa, 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network
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The Green Wave improved last season, but they’re not the same team on the road. Tulsa, meanwhile, was a little down last year but is due for a bounce back. This is one of my top picks of the week for sure with the Golden Hurricane needing only a one-TD win.
Osborne’s pick: Tulsa easily covers 6 1/2 points.
Ole Miss (-10) vs. Boise State (at Atlanta), 8 p.m., ESPN
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I like both teams here, and while Ole Miss is expected to be a contender in the SEC West, the Broncos have a lot of kids back and might be poised to get back into the national picture. Both teams will score and while I was leaning toward the Rebels, I’m going over-under instead.
Osborne’s pick: Over 54 points.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
Bowling Green (-8 1/2) at Western Kentucky, 7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
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I don’t know why, but I love Bowling Green. The Falcons have a new coach, but they have been building a solid foundation for years. Last season, they covered the spread in all 10 of their wins, meaning they either bring it all or nothing every week. I’m counting on all.
Osborne’s pick: Bowling Green laying the 8 1/2 on the road.
Colorado (-3) vs. Colorado State (at Denver), 9 p.m., Fox Sports 1
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The Buffaloes were a laughingstock a couple of years ago, but coach Mike MacIntyre is putting things together. The Buffs will have to keep improving to contend at all in the Pac-12, but they’ve got enough to handle this one.
Osborne’s pick: Colorado by more than a field goal.
Texas-San Antonio (+12) at Houston, 9 p.m., ESPNU
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The Roadrunners have 20 starters back and most of them are seniors. If one of them was their longtime quarterback (the only one they’ve ever really had, Eric Soza), I would take the underdogs, but I’m just going to assume it will be a shootout.
Osborne’s pick: Take the over at 55 1/2 points.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
Troy (+2 1/2) at UAB, noon, Fox Sports Go
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Troy hit a down patch over the last couple years, but the Trojans have a way of bouncing back. UAB has been a ship adrift for a while now.
Osborne’s pick: The (other) Men of Troy pull a very mild upset.
California (+11) at Northwestern, 3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2
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After Northwestern lost a tough game to Ohio State last season, the Wildcats lost that game about five more times, as nothing seemed to go right in the fourth quarter throughout the Big Ten schedule. But Pat Fitzgerald won’t let things fall completely to pieces, and Cal hasn’t shown much lately.
Osborne’s pick: Northwestern covers the 11 points at home.
Florida Atlantic (+21 1/2) at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
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I have no logical reason for my pick beyond this: When can you get Nebraska giving this small an amount of points to such a sorry opponent? Seems like a bargain and a recipe for a huge opening day blowout.
Osborne’s pick: Blackshirts roll over Florida Atlantic by more than 21 1/2 points.
Alabama (-26 1/2) vs. West Virginia (at Atlanta), 3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2
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When Nick Saban goes into the opener and says he will play both his quarterbacks, he must be pretty sure his team is going to roll. Who knew losing Rich Rodriguez could actually HURT a program?
Osborne’s pick: Pain … and the Tide rolling by four scores or more.
Arkansas (+19) at Auburn, 4 p.m., SEC Network
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Am I taking the Hogs with the points against the national runner-up? Yes, I am. Nick Marshall won’t start but he may get the “Errict Rhett Two-Down Suspension” made famous by Steve Spurrier. Still, I like Arkansas’ running game to keep this one close enough.
Osborne’s pick: Arkansas stays within 19 points.
Clemson (+8) at Georgia, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
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Since Clemson is at home, the Tigers won’t be able to cryptically circle the stadium in a bus before the game to build drama, not that it helped them against Florida State last season. The Bulldogs are healthy again and will handle things at home.
Osborne’s pick: Dawgs by two scores.
Idaho (+35) at Florida, 7 p.m., ESPNU
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There are two things I never do: lay five touchdowns, and take Florida as a heavy favorite. Consider these rules broken.
Osborne’s pick: Florida rolls Idaho into tater tots, winning by 40 or more to prove a point.
Florida State (-18 1/2) vs. Oklahoma State (at Dallas), 8 p.m., ABC
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When was the last time the Cowboys were given this many points? Still, it won’t be enough. They’re up against a juggernaut here with a young team.
Osborne’s pick: Top-ranked Noles also prove a point with a 24-point win.
UTEP (+7 1/2) at New Mexico, 8 p.m.
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Somehow I found a game that isn’t nationally televised. I didn’t know that was possible. In any case, the Lobos are my sneaky pick of the week.
Osborne’s pick: New Mexico wins by comfortably more than 7 1/2 points.
LSU (-4 1/2) vs. Wisconsin (at Houston), 9 p.m., ESPN
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Even with the teams that Wisky has had recently, LSU just keeps raking in top recruits and will have more talent. If this game was in Madison, things might be different.
Osborne’s pick: Tigers cover with a touchdown win.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31
Utah State (plus-6) at Tennessee, 7 p.m., SEC Network
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Simple situation: The Vols can either beat a second-division team by a touchdown at home, or skulk slowly away with their heads hung in shame. Their option.
Osborne’s pick: Vols roll at home with some to spare.
