Jesse Schule

THE PLAY: East Carolina Total Over 24.5 (-114)

This is a free play on ECU TT Over. 

The Pirates beat the Wolfpack in their bowl game last year, and they have actually covered in five of the last seven in this rivalry. This is a revenge game for NC State, and their offense should be in good shape with QB CJ Bailey returning. A new OC is expected to go up tempo on offense, and we see this game is projected to be a real shootout. I think both these teams score their fair share, but I like the Pirates to go over their team total if this one gets pointsy… 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Total Under 45.5 (-110)

This is a free play on Under 45.5. 

The Gophers defense was lights out last year, and even though DC Corey Hetherman has moved on to Miami, they promoted within and shouldn't miss a beat. In two non-conference games last season against teams outside the Power 4, they allowed a combined zero points. The offense will likely be a bit more conservative with a freshman replacing Max Brosmer, and they should lean on their talented RBs. A heavy dose of the running game should burn up the clock, and I think this total is on the wrong side of 45. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Rutgers -10.5 (-110)

This is a free play on Rutgers. 

At his second stint at Rutgers, Greg Schiano delivered a winning record and went to a bowl game last year. Duplicating that this season will be difficult with a less favorable schedule. The Scarlet Knights rank near the top of the country in returning production, including an experienced quarterback. Hosting a MAC team in Week 1, they should start off the season with a convincing win. The Bobcats were MAC champs last year, but they were not competitive in non-conference play. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Georgia Tech -3.5 (-110)

This is a free play on GT. 

The Yellow Jackets bring back QB Haynes King, who was lights out last season. While he didn't throw for a ton of yards, his TD/INT of 14-2 is pretty impressive. He did plenty of damage with his legs, and he will get leading rusher Jamal Haynes back this season as well. Colorado has to replace Shedeur and Travis Hunter, and that's going to be tough with Kaden Salter expected to step in at QB. Colorado might be competitive in the BIG12, but asking them to compete with a veteran squad like GT in Week 1 is asking too much. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Total Over 61.5 (-110)

This is a free play on Over. 

The Hilltoppers are known for their offensive prowess, and they have themselves a new QB1. The best name in college football might be Maverick McIvor who was a starter at Albien Christian last season. He put up big numbers last year, and that included throwing for over 500 yards and three TDs in a 52-51 OT loss to Texas Tech. He will make his debut against a Sam Houston defense that was completely gutted in the off-season, returning almost none of their starters. We should expect a barn burner in this C-USA game in Week Zero. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Hawaii +2.5 (-110)

This is a free play on Hawaii. 

Timmy Chang enters his fourth season as head coach in Hawaii, and his team is expected to take the next step. Their season win total is set at 5.5 with the over juiced at -150. The host the Stanford Cardinal who have a freshman QB and an interim coach. The Cardinal are projected to finish last in the ACC this season. This Stanford team ranked dead last in scoring defense in the conference last year, and is projected to pick up right where they left off in 2025. 

GL,

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Boise State -9.5 (-110)

This is a free play on BSU. 

The Broncos lose phenom Ashton Jeanty, a generational talent at running back. They get the majority of their team back after going 12-2 and making the playoffs last year. They have the same coach and starting QB, an experienced offensive line and one of the top defenses in their conference. Before you write them off because they lost Jeanty, let me tell you a thing or two about history …. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Central Florida -16.5 (-110)

This is a free play on UCF. 

Scott Frost is back in Orlando, where he went 13-0 with the Knights in 2017. The Knights open the season at home against Jacksonville State, which should allow the Scott Frost era to start off on a positive note. The Gamecocks won the C-USA last season, going 7-1 in conference play. Despite their success, they lost their first two games of the season by a combined 63 points to Coastal Carolina and Louisville. Head coach Rich Rod has left to take the job at West Virginia, and he's replaced by Charles Kelly. Despite 30+ years of coaching experience, Kelly has never before been a head coach. He will be starting from scratch, as the Gamecocks rank near last in the country in returning production. I believe there is more than a 16.5 point separation between a rebuilding BIG12 team and a completely gutted C-USA team. Lay it with UCF. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Nebraska -6.5 (-110)

This is a free play on Nebraska. 

Last year there was a lot of hype around Dylan Raiola and Nebraska, but they came up short in a lot of close games. Losing in overtime to Illinois and losing to Ohio State by four points. Their final game of the regular season was a 13-10 loss at Iowa. Raiola should be better with a year of experience under his belt, and with Dana Holgerson at OC. They play Cincinnati at Arrowhead in Week 1, and the Bearcats were just 5-7 last year, and ended the season on a five game losing streak. Nebraska played a BIG12 team last year and beat Colorado by 18 points. I think we see something similar here in Week 1, and Nebraska might cruise to 8-10 wins this season. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Auburn -2.5 (-110)

This is a free play on Auburn. 

Phil Steele has Baylor winning the BIG12 this year? Everybody is high on Bears QB Sawyer Robertson, who threw for over 3000 yards, 28 TDs and 8 INTs last years. The Bears ended last season with six straight wins, before losing 44-31 to LSU in the Texas Bowl. The fact that Auburn won only five games last year, yet is favored on the road at Baylor in Week 1 would suggest that the Bears strength of schedule doesn't match up against the Tigers. Baylor has lost 10 straight versus Top 25 teams. I think old Phil may have had a few too many drinks before handicapping the BIG12? 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Baylor Under 7.5 regular season wins.

This is a free play on BAY Under 7.5 wins. 

I think the Bears were overhyped, Yes they bring back most of their starting production, including a starting QB that put up solid numbers in his first year. He still didn't beat any of the top teams in the BIG12, and Baylor has lost 10 straight versus ranked teams. Starting in Week 1 versus Auburn, the Bears might be in for a reality check? Also I am predicting the dreaded sophomore jinx for Sawyer Robertson. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Total Under 50.5 (-110)

This is a free play on Under 50.5. 

Both Texas and Ohio State bring in new starting QBs this season, and with such high stakes in Week 1 we should expect these coaches to be a bit hesitant to air it out considering these defenses ranked 1st and 3rd in the country last season. Texas has depth at running back, bringing back three of their top 4 rushers from last year. Manning can run as well, and he proved it with four rushing TDs last season. This is the first ever start for Julian Sayin, so the Buckeyes will likely be conservative as well. These teams have gone under in three straight head to head meetings including last year's Playoff game. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Alabama -12.5 (-115)

This is a free play on BAMA. 

Did you know that Mike Norvell is just 4-18 at Florida State without Jordan Travis? After going 2-10 last year, and his players quit on him, Norvell brings in a QB that quit on his own team last year. That incoming QB just decided to talk smack about Alabama, their coaching staff, and his former teammates. What kind of a program is Mike Norvell running down in Tallahassee? Alabama is gonna tear them a new one in Week 1. Thomas Castellanos writing cheques that his ass can't cash!

GL, 

Jesse Schule

THE PLAY: Clemson -3.0 (-110)

This is a Free play on Clemson. 

Brian Kelly is 0-3 in Week 1 since taking over as head coach for LSU. He's also really struggled against Top 10 ranked teams, going 2-4 with the Tigers, and he's 6-20 in his career versus Top 10 teams. LSU has the top portal class in the country heading into 2025, but that might take some time to pay off. Facing a Clemson team that ranks #1 in returning production looks tough, especially on the road in Week 1. Cade Klubnik thrived in his second season with offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. Clemson should be better prepared here in the season opener. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Clemson to win the ACC +110

This is a free play on Clemson to win the ACC. 

The Tigers come into 2025 ranking #1 in returning production, and that includes starting QB Cade Klubnik who thrived in his second season with OC Garrett Riley. They get LSU at home in Week 1, and Brian Kelly is winless in season openers at LSU. He also has a horrendous record versus Top 10 ranked teams. I don't think highly of Florida State, and the Tigers catch the Seminoles at home. They also get SMU at home and Miami isn't on their schedule in the regular season. The Conference is theirs to lose … 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Utah -4.5 (-110)

This is a free play on Utah. 

The Utes will be a favorite to win the BIG12, and they are rolling the dice bringing in new quarterback Devon Dampier and offensive coordinator Jason Beck from New Mexico. The Bruins also have a new quarterback, but Nico arrives with plenty of question marks. Utah has owned the Bruins, winnign six of the last seven meetings. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Washington Total Over 35.5 (-114)

This is a free play on WASH TT Over. 

Colorado State was competitive in the Mountain West last year, but in non conference play they allowed over 40 points per game to Texas, Colorado and Oregon State. The Huskies offense is in great shape with Demond Williams taking over at QB. He totaled 422 yards from scrimmage with four passing TDs and a rushing TD in the bowl game. He completed over 78 percent of his passes as the backup last year. i like Washington to light up the scoreboard in Week 1. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: South Carolina -9.5 (-110)

This is a free play on South Carolina. 

The Gamecocks were very close to being a playoff team last year, and they bring back a starting QB in Sellers that is projected to be one of the best in the conference. They lost Rocket Sanders but bring in some transfers at RB and WR. The defense that was one of the best in the SEC last season brings back the majority of the significant contributors. The Hokies have made wholesale changes with a new OC and DC, a ton of transfers and new recruits. Kyron Drones is back at QB after a tough 2024 season. Grab this line while it is as single digits, because it should get bet up close to game day. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Miami Florida +2.5 (-110)

This is a free play on MIA. 

Carson Beck comes over from Georgia, and he will bring a ton of experience. The Irish on the other side will turn to CJ Carr who makes his first ever college start on the road in Miami in August, and he will be “thrown into the fire” on what will likely be a hot day. Notre Dame has a dynamic duo in the backfield, but Miami should be improved on defense with their new DC. i just can't lay points on the road with an inexperienced QB. Not in Week 1 … 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Iowa State +3.5 (-110)

This is a free play on the Cyclones. 

The theme in the BIG12 last year was parody, with only one win separating the 7th place team and the 1st place team in the conference standings. We would be surprised if that wasn't the case again this season. I do expect Kansas State to be a contender after a disappointing finish last season. Iowa State appeared to be playing over their head last year, but they bring back an experienced quarterback and a ton of talent from a squad that made the conference championship game. I just don't feel comfortable with the Wildcats laying this many points at a neutral site with the added variable of traveling to another continent. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule 

THE PLAY: Boise State to make the College Football Playoffs!

This is a free play on Boise State to make the playoffs. 

The Broncos have to replace the best RB in college football, but they bring back their offensive line, their coaching staff and their starting QB back in 2025. This program owns the Mountain West, and I don't expect that will change this season. Write this name down… “SIRE GAINS” … this dude is gonna tear up the Mountain West as Jeanty's replacement. BSU might be favored in all but one of their games (ND). They have a clear path to the Playoffs. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule