If I Were A Betting Man: Week 1 picks

As you may have noticed, sports gambling in the U.S. seems to have some serious momentum. The Supreme Court will hear a case during this football season that will decide, in essence, if states themselves can decide whether or not they want to allow sports gambling. Should the Supreme Court decide that is indeed the case, there will be a world in the not-too-distant future where Nevada isn’t the only place to legally wager on college football (or other sports, for that matter).

So I’m diving in for a practice round to see just how much money I would win or lose during one college football season. Each week, I’m going to scour the lines and pluck out the juiciest bets I can find.

The lines listed are from Covers.com.

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Alabama has had a player shot in the leg and another arrested for a DUI in the weeks leading up to this GOAT (Greatest Opener of All-Time). Probably not part of Nick Saban’s ‘Process’, but it won’t matter. Alabama’s history in these high-profile, neutral site openers is impressive. Bama has played seven since 2008 and is 6-1 against the spread with an average score of 38-15. None of the opponents have been the quality of this Florida State squad, but USC, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Michigan and Clemson have all fallen victim to the Tide’s opening salvo. I’m going conservative here and just take the money line on Alabama, but a double-digit win would not surprise me.

The bet: $100 on Alabama to win (-265)

Here’s what you need to know — Wyoming’s quarterback is good. Very good. NFL good. And Josh Allen will be facing an Iowa secondary that is replacing three starters. In Athens, Phase 2 of the Jacob Eason Era starts, and while Appa-LATCH-uhn State is the pick to win the Sun Belt, and almost beat Tennessee in the season-opener last season, Georgia has too much talent not to win by double-digits. I'm going to tease these two.

The bet: $100 on Wyoming/Georgia teaser (Wyo +17.5, Georgia -8.5)

Florida has 10 players suspended for the Michigan game, but only three figured to play prominent roles. Unfortunately for the Gators, among them is the team’s top wideout and top running back. When you are breaking in a QB, that’s not great news. Michigan breathlessly unveiled new uniforms for the showdown at Jerry World to go along with many new players (though don’t ask Jim Harbaugh to identify them on a depth chart). I’m a big, big, big believer in Harbaugh, and not just because he was blessed by the Pope this spring.

The bet: $150 on Michigan to win (money line -220)

Miami started last season 0-6, inserted quarterback Gus Ragland into the starting lineup and finished 6-6 (and covered the spread six straight times) before losing a bowl game. So a 12-0 season is in order, right? Probably not, but a 1-0 start looks promising with 16 starters back against a team that finished 3-9 last year and is replacing seven starters on defense. As long as Chad Pennington and Randy Moss aren’t walking through that door, I feel good about the RedHawks.

The bet: $150 on Miami (Ohio) to cover