I consider the first week of college football action to be Patsy Week as the top ten teams try to extend their Fall Camp at least one extra week by scrimmaging against either a Division II team or a very weak one from Division 1.
Of course, that’s not true of all teams. There are a couple of games between ranked teams. Missouri – Illinois and Clemson-Alabama stand out as “Can’t Miss” TV games.
On that very rare occasion, that patsy turns into a very formidable foe. I don’t think anyone will forget last year’s Appalachian State upset of Michigan. And Appalachian State, the top Division II team, is at it again. This year they are really going in over their heads to face LSU. Can they possibly do it again?
Let’s have you make the call. Except for Missouri – Illinois and Clemson-Alabama, which Patsy team will fare the best against it’s ranked opponent? And which will fare the worst?
Below are the current spreads. From the looks of it, Villanova should fare the worst since the oddsmakers haven’t even put a line on their game with West Virginia.
The University of Virginia looks like it will fare the best as they are 19.5-point underdogs at home in their game against USC. Both Florida and USC face teams that were major bowl teams last year. Virginia played in the Gator Bowl, and Hawaii played – correct that – showed up for the Sugar Bowl. But both Virginia and Hawaii have lost most of their starters from their bowl squads.
Here are the lines. What do you think?
1.Georgia –33 Georgia Southern
2.Ohio State –34.5 Youngstown State
2.USC –19.5 Virginia O/U 45.5
4.Oklahoma –48.5 Chattanooga
5.Florida –35.5 Hawaii O/U 70.5
6.LSU -24 Appalachian State
7. Missouri –9 Illinois O/U 59.5
8. West Virginia vs. Villanova No Line
9. Clemson –4.5 Alabama O/U 47.5
10. Auburn –26 UL Monroe O/U 48
10. Texas –24 Florida Atlantic O/U 65.5
