🏈 Offshore lines set for college football's opening weekend

[TerryP]

We are 121 days from the kickoff the 2013 college football season, but the early preparations and analysis for the opening weekend have already begun.

That includes the oddsmakers at 5Dimes, the popular offshore betting website, who have already set lines for some of the biggest games on that weekend. Among those: Alabama's showdown with Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on Aug. 31 in the Georgia Dome, where the Crimson Tide have been tabbed as early 22-point favorites by the oddsmakers.


A large spread like that could challenge Alabama's 10-game streak of covering the spread in non-conference games against BCS opponents. Since losing 21-14 against Florida State in Nick Saban's first game, the Crimson Tide have covered the spread against Colorado, Clemson, Virginia Tech (2009), Texas, Penn State, Duke, Michigan State, Penn State, Michigan, and most recently Notre Dame in the BCS title game.

Teams have just wrapped spring practice, so take these numbers with a grain of salt. There is plenty of time for things to change drastically for all of the teams listed below, so we suggest you close that wallet and look at these lines for entertainment purposes only.


(H/T: @BeyondTheBets)


Tursday, Aug. 29

North Carolina at South Carolina (-14.5)

USC at Hawaii (+19)


Saturday, Aug. 31

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (+22) -- Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta, Ga.

LSU vs. TCU (+6) -- Cowboys Classic in Arlington, Texas

Georgia at Clemson (-2)


Monday, Sept. 2

Florida State at Pittsburgh (+8.5)

 

[TerryP]

First question...are you going to join our pick 'em contest in the fall?!?! A few changes coming with the Bama Bucks and we'll be rolling...

+22 may seem like a lot. However, if there is one thing the Hokies don't have it's a QB who can sit in the pocket and hurt a team through the air.

As pyschojoe just texted me...if you want to know what Va Tech looks like try to put the bowl game out of Rutgers out of your mind. I don't think it's possible for a team to look that bad two years in a row. Then again, there's teams coached by Mike DuBose that comes to mind...

Jamies Winston starting for FSU? Is he good enough to lead the Seminoles over Pitt by 8.5?

TCU should look better on offense if last seasons woes are put behind them. But +6 vs LSU? Meh...

 

[psychojoe]

Did the TCU QB finish his rehab and get back in school?

You won't recohgnize many players on LSU D. TCU + 6 tempts me because they play very good D.

Georgia at Clemson could be a doozie.

 

[TerryP]

Did the TCU QB finish his rehab and get back in school?

You won't recohgnize many players on LSU D. TCU + 6 tempts me because they play very good D.

Georgia at Clemson could be a doozie.

That was the first question that came to mind with that game as well. And, I don't know.

I suspect there's a post-sprint wrap-up that may answer the question...don't know if Patterson is one to release post-spring depth charts though. I've noticed Auburn and Arkansas did this year and I've yet to understand why.

 

[planomateo]

Yes, he returned to TCU shortly after Alabama beat down Notre Dame.

Unsure if he will be the starter, I remember hearing that he wasn't about a month ago.

 

[tidentrue]

First question...are you going to join our pick 'em contest in the fall?!?! A few changes coming with the Bama Bucks and we'll be rolling...

Whay kind of changes, plano and I built a nice little chunk last season, prefer not starting over, AGAIN

 

[bamaraider]

Hope Clemson beats Georgia....

 

[planomateo]

First question...are you going to join our pick 'em contest in the fall?!?! A few changes coming with the Bama Bucks and we'll be rolling...

Whay kind of changes, plano and I built a nice little chunk last season, prefer not starting over, AGAIN

Oh snap, how did I miss the first sentence, glad you're paying attention tidentrue :twothumbs:

 

[TerryP]

First question...are you going to join our pick 'em contest in the fall?!?! A few changes coming with the Bama Bucks and we'll be rolling...

Whay kind of changes, plano and I built a nice little chunk last season, prefer not starting over, AGAIN

In how people can add to their totals...replies will carry a set total of bucks, rating threads, new topics, etc...

For those who went broke they can replenishtheir "accounts."

 

[psychojoe]

For those who went broke they can replenishtheir "accounts."

Don Vito might be willing to make a few loans as wll. Of course you'd better pay up.

 

[riz]

I'm in.

Quite frankly, I've come to expect big numbers from us in these marquee opening games. 22 is a lot, but I betcha we cover it. Bud Foster, and his "closest thing to an SEC defense" will have a real hard time slowing us down. Again.