SEC Week 1 Props: Just for Kicks, Bet LSU-FSU First Score
The SEC does pretty much everything better than any other conference in the country with the possible exception of putting together the Week 1 schedule.
When it comes to the college football predictions, the Mercer-Ole Miss, UMass-Auburn, Southeastern Louisiana-Mississippi State, UT Martin-Georgia and Middle Tennessee State-Alabama showdowns do not result in must-see television.
The SEC is saving the best for last and Sunday’s LSU-Florida State game should be worth the wait. The college football spreads are favoring LSU by two points.
Two-time defending national champion Georgia, Alabama, LSU and Tennessee are all ranked in the top 12. They are also among the top candidates in the odds to win the national title.
Here’s a look at some prop bets that those who bet online might want to consider.
Leary Looks To Light It Up for Kentucky
The transfer portal is a wonderful thing. Kentucky loses starting quarterback Will Levis to the NFL and the Wildcats might have a better QB with former North Carolina State QB Devin Leary set to take control of the Kentucky offense.
Look for Leary to have more of a chance to show what he can do at Kentucky than he did when he played at NC State.
Two days to go, #BBN! pic.twitter.com/reG4PPFUvv
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) August 31, 2023
Ball State is not exactly going to strike fear into teams when it comes to its defensive performance in recent years, so don’t be surprised to see plenty of points going up on the scoreboard.
Leary was limited to six games in an injury-shortened 2022 season and will look to shake the rust off in the season opener.
LSU-FSU Ready to Get Their Kicks
The game between Louisiana State and Florida State will not be for the faint of heart. Expect plenty of big hits as two teams with national championship aspirations meet in Orlando on Sunday.
Both teams have veteran quarterbacks with former Arizona State signal-caller Jayden Daniels ready for his second season playing for Brian Kelly at LSU while Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis is trending in the right direction when it comes to the way the college football odds view the Heisman Trophy race.
There are so many gifted athletes in the secondary for both the Tigers and Seminoles that breaking through for an early touchdown might be a bit of a struggle.
Kickers are people too so why not roll with the first points coming in this top-10 showdown coming courtesy of a field goal?
UMass, Auburn to Save Their Best For Last?
When UMass opened its 2023 season against New Mexico State, it took awhile for things to start happening.
It was a 13-10 game going into the fourth quarter before the teams combined for 48 points in a wild 41-30 win for the Minutemen.
Among SEC teams, only Vanderbilt and Texas A&M attempted fewer offensive plays than Auburn last season.
If an improved UMass team puts Auburn in a position of needing to open up the offense, there could be more fourth-quarter offensive fireworks.
Gamecocks’ Secondary to Be Under Duress
South Carolina pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the SEC a season ago, stunning Tennessee when listed by the college football betting lines as a 22½-point underdog.
However, the Gamecocks also gave up 38 points and 507 yards of offense in the victory.
Now the Gamecocks face Heisman Trophy candidate Drake Maye and the pass-happy North Carolina Tar Heels.
Look for Maye to get it going early on in this neutral-site game in Charlotte.
Pick: North Carolina vs South Carolina – First Score to be a North Carolina TD (+125)
Points Aplenty in UVA-Tennessee Clash
It would be a mistake to lower the expectations for Tennessee even with quarterback Hendon Hooker and his two top receivers now in the NFL.
Joe Milton has one of the strongest arms in college football and Tennessee still has a top-notch set of pass catchers to throw it to. Don’t expect Tennessee to become a three yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust offense just because of some departures.
Virginia coach Tony Elliott did some great work as Clemson’s offensive coordinator and it is time for Virginia’s offense to show something.
Pick: Virginia-Tennessee to Go Over 56 Points (-110)
