2019 College Football Preview

Hawaii’s Cedric Byrd had 79 receptions for 970 yards and nine TDs in 2018. Byrd and the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors host Arizona on Saturday night as double-digit home underdogs.

Published on Wednesday, 8/21/19, at 3:49 p.m. Eastern.
Updated on Friday, 8/30/19, at 12:22 p.m. Eastern.

Toe meets leather in Orlando on Saturday night at Camping World Stadium, where Florida and Miami will collide. The line has inched up to 7.5 over the last couple of days after UF was -7 for most of the summer.

The total was 50.5 points for most of the summer but when Manny Diaz announced his starter as redshirt freshman Jarren Williams, the number moved down to 48. Since then, it’s hovered in the 47 to 47.5 range. The Hurricanes are +250 on the money line (risk $100 to win $250).

ESPN will have the telecast at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

On the CBS Sports Network at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, Cole McDonald (36/10 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2018) and Hawaii will take on Arizona. The Wildcats are 11-point favorites at most books. The total was at 70.5 points until it shot up to 74 earlier this week. The Rainbow Warriors are +325 to win outright.

Nick Rolovich’s club won outright as a double-digit underdog three times last year — at Colorado St., vs. Navy and at San Diego St. Hawaii returns 18 starters, nine apiece on each side of the ball.

Check out some of my content at MajorWager and other spots below…

UPDATE on picks on 8/30: 2-0 last night with Tulane and Cincinnati for easy cashers. 3-1 overall after losing Florida and winning Hawaii last week. One play (so far, may add 1-2 more) for tonight here. Again, a few more to come but for now, four plays for Saturday. And of course, there’s always my season package.

–As ALWAYS, any questions about games, picks, injuries, discounts on picks, etc., feel free to hit me up at briane.edwards11@gmail.com.

–Did I almost have a stroke when I saw Oscar wearing my colors last week? You damn right I did. How dare that piece of garbage! I was so wrapped up in the UF-UM game that I only had time for this G-rated tweet:

My preview of Gators vs. ‘Canes at VegasInsider.com.

Here’s my general season preview filed to VI, including winners of each conference, a few season win totals and Games of the Year bets. In many years past, I’ve been extremely bullish on multiple season win totals. Although I throw out a few in the VI preview, I’ve actually only played two this summer and just for small amounts. Those are Virginia ‘over’ 7.5 (or eight at plus money) and Hawaii ‘over’ 5.5 (before it got to a juice price of around -140). Again, just small change on these and if your price on Hawaii’s ‘over’ is North of -130, I’d just pass.

–My 2019 betting preview for the Florida Gators in writing at MajorWager.com, and there’s also this video preview for UF on MajorWager’s YouTube channel. (Feel free to subscribe, rate, comment, etc. to MajorWager’s YouTube channel that features a lot of my work.) My UF video preview is done from Biloxi at the Beau Rivage’s new sportsbook, The TAP, which I wrote about a few weeks ago.

My preview of Vanderbilt in writing. Derek Mason has three of the nation’s best offensive players in RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, WR Kalija Lipscomb and TE Jared Pinkney. Vandy also brings in a number of transfers, including former Ball St. QB Riley Neal. Here’s my take on the Commodores in a YouTube video.

–South Carolina has the nation’s toughest schedule, but Will Muschamp probably has his best team during his tenure in Columbia. My preview at MajorWager and I also discussed the Gamecocks in this YouTube video. Also, Kiper had Jake Bentley listed as the No. 4 senior QB in the country in terms of NFL prospects.

My 2019 Tennessee Volunteers football betting preview that chronicles the program’s demised over the past decade. The atrocious hires of ADs and head coaches were absolutely mind boggling, especially the hiring of Dave Hart, who was an absolute disgrace at both FSU and UT.

–We lost a Kentucky Wildcats football legend this summer. At the way-too-early age of 38, UK’s leader in career passing yards, Jared Lorenzen, passed away. RIP.

–Lots of good college football info and opinions from experts like Brad Powers, Jay Greeson, Dave Cokin, Thor Nystrom and KellyinVegas in this roundtable convo.

–Mike Leach surprisingly named senior QB Anthony Gordon as his starting QB in the opener vs. New Mexico St. The FCS grad transfer Gage Gubrud was considered the favorite to win the gig.

–After a long hiatus, the Games Galore pod (#63) will be back on Thursday night. Bring your popcorn and cold Budweisers.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

–Northwestern is +6.5 at Stanford in Week 1. The Wildcats are an incredible 10-0 ATS with eight outright wins in their past 10 games as road underdogs.

–Kentucky, a 12-point home favorite vs. Toledo in its opener, has failed to cover the number in 10 consecutive games as a home favorite.

–Utah is 11-2 ATS as a road underdog since 2014.

–Mel Kiper’s latest Big Board and Position Rankings on ESPN.com gives plenty of love to Vanderbilt’s Big Three. Vaughn is ranked as the No. 1 senior RB, Pinkney is the No. 1 senior TE and Lipscomb is the No. 3 senior WR. Keep in mind, however, that there are underclassmen that he ranks higher overall.

–The following QBs have been named Week 1 starters this week: Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts, West Va.’s Austin Kendall, Auburn’s Bo Nix, Nevada’s Carson Strong, USC’s JT Daniels and Wake Forest’s Jamie Newman.

–It wouldn’t be legit football season preview in August without a couple of Heat Checks from some ladies fired up for some tailgate action this fall. Let’s check in on Anna Katharina, Emilie Bosak, Kayla Simmons (GATOR!), Sabina Kontor, Olga Mashko and Emily Ratajkowski!

Anna Katharina

Emilie Bosak

Kayla Simmons at The Swamp

Sabina Kontor

Olga Mashko

Emily Ratajkowski

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