Week 1 Thursday Plays + Games To Watch

#25 Boise State @ South Florida

5:30PM EST / ESPN

Boise State -5.5 / Total: 61.5

While this isn't a ranked matchup or even a P4 matchup, this should start your Week 1 with a bang! Boise State the perennial Mountain-West favorite and new G5 playoff-bid favorite will travel to South Florida to face off against Alex Golesh's Go-Go offense with Byrum Brown. Although Boise State lost Jeanty they've proven to be a talented team year after year. The real question mark is how does the new found focus from defenses affect second year QB Madsen. South Florida has made Alabama sweat twice with Byrum Brown and the "Go-Go" offense has been known to put up points. Strap in for a fun one here. See more below about my pick in this game.

Nebraska @ Cincinnati (Arrowhead Stadium, KC)

9:00PM EST / ESPN

Nebraska -6.5 / Total: 52.5

Like I said Nebraska has a chance to put the BIG10 on notice here but let's see what the Bearcats have to say about that. Cincinnati is shaping up to be a "Dark Horse" (I use that term loosely in the BIG12) in the BIG12. With veteran QB Brendan Sorsby and a new WR room at his disposal they could be dangerous. I'm not sure if this game could be any more meme-able. Dylan Raiola the Patrick Mahomes lookalike is playing against Travis Kelce's alma mater at Arrowhead Stadium where the Chiefs play! I've heard that Taylor will not be in attendance but she could provide a MAJOR swing for Cincinnati with a surprise appearance. But in all seriousness this is year 3 of Matt Rhule and year 3 for Raiola, GBR is expecting a major uptick. While Rhule's resume in college is short, he's only ever provided evidence that he elevates programs especially in year 3. With some moves in the portal at OL and WR these Cornhuskers are looking to score more points this season. And as I mentioned before if Nebraska looks dominant here, you'll be hearing whispers about them as the "Dark Horse" for the BIG10 soon.

THURSDAY WEEK 1 PLAYS

USF +5.5

It’s starting to scare me how many people I’m hearing love USF this week but for good reasons. Everyone is focused on the RB/s who will replace Ashton Jeanty but I don’t believe that’s the key to this game. Since defenses won’t have tunnel vision on Jeanty, the question is how does QB Madsen play now that he is the focal point of the offense. Boise State returns some talent but is down a few notches on the DL. They’ll need the DL to get home against USF’s Byrum Brown who returns after missing most of last year with injury. In ‘23 Brown became the first ever 3K yard passer at USF with 3,292 yards 26TD/11INTs 800 rush yds 11 TDs while taking 38 sacks! Not to mention USF HC Alex Golesh is an offensive wizard with his patented Go-Go offense. Brown has made Alabama sweat twice! Now a Boise State team trying to find their new offensive weapon will have to keep up with Byrum Brown in the Florida heat.

According to DraftKings while only 12% of bets are on USF ML it currently holds 27% of the handle. USF +5.5 currently holds 23% of bets while being responsible for 34% of the handle. This market has “sharp” written all over it and I have to agree. We’ll leave out the ML but let’s lock in USF +5.5!