Everybody loves an underdog story. There’s nothing better than bragging to the entire bar about the plus-money bet that you just cashed. You can bet these Week Zero College Football picks against the spread, as single moneyline plays, or as a parlay, and you’ll be the Tailgate Hero. Welcome to the Sports Gambling Podcast Network Animal Shelter. Let’s find you a dog.
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Week Zero College Football Moneyline Parlay
+6332 The College Football Experience Parlay
We here at the Sports Gambling Podcast Network love large odds. Some people say parlay betting is dumb, but when you treat a moneyline parlay like a lottery ticket, it’s not. Let me explain.
Many folks are avid lotto players, such as Mega Millions and Powerball. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, and even lower for Mega Millions, at 1 in 302.6 million.
The notorious slogan is, “risk a little to win a lot.” What if I told you that you could place your $2 lotto entry fee on a measured college football moneyline underdog parlay where you can select your winning numbers based on analysis instead of a machine randomly doing it for you? This week’s college football upset picks would pay out $126.66 on FanDuel Sportsbook.
There are 15 slates of college football. If you were to place just one $2 college football parlay each week, that’s a $30 bet total. With just one correct +1880 The College Football Experience Parlay, that’s $96.66 of profit, $223.32 if two hit, $349.98 for three, etc.
Are you feeling more frisky? Those profit amounts increase incrementally with just a few extra dollars on each moneyline underdog parlay. Lastly, in case you weren’t already sold, I can promise you that watching Georgia Tech and Nevada play college football is more entertaining than 40 seconds of ping-pong balls.
Dog #1: Georgia Tech Moneyline +330
The powers that be in college football are obsessed with inserting B Tier rivalry games in Dublin, Ireland. Hence, the Seminoles vs. Yellow Jackets taking place across the pond. Will players be used to the new facility that is normally used for Rugby and Soccer matches?
No, probably not. Could that help out the underdog? Hopefully, it will, given that Georgia Tech is closer in competition level to Florida State than Navy was to Notre Dame last year. Northwestern was a 12.5 point (+360) dog in 2022. In this article series, nothing is ever too crazy of a prediction.
(-10.5) Florida State *vs* Georgia Tech (O/U 55.5) *Aer Lingus College Football Classic
After a full offseason of sulking about being left out of the College Football Playoff, Florida State is ready to give it another go. Top-notch pass catchers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson have skipped town to the NFL.
Last year’s QB, Jordan Travis, graduated and also went to the league. Head Coach Mike Norvell and the Seminoles reached into the transfer portal for a new guy to take the snaps.
DJ Uiagalelei is back in the ACC! Yes, that same DJU who completed only 57% of his passes at Oregon State. Uiagalelei has not lived up to his five-star label so far in his career, and now you want him to learn a new offensive system for the 3rd time in four years? Plus, fill Travis’ big shoes while his first game is overseas? That’s just enough doubt for us to shoot for the stars.
Georgia Tech’s talented rushing offense has the 7th most returning production in the country. That’s eight starters, including QB Haynes King, RB Jamal Haynes, and stud WR Eric Singleton Jr. Last year, King had over 3,500 total yards with 37 total touchdowns, and Haynes rushed for 1,059 and 7 TDs.
The Yellowjackets’ issue last year was that they had the worst defense in the ACC (437 yards per game). Former Duke Defensive Coordinator Tyler Santucci, along with head coach Mike Elko, had a stout defense. Duke allowed only 19 PPG in 2023. Georgia Tech could be cooking if Santucci successfully implements any of his tactics from last season.
Dog #2: New Mexico Moneyline +340
(-11.5) Montana State at New Mexico (O/U 54.5)
No, that -11.5 on FCS Montana State is legit. The FCS team is favored on the road at FBS New Mexico. Quarterback Tommy Mellott is a great three-year starter.
The only caveat is that the Bobcats’ starting Center, Justus Perkins, and starting running back, Julius Davis, are out for this game due to injury. MSU is jumbling up the entire O-Line just because of the one injury; it could be significant.
This will be Game 1 of the Bronco Mendenhall era at New Mexico. He follows in the footsteps of Rocky Long, one of his mentors. Mendenhall served as Long’s Defensive Coordinator in Albuquerque from 1998 to 2002, during which time he perfected the 3-3-5 defense.
Former Lobos Head Coach Danny Gonzales played under Long and already had UNM operating the 3-3-5 defense. Granted, New Mexico was 4-8 last year, so the Lobos defense should be improved.
Lobos’ Sophomore QB Devon Dampier was great in limited action last season. He completed 40 of his 64 pass attempts for 525 yards with 6 TDs and zero INTs. Dampier also ran for 4 touchdowns and 328 yards on 59 carries.
Redshirt Junior RB Eli Sanders transferred into UNM from Iowa State this year. In two seasons, Sanders played in 21 games, totaling 703 yards on 153 attempts and scoring 4 touchdowns. Expect Mendenhall to deploy a run-first-run-often attack while looking to pull off the Vegas upset.
Here is one last fun fact: Montana State is 4-40 SU all-time against FBS opponents. The Bobcats’ last win against an FBS opponent was in 2006. MSU beat Colorado 19-10.
Dog #3: North Alabama Moneyline +340
(O/U 54.5) North Alabama *vs* Southeast Missouri State (-7.5) (Neutral site in Montgomery, Alabama)
North Alabama returns a bunch of production on both sides of the ball while also adding some FBS impact transfers. Expected to start under center for UNA is Stanford transfer QB Ari Patu.
The Lions’ defense is their strong suit. They return all three defensive backs, headlined by 2023’s team-leading tackler Edwin White Schultz. North Alabama also has an impressive defensive line. These two units could play a large role in spurring an upset against Southeast Missouri State, which lost its star running back and wide receiver from last season.
The College Football Experience
For more analysis and entertainment on these games, make sure you turn into The College Football Experience. Colby Dant, PattyC, and NC Nick talk about each FBS game and mix in some FCS games, giving out moneyline and ATS college football picks every Wednesday night!
