By J.T. CHADWELL
It’s Week 0 of the college football season and Chadwell Cheat Sheet number 1 for the upcoming season. Not many games to choose from, but we’ve been anxious for this week for the past three months so time to fire at the board. We’ll be tracking our record all season long, so ride with us and let’s have some fun and make some money.
All kickoffs are Eastern time.
North Carolina vs TCU UNDER 47.5 in Dublin, Ireland (Noon, ESPN)
It was a tumultuous offseason for North Carolina once again, and this year they have 40 incoming freshmen to complete the roster. Translation: There is a lot to figure out, and this is not a game to do that. The public is hammering TCU here, and the line has moved up to 7.5. I like this under a little bit better, as the game is being played in Ireland, thus an environment neither team is very familiar with. TCU loses QB Josh Hoover to defending national champ Indiana, so the offense might not be as potent early in the season.
USC -21.5 1st half vs San Jose State (3 PM, NBC/Peacock)
The game line here is 38.5 and I just always like staying away from huge spreads, but San Jose State is going to be pretty bad this year I think. USC is 13-6 since 2020 against the spread in non conference games, and on paper the Trojans look like they should be able to score a lot of points. In similar games in past seasons, the Trojans have put up 31, 27, 31, and 42 first-half point totals. If USC hits that average, San Jose State will have to score twice in the first half. I’ll take my chances.
NC State team total UNDER 24.5 vs Virginia (3:30 PM, ESPN)
Tricky game line here sees the Wolfpack as 5.5-point underdogs. Both teams are pretty good against the number in this spot. The outlier here is Virginia’s record to the under at home matched with its above average record against the spread at home and in no- conference games. Meanwhile, game under is 16-9 in the last 23 for Virginia as a home favorite. Virginia is favored here, so in order to hold court the Cavaliers will lean on their defense to keep NC State under the 24.5.
Hawaii +5.5 vs Stanford (7 PM, ACC Network)
I think the Rainbow Warriors can win this game outright. Hawaii returns some key contributors and have been formidable under alum, legend, and now head coach at his alma mater Timmy Chang. Stanford in the mean time may have set the infrastructure to be successful down the road, but it could be a tough rebuilding year under all new management and coaching staff. For this game, give me the Rainbow Warriors experience and returning QB. Also, Stanford is 0-7 (!) against the spread as a home favorite since 2020.
UNLV -5.5 vs Memphis (10 PM, FOX)
While lots of turnover means rebuilding for Stanford, could it inject energy into the Runnin Rebels? Dan Mullen takes over as head coach and seems to have made some nice additions to the roster. Memphis will also be completing an overhaul of its roster and coaching staff as well after Ryan Silverfield left for Arkansas. Give me the experience of Mullen and the (seemingly) better QB Jackson Arnold. UNLV should have no problems scoring points, and I don’t think Memphis can keep up.