LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Eric Crawford kicked off the 2024 college football season with a winning week betting five games against the spread. So did I.
But EC crushed the board with a $200 profit, while I picked up (imaginary) fast food money: a $40 profit.
That happens when you go big on one game and win. That's what Eric did, giving Western Kentucky 31.5 points and cashing for $200 when Alabama beat the Hilltoppers, 63-0.
Eric also nailed Louisville over Austin Peay and Indiana over Florida International, while losing the Kentucky and Notre Dame games. Push.
I hit U of L and Bama for $30 each and Kentucky for $20 while losing IU and Notre Dame for $20 each. That equaled plus $40.
Better than down $120, right?
On to Week 2, with another solid slate of games.
Starting bankrolls last week: Crawford $1,000; Bozich $1,000
Bankrolls this week: Crawford $1,200; Bozich $1,040
Crawford Week 1: 3-2, won $200
Bozich Week 1: 3-2, won $40
Jacksonville State (+28.5) at Louisville, 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Crawford: Give me the Cards for $50
Jacksonville State gave up 55 to Coastal Carolina last week. I like Louisville's defense enough to think that the Cards will have enough margin to cover in this one.
Bozich: I'll take JSU and the points for $25
A wise owl once advised me not to overreact to results from the opening week of the season. The line in this game started at 25.5. It has jumped to as much as 30.5 at some books.
That is not surprising after Jacksonville State gave up 55 to Coastal Carolina during the opening week. The Cards will win by four touchdowns. The extra 0.5 points will save me. Former West Virginia and Michigan (and Tulane and Arizona) coach Rich Rodriguez coaches JSU.
Sometimes in short pants. You have been warned.
South Carolina (+10) at Kentucky, 3:30 p.m., Saturday
Crawford: Another $50 on the Wildcats
Kentucky's offense looked great through one half last weekend, and South Carolina struggled against Old Dominion. I like Kentucky to keep rolling in a game that gets to regulation.
Bozich: Give me the Gamecocks at the points for $25
This is another one where the results from opening week moved the number from UK by 8.5 on Sunday to 10 on Wednesday.
South Carolina has won the last two games in this series, including two years ago as an underdog in Lexington. They've earned a bellyful of criticism for only defeating Old Dominion by four points. Jeff Sagarin's predictor ratining like UK by 8.23 points. Kentucky wins. Gamecocks cover.
Texas (-7) at Michigan, noon, Saturday.
Crawford: Got to be Texas for another $50
Texas is rolling. I know this is at the Big House, but this is not the same Michigan as a year ago. Take the Longhorns and give the points.
Bozich: Give me the Wolverines and the points for $30
Texas believes it can win the national title and the Longhorns looked the part in their opening 52-0 win over Colorado State. Michigan is not expected to defend its national title, and looked like it had issues before subduing Fresno State, 30-10.
But that's a lot of points to give a prideful team at home. Giving Michigan 7 in Ann Arbor is another week one overreaction. Sagarin says … Texas by 5.83.
Pittsburgh (+2) at Cincinnati, noon, Saturday.
Crawford: $50 on the ACC
I don't even know anything about the Panthers but am going to take them on the road against the fighting Scott Satterfields.
Bozich: I'll take the Panthers and the points for $20
Pitt looked like it found a quarterback in Alabama transfer Eli Holstein and running back in Western Carolina transfer Desmond Reid while dispatching Kent State. Cincinnati looked like it had issues putting away Towson. When in doubt, go with Pat Narduzzi over Scott Satterfield. I might be overreacting to Week One here.
Tennessee (-8) at North Carolina State, 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
Crawford: $50 more on the ACC
I may regret it, but I'm going to put some trust in Dave Doeren's guys at home. If N.C. State doesn't cover here, it's another black mark against the ACC.
Bozich: Give me the Wolfpack and the points for $20
NC State labored to put away Western Carolina, 38-21, in its season opener, but the Wolfpack typically play solid defense under Doeren and this will be a legit road test for Vols' freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who is very talented and relatively inexperienced.
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