The kickoff counter is now down under 30, which means real live, actual college football is right around the corner. With the 2011 college football season right around the corner, the gambling site BetOnline has posted opening lines on college football games in week one.
Boston College opens as a seven point favorite over Northwestern in the season opener.
Initially I thought that sounded a bit high and figured the opening line wouldn't have the Eagles favored by more than a touchdown. But when I think about it more, this sounds about right. After giving the Eagles three points for home field, my guess is the remaining four points could be any combination of:
-- Uncertainty about the status of Northwestern QB Dan Persa's knee
-- The BC run attack of Montel Harris / Andre Williams vs. Northwestern's porous rush defense (ranked 92nd nationally last season)
-- The fact that Northwestern lost four of its final five games while BC won five straight before falling in the bowl game
After considering those factors, I decided seven points sounds about right. What do you think? Too high? Too low?
Other notable week one college football opening lines:
Wake Forest (+6) at Syracuse
South Florida at Notre Dame (-8.5)
Louisiana Monroe at Florida State (-28)
Troy at Clemson (-12.5)
Miami (-4) at Maryland