Week 1 NCAA Gridiron Games are Simply Marvelous – and Value-Packed Too!

While the 2011 NCAA officially gets underway on Thursday, Sept. 1 with a modest 15-game slate of contests, the majority of legitimate BCS title contending teams will take to the field on Saturday, Sept. 3 in a massive schedule of games that has something for everyone.

That’s right college football fans and collegiate gridiron gamblers, not only will you be back in your glory when the 2011 season gets underway, but thanks to the value-packed NCAAF Week 1 betting odds at BetOnline – along with my expert analysis and NCAAF picks – you’ll be more than prepared to strike pay dirt early and often.

Okay, with that said, and the start of the 2011 NCAA college football season just about a month away, let me get started with a look at a trio of NCAA college football Week 1 pairings, along with their NCAAF odds and my expert analysis.

Miami Ohio at Missouri
Saturday, Sept. 3 at 12:00 PM ET
NCAAF Odds
Missouri -20.5 -115

The Miami Ohio Redhawks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games, but just
2-7 ATS in their last nine games in September.

The Missouri Tigers went 4-1 ATS in their last five home games a year ago and are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games in September.

Missouri is also 5-2 ATS in their L/7 games against MAC opponents and the Tigers won’t have a problem getting the win after going 8-0 at home last season. Play the Missouri Tigers to roll after pounding the Redhawks unmercifully in their 51-13 rout on Sept. 25, last season.

NCAAF Pick: Missouri -20.5 Points

Tulsa at Oklahoma
Saturday, Sept. 3 at 8:00 PM ET
NCAAF Odds
Oklahoma -20.5 -115

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane (10-3 SU, 9-4 ATS, 6-7 O/U) have a whopping 17 starters returning from a year ago, including superstar quarterback G.J. Kline, the 2010 Conference USA Player of the Year. Tulsa went 10-3 last season to win the C-USA West Division while winning all six of their home games.

Tulsa is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games and a scorching 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall, but they’ve also gone just 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games versus Big 12 opponents.

Bob Stoops’ top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners (12-2 SU, 8-6 ATS, 7-7 O/U) are locked and loaded and are a lot of people’s pick to win this year’s BCS title.

Oklahoma is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games and a blistering 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 games in September.

Heisman Trophy candidate, quarterback Landry Jones was a preseason All-Big 12 selection and threw for 4,718 yards and 38 touchdowns last season while helping the Sooners win the Big 12 championship and the Fiesta Bowl.

Oklahoma is just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games, but I like the Sooners to cruise to victory here after covering the spread as 18-point home favorites against Tulsa in 2009 and 23-point road favorites in 2007.

NCAAF Pick: Oklahoma –20.5 Points

LSU at Oregon
Saturday, Sept. 3 at 8:00 PM ET
Live from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX
NCAAF Odds
LSU -1.5 -115

The No. 1 matchup for the opening weekend of the 2011 season is undoubtedly the matchup between BCS title contenders, Oregon and LSU.

The Oregon Ducks were one of the most high-powered offensive teams in the nation a year ago and will be again led by junior quarterback Darron Thomas and Heisman finalist, junior running back LaMichael James.

Thomas finished second in PAC-12 in passing last season behind only Heisman finalist Andrew Luck with 2,881 yards, 30 TD passes and a stellar 61 percent completion rate.

James rushed for 1,731 yards and 21 scores while averaging almost six yards per carry.

LSU will quickly find out if senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson is the real deal after seeing the then-junior throw three TD passes in the Cotton Bowl win. Overall, Jefferson threw seven TD passes and 10 picks.

Oregon lost a 22-19 heartbreaker to Cam Newton and Auburn in the 2010 BCS title game while LSU pounded the snot out of Texas A&M 41-24 in the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium.

The Ducks are 5-1 ATS in their last half-dozen games in the month of September but went just 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games in 2010,

The LSU Tigers are 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight neutral site games but are just 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games in September.

I’m going to back the more experienced Oregon Ducks to get off on the right foot after losing their heartbreaking BCS title game the last time out.

The Ducks clearly have the two best players on the field in LaMichael James and Darron Thomas and that should be enough to get the win and ATS cover as slight underdogs.

Week 1 NCAAF Pick: Oregon +1.5 Points

Okay BetOnline college football bettors, you’ve got a trio of expert Week 1 NCAA college football picks that are all boasting a bunch of value. The only thing left to do is hit the NCAAF Sportsbook to make tour bankroll-boosting wagers.