Georgia Tech (+1.5, 46) at Notre Dame 3:30E NBC

Georgia Tech made it to ACC title game and could be more explosive on offense even with the loss of Calvin Johnson as wideout. Quarterback Taylor Bennett stepped up with superb Gator Bowl performance and continued to shine in spring workouts. The Yellow Jackets will still have talent on the flanks along with four returning linemen and the ACC’s leading rusher Tashard Choice. Defense won’t be an issue with eight starters back; however the three departed were the team leaders.

Coaches that have won national champions at Notre Dame have traditionally done so in third season as head man. That will not be the case for Charley Weis who must rebuild after two straight BCS bowl games. The offensive line has veterans who did a poor job in keeping Brady Quinn upright. An all new backfield with two new receivers spells trouble in the early going against rugged schedule. The defense is improving and will need to, as compensation for new offense. Front seven needs to create more plays and defensive backfield must do a better job covering receivers for the Irish to win eight games.

No matter what the spread is, Georgia Tech is the better team on both sides of the ball. The Yellow Jackets could have won last season at home (384-259 yards edge) and would love nothing better than to spoil Irish home opener. The Rambling Wreck has covered last three contests played and are 9-4-1 ATS as a road dog.

StatFox Forecaster – Georgia Tech covers
StatFox Power Line – Notre Dame by 3
StatFox Outplay Factor – Notre Dame by 6.6


All sides and totals provided by Bookmaker.com


Oklahoma State (+6, 56) at Georgia 6:45E ESPN2
Coach Mike Gundy is putting together a potent offensive system that will start to apply the pressure to opponents in 2007. The maturation of junior quarterback Bobby Reid will continue, as he became a stud last season. His total offense numbers last season were the second best in school history. No reason to expect a drop off with talented WR Adarius Bowman returning, along with RB Dantrell Savage. Both players are game breakers and Savage will benefit handsomely from four returning offensive linemen.

The Georgia defense had to carry this team a year, with only four starters back and a freshman signal caller to lead them. While this led to unsightly losses in the middle part of the season, Matthew Stafford started to see the field more clearly in the latter stages of the year and his enormous potential started to show. Now it will be the offenses turn to help the defense, with just four starters returning for coach Mark Richt. Stafford is a special player and will try and improve upon Bulldogs 3-8 ATS mark in first home game at Sanford Stadium.

This has the makings of a real shoot-out, with two excellent offenses. The Cowboys are at a disadvantage with 8-22 ATS record as road dog. The saving grace for Okie State is despite the brilliance of coach Right in Athens; his teams are only 14-18-1 ATS as a home favorite during his tenure.

StatFox Forecaster – Georgia covers
StatFox Power Line – Georgia by 8
StatFox Outplay Factor – Georgia by 1.6

Kansas State (+12.5, 45) at Auburn 7:45E ESPN

Kansas State took down one giant last season in Texas and will have a chance at another at Auburn to start the season. The Wildcats lost last two games, but still went bowling and put a smile on K-State fans regaining some of the swagger from legendary coach Bill Snyder’s earlier years. If not for Colt McCoy from Texas, Josh Freeman the Wildcats quarterback would have received far more attention as freshmen signal caller. Kansas State is only 6-19 ATS in road openers.

Auburn will go about there business in the state of Alabama and let all the big talkers from Tuscaloosa squawk while trying to live up to the Tigers standards they have set this decade. Coach Tommy Tuberville has good news and bad news concerning line play. Only one returning starter on the O-Line is back, meaning QB Brandon Cox needs to do a better job in releasing the ball quicker. On the defensive front, only LSU has as much talent as Auburn and they will have to carry the Tigers early. Auburn is 1-5 ATS at Jordan-Hare facing non-conference BCS teams.

Kansas State plays in hostile venues in the Big 12; nevertheless a Saturday night game in the SEC is animal of a different color. The Wildcats need to weather the early uprising from Auburn who is just 5-5 ATS in first of multiple home games.

StatFox Forecaster – Auburn covers
StatFox Power Line – Auburn by 12
StatFox Outplay Factor – Auburn by 14

Tennessee (+6.5, 54.5) at California 8:00E ABC

California cool goes out the window in this intersectional rematch. The Bears opened at Knoxville and were thoroughly outclassed by Tennessee in what supposed to be Cal’s true national rep party. Instead late scores made game mildly respectable at 35-18, which in truth was not that close. Even as talented as Marshawn Lynch was at running back, his loss will be diminished with exceptional offensive talent. Defensively the three best players are gone, meaning new leaders must emerge. Cal is 6-0 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points over the last two seasons.

Erik Ainge comes into the season as the best QB in the SEC and is expected to play with a broken pinkie on his throwing hand. The senior jammed the right finger taking snaps on Monday and an X-ray on Wednesday revealed the break. If he can’t go or play the entire game, his backup is sophomore Jonathan Crompton. With a solid offensive line and corral of quality running backs, only the new receivers have to get up to speed. Defensively the line again is the greatest area of concern for DC John Chavis, who experimented with 3-4 alignment in spring practice. Vols linebackers are ferocious hitters and can blowup ball carriers.

This will be the first time in over a dozen years the Volunteers have not opened up in the state of Tennessee. Cal is after big time revenge and will be sky high, just keep in mind they are 1-4 ATS when favored by seven or less points in home revenge match-up.


StatFox Forecaster – Tennessee covers
StatFox Power Line – California by 10
StatFox Outplay Factor – California by 3.7

StatFox Forecaster – Georgia Tech covers
StatFox Power Line – Notre Dame by 3
StatFox Outplay Factor – Notre Dame by 6.6


When it says Forecaster- GT covers, PL by 3 & OF by 6.6 can you or anyone explain that to me, thanks.