By Geoff Schwartz
FOX Sports activities NFL Analyst
Are you prepared for some faculty soccer? Nicely, you need to be as a result of kickoff is true across the nook!
There will probably be a lot soccer to look at from Thursday to Monday each week, which suggests there are a number of groups in faculty soccer to check up on from a playing perspective. And since I am a pleasant man — as former linemen are usually — I am going that will help you make a few of these powerful choices about the best way to wager your cash.
Bettors are already looking forward to which groups they wish to lay cash on, so I needed to do a betting preview for each Energy 5 convention. I am going to break down my greatest bets for which group I believe will win the convention, my potential darkish horse decide after which two of my favourite over/beneath win complete bets.
It is rather a lot to digest, however I received you lined. Let's dive into it my greatest bets for the Massive 12 (with all odds by way of FOX Bet).
CONFERENCE BEST BET
Oklahoma: +200 at FOX Bet (guess $10 to win $30 complete) to win the Massive 12
Perhaps I’m old style, however I’ll proceed to experience with probably the most gifted and best-coached group within the convention.
Oklahoma gained the Massive 12 for six years in a row earlier than shedding the crown to Baylor final season. Sure, the Sooners went by means of some adjustments after that painful loss; former head coach Lincoln Riley bolted to USC and introduced the beginning quarterback (Caleb Williams) and the very best receiver (Mario Williams) together with him.
Oklahoma changed Riley with long-time Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables, giving the career-assistant his first alternative to be a head coach. The Sooners additionally snagged Dillon Gabriel from UCF to quarterback an offense that is led by new offensive play-caller Jeff Lebby. Lebby is a former Sooner who crafted explosive offensives at Baylor, UCF and most just lately, Ole Miss. OU has an excellent offensive line coach, and the squad has weapons throughout Gabriel. This Sooner offense will probably be simply nice with out Lincoln Riley.
Regardless of all of the profitable Riley did at Oklahoma, his protection held him again from profitable playoff video games. That won't be a problem anymore. Venables brings his aggressive defensive techniques from Clemson, the place the Tigers had one among faculty soccer's greatest defenses for years. Whereas the present personnel isn’t fairly what Venables is used to — Riley recruited smaller, faster defensive gamers — I nonetheless count on this protection to be the very best it has been in a decade.
Oklahoma has the convention's most gifted roster in the intervening time, they've motivation to point out they don't want Lincoln Riley to win, and they are going to be a lot improved on protection.
I've to present the sting to the Sooners to win the Massive 12.
Lengthy shot — Baylor: +600 at FOX Bet (guess $10 to win $70 complete) to win Massive 12
Calling the 2021 Massive 12 convention winners an extended shot looks like a disservice to this system head coach Dave Aranda is constructing. Baylor gained the convention final season with a protection that ranked tenth in scoring and seventh in factors per play. The protection should not see any regression in 2022 as a result of the Bears return seven starters to a unit that is recognized to confuse opposing offenses with three-down appears to be like.
On the opposite facet of the ball, the Bears' offense completed fortieth in scoring and thirty fourth in yards per play final season. Baylor returns 4 of its excellent offensive linemen however misplaced a handful of receivers and has a number of query marks at quarterback — which is why the chances to win the convention are +600.
If teenager Blake Shapen, who began at quarterback within the season finale and within the Massive 12 Championship Recreation, can proceed to develop into the function, the Bears' offense might be serviceable sufficient to win the convention once more.
BEST OVER/UNDER WIN TOTAL BETS
Oklahoma — Over 8.5 wins: -167 at FOX Bet (guess $10 to win $15.99 complete)
I don't perceive this quantity. This win-total projection should mirror oddsmakers' uncertainty concerning the prowess of latest head coach Brent Venables. As a result of this quantity isn’t primarily based on Oklahoma's expertise or schedule.
The Sooners open with 5 video games the place they are going to be closely favored, together with a Week 3 matchup at Nebraska. Then they get Texas and Kansas earlier than a bye week. At worst, they are going to be 5-2 after seven video games. Then after enjoying Iowa State, West Virginia and Texas Tech — assuming they go into that stretch at 5-2 — the Sooners ought to have eight wins. After that, OU might want to beat both Baylor or Oklahoma State to get to 9 Ws on the season.
I can see Oklahoma at 7-0 earlier than the bye week. That is why for me, that is a straightforward over.
Iowa State — Under 6.5 wins: -110 at FOX Bet (guess $10 to win $19.09)
I perceive the love head coach Matt Campbell has gotten for his work at Iowa State.
The Cyclones gained 11 mixed video games within the 4 seasons earlier than Campbell arrived. In his first season, he solely had three wins. Since then, Campbell’s squad has gained not less than seven video games a 12 months. Nonetheless, Iowa State massively underachieved final season, which worries me as a result of that vitality may carry over into this 12 months.
Coming into 2021, the Cyclones returned a veteran group with Brock Purdy at quarterback and All-American Breece Corridor at operating again. Nonetheless, their offense was simply blah for big elements of the season. The group had a poor effectivity dashing assault with a 98th-ranked success price and the Cyclones couldn’t convert on third down.
Iowa State’s protection fared a tad higher than the offense final season. The D was considerably well-rounded; the unit was good in opposition to the run, cross and first rate on third downs. The priority for this roster is that it misplaced 63% of manufacturing from final season, they usually've solely recruited 4 blue-chip prospects within the final 4 recruiting cycles.
The Cyclones have to interchange a ton of manufacturing whereas enjoying a schedule that options heavyweights in Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas. They won't be the favourite in lots of convention video games this season.
The beneath simply is sensible right here.
Geoff Schwartz performed eight seasons within the NFL for 5 totally different groups. He began at proper deal with for the College of Oregon for 3 seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice his senior 12 months. He's an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. Comply with him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.
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