College Football Week 1 Picks: The 2009 college football season kicks off tomorrow night with nine games on the docket. Among the more notable Thursday matchups are South Carolina at North Carolina State and No. 16 Oregon at No. 14 Boise State. Saturday, however, has several exciting College Football Week 1 Picks, including No. 13 Georgia at No. 9 Oklahoma State, No. 20 BYU vs No. 3 Oklahoma, and No. 7 Virginia Tech vs No. 5 Alabama. For the latest college football odds visit Sportsbook.com today.
One of the more exciting games on the Saturday schedule is an 
SEC versus Big 12 tilt as Georgia heads into Stillwater to meet Oklahoma State. These two teams squared off against each other in 2007 in Athens with the Bulldogs prevailing 14-35, but a lot has changed since that contest. Georgia has lost several talented players to the NFL and the Cowboys have become one of the more potent offensive teams in the country.
The Bulldogs defense, which returns eight starters from 2008, will have its hands full trying to slow down the much ballyhooed trio of Zac Robinson, Dez Bryant, and Kendall Hunter. Robinson threw for 3064 yards and ran for 562 while accounting for 33 touchdowns. Hunter ran for 1555 yards and 16 touchdowns (6.5 yards per carry) and Bryant had 87 receptions for 1480 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The Cowboys entered the 2007 meeting as a +6 underdog, but now find themselves a -5.5 against the spread favorite at Sportsbook.com.Another national television game guaranteed to draw viewers and bettors alike features Virginia Tech taking on Alabama at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide, despite the Hokies high ranking, comes into the game as almost a touchdown favorite.
Alabama returns nine starters from a defense that held teams to an average of 14.3 points per game. It will be a tall order for Frank Beamer's offense to produce much against the stellar unit. The Hokies were offensively challenged at times a season ago, and produced an average of just 22.1 points per game on the year.
Nick Saban's squad may find the sledding tough too, though. Only four starters are back for the Tide on offense and the departures include starting tailback Glen Coffee and starting quarterback John Parker Wilson.
Game Notes: Both of these contests will be televised nationally on ABC. The Bulldogs and Cowboys kick off at 3:30pm ET while the Crimson Tide and Hokies are set to get underway at 8:00pm ET.
College Football Trends: The Hokies are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games as an underdog of 4 to 7.5 points. The Cowboys are 8-2 against the spread and 9-1 straight up in their last 10 games as a home favorite with a total over 54.5.
Sportsbook.com College Football Week 1 Picks:
South Carolina Gamecocks +5 (-110), Over 46 (-110), +175 (Moneyline)
North Carolina State Wolfpack -5 (-110), Under 46 (-110), -210 (Moneyline)
Oregon Ducks +3.5 (-110), Over 64 (-110), +145 (Moneyline)
Boise State Broncos -3.5 (-110), Under 64 (-110), -165 (Moneyline)
Navy Midshipmen +22 (-110), Over 47 (-110)
Ohio State Buckeyes -22 (-110), Under 47 (-110)
Nevada Wolfpack +14 (-110), Over 61.5 (-110), +450 (Moneyline)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish -14 (-110), Under 61.5 (-110), -600 (Moneyline)
Georgia Bulldogs +5.5 (-110), Over 61 (-110), +180 (Moneyline)
Oklahoma State Cowboys -5.5 (-110), Under 61 (-110), -220 (Moneyline)
Missouri Tigers +7 (-110), Over 61 (-110), +240 (Moneyline)
Illinois Fighting Illini -7 (-110), Under 61 (-110), -280 (Moneyline)
BYU Cougars +22.5 (-110), Over 67.5 (-110)
Oklahoma Sooners -22.5 (-110), Under 67.5 (-110)
Virginia Tech Hokies +6.5 (-110), Over 38 (-110), +240 (Moneyline)
Alabama Crimson Tide -6.5 (-110), Under 38 (-110), -280 (Moneyline)
