Prime-Time First TD Bets — Sunday Night Football, Week 16
Alex Christenson
Welcome to Week 1 of the college football season, as we dip our toes into the FCS level. They are frequently listed as the extra games on your college football rotation, but quite often there is some value in the FCS vs. FBS games on a week-to-week basis. The problem is that the books mostly don’t release the lines until the night before, and they move really quickly.
There are several factors to consider when looking at these matchups, including FBS/FCS history and how coaches approach these games. Quite often, I’ll either be on the team from the lower level or potentially the over in the right situation. With that, let’s take a look at a few of the games in Week 1.
All odds are per DraftKings Sportsbook.
Thursday
Elon at Wake Forest
7 p.m. ET
The Phoenix lost 42-31 last year to Vanderbilt and have 11 starters back. The team will turn to another transfer quarterback in Matthew Downing, who has spent time at Georgia, TCU and Louisiana Tech. He’s got an experienced offensive line in front of him as well. Wake Forest begins its 2023 campaign with Mitch Griffis under center and his best experience last year was the team’s 44-10 win over VMI. The Demon Deacons defense can be rather leaky, so if we get the right numbers Elon as an underdog could be a play. Watch the weather here, as the remnants of the hurricane will cause some rain and wind.
Rhode Island at Georgia State
7 p.m. ET
The over could certainly come into play here. The Rams have a potent offense and a rebuilt defense this season. Rhody lost 45-24 to Pittsburgh last season and should be in another shootout with Georgia State, who has Darren Grainger back under center. The Panthers have a very tough schedule, so they’ll be looking to get victories early.
St. Francis at Western Michigan
7 p.m. ET
The Red Flash made me some money last year, losing 30-23 to Akron in overtime. They return their stud quarterback as well as four of five running backs and four of five offensive linemen. The team’s defense needs to be rebuilt a little, but Western Michigan has a new coach and a new system they are implementing. The Broncos are experienced on offense, but not so much on defense, so the underdog and the over come into play depending on the numbers.
Saturday
Northern Iowa at Iowa State
2 p.m. ET
Iowa State has had an awful offseason with a gambling controversy surrounding the program. Spot-wise it’s also the game before their yearly matchup with Iowa. The Cyclones have failed to cover the last three FCS contests before the game against the Hawkeyes. UNI has the best quarterback in the toughest conference in FCS in Theo Day. The offense should be spectacular, but there’s some concern over the defense that has lost five of its eight top tacklers. Once again, the underdog might be live here.
Eastern Kentucky at Cincinnati
3:30 p.m. ET
Cincinnati’s first season in the Big 12 could be a tough one with a new head coach and only nine starters back. The WR room was decimated, although transfers Dee Wiggins from Louisville and Aaron Turner from UConn hope to replace the departed talent. Their first game is against an Eastern Kentucky team that features Parker McKinney, a heralded signal-caller who almost led his team to two FBS upsets, falling 42-34 at Eastern Michigan before beating Bowling Green 59-57 in 7OT. If the number is too big, I’ll definitely be on the Colonels despite their potential poor defense.
Maine at FIU
6:30 p.m. ET
Florida International has a game under their belt, and that’s going to help them in this one. Last year FIU needed overtime to beat Bryant 38-37, so they know to take their FCS opponent seriously. Maine lost their top four running backs, three of their top four WR’s, three offensive linemen and have just one signal-caller who has thrown a pass in the FCS. Their defense has just three starters back as well. If this number is too short, I’ll be all over the FBS squad.
