This is part of our Bowling for Dollars contest. You can start participating at any time. Check out the announcement here.

Central Florida (-3) vs. Mississippi State (Saturday, Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m) – It’s a big jump up in class for Central Florida from the top of Conference USA to the middle of the SEC, but I like their chances. Mississippi State has put up some big games, but they aren’t consistent and they only have an average run defense. Central Florida can run all day, and I look for them to control the game on the ground and turn that into a victory. Pick: Central Florida.

Post from: Ultra Sports Bet

Brown (+13.5) at Michigan – The John Beilein era at Michigan started strong, and I expect that to continue. Michigan played with some solid tempo in their opening game, and I don’t expect Brown to be able to match it. Pick: Michigan.

Pepperdine (+9) vs. Western Michigan – I expect pretty good things for Western Michigan this year. A trip to the dance at the end of the year wouldn’t surprise me. That being said I think that this line is a bit optimistic. Pepperdine likes to run, and that up-tempo approach should be enough to keep it close. That means that there is value in the Waves. Pick: Pepperdine.

Nevada (+1) at Central Florida – Nevada has to reinvent themselves without Nick Fazekas. Marcelus Kemp is still there to keep things going, though. Central Florida is a team on the rise but I think that Nevada will be too much to handle here. Pick: Nevada.

UPDATE: 2-1 on the day, with a big win by Michigan and a cover by Pepperdine offsetting a loss by Nevada in a close game. That’s an acceptable 3-2 start to the season.

Post from: Ultra Sports Bet

Tulsa (-2.5) at UTEP – Tulsa had a rough week last week, but they are still a fantastic offense, and they should be able to handily score more points than UTEP. The Miners have a terrible pass defense for Smith to exploit. If both teams are at their best then this line is a steal. Pick: Tulsa.

Nebraska and Missouri over 68 – I don’t play totals very often, but this one caught my eye. Both teams have offenses that can pile up the point, and neither team has shown any ability whatsoever to stop anyone. Both coaches will be looking to make a point and prove their worth and the worth of their team. I think this will be a serious shootout. Pick: Over.

Miami (-7.5) at North Carolina – North Carolina played Virginia Tech tight last week while Miami has disappointed against the spread in three of the last four weeks. Given that we get the extra half point above the touchdown here, I find the Tar Heels very attractive. Pick: North Carolina.

Oklahoma (-12) vs. Texas – I don’t often play the really high profile games like this, but I can’t resist here. Both teams had disastrous weeks last week, but I have much more confidence in Oklahoma’s ability to bounce back than I do with Texas. Texas is deeply flawed, and I expect Sam Bradford to be able to exploit those problems. Oklahoma will be pissed off after last week, and I don’t expect them to keep this close. Pick: Oklahoma.

Central Florida (-3.5) at East Carolina – East Carolina is getting more respect than they deserve here because they upset Houston last week. That was thanks to mistakes by Kevin Kolb’s replacement at QB, though, and it won’t happen here. Central Florida runs a ton, and they are very good at it. East Carolina struggles against the run. Pick: Central Florida.

Minnesota (+12) at Indiana – I like pretty much everything that Kellen Lewis and Indiana have done, and nothing that Minnesota has done. My wife cheers for Minnesota (she thinks the idea of a gopher as a mascot is ridiculous, and therefore great), so picking against her is always fun. This one could get ugly. Pick: Indiana

UPDATE: An ugly week, but if you don’t believe you are going to have those then you are delusional. It started well with nice wins by Indiana and North Carolina, but that was the end of the good times. Oklahoma played well, but were let down by their lack of discipline – key penalties cost them the drive that would have covered. Central Florida didn’t show up, Tulsa lost a squeaker, and the total didn’t come through because though Missouri did their job and scored a ton Nebraska decided to take the night off. We’ll get them next week. On the pus side, at least I’m not a USC fan.

Post from: Ultra Sports Bet