Football Betting on Labor Day, why not?

Many of us will meet with friends, do something with family or start preparing for autumn this Labor Day weekend. After four days of college football, many of us wackos will do something else, wager on more college football games and spend the day watching a doubleheader of action. It’s like come on; won’t the grass or bushes grow even if you cut them? The thing with the friends is great, as long as they have the games on. It’s wonderful to do stuff with the family, just start a little sooner, to be home by the kickoff of Fresno State and Rutgers. Labor Day is supposed to be a day of honoring those working citizens, by giving them a day off. ESPN will have coverage starting at 4:00 Eastern.

Fresno State at Rutgers

College football bettors and interested spectators have been eyeing this little game for awhile. Coach Pat Hill of Fresno State has built his reputation on taking on BCS schools in non-conference games, often with delightful results for Bulldog backers and fans. FSU is 30-18 ATS versus non-conference teams under Hill, though being outright conference champion has eluded him in 11 seasons. Fresno State is the betting favorite to finally breaking thru and be WAC champs. Even with 17 returning starters back, a rugged non-conference slate could once again wear out the Bulldogs before WAC schedule commences.

One has to wonder if Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has just a hint of regret about not taking bigger job after 2006 season. Of sure, 8-5 season was fine last year and three consecutive bowl appearances is fantastic for a university that had 27 years between postseason dates, nevertheless, Rutgers is thought to be no more than average in the Big East, which is far from a dominating league in 2008. This will be quarterback Mike Teel’s team, with Ray Rice departed and he has receivers Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt to throw to, after they were in top three in Big East in receiving yards in 2007. Rutgers is 8-2 ATS in last 10 non-conference home openers.

Most sports had Rutgers as five-point home favorite now down to 3.5 with total of 59.5. As of this morning 74 percent of the wagers were following Fresno State, who is 5-2 ATS in last seven road openers. This has the feel of last possession winner, thus taking the points could hold value.


Tennessee at UCLA

This intersectional matchup might need explaining, as Tennessee starts on the Left Coast for a second consecutive season. The Volunteers believe they can compete in the SEC East with Georgia and Florida, with the coaches having made the proper adjustments. Junior Jonathan Crompton has the size and arm strength to be a stud at quarterback and has talented receivers to throw to like Lucas Taylor. Tennessee is 9-4 against the spread in season openers. The Vols are a 7.5-point road favorite and are 18-9 ATS in this role over the last 10 seasons.

UCLA comes into the first game of the Rick Neuheisel era, with a laundry list of injuries, including having to go with junior transfer Kevin Craft as signal caller. At least Craft can throw to speedsters like Dominique Johnson on the perimeter. The offensive line has been reworked and no true stud has emerged as running back. Last year’s frustrating squad had to lean on defense and only five starters return from that group. With all that has gone wrong, credit goes to the former Bruins quarterback Neuheisel, attempting to resurrect head coaching career, by saying this about everything that has gone wrong, “This creates opportunity for other young men to step up.”

When looking at the two teams and the present situation, why is Tennessee not at least a nine-point favorite? For starters, the UCLA players will be jazzed for new coach and national cable television exposure, before the home fans. The Bruins are 12-2 SU and ATS in home openers (1-1 with Vols) and 17-4 ATS as home underdogs. Also, UCLA is 9-2 against the number versus ranked teams as a home team catching points. The Blue and Yellow clad Bruins have a shot if they can control the five returning offensive linemen from Tennessee from opening up holes as large as the nearby I-210 freeway, being 8-0 ATS in home games, when they allow 3.5 to 4 rushing yards per attempt. If not, Phillup Fullmer’s club cruises to 10 or more point triumph in SoCal.