Online betting players watched TCU get shafted last year as they were stuck in a “BCS Busters Bowl” with fellow unbeatens Boise State, and that left a bad taste in their mouths. Look for the Horned Frogs to come out on fire when they face Oregon State in an important non-conference tilt on the first weekend of the season.
What: NCAA football betting
When: Saturday, September 4th, 7:45 PM ET
Where: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, TX
Pick: TCU -12.5
What’s On The Line
It says it’s a neutral site, but the Horned Frogs get the edge as they’re based in Fort Worth. The Beavers come in 22nd in the USA Today poll after an 8-4 season that saw them barely miss a trip to the Rose Bowl because of a narrow home loss to rival Oregon, then they were smashed 44-20 by BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Horned Frogs are seventh in the preseason polls after a 12-1 season that ended with a 17-10 loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, and the BCS is on their mind once again.
Offensive Matchups: Oregon State TCU Betting
Ryan Katz replaces the departed Sean Canfield as the starting quarterback, and he’ll have seven starters from last year’s 34th-ranked offense, including brothers Jacquizz and James Rodgers, two of the most explosive players in the Pac-10. Jacquizz ran for over 1,400 yards last year and is a Heisman candidate, while James had over 1,000 yards in receiving and gives Katz a reliable target. With these two, the Beavers have the ability to put up points, but the offensive line must avoid the injuries they suffered in 2009.
The Horned Frogs were fifth in the country in offense last year, headed by Andy Dalton, who spread the ball around the field. His top four receivers are back from 2009, and four starters up front. Dalton will be hungry to get back on the field as his three picks were a major reason the Horned Frogs lost to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, and he could be poised for a monster season.
Betting Pick: TCU
Defensive Matchups: Oregon State TCU Betting
The Oregon State defense may have to step up a bit to boost the Beavers’ NCAA football betting odds, as they return seven starters from a unit that was 46th in the nation last year. Safeties Lance Mitchell and Cameron Collins will have to lead the group from the back as leading tackler Keaton Kristick is gone, and the Beavers are going to have to figure out where a pass rush is going to come from as they were 105th in sacks.
TCU had the best defense in the country last year, and seven players are back from that group, but they have to replace end Jerry Hughes, who led them in sacks and was fifth in tackles. Linebacker Darryl Washington led the team in tackles and may be a bigger burden to replace than Hughes was. But to be honest, we’re not worried about the TCU defense: under coach Gary Patterson, the Horned Frogs have been first in the nation in defense four times in nine years. They may not be the best this year, but they won’t fall out of the top 5-10, either.
Sport picks: TCU
Notable Injuries: Oregon State TCU Betting
Linebacker Keith Pankey (Achilles) is ahead of schedule recovering from offseason surgery, but given the Beavers’ possible problems with their front seven, this is worth keeping an eye on.
TCU comes into this game with a clean bill of health as of right now.
Sport picks: TCU
Outlook and Pick: Oregon State TCU Betting
NCAA football betting odds have made the Horned Frogs a big 12.5-point favorite in their first meeting with the Beavers, and Oregon State will put up a fight, but TCU should win by a couple of touchdowns. They’ll have the backing of the crowd in this “neutral-site” affair, and we think their offense will roll through the Oregon State defense. The Beavers’ offense gives them a chance, but Katz has one insane test in his first game as a starter. Look for TCU to focus on the Rodgers brothers, and if they can shut them down, the Horned Frogs run to a big sports betting win, straight up for sure, and we think they’ll cover as well.
Blake’s Pick: TCU -12.5