It might seem strange to suggest any game isn’t worth betting at any of the top sportsbooks. The only games that should never be bet are those that one hasn’t taken the time to research and have a good feel for one way or another.
I mean, if you’re looking to just throw money away, I’ll be glad to provide you with my PayPal address.
But, there are some games that already fall into the ‘not for me’ column, for reasons being I do not feel smart enough to outguess the oddsmakers or simply just not interested in the matchup.
McNeese Cowboys vs. Texas A&M Aggies
- When: Saturday, September 07, 2024 – 12:45 PM ET
- Where: Kyle Field
Ah yes, the dreaded letdown/lookahead situation, and this game between Texas A&M and McNeese also takes place during Week 2 when we often find huge, boring mismatches.
Every Power 5, er, let’s stop kidding ourselves, it’s now the Power 3 (ACC, Big Ten, SEC) plus the Big 12. Anyway, any team from those leagues that scheduled a tough matchup for their opener will have a cupcake for a Week 2 opponent, and the Aggies found theirs in the Cowboys.
Cowboys Went Oh-for-2023
Residing in the FCS Southland Conference, McNeese State will have two games under its belt by the time the Cowboys reach College Station. They open with a Week 0 game at Tarleton State on August 24th, and host Southern in another non-con game on August 31st.
Gary Goff’s group was winless in 2023, going 0-10 plus what was officially a forfeit when Northwestern State canceled the remainder of its schedule in mid-October following the death of one if its football players.
Ags Have Irish Before, Gators Next
The only reason Texas A&M won’t be favored by 50+ is if the Aggies really mess up their britches in the season opener against Notre Dame. Talk about a drop-off in caliber of opponent! The Yell Leaders at Kyle Field certainly have their work cut out trying to keep the 12th Man buzzed.
𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Notre Dame will play Texas A&M under the lights on ABC this August –
Notre Dame will open their season in College Station on August 31st against Texas A&M, who will be lead by Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard’s former coach: Mike Elko. The game will kickoff at… pic.twitter.com/zfUmNkxFQw— The Irish Tribune (@TheIrishTribune) May 14, 2024
Texas A&M will be coming out of that Notre Dame game and looking ahead to its SEC opener the following week at Florida. It’s impossible for me to gauge just how A&M’s new head coach Mike Elko will go at the Cowboys, making it a no play for me.
NCAAF Pick: No Bet
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers vs. Temple Owls
- When: Saturday, September 14, 2024 – 02:00 PM ET
- Where: Lincoln Financial Field
Seriously, if you have nothing better to do that sit around on a Saturday afternoon and watch Coastal Carolina take on Temple, maybe a convent or monastery is the best place for you. And if you’re not interested enough to watch the game, why bet it?
CCU Among 2nd-Tier of Sun Belt Favorites
Tim Beck – whose long climb to becoming a head coach included stops at Nebraska, Ohio State and Texas – enjoyed a nice first season with the Chanticleers. Coastal Carolina made its 2 n-ever bowl appearance and upset San Jose State to complete an 8-5 campaign.
The Chanticleers will have dual-threat QB Ethan Vasko running Beck’s spread option attack, and they could be a sneaky pick in the Sun Belt. But the best edge this team gave bettors last season as a 4-9 O/U tendency.
Who, Who Gonna’ Finish Last in the AAC?
At least there something for the Chanticleers and their fans to get excited about. Temple is picked dead last in the AAC with most sportsbooks offering the Owls at 2½-3½ this spring for the over/under on the win totals board.
Just like I can’t get excited about the mismatch between the Aggies and Cowboys in Week 2, the Owls and Chanticleers also don’t push any of my buttons.
NCAAF Pick: No Bet
Kansas State Wildcats vs. BYU Cougars
- When: Saturday, September 21, 2024 – TBD
- Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium
This could be a game that I feel a little more confident about when Week 4 arrives on the college football betting schedule. But for now, it’s one of those games I don’t feel smart enough to beat the oddsmakers, and a big reason why is a reluctance to bet the road favorite.
Wildcats With Lofty 9½-Win Total
There’s an unknown to the Big 12 entering its first season without Texas or Oklahoma. Kansas State shares co-favorite status on the NCAAF futures odds with Utah, and there’s no question Chris Klieman and the Wildcats will be favored on the road against the Cougars.
What did Chris Klieman learn about this team after spring practices?
“Who the leaders are… it’s those kids holding each other accountable on the little things… one thing we pushed this year is to try and find a good leader at each position.”@DScottFritchen‘s question. pic.twitter.com/0w2R1w3usJ— Vince Lovergine (@Vince_Lovergine) April 13, 2024
Brigham Young brings up the rear of the Big 12 on that same futures list, and Kalani Sitake brings the Cougars into 2024 after losing their final five games last season – routed in a few cases – and carrying a puny 4½-win total at some shops.
First Meeting in 24 Years
The huge difference in the expectations for both teams will likely make for a huge spread, at least one big enough to scare me away from K-State on the road. Provo can be a difficult and inhospitable place to play, and yet I also don’t have a warm-fuzzy for BYU.
The last time the schools met, Bill Snyder and LaVell Edwards went head-to-head on opposite sidelines in the exciting 1997 Cotton Bowl. It’s a game on my channel surfing agenda during Week 4, but that nostalgia from nearly a quarter century ago isn’t enough for me to bet it.
NCAAF Pick: No Bet
