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#1
If you were to bet on teams from the SEC every time they play a club from the ACC, chances are you’d be a rich man.
It’s never too late to start.
With this in mind, I’m recommending Alabama -6 (www.bookmaker.com) over Virginia Tech as a top play for Week 1 in college football.
Both teams return the core of teams that guided their programs to memorable seasons last year that ended in BCS bowl berths.
With all other considerations set aside for a moment, there is one reason why I believe the Tide will roll in this game: The SEC, top to bottom, is the nation’s toughest conference. Its strength is most evident during the bowl season, during which SEC member clubs traditionally obliterate schools from lesser-caliber conferences and, it so happens, when SEC teams take on opponents from the ACC.
Let’s take a look at Virginia Tech. The Hokies have a successful, venerable coach in Frank Beamer and a program that is a perennial Top 10 and BCS bowl contender. They are always at or near the top of the ACC, and can often be seen in a bowl game that takes place Jan. 1 or thereafter.
And yet, they are not in the same league as Alabama, no pun intended. Tech’s style, nicknamed “Beamer Ball,” puts a premium on defense, field position and special teams. Alabama has a similar style – it’s called SEC football --but the Tide will do it a whole lot better.
Nick Saban’s core includes future NFL picks Mark Ingram and Julio Jones on offense and slew of future pros on defense. His club will be faster, stronger and more talented than Virginia Tech.
This isn’t to say the game won’t be competitive, but unless they score with their defense, I don’t see the Hokies reaching the end zone. This one could be close for three quarters, but I see Alabama pulling away and winning by a score of something like 24-3.
If you don’t believe the SEC/ACC angle, here are a few examples to illustrate the point. Last season, an experienced and talented Clemson team was the trendy pick to win the ACC. The Tigers were 5-point favorites over Alabama in Week 1 and were manhandled 34-10, setting Clemson off to a miserable start that cost Tommy Bowden his job and launched Alabama’s 12-0 start.
Two seasons ago, a Virginia Tech club that was favored to win the ACC traveled to LSU and was embarrassed 48-7. Both teams went on to bigger things; LSU won the national title, and Virginia Tech became an 11-win team that went to another BCS bowl game.
Last year, a disappointing, five-loss LSU club clobbered upstart Georgia Tech 38-3, in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The Yellow Jackets were 4-point favorites. Virginia Tech struggled to get past the same Georgia Tech club 20-17 earlier in the season.
This same line of thinking has me considering South Carolina against N.C. State as well, especially if you can find it for +4 or better. Yes, Russell Wilson and the Wolfpack are expected to be much improved.
But I’m betting the Gamecocks come to town with the better team and a head ball coach who knows a thing or two about game preparation.
This one should be a better game than South Carolina’s 34-0 stomping of N.C. State last season, but you have to like the opportunity to take points in this spot.
History is on your side.
Best of luck to everyone.
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