Two games kick off the SEC season Thursday that feature one-possession spreads. South Carolina is a favorite against North Carolina, while Western Kentucky has an edge against Vanderbilt.
There are several marquee matchups in the SEC this weekend, and it could be a big weekend to supplant the conference as the top dog again this season. Or, this week could cause major perception issues for the consistently best conference during the past few years in college football.
Here are two games to watch this weekend.
Arizona State vs. Texas A&M (-3.5)
This year’s conference supremacy likely resides with this one game.
It sounds ridiculous, but the Pac-12 South and the SEC West are considered the best divisions in college football, and this one game will be the matchup that fans point to as the sole reason why their conference is the best.
The Sun Devils should be good, and the Aggies should be better than last year. Just look to last season to find out how well Texas A&M can come out of the gate early in the season (in case you forgot, the Aggies crushed a nationally rated South Carolina Gamecocks squad).
But Arizona State is better. The Sun Devils return 16 starters, and although they lost their starting quarterback, Mike Bercovici steps into the starting role with plenty of big-game experience. Most importantly, the Aggies defense was horrendous down the stretch last year, and head coach Kevin Sumlin’s teams have never shown the ability to play quality defense.
Getting 3.5 points is a big plus in taking the Sun Devils, so take the underdog in this one. – Arizona State
Louisiana-Lafayette at Kentucky (-17)
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve likely noticed that the Ragin’ Cajuns have been good. Louisiana-Lafayette has finished 9-4 in the past four seasons and played in a bowl game in each of those seasons.
In the past, this game would be ripe for the underdog. However, this line showcases a bit of a perception problem. Louisiana-Lafayette must replace its quarterback and best wide receiver on an offense that finished 10th in the Sun Belt. That offense will get smothered by Kentucky’s defense, which will feature plenty of talent throughout.
The Wildcats also will employ a solid offense and with the heightened expectations in Lexington, Kentucky, this year, this game will give Kentucky a chance to showcase that this isn’t the same old Kentucky football program. So far, bettors have jumped on Kentucky, moving the opening line from 14 to 17 points. That number may increase as the week continues. – Kentucky
Other SEC games with a betting line
Odds provided by Oddsshark
North Carolina vs. South Carolina (-3)
Western Kentucky (-2) at Vanderbilt
Louisiana-Monroe at Georgia (-36)
UTEP at Arkansas (-33)
Louisville at Auburn (-11)
Bowling Green at Tennessee (-21)
New Mexico State at Florida (-37)
Wisconsin at Alabama (-11)
Mississippi State (-21) at Southern Mississippi
