Bear Bets: Best bets for Penn State-West Virginia and standout Week 1 games have arrived as college football kicks off its much-anticipated season.
To celebrate this exciting time, “Bear Bets” is back, bringing the crew together to analyze and predict outcomes for the first slate of games.
Chris “The Bear” Fallica, Geoff Schwartz, Sam Panayotovich, and Will Hill gathered for a lively Group Chat, sharing insights on their favorite bets from the highly anticipated matchups this weekend.
Let’s take a closer look at their selections!
No. 14 Clemson (+13.5) vs. No. 1 Georgia
Sammy P: Lean Clemson +13.5, will wager if it moves to Clemson +14
“Georgia’s game plan revolves around overpowering their opponents with a dominant running game. The question is whether they can maintain that physicality against a resilient Clemson team for four quarters. I have my doubts.”
Hill: Lean Clemson +13.5
The Bear: Would consider Under 48.5 total points
“Clemson’s quarterback situation raises concerns, and Georgia’s defense tends to excel against non-conference opponents that aren’t accustomed to facing Kirby Smart’s strategic plays. A score like 27-14 feels plausible.”
No. 7 Notre Dame (+3) vs. No. 20 Texas A&M
The Bear: Under 46.5
“With Mike Elko’s familiarity with Riley Leonard, the question arises: Can Notre Dame’s roster make enough plays to gain an edge over a stout A&M defense? Last season, Texas A&M struggled offensively without key players like Evan Stewart and Ainais Smith. They might face similar challenges this year.”
Sammy P: Notre Dame +3
No. 8 Penn State (-8) vs. West Virginia (noon ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app)
The Bear: Penn State -8
Sammy P: Lean Penn State -8
“James Franklin is aware of the expectations surrounding this game. He has a history of covering spreads, as seen last year against West Virginia and Northwestern. His strategies often include surprising plays to ensure they meet the betting line.”
Schwartz: Penn State -8
“Penn State is poised to make a strong offensive statement. While West Virginia returns many offensive players, they may struggle to keep pace with a Penn State defense that has consistently recruited top talent.”
No. 19 Miami (Fla.) (-2.5) vs. Florida
Sammy P: Miami (Fla.) -2.5
“I’m fully backing Miami. I’ve been vocal about my confidence in their season. I believe Mario Cristobal will harness any doubt and lead the team to a decisive victory over Florida, which has a low win total of 4.5. They are not a strong contender this year.”
No. 23 USC (+4.5) vs. No. 13 LSU
The Bear: Under 64.5 total points
“This matchup is expected to be a high-scoring affair, but I see an opportunity for a lower total.”
Sammy P: Waiting to bet the Under
“New communication rules are likely to slow down the pace of play. Observing the recent Florida State and Georgia Tech game, which had only 14 possessions, indicates that teams may have fewer opportunities to score. Efficiency will be crucial, especially against a USC defense that has shown improvement.”
Schwartz: LSU -4.5
“LSU’s offensive line stands out as the strongest unit in this game. I believe they will assert their dominance in the fourth quarter, leading LSU to both victory and a cover.”
Hill: USC +4.5
“I’m inclined to fade LSU. With significant losses, including their second pick in the draft and top receivers, I question whether their slight defensive improvements can compensate for the offensive drop-off.”
