Andrew Wilsher
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The SEC college football season gets underway today and with so many unknown factors ahead of this year’s opening games there is a good chance of some crazy results.
You can normally get great value in backing college football underdogs, and with so much uncertainty now is the best time to capitalize.
With that in mind, we break down three of our favourite underdog picks for the SEC and across the rest of the college football games.
Remember, you can check out the rest of our college football previews and get all the best picks and parlays you need ahead of today’s action.
1. Mississippi State Bulldogs +16.5 @ LSU Tigers (3.30pm)
Last year LSU boasted statistically one of the best offensive units in college football history, but they have endured a ton of turnover since then and with all the issues regarding Covid hindering practice, it may just take this new-look team time to gel. With quarterback Joe Burrow, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and number two receiver Justin Jefferson all gone to the NFL, the Tigers offense has some pretty big shoes to fill. Top receiver Ja’Marr Chase will also be absent this season after opting out.
LSU of course still have plenty of talent, but putting it all together and beating a rigid Mississippi State team by 3 scores is a big ask in Week 1. The Bulldogs will have a few new faces on offense themselves, but still have leading rusher Kylin Hill operating out of the backfield, and they can conjure up some big plays and keep this game interesting.
2. Vanderbilt Commodores +30.5 @ Texas A&M Aggies (7.30pm)
It’s true that Vanderbilt were terrible on both offense and defense last year, and it’s true that they went 1-7 in the SEC and 3-9 overall, but hear me out. Only once in that season were they beaten by more than 30 points–which came when they were crushed 56-0 by Florida–even keeping the likes of Georgia and LSU within that number.
Things are unlikely to get much better for the Commodores this time around, but Texas A&M were nothing special last season and although there are signs for this year to be more positive there certainly isn’t enough to warrant them being 30-point favourites. Vanderbilt’s offense did show glimpses of ability at times, and if they are able to find the endzone on a couple of occasions then they should cover the spread.
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders +18 vs. Texas Longhorns (3.30pm)
Sticking with the Texas theme, our final pick comes from the Big 12 Conference and the Texas Tech Red Raiders should be able to keep pace with the Texas Longhorns.
The Longhorns put up 59 points when they crushed UTEP last week, and although the Red Raiders were only able to sneak past Houston Baptist they were dealing with a bunch of absences and should be in much better shape here. Four of the last six games between these two were decided by a touchdown or less, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this one go the same way.
For more SEC and college football picks, best bests and parlays, make sure you check out the rest of our previews!
