A key aspect of handicapping college football goes without saying, but I’m going to say it again.  Location, location location.  Many do not even pay attention to where the game is played.  While the majority of these games are home games in week 1, we seem to have more and more on neutral site locations, because it’s all about making money for NCAA.  In 2015 we had five neutral site games including North Carolina vs. South Carolina.  Then we had Auburn and Louisville, Arizona State vs. Texas A&M, Bowling Green vs. Tennessee, and Wisconsin vs. Alabama.  

In 2016 shit just got crazy as we have a total of 9 games all premium match ups being played on neutral field.  Some neutral locations as crazy as Australia and Dublin!  Why the fuck are college football games being played in these extreme locations?  It’s all about money to the NCAA and it’s complete bull shit that these college athletes have to make these trips.  Sorry I’m all about tradition and rivalries and I think these neutral site games make it less and less American.  Some of you may be thinking wait a second.  These kids are extremely lucky to be traveling to these historical locations, but I tend to disagree when you look at what these kids get put through traveling over the course of a season.  These long trips overseas are going to have a major impact on the early season athletically and scholastically most of which we won’t see.

It’s very important to pay attention to this when you are looking at college football picks, but you must learn of the neutral games what will be like a home game.  For instance if Georgia is playing Michigan State to open a season on a neutral field, but that field just so happens to be the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, well I’m going to give a small edge to the Georgia Bull dogs.

WEEK 1 NEUTRAL SITE GAMES: 

California vs. Hawaii (-20) – Friday August 26th 10PM ET

The location for this exciting game (JUST KIDDING) is Anz Stadium in Syndey Australia.  WHY?  I’m not sure why the NCAA is trying to be like the NFL with these national games, but it will make for an interesting match up to open the season late next Friday.  Let’s see if I can stay up for this one.

Colorado State vs. Colorado (+8) – Friday September 2nd 8PM ET

This in state rivalry game will be played in state (THANK GOD), at none other than Sports Authority Field.  I am leaning towards the Colorado Buffaloes who return a ton of experience from last year.  Colorado State is heading in the other direction. My algorithms like Colorado 9 against 3 to win the game.

Georgia Tech vs. Boston College (-3.5) – Saturday September 3rd – 7:30AM ET

Yes this game is being played at 7:30 AM the first Saturday of the 2016 College football season at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.  While that’s exciting, because now I can tell my wife that I’m watching college football for an extra 4 hours it means for a very long day.  I do expect most of the crowd to be pulling for Boston College who are 3.5 point under dogs because of Ireland’s ties with Boston.  Relax people I’m not just saying that because I’m a huge fan of the move The Departed staring Leo.  It’s an actual fucking fact look it up.  Boston has the highest concentrated population of Irish blood at 20.4%.  New York comes in second at 12%.  Again this is the NCAA doing their best to make more money by having Boston College play in this game.  The last time a game was played here it was Notre Dame and I doubt that is a coincidence, (Fighting Irish).

Oklahoma vs. Houston (-10) – Saturday September 3rd – 12:00PM ET

This is a huge game in week one and I spoke about it a few times in my previous podcasts.  Houston has the potential to crash the college playoff, but it of course must win this game which will be played in Houston Texas at NRG Stadium.  However, I think there will bea lot of Oklahoma fans despite being a 6 hour drive away from their campus.  I would give Houston a tiny edge for playing close by, but of course that’s already put into this spread by vegas insders for college football.

LSU vs. Wisconsin (-9.5) – Saturday September 3rd – 3:30PM ET

This game is being played at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ever hear of it?  So yes, this is like a home game for the Wisconsin Badgers, but they are still 9.5 point under dogs.  Why?  The Big Ten failed miserably in these type of games vs. the SEC.  Last year Wisconsin lost to Alabama, but actually played decent.  The Big Ten lost 47 athletes to the NFL draft and SEC lost 51 the two highest in 2015.  However, Big Ten went 1-3 straight up and against the spread vs. the SEC in bowl games a year ago.  For that reason I’m sure this spread is inflated a little, but we will take a closer look this week.

Georgia vs. North Carolina (-2.5) – Saturday September 3rd – 5:30PM ET

Another big time game for week 1 between the SEC and the ACC.  This game is being played at aforementioned Georgia Dome.  North Carolina does not have to travel very far, but this game has an interesting line with Georgia being a small favorite.  North Carolina loses their QB, Georgia fires their head coach and brings in the Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.  The story lines are there in what is an intriguing game.

USC vs. Alabama (+10.5) – Saturday September 3rd – 8:00PM ET 

This game is being played at Jerry World otherwise known as AT&T Stadium and tickets are reasonable for this big game.  Alabama once again gets to open up at this stadium that they are very used to playing big games at.  The PAC 12 in recent years has not shown much against the SEC.  We mentioned the success of the SEC over the Big Ten, but the Big Ten actually went 2-1 SU & ATS vs. the PAC 12 in bowl play.  USC has talent, Alabama lost a ton of talent and replaced it with well, talent.  It’s a game I will be watching, but not betting.

Arizona vs. BYU (-1) – Saturday September 3rd – 10:30PM ET

Arizona vs. BYU is not the most exciting of all these neutral site games, but it really makes me wonder how far the NCAA will go with these big neutral site games, because this match up sucks and nobody cares.  This game will be played at the Arizona Cardinals Stadium and I doubt it will be sold out as there are tickets going for $15 on SeatGeek.

Ole Miss vs. Florida State (+4) – Monday September 5th – 8:00PM ET

A new day is born on Monday and with it comes another neutral site game between two college top tier teams both who could finish in the top 10 at the end of the year.  We spent time talking about Ole Miss as a surprise team as they return the best starting QB in the SEC.  This game will be played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando Florida.  Big reason why Florida State is home is because this game is being played in their home state.  Fans can get tickets for Ole Miss vs. Florida State for as low as $70

 

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College Football Neutral Site Games Week 1 – 2016
College Football Neutral Site Games Week 1 – 2016

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