Boise St. vs. Florida St. Total Pick
Will Florida State be able to get its swagger back on offense Saturday night when it opens the season against Boise State at 7PM ET in Jacksonville?
Game Snapshot & Odds
191 Boise State vs. 192 Florida State
Saturday, August 31, 2019
7PM ET – TIAA Bank Field
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Florida State is the slight favorite in this game, as the Seminoles are getting odds of -4.5 points against Boise State. The over/under total is listed at 51.5 points. The public betting currently has 78 percent going on Florida State as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Boise State still a contender
Boise State is coming off another 10-win season in 2018 where it was 7-1 in the Mountain West. The Broncos are entering their sixth season with Bryan Harsin as head coach. Boise was 7-5-1 against the spread last year while going 8-5 with the under.
The Broncos had a solid offense and defense last season. The offense put up 35.4 points and 459.5 yards per game. They averaged close to 300 yards per game through the air last year, but lose all of their top skill-position players. The team is going with Hank Bachmeier, a true freshman, to lead the offense in the season opener. He has a veteran offensive line to help him, as all five starters are back on the line. CT Thomas and John Hightower combined for over 1,000 receiving yards in 2018, but will need a bigger role this season. Defensively, Boise State gave up just 22.1 points and 355.9 yards per game. The Broncos have seven starters back this year on defense. The defensive line alone has three starters back.
FSU looking to right the ship
Florida State is coming off a rough 2018 season where it went 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the ACC. Willie Taggart enters his second season as head coach of the Seminoles, but he is hoping for a big turnaround this year. FSU was only 4-8 against the spread last year and 8-4 with the over.
The FSU offense was a mess last year, averaging just 21.9 points and 361.2 yards per game. Their run game ranked 126th nationally with just 91 yards per game. Cam Akers led the team in rushing with 706 yards, but they need more from him this season. James Blackman saw limited time at QB last year and will be the starter this year. He threw for 510 yards and five touchdowns in 2018. He has his top target back in Tamorrion Terry, who caught eight touchdowns passes. Defensively, FSU gave up 31.5 points and 416.3 yards per game last season. The defense has seven starters back this year, but the Seminoles lose a lot up front.
College Football Betting Trends
Boise State
The Broncos have hit the under in their last five overall and in five of their last six games on grass.
Florida State
FSU has hit the over in five straight non-conference games and in seven of their last eight on a neutral field.
Prediction:
The total isn’t too big here, but I think this will be an ugly game. Boise State is always a tough team to score on with its physical defense. Florida State should be better offensively this year, but I don’t think it will come right away. Boise State lost a lot on offense and the Broncos could have some growing pains as they work in new starters. FSU’s defense is nothing to be scared of, but I expect the timing and execution to be an issue for Boise.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Boise State/Fresno State Under 51.5