The wait is finally over. The NCAAF is looming just around the corner to kick start the football season. It’s going to be one wild ride starting with the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game. The opener will provide an explosive start to the 2014-2015 NCAA College Football season when the Ole Miss Rebels meet the Boise State Broncos at the Georgia Dome.
Want more games to feed your football deprivation? Check out the best games to watch in the first week of college football. In the meantime, lock your eyes here as we give you our take on the Ole Miss and Boise State kickoff game.
[sc:”NCAAF Articles” ]Ole Miss Rebels vs. Boise State Broncos Prediction and Betting Preview
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
When: Thursday, August 28, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Ole Miss Rebels (-10) at Boise State Broncos (+10); total 56.5 – view all NCAA Football lines
Betting on the Ole Miss Rebels
Coming into the 2014 college football season, the Ole Miss Rebels will be bringing a strong offensive unit, which led them to rank fifth in total offense (473.3 yards per game) in the SEC.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]This will be the second season for Bo Wallace as the Rebels’ starting quarterback. Last year, Wallace completed 64.8% of his passes for 3,346 yards with 18 passing touchdowns to be second only to then-SEC leader Johnny Manziel in passing yards. Ole Miss’ starting QB also saw improvement on cutting down his interceptions from 17 in 2012 to 10 last year.
Aside from his passing game, Wallace also added 355 rushing yards on 131 carries for six TDs to give his team more options on the attack.
Receiving the QB’s passes will be wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, fresh off his freshman season, where he led Ole Miss in receptions (72). Aside from Treadwell, Quincy Adeboyejo, Vince Sanders and Cody Core are also returning to give Wallace even more options to open up his passing game. The Rebels also have a solid rotation in their backfield with running backs I’Tavius Mathers (95 carries for 563 yards and three TDs) and Jaylen Walton (13 carries for 523 yards and six TDs).
Aside from their offense, Ole Miss will enjoy the return of nine starters for a tough defensive unit. Safety Cody Prewitt will be a game-changer in the secondary with 71 tackles, six interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Meanwhile, defensive linebacker Serderius Bryant who led the team in tackles (78) and tackles-for-loss (12.5) together with defensive linesmen Issac Gross (9.0 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks) and Robert Nkemdiche (8.0 tackles-for-loss in 11 games) will spell trouble for Boise State’s struggling quarterback.
The Ole Miss Rebels were 5-0 SU/4-1 ATS in inter-conference games last season.
Betting on the Boise State Broncos
The Boise State Broncos will have a brand new head coach in former Bronco QB Bryan Harsin. Harsin was the Boise State offensive coordinator from 2006-2010. During the five-year period the Broncos finished in the top two in scoring (across the nation) thrice and amassed an impressive record of 61-5 SU.
The new head coach will be tasked in overseeing the improvement of QB Grant Hedrick. The QB struggled with the ball last season in 13 total games (five as a starter). He completed 69% of his passes for 1,825 yards with 16 TDs and five interceptions. The Broncos only averaged 30.2 points in the five games started by Hedrick. The total has gone under in five of Boise State’s last seven games in the previous season.
Despite Hedrick’s struggles last year, he is confident coming into this season especially with a capable target in WR Matt Miller (88 catches, 1140 yards, 12 TDs in 2013) and running back Jay Ajayi (1425 yards and 18 TDs last season) available for a run play.
The biggest question mark in the Broncos’ roster is their offensive line. The Boise State O-line will only feature two starters, Marcus Henry and Rees Odhiambo, returning from last season. Most of the bodies making up the O-line are players with little to no experience in college football.
Despite their struggles in their offensive unit, Boise State has a capable defense which limited their opponents to about 413 yards per game (third in the MWC) as well as allowing only 24.8 points per game (second in the conference).
The Boise State Broncos are 0-4 SU in games as underdogs last season.
Writer’s Prediction
Ole Miss (-10) start their season with a bang. Take them to win against the spread in a dominant game against Boise State.
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