Many believe that this is a season that belongs to the Florida State Seminoles in the ACC. However, if history is any indication, the Clemson Tigers are once again going to put up a big time fight to try to put a crimp in the style of the garnet and gold en route to an Atlantic Division triumph. This game might be for all of the marbles in the conference when it’s all said and done this year.

Florida State Seminoles @ Clemson Tigers Picks & Info
Florida State Seminoles @ Clemson Tigers Date: Saturday, September 24th
Florida State Seminoles @ Clemson Tigers Location: Clemson Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
Florida State Seminoles @ Clemson Tigers Spread: Clemson Tigers +5

The Seminoles have really had very little luck playing in Death Valley, and this year really could be no exception. The question is going to be whether or not QB EJ Manuel, the new kid on the block, is going to be able to go into a hostile environment and win a game. There will be 82,000 packed into Clemson Memorial Stadium, and this is definitely the one game on the slate that every single player, coach, and fan clad in orange and purple wants to win. This will be the first road game of the year for the Seminoles, and it comes on the heels of what could be the biggest win that the program has had in quite some time if they can knock off the Oklahoma Sooners the week before, so this is most certainly a big time trap spot.

Florida State Seminoles vs. Clemson Tigers Past Games (Since 1995)
2010: Florida State 16 – Clemson 13
2009: Clemson 40 – Florida State 24
2008: Florida State 41 – Clemson 27
2007: Clemson 24 – Florida State 18
2006: Clemson 27 – Florida State 20
2005: Clemson 35 – Florida State 14
2004: Florida State 41 – Clemson 22
2003: Clemson 26 – Florida State 10
2002: Florida State 48 – Clemson 31
2001: Florida State 41 – Clemson 27
2000: Florida State 54 – Clemson 7
1999: Florida State 17 – Clemson 14
1998: Florida State 48 – Clemson 0
1997: Florida State 35 – Clemson 28
1996: Florida State 34 – Clemson 3

Clemson has never really had a dominating side in the ACC; in fact, it has never won the conference title since the Noles have joined the league. However, this is one field and one team that it has always played well at and against respectively. The Tigers have actually won five of the last eight meetings in this series and have covered six of the last eight, and they haven’t lost a game here in Death Valley against the garnet and gold since 2001. This will be the first big test for the no huddle, up tempo offense that new Offensive Coordinator Chad Morris is going to implement this year, and it should be a real test for new starting QB Tajh Boyd. Dual threat QBs have usually had decent success against FSU, especially in the past, and Boyd will hope to add to that level of success by pulling off another upset at home against it.

Florida State Seminoles @ Clemson Tigers Game Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 8/5/11):
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Florida State Seminoles (-5) @ Clemson Tigers

It feels like the MAC is one of the toughest conferences in America to handicap on the NCAA football odds each and every season. This year, the favorite of the bunch is the Toledo Rockets (Current MAC Odds: 3.65 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook), but we’re really not all that sure that it’s justified. THe team went 7-1 last season in conference play, but in total, it was outscored by eight points. Nine starters are back from a defense that was one of the better ones in the MAC at 365.5 yards per game. However, we have a real question as to whether QB Austin Dantin is really going to be able to get the job done or not. The only godsend is that Northern Illinois is coming to the Glass Bowl this year, and the only other potentially difficult games are at home, save for the duel at Temple on October 1st.

Speaking of the Temple Owls (2011 MAC Lines: 6.25 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook)… What better way for new Head Coach Steve Adazio to take over his program than to win the MAC? Temple showed a lot of promise last year, and it was absolutely unjustly left out of a bowl game. This defense is legit, and the offense has some budding stars like RB Bernard Pierce that can do some real damage. Northern Illinois is dodged on the slate, and Toledo comes to the City of Brotherly Love, while the only tough game in the East Division is a home date with Ohio.

The team of the hour though, very well could be the Northern Illinois Huskies (Current MAC Odds: 4.25 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Losing Head Coach Jerry Kill could be a problem, but the return of QB Chandler Harnish and eight others on offense will inevitably make anyone’s trip to DeKalb a nightmare this season. Replacing RB Chad Spann might be difficult, but this is definitely a team with some unfinished business after making it to the MAC Championship Game last season after going 8-0, only to lose in the finale to Miami. As long as the roadie to Toledo turns out to be a good one, there should be no one else getting in NIU’s way this year on the road to Ford Field for the MAC Championship Game again.

2011 Odds To Win The MAC @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/23/11):
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Toledo Rockets 3.65 to 1
Northern Illinois Huskies 4.25 to 1
Ohio Bobcats 4.95 to 1
Temple Owls 6.25 to 1
Miami Redhawks 6.80 to 1
Western Michigan Broncos 7.50 to 1
Central Michigan Chippewas 22.50 to 1
Kent State Golden Flashes 23.50 to 1
Ball State Cardinals 36 to 1
Bowling Green Falcons 37 to 1
Buffalo Bulls 41 to 1
Eastern Michigan Eagles 42 to 1
Akron Zips 46 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The MAC East Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/23/11):
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Ohio Bobcats 2 to 1
Temple Owls 2.65 to 1
Miami Redhawks 3.10 to 1
Kent State Golden Flashes 9.50 to 1
Bowling Green Falcons 15 to 1
Buffalo Bulls 16 to 1
Akron Zips 18 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The MAC West Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/23/11):
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Toledo Rockets 1.75 to 1
Northern Illinois Huskies 2.10 to 1
Western Michigan Broncos 3.90 to 1
Central Michigan Chippewas 9 to 1
Ball State Cardinals 14 to 1
Eastern Michigan Eagles 16.50 to 1

Back before the Boise State Broncos were truly on the map as one of the elite programs in the country, they took on the Georgia Bulldogs “Between the Hedges” in an effort to really land a signature win on the road against a big time SEC opponent. They failed miserably that day, and UGA never did pay the visit back to the Smurf Turf the next season. That being said, these two are set to meet at the Georgia Dome right at the outset of the season, and it should be a tremendous doozy of a game.

Boise State Broncos @ Georgia Bulldogs Picks & Info
Boise State Broncos @ Georgia Bulldogs Date: Saturday, September 3rd
Boise State Broncos @ Georgia Bulldogs Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
Boise State Broncos @ Georgia Bulldogs Spread: Georgia Bulldogs +2.5

If Boise State is going to legitimately be a National Championship contender once again this season, they are going to have to win this game and likely win it impressively. There aren’t a whole heck of a lot of bumps in the road aside from this one, but the team has never slain an SEC opponent. This is a big time road trip across the country against a tough team that badly needs some wins of its own to keep its relevant status, and this is going to be a particularly tough test for QB Kellen Moore. Moore, who is certainly on the Heisman Trophy watch list at the start of the season, knows that he is going to have to break in a full new set of skill players this year, and with this being the very first game of the season, things could be difficult. A defense which historically hasn’t played all that well against the best programs in the country could have to have a near perfect game for Boise State to pull this one off.

Boise State Broncos vs. Georgia Bulldogs Past Games (Since 1995)
2005: Georgia 48 – Boise State 13

The Bulldogs definitely have to set a tone this year if they want to keep their Head Coach, Mark Richt safe from criticism. UGA was knocked off by the UCF Knights in the Liberty Bowl last year, a game which really hurt the status of the program, and many think that Richt was lucky to keep his job. This is also going to be a huge game for QB Aaron Murray, as he tries to not only win over the Athens faithful, but to poise himself for a legitimate Heisman Trophy run this year after throwing for 3,049 yards and 24 TDs in his freshman campaign. The only question is what receiver is going to step up to replace the departed WR AJ Green, who led the team in all receiving categories last season in spite of the fact that he was suspended for four games.

Boise State Broncos @ Georgia Bulldogs Game Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 8/4/11):
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Boise State Broncos (-2.5) @ Georgia Bulldogs

Pac-12 football should be interesting this season, especially knowing that there is the dynamic of the USC Trojans not being eligible for the conference crown. The Oregon Ducks might not need to beat USC to win the conference this year, but they might need this one to contend for the National Championship Game.

USC Trojans @ Oregon Ducks Picks & Info
USC Trojans @ Oregon Ducks Date: Saturday, November 19th, 2011
USC Trojans @ Oregon Ducks Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
USC Trojans @ Oregon Ducks Spread: Oregon Ducks -10

If the Trojans really open up as 10 point underdogs in this one, you know that Head Coach Lane Kiffin is going to use that as some big time bulletin board material. It’s big enough that this is the Game of the Year for the Men of Troy, knowing that this is the duel against the team that nearly won the whole enchilada last year. QB Matt Barkley knows that he is going to have the onus of this offense on his shoulders. He led the team to a 32-29 lead in the third quarter against the Ducks, but the defense just had no chance, giving up a whopping 600 yards. Ultimately, two picks cost Barkley and really countered his 264 passing yards.

USC Trojans @ Oregon Ducks Past Games (Since 1996)
2010: Oregon 53 – USC 32
2009: Oregon 47 – USC 20
2008: USC 44 – Oregon 10
2007: Oregon 24 – USC 17
2006: USC 35 – Oregon 10
2005: USC 45 – Oregon 13
2002: USC 44 – Oregon 33
2001: Oregon 24 – USC 22
2000: Oregon 28 – USC 17
1999: Oregon 33 – USC 30
1998: Oregon 17 – USC 13
1997: USC 24 – Oregon 22

Oregon’s offense has scored a whopping 100 points in the last two meetings against the Trojans thanks to Head Coach Chip Kelly’s offense. Last year, QB Darron Thomas threw for 288 yards and rushed for 42 more, and RB LaMichael James rumbled for 239 yards and three TDs. Like we said, we already know that the Ducks put up those 600 yards against USC, something that was really unheard of before. The only question is that defense, but that was the same unit that was questioned all season long before rallying to the National Championship Game. Ironically, it was the offense that came up short against the Auburn Tigers. The Ducks also haven’t lost a home game since losing to the Boise State Broncos in September 2008, and they haven’t been beaten at home in Pac-10 play since losing the Civil War against the Oregon State Beavers in 2007.

USC Trojans @ Oregon Ducks Game Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 8/1/11):
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USC Trojans (+10) @ Oregon Ducks

Current Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma Game Odds Can Be Found Below

This is an interesting season in the Big XII, due to the fact that there are only 10 teams this season. The Oklahoma Sooners are the overwhelming favorites to claim the conference crown, but the biggest team that might be standing in their way are the Texas A&M Aggies. There is a huge advantage to the Sooners with this one being played in Norman, but the Aggies definitely have their chance to make a big time impact on the conference title race and the National Championship picture.

Texas A&M Aggies @ Oklahoma Sooners Picks & Info
Texas A&M Aggies @ Oklahoma Sooners Date: Saturday, November 5th
Texas A&M Aggies @ Oklahoma Sooners Location: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
Texas A&M Aggies @ Oklahoma Sooners Spread: Oklahoma Sooners -9.5

The good news for the Aggies this year is that the mass majority of their games of importance are either at home or at neutral sites. In fact, this is going to be the second time all season long that A&M leaves the Lone Star State, and it is only the second of three trips outside of the state. Last year, QB Ryan Tannehill really had a nice game in relief of the ineffective QB Jerrod Johnson, throwing for 225 yards and two TDs. The 33-19 victory was the biggest of the season for A&M, and it really sparked it to such a fantastic season. It was the first time that the Aggies won a game in this series since 2002, but they haven’t won a game here in Norman since 1997.

Texas A&M Aggies vs. Oklahoma Sooners Past Games (Since 1995)
2010: Texas A&M 33 – Oklahoma 19
2009: Oklahoma 65 – Texas A&M 10
2008: Oklahoma 66 – Texas A&M 28
2007: Oklahoma 42 – Texas A&M 14
2006: Oklahoma 17 – Texas A&M 16
2005: Oklahoma 36 – Texas A&M 30
2004: Oklahoma 42 – Texas A&M 35
2003: Oklahoma 77 – Texas A&M 0
2002: Texas A&M 30 – Oklahoma 26
2001: Oklahoma 31 – Texas A&M 10
2000: Oklahoma 35 – Texas A&M 31
1999: Oklahoma 51 – Texas A&M 6
1998: Texas A&M 29 – Oklahoma 0
1997: Texas A&M 51 – Oklahoma 7
1996: Texas A&M 33 – Oklahoma 16

The Sooners really have a bone to pick with the Aggies this year after that loss last season, and an offense that put up 372 yards worth of offense is almost totally intact. QB Landry Jones had to throw 59 passes in last year’s defeat, but he only came up with 36 completions and 290 total yards. The rushing game just didn’t have it either on the day. Head Coach Bob Stoops knows that his defense can’t let Tannehill and the A&M offense have its way once again like it did last year.

Texas A&M Aggies @ Oklahoma Sooners Game Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/30/11):
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Texas A&M Aggies (+9.5) @ Oklahoma Sooners

Current Alabama @ Florida Game Odds Can Be Found Below

When Tim Tebow was roaming the field for the Florida Gators, it was seemingly an annual game that they played against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Game. This year in Gainesville, the stakes aren’t quite as high as they once were years ago with both SEC and National Championship implications on the line, but this is still definitely one of the biggest games of the year.

Alabama Crimson Tide @ Florida Gators Picks & Info
Alabama Crimson Tide @ Florida Gators Date: Saturday, October 1st
Alabama Crimson Tide @ Florida Gators Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Alabama Crimson Tide @ Florida Gators Spread: Florida Gators +7

The Gators are most certainly a shadow of the team that had Tebow and a slew of other talented stars on it, but so too, are the Crimson Tide. RB Mark Ingram had a great career in Tuscaloosa, especially against Florida, but now, the job is left to RB Trent Richardson. The speedy back has shown all sorts of potential, and now that the backfield is his alone, we are expecting big time things. This is definitely going to be a big time test for new QB AJ McCarron, who looked good in relief a season ago. This is the second road game for Alabama on the season, and if the first one is lost against the Penn State Nittany Lions, this could be a National Championship make or break situation.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Florida Gators Past Games (Since 1995)
2010: Alabama 31 – Florida 6
2009: Alabama 32 – Florida 13
2008: Florida 31 – Alabama 20
2006: Florida 28 – Alabama 13
2005: Alabama 31 – Florida 3
1999: Alabama 34 – Florida 7
1999: Alabama 40 – Florida 39
1998: Florida 16 – Alabama 10
1996: Florida 45 – Alabama 30

Florida has its normal cupcakes to start the season, but this is where things are going to be getting a bit tricky. The Gators not only have to deal with Alabama on October 1st, but LSU, Auburn, and Georgia immediately thereafter. This is the only home game from September 17th until November 5th, and to say that it is a must win game for first year Head Coach Will Muschamp is an understatement. QB John Brantley was a wreck last year in big games for the most part, and this is going to be his first chance with his new offense to really be tested against a significantly better team. Alabama has one of the best defenses in the nation year in and year out, and this year shouldn’t be an exception. This is why the Gators are such hefty home underdogs, something that we don’t normally see.

Alabama Crimson Tide @ Florida Gators Game Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/30/11):
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Alabama Crimson Tide (-7) @ Florida Gators