Is Texas going to live up to the hype this year? They landed a good portal class.
Texas had a great haul, but they also lost a ton of players who were expected to be contributors. They overspent on some positions (including paying quality QB money for a WR), but its a make or break year for Sark. You cant have a top tier talent every year (thats bought) and put up the results he has. OSU to a lesser degree did the same thing where they got rid of some expected contributors and brought in vets, but with Texas they legitimately lost a lot of talent. I dont believe their OL is going to be good enough, and the fact Sark cant help but put his fingers on their offense means I think they go 9-3 again, and he possibly gets fired
The line to smash is California over 6.5. If you paid any attention to their off-season moves, they have one of the more talented offenses in all of college football while playing a very weak schedule. I think they win 10 games. Wouldnt be shocked at more.
MSU over 3.5 is also a good bet. OSU I wouldnt touch. Its a very hard schedule, and they play a lot of hard games early. It only takes losing a game or two early in the season to throw the whole season away - players who know they are future early draft picks (i.e. Jeremiah Smith) might pull a JSN and be "injured" the rest of the year if it looks like they get eliminated from the post season early.
I would also take the under on South Carolina at 6.5. Their roster didnt noticeably improve from the portal, and in fact their best portal addition is out for the year... As is another starter on the OL (down 2 OL starter before spring camp is BAD) when that was the weakest unit on the team last year
I also think the under on FSU at 6.5 is a good play