College Football Predictions: 5 Teams That Will Cover the Spread in Week 1

Well, we made it.  After waiting patiently for 233 days, college football fans around the country can finally exhale as the 2011 season kicked off on September 1st—a small taste before the full course meal is served this coming Saturday.

Week 1 is especially interesting to those of us who follow the betting lines—primarily due to the fact that there are always a handful of games involving highly ranked teams where the point spread simply isn't high enough.

One explanation to this phenomenon revolves around the idea that the oddsmakers simply don't have enough data to go off of in the early part of the season.  

Whatever the reason may be, let's look ahead to five games on Saturday involving highly ranked teams that should be favored by more...

1. Alabama -38 vs. Kent St.

So arguably the best team in the country is only favored by 38 points against Kent St.?  Does that make sense to anyone?  Why is this line not at least 45?

This one is a no-brainer folks, Alabama will have this line covered by halftime and likely pitch a shutout as they will be looking for every opportunity to impress the voters.

And by "impress the voters" I mean Nick Saban likes to run up the score.

Final Score:  Alabama 56 Kent St. 7

2. Ohio State -34 vs. Akron

Wait, what?  What's that you say?  Ohio State has a bunch of players suspended and Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressel are no longer there?

After spending 30 minutes trying to find a picture of an actual player who will be there on Saturday, I gave up once I realized it didn't actually matter.

I think we might be able to field 22 writers from Bleacher Report headquarters and keep it close with the mighty Zips.

I don't care who is playing for Ohio State, Akron is showing up to The Shoe for a pretty hefty pay day and that's about it.

Final Score:  Ohio State 49 Akron 7

3. Florida St. -29.5 vs. LA Monroe

The 'Noles are suddenly the trendy pick to win the BCS National Championship and quarterback EJ Manuel takes pictures with girls who look like this.  Wait, what?

Bottom line, if Florida State can't beat Los Angeles Monroe by at least 30 points, then EJ Manuel will not be taking any more pictures with girls who look like this.

Final Score:  Florida State 41 LOUISIANA Monroe 6

4. Oklahoma -25 vs. Tulsa

But Tulsa beat Notre Dame last year!  Come on man!

Seriously?  25 points?  This HAS to be a mistake.  I'm seeing visions of Landry Jones to Ryan Broyles for a touchdown over and over and over...

Final Score:  Oklahoma 52 Tulsa 17

5. Oklahoma St. -37 vs. LA Lafayette

It's almost too easy to pick against all these LA teams.

How many touchdowns will Justin Blackmon score against Los Angeles Monroe?  At least 9.

Final Score:  Justin Blackmon 63 LOUISIANA Lafayette 10