SEC opening weekend prop bets:
QB KYLE ALLEN’S NUMBERS AGAINST ARIZONA STATE
Options — 300 yards offense, 2 TD; 350 and 3; 400 and 4; 450 and 5
Projection: Looking for the most exciting SEC game of the weekend? If you blink, you could miss a big play in this Texas-sized matchup in Houston pitting the Aggies and Sun Devils. Arizona State coach Todd Graham enjoys a frenetic pace defensively and may blitz more than any opponents Texas A&M will face this season. If Allen makes quick, accurate decisions with the football, that could play into the Aggies’ strength. there’s enough talent at wide receiver to win 1-on-1 battles against a Pac-12 opponent many analysts are projecting in the College Football Playoff this season. We’re picking Allen to lead the SEC in passing yards, so he needs a good start in what promises to be a high-scoring affair. I’m going with 350 yards and three scores through the air.
TOTAL OFFENSE FOR WISCONSIN VS. ALABAMA
Options — 100 yards or fewer; 150 or fewer; 200 or fewer; 250 or more
Projection: If you’re Kirby Smart heading into this game with more time than usual to prepare, you have to like the matchup — arguably the nation’s best front seven against a run-heavy offense beginning life without 2,500-yard rusher and Doak Walker winner Melvin Gordon. Junior Corey Clement will emerge as one of the Big Ten’s top stars on offense by the end of the season, but not in the opener against a fresh, physical defensive front. What’s key here is determining how well the Crimson Tide will be able to move the football against the Badgers. If Lane Kiffin’s offense is clicking and Wisconsin plays from behind throughout, it’ll be an uphill climb against a unit that’s pinning its ears back. I like Alabama to keep the Badgers under 200 yards of total offense and 10 points.
AUBURN’S ‘BIG PLAYS’ ON DEFENSE VS. LOUISVILLE
Options — 3 or fewer; 5 or fewer; Between 6 and 8; More than 8
Projection: We’re defining big plays as sacks and takeaways in this instance for Will Muschamp’s debut on defense. If you’ve heard defensive end DaVonte Lambert’s thoughts on the game, the Tigers aren’t afraid of anything Louisville and Bobby Petrino’s going to try and throw at them offensively. Not only does Auburn welcome back two senior linebackers, defensive tackle Montravius Adams and athletic end Carl Lawson, but five-star pass rusher Byron Cowart’s making his much-anticipated debut along with safety Tray Matthews (Georgia transfer). The talent’s there on defense for Muschamp, though it may take a few weeks for the Tigers to hit their stride. The Cardinals haven’t yet decided on a quarterback (four co-starters apparently), not a great sign since they’re going to have to keep up with Auburn’s offense. Two interceptions and four sacks equals six big plays for the Tigers. Sounds realistic to me.
