It’s time for American tackle football, the regular season edition. One of the most appealing games for football bettors is North Texas at Ball State. The Cardinals are a 16.5 point favorite at Bet Online.

At GodsTips, we are going with North Texas and the points. Here is the football betting analysis:

Remember one of our most important Golden Rules and one that the square player cannot grasp is this concept: uncertainty is the enemy of the oddsmaker and hence the ally of the sharp player.

The sportsbooks despise the fact that both teams are debuting new QBs. It’s certainly a downgrade for the big chalk and all indications are that it’s an upgrade for the significant underdogs.

North Texas QB Riley Dodge did run the same offense system in high school.  He can only improve a Mean Green offense that was dead last nationally each of the last two years in offense.

Those numbers are a bit deceptive as North Texas has played a BCS heavy non-conference schedule during that span including Oklahoma, LSU, and Kansas State.

Dodge is no slouch. He is a former Class 5A Offensive Player of the Year in the capital of high school football Texas.

On the other hand, Ball State‘s Kelly Page must replace NFL draft pick Nate Davis. They must also supplant four starters on the offensive front; three were first team All-MAC. The Cardinals offensive line has just one experienced starter in left guard Mike Switzer.

To top it all off, Ball State also has a new coach in Stan Parrish, so they are a team in transition.

North Texas also has their share of team speed that will give Ball State fits. In addition, they return running back Cam Montgomery, who rushed for 928 yards, so they have some balance to keep defenses honest against their Blue Chip signal caller.

Ball State has to use this game as a tune-up with so many new players and a new coach. North Texas is fighting for respectability, so keeping the score close is very much a building block for them.

While not quite a “Golden Rule” as stated above, a very strong and profitable rule of thumb is teams coming off one of their best years ever are great fades early the next year. Rutgers last year is a perfect example.

Well Ball State is coming off their first undefeated regular season ever. There will be a big hangover versus a team that only wants to keep the score close.

While we can’t go so far as to bet this game on the moneyline, there are plenty of ingredients for an upset.

Free pick: North Texas +16.5.

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Sports bettors have NFL betting information for Thursday night’s preseason action. The best football picks against the Vegas odds are up.

Troy-Bowling Green

Against the spread records: The Trojans are 15-5 their last 20 on grass, 7-3 as road favorites and on an 18-8 overall run. The Falcons have dropped 14-of-16 at home, yet are 7-2 their last nine in the rare roll of home underdog.

Top expert pick on this game: Nobody is better nor hotter than GodsTips. Already 18-7 this football season including the Preseason Game of the Year on Detroit outright over Indianapolis, has two NFL Wise Guys, six NFL majors, and two college football Majors including on Troy and Bowling Green. Plus MLB and any late steam is included.

GodsTips is almost unanimously accepted at the top football handicapper of all-time.

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South Carolina-NC State

Handicapping notes: South Carolina has won nine straight openers and head coach Steve Spurrier is 18-1 straight up in season-opening games. Two starters on USC’s front four are suspended: Clifton Geathers and Ladi Ajiboye. NC State also has a strong defensive front, but is very young at LB and defensive backs.

Against the spread records: The Wolfpack are 7-0 on grass, but 7-19 their last 26 as a favorite.

Top expert pick on this game: From the MasterLockLine which is the power of 620 sports services behind every selection: The Duke, Jonathan Mardukas built up a large scorephone following over the last dozen or so years.  With a database that goes back to 1980 the MasterLockLine say he is the top ranked college and pro football handicapper EVER. It’s his biggest opening night release ever in collegiate football, a 1 Billion Star release on the South Carolina/NC State side. Click now to purchase    

North Texas-Ball State

Handicapping notes: Both teams are debuting new QBs. However North Texas QB Riley Dodge did run the same offense system in high school. Ball State‘s Kelly Page must replace NFL draft pick Nate Davis. They must also replace four starters on the offensive front, three were first team All-MAC.

The Mean Green was dead last nationally each of the last two years in offense.  

Against the spread records: The Mean Green are 8-20 in September and 8-21 as road double digit dogs. They’ve lost 20-of-26 outside the conference but are actually 4-1 their last five on grass. The Cardinals sport a 10-1 September record and have covered 8-of-13 as a favorite.

Utah State-Utah

Handicapping notes: Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham has not publicly said who his staring QB will be though the team and coaches know. JC transfer Terrance Cain and freshman Jordan Wynn are battling to take over following the Utes best ever season.

Against the spread records: The Aggies are 9-19 outside the conference. The Utes have won 7-of-8 on field turf and are 20-6 as double digit favorites. They have also covered 25-of-34 non-conference games. 

Oregon-Boise State

Handicapping notes: This is the biggest game in the history of Boise‘s famed Smurf Turf. Boise could be a BCS spoiler, but they face their biggest hurdle opening night. It’s a big revenge game for Oregon which was thrashed by the Broncos last.

It’s the first game for Ducks new head coach Chip Kelly. Boise though is minus two key run stoppers from last year.

Against the spread records: The Ducks are 14-6 on turf and 11-5 as road underdogs. The Broncos are a sensational 15-3 their last 18 laying 3.5-10 including eight straight covers at home. Overall, they are 40-17 on the blue turf.

Top expert pick on this game: True the NFL card is even bigger, but a superstar handicapper has a huge bet on this game. Superstar Stevie Vincent is the founder of revolutionary forensic sports handicapping. He is 14-4 this football season. Thursday his Pro Football Preseason GAME of the HALF CENTURY is on the Eagles/Jets. He has three NFLX, a collegiate football winner highlighting the Thursday card. Get his three-day pass for $99 or daily pass for $40. Click now to purchase