FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It was slow. It was rainy. It was a relatively empty Gillette Stadium.

But nonetheless, it was football.

The Patriots opened up their 2024 preseason on Thursday night against the Panthers with a 17-3 win to start a respectable 1-0. It wasn’t pretty, but it gave us a glimpse of what we may see from New England this season.

Here are five immediate thoughts from the matchup:

5 – New team, new vibes, new routines.

Along with several other groundbreaking changes in New England this offseason (new head coach, new de facto GM, new quarterback), it seems that the days of the Patriots running out of the tunnel to “Crazy Train” are over.

Jacoby Brissett, David Andrews, and Brenden Schooler lead the #Patriots out of the tunnel for preseason game No. 1: pic.twitter.com/j0mlEnnhHZ

— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) August 8, 2024

The Pats went away from the Ozzy Osbourne classic, at least for preseason game No. 1 anyway, and instead took the field to “Let’s Go” by Trick Daddy and Lil Jon’s “Let’s Go.”

While it was pointed out by 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Alex Barth that “Let’s Go” does sample “Crazy Train”, it was definitely a different feel for a team looking to build a different culture from the Belichick years.

It’s worth noting that they have kept several other in-stadium sounds alive, including the rumbling horn on third down and Bon Jovi’s “This Is Our House” for touchdowns.

4 – Could JuJu Smith-Schuster’s standing on the roster be more comfortable than we realize?

The Patriots offense started the 2024 preseason in 12-personnel, with Tyquan Thorton and K.J. Osborn playing the X and Z respectively. No surprise, considering both veterans have been repping amongst the starters throughout the beginning of camp.

What was odd, however, was that when New England went into their first three wide receiver set of the night, it was JuJu Smith-Schuster playing the ‘F’.

It’s no secret that Smith-Schuster hasn’t had a good start to camp. He’s been incredibly inconsistent, hasn’t shown a burst, and has had far too many drops to be considered a “lock” to make the roster. In fact, he’s seemingly been in a bottom-of-the-room competition with the likes of Kayshon Boutte, JaQuae Jackson, and David Wallis.

Not only did Smith-Schuster rep with the 1s far earlier than expected, but he also left the game far earlier than expected, as if he’s not competing for anything.

So… are we missing something? Perhaps they’re giving him some sort of veteran benefit of the doubt, or perhaps they’ve seen something we haven’t in the 27-year-old. Either way, his standing in the room is one I’ll have a much more keen eye on heading into Eagles week.

3 – Isaiah Bolden will, in fact, return kicks for the Patriots.

Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden was called a “special teams demon” by head coach Jerod Mayo during the offseason program. He was also one of the best kicker returners in college football during his junior season at Jackson State, leading the NCAA in kickoff return average at 36.9 yards per attempt while the FCS lead with two kickoff returns for touchdowns.

“Hopefully I’ll be back there on Thursday,” Bolden told the media this week when asked about the NFL’s new kickoff rule.

At the time, it seemed like wishful thinking given that the 22-year-old had yet to see a return attempt throughout the first several weeks of camp. He wasn’t even listed as kick returner on the Patriots’ (albeit unofficial) depth chart prior to the game.

Despite this, however, it was in fact Bolden, along with running back Kevin Harris, back to return on New England’s lone kick return attempt on Thursday — though Harris ended up fielding it.

Long story short? We’ve still yet to see Bolden’s ability as a return man at the NFL level, but it was at least promising to see him in the mix on game day.

2 – The Patriots’ defense looks dominant again.

Taking this with the biggest grain of salt in the world given that it was against the Carolina Panthers, the NFL’s worst team last season, and their backup quarterback, the Patriots’ defense came to play on Thursday night.

Giving up 3 points over 12 drives, New England’s unit tallied a total of 5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 5 tackles defensed, and eight QB hits while forcing the Panthers to punt 10 times. Individually, they were led by Marcellas Dial Jr. (5 tackles), Oshane Ximines (4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 QB hits), Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL), and Joe Giles-Harris (4 tackles, 2 passed defensed).

This defense is going to be darn good for what feels like the 25th year in a row and if the offense can at least show a pulse, they’ll win more games than expected in 2024.

1 – “Maye Day” lasts just two drives.

The main attraction on Thursday night was the fact that No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye, New England’s potential franchise savior, was set to officially make his NFL debut.

He did… for just 6 plays.

The Patriots played it safe with their rookie signal-caller against Carolina, putting him in the game for just one drive. In the process, he completed 2 of 3 pass attempts for 19 yards.

.@DrakeMaye2 to Gibson to move the chains

: @wbzsports pic.twitter.com/FvfkqDAJNi

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 8, 2024

On one hand, it does make sense. The weather wasn’t great (though it was only a slight drizzle), and the Patriots are still trying their best to figure out their offensive line through various injuries. Who they put in for him, however, was questionable.

Bailey Zappe, who’s been mostly running as New England’s fourth quarterback, played the remainder of the first half before they handed the reigns over to Joe Milton III. It seemed like an abundance of wasted reps for a guy who, frankly, has one of the steepest uphill climbs to make the roster.

Perhaps next week versus the Eagles is when we get to see Maye truly sling it.

Follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!

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Monday Night Football is back for week two, this time with a doubleheader.

We’ve got the Saints and Panthers kicking off at 7:15 p.m. tonight followed by the Browns and Steelers kicking off at 8:15 p.m.

The good news? You can get on both of them at FanDuel Sportsbook. Here’s a look at each game with a preview, prediction, and pick:

Odds – Saints vs. Panthers

Spread: Saints -3

Moneyline: Saints -166/Panthers +140

Total: O/U 39.5

Storylines, Predictions, and Pick

Is there anything better than getting a look at the number one pick in primetime? Bryce Young, the Panthers’ first overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, will take the field on Monday night in Carolina for the team’s home opener. Young’s new squad struggled in his pro debut last Sunday, scoring just 10 points turning the ball over three times, and committing nine penalties.

As for the Saints, they have a new quarterback too. The team signed free agent signal caller Derek Carr to a four-year, $150 million contract this offseason to lead New Orleans into the post-Brees era. The former Raider threw for 305 yards in his NOLA debut last week and has his squad at 1-0 heading into Monday night.

They’ll get to 2-0 against this Panthers team. I think Young has promise, but the rest of the team around him, specifically the offensive line, isn’t ready for it. The Saints win a low-scorer. I like the under.

Score: Saints 17 – Panthers 10

Side: Saints -3

Total: UNDER 39.6

Odds – Browns vs. Steelers

Spread: Browns -2.5

Moneyline: Browns -136/Steelers +116

Total: O/U 38.5

Storylines, Predictions, and Pick

I fell in love with the Steelers this Summer. The Kenny Pickett to George Pickens connection looked sensational in the preseason, TJ Watt was coming back with a vengeance, and their two-headed monster of Harris and Warren looks ready to roll in the backfield.

And then they played the 49ers in week one.

After their 30-7 loss to San Francisco, my confidence in Pittsburgh has quickly depleted, and now they welcome the 1-0 Browns to Acrisure Stadium on Monday night.

Cleveland is led by quarterback Deshaun Watson who looks to be back to form after missing the 2021 seasons and slowly making his way back in 2022. The signal caller threw for 154 yards and one touchdown last week while adding 45 yards and a score on the ground. On the other side, Grant Delpit led the way with eight tackles and Myles Garrett notched his first sack of the season on Joe Burrow. Pickett is next on his list.

I like Cleveland again tonight, and I like the OVER 38.5. Chubb goes for 100+ and Cleveland wins one that isn’t as close as the final score indicates.

Score: Browns 28 – Steelers 21

Side: Browns -2.5

Total: OVER 38.5

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Ah, NFL Draft season. There’s nothing like it.

After quarterback Bryce Young canceled the remainder of his pre-draft visits last week, it was presumed that he would become the number one overall pick to the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night. The betting market swung that way, as Young became the clear favorite to be taken first overall.

Well, things have shifted a bit on Tuesday morning, and it’s presumably thanks to the following post on Reddit:

“Will Levis is currently +4000 to be the first overall pick. Well ladies and gentleman, he’s telling friends and family Carolina will in fact take him on Thursday. You’re welcome.”

The NFL Draft in 2023: pic.twitter.com/RUGhhxVnpm

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 25, 2023

Is this accurate? Is it a smokescreen? It’s hard to say. While Young is still the heavy favorite according to FanDuel Sportsbook, Levis is slowly but surely creeping up into the mix. Here’s a look:

Odds to be the Number One Overall Pick

Bryce Young                        -1350

Will Levis                               +700

CJ Stroud                            +3000

Anthony Richardson        +7500

Will Anderson                 +20000

Young canceling the rest of his visits only to not know where he’ll actually be taken would be an absurd change of events. However, crazier things have happened at number one overall.

In 2018, nobody knew Cleveland would take Baker Mayfield until they submitted the card. In 2019, the Cardinals selected Kyler Murray at number one just a season after taking Josh Rosen at pick 10.

Young brings everything you want in a quarterback to the table. He has a strong arm, is accurate, is mobile, and has played in a complex offense at the collegiate level. His only real knock is his size.

As for Levis, he’s an incredibly intriguing prospect with a sky-high upside. He has a rocket of an arm, is “mobile” like Aaron Rodgers is mobile (not like Lamar Jackson), and has experience playing in a pro-style offense during his time at Kentucky. He is, however, turnover prone, has inconsistent accuracy, and “nearly 1/4 of his passes were thrown to targets behind the line of scrimmage in 2022” according to PFF.

Maybe this was Carolina’s plan all along, or maybe it’s yet another NFL Draft smoke screen. We’ll find out at 8pm on Thursday.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @PatriotsCLNS for the latest up-to-date Patriots news!

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The NFL’s annual scouting combine is here!

All 32 teams have coaches, executives, and scouts out in Indianapolis this week to get an up-close look at all of the top prospects who are eligible for this year’s NFL Draft. You can check out my full sheet of ongoing NFL draft prep HERE as I analyze and scout the 2023 class to find the right fits for the Patriots.

Earlier this week, I outlined five potential targets for the Patriots – including USC WR Jordan Addison and Georgia tackle Broderick Jones. Now it’s time to bet on the event.

Our exclusive wagering partners at BetOnline.ag have you covered this weekend with all of the best props bets to wager on during the combine. Below are some of my favorites. Check out their full list of props HERE.

Bryce Young Weight

Over/Under                    200.5 pounds

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is arguably the top prospect in this class. He threw for 8,356 yards, 80 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions in his three seasons in Tuscaloosa, and won the Heisman Trophy in 2021.

Young is, however, also on the smaller size – which has some NFL scouts wary.

ESPN’s Todd McShay said he would be “shocked” if Young weighed in at under 200 pounds this week at the Combine this week, indicating that he’s put the work in since the season ended to bulk up. His current total sits at 200.5 lbs.

The Pick: OVER 200.5 pounds

Fastest 40-yard dash time

Over/Under                     4.275 seconds

Trivia time! Do you know who ran the fastest 40-yard dash at last year’s combine?

If you guessed Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, then you’re correct. The lightning-quick pass catcher out of Baylor shot up draft boards after his run and turned himself into a second-round pick. Thornton’s performance just goes to show how important this week in Indy is for draft prospects.

Let’s root for chaos and go with the under here. Like Tyquan, a before-unknown prospect makes a massive leap this weekend after showing off his speed.

The Pick: UNDER 4.275 seconds

Position of player with fastest 40-yard dash

Cornerback                      -130

Wide Receiver                +150

Running Back                 +350

Though cornerbacks tend to be the fastest players on the field, wide receivers are getting there now with speed being the name of the game in today’s NFL – especially on offense.

I’m going with a pass catcher to be the fastest player out in Indy this week. Perhaps Boston College’s Zay Flowers?

Take WR +150.

The Pick: Wide Receiver (+150)

Will John Ross’ 4.22 40-yard dash record be broken?

Yes       +350

No         -600

Once again, let’s root for chaos. After Tyquan Thornton just missed Ross’ record a year ago, somebody else is bound to break it this year.

Will it mean their game translates to the NFL – who knows? John Ross has only caught 62 passes since being the 9th overall pick in 2017. It’ll be fun to root for, though.

The Pick: Yes +350

Longest broad jump

Over/Under: 11.5 feet

The broad jump is one of those quirky track and field events that got roped into the combine and can somehow help talent evaluators decide whether or not you can play professional football.

If you think I’m going to bet the under here though, you’re crazy. Somebody’s going to get close to 12 feet.

The Pick: OVER 11.5 feet

Will Bryon Jones’ 12’3” broad jump record be broken?

Yes         +700

No         -2000

Though the long jump may be quirky, it also helps players get drafted. In 2015, cornerback Byron Jones set both a combine and a world record in the broad jump – leaping a whopping 12 feet, three inches. He turned himself into a first-round pick (27th overall) with this athleticism.

Though players continue to get bigger, faster, and stronger year after year – I don’t think we see another world record broken in Indy this week. Lay off it.

The Pick: No (-2000)

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @PatriotsCLNS for the latest up-to-date Patriots news!

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The post Kadlick’s NFL Combine Betting Guide: Fastest 40-Yard Dash Time, Will World Records be Broken? and More appeared first on CLNS Media.

It’s looking like that may be the case – as the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported this morning that Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is emerging as an option as the Patriots offensive coordinator for 2023. Rapoport says that sources tell him, “O’Brien is a strong option to return to his former home and assume his old role as OC under Bill Belichick for next season. This would be a potential answer to an important question facing the Patriots in the future.”

Last month, when it was reported by The Athletic’s Jeff Schultz that O’Brien is “considering NFL options” for 2023, I wrote about how detrimental it was that O’Brien didn’t return at beginning of this season:

When Josh McDaniels left New England to become the Raiders head coach, many speculated that O’Brien would leave Tuscaloosa to return to his former role as Patriots offensive coordinator. He spent five years coaching the Patriots from 2007-2011 before becoming Penn State’s head coach in 2012.

New England instead opted to fill the hole with a combination of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, which has been an abject failure – to put it lightly. The Patriots rank just 21st in yards-per-game with 321.9 and 19th in points-per-game with 21.7.

The post Kadlick: Bringing Bill O’Brien Back to New England Can Change the Patriots Fortunes in 2023 appeared first on CLNS Media.

It also put their quarterback, Hendon Hooker, directly into the Heisman Trophy spotlight. According to BetOnline.ag, Hooker now has the second shortest odds behind only Ohio State QB CJ Stroud to win the award. Here is their top five:

Odds to Win 2022 Heisman Trophy

CJ Stroud                        +105

Hendon Hooker             +350

Blake Corum                 +1200

Caleb Williams             +1200

Bryce Young                 +2000

Hooker has been outstanding this season. He’s thrown for 1,817 yards, 15 TD, and only 1 INT through six games. He also threw for a career high 385 yards and five touchdowns on Saturday vs. Alabama, putting both him and the Volunteers in the Heisman Trophy and National Championship conversations respectively.

But did he have his “Heisman Moment” too early?

Tennessee plays UT Martin this weekend before playing #19 Kentucky and #1 Georgia in back-to-back weeks. If they can get past Georgia – Hooker should, in theory, have a second Heisman moment and be the clear front runner for the award at that point.

However, I have a hard time believing this is going to happen. Hooker and the Vols are awesome, but the Bulldogs are legit. The Bama game might have been a one-hit wonder for this team.

*SLEEPER ALERT!* I think Bryce Young at 20/1 (+2000) is a great value bet here. Young missed a game due to a separated shoulder, but he returned for the game against Tennessee and thew for 455 yards in the heartbreaking loss.

I still think the Crimson Tide are the best team in college football. They have a difficult schedule ahead, with 4 out of their next 5 opponents being from the SEC. If they can get through this stretch, win the SEC, and Young can continue playing lights out football, the Heisman Trophy could be his for a second season in a row.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston sports news!

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Phil Jerkovec, a redshirt junior, announced last December that he would not yet declare for the NFL draft – instead opting to come back to Chestnut Hill for another year:

Jerkovec, who transferred from Notre Dame and has dealt with injury throughout his lengthy college career, seems to finally have the stability he needs heading into his third year at BC.

The Eagles went 6-6 last year and were supposed to play in the Military Bowl against East Carolina – but the game was canceled due to COVID. I wrote a preview on the game (read HERE), and naturally picked BC to win and predicted Jerkovec would have a day.

The kid is good, and according to our exclusive gambling partners at BetOnline.ag, he’s in the conversation to be the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Here are their odds:

Number One Overall Pick – 2023 NFL Draft

CJ Stroud                                    +200

Bryce Young                                +250

Will Anderson                             +300

Paris Johnson                             +900

Tyler Van Dyke                          +1600

Jaxon Smith-Njigba                  +1600

Phil Jerkovec                            +1600

Spencer Rattler                          +1800

The first two names on this list, CJ Stroud (+200), and Bryce Young (+250), are the two best quarterbacks in college football. Stroud has the shortest odds to win the Heisman according to BetOnline, with +325 odds to win the trophy. Young is third at 7/1.

Young’s teammate, linebacker Will Anderson, is the first non-QB on the list with 3/1 odds to go number one. Anderson is the nucleus of the Alabama defense. He led the nation in sacks last season with 17.5 and recorded 57 solo tackles.

South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler is, shockingly, on this list. The former Oklahoma Sooner was projected to be the number 1 pick last season – but spiraled miserably with Lincoln Riley in Norman before being benched for Caleb Williams. Taking Rattler at 18/1 is charity.

I ultimately think Bryce Young at +250 is the best bet here. The Crimson Tide are due for a national championship, and he’ll be in the spotlight every week.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston sports news!

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The post Boston College Quarterback Phil Jerkovec in Conversation to be Number One Pick in 2023 NFL Draft appeared first on CLNS Media.

Nick Saban says Alabama will probably be underdogs in the #CFBPlayoff title game.

"Georgia played an outstanding game last night. The part that I saw against Michigan, they were dominant." pic.twitter.com/hUoq2wR8Mg

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 1, 2022

As head coach Nick Saban alludes to above, Alabama is underdogs for Monday night’s game. Here are all the odds, courtesy of BetOnline.ag:

CFP National Championship

January 10, 2022 – Lucas Oil Stadium

8pm – ESPN

Odds

Spread: Georgia -2.5

Total: O/U 52.5

Moneyline: Georgia -140/Alabama +120

Storylines

The Crimson Tide took care of business against Cincinnati last Saturday, beating them 27-6. The first non-power five team to make the playoff held their own for the first quarter, but simply couldn’t keep up for sixty minutes. Cincy’s Desmond Ridder completed just over 50% of his passes and only threw for 144 yards in the loss.

Heisman winner Bryce Young threw three touchdowns for Alabama, but it was running back Brian Robinson Jr. who paced the offense. Robinson Jr. ran for 204 yards on 26 carries in the semi-final, and allowed Bama to slow the game down and play on their own terms.

Later on that night, Georgia spanked the Wolverines. Like – spanked. They held Michigan QB Cade McNamara to just 106 yards passing, forced him into 2 interceptions, and made Harbaugh turn to true freshman J.J. McCarthy to finish the job.

I went after Georgia QB Stetson Bennett a little bit in my CFP preview prior to the game. Here were my thoughts:

The Georgia Bulldogs went wire-to-wire as the number one team in the country until their SEC Championship loss to Alabama. The Dogs defense was dominant as always, allowing just 9.54 points per game. Quarterback Stetson Bennett is the one thing that is truly holding this Georgia team back, and I’m interested to see the kind of leash head coach Kirby Smart will have on him before turning to the once injured J.T. Daniels.

Needless to say – he proved me wrong, shoving 313 yards and three touchdowns in my face. (They probably won’t go to Daniels for the final).

Prediction/Pick

In their first matchup this season, Alabama stomped Georgia 41-24. It was the first time all season that the Dogs defense let up more than 17 in a game, and it further proved that Saban has Kirby Smart’s number.

Although Stetson Bennett dominated Michigan last weekend, I still don’t trust him. I can’t get over my bias. The Tide roll again and bring another National Championship back to Tuscaloosa.

Prediction: Alabama 24 – Georgia 20

Side: Alabama +2.5

Total: UNDER 52.5

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston sports news!

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Welcome to Playoff Semifinal Week.

1️⃣ @AlabamaFTBL ? 4️⃣ @GoBearcatsFB in the @CottonBowlGame.
2️⃣ @UMichFootball ? 3️⃣ @GeorgiaFootball in the @OrangeBowl.#CFBPlayoff Semifinals. Friday, December 31. #RollTide #GoBlue #GoDawgs #Bearcats

?? pic.twitter.com/W6PtoOtn9B

— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) December 27, 2021

Our partners at BetOnline.ag will have you covered all week with odds for the big New Years Eve games. Here are the odds to win the championship, and the odds for the exact outcome of the championship:

Odds to Win National Championship

Alabama       (+120)

Georgia         (+150)

Michigan      (+550)

Cincinnati   (+1100)

Exact Outcome of National Championship 

Georgia defeats Alabama            (+195)

Alabama defeats Georgia            (+195)

Alabama defeats Michigan         (+575)

Michigan defeats Alabama         (+700)

Georgia defeats Cincinnati       (+1000)

Michigan defeats Cincinnati    (+2200)

Cincinnati defeats Georgia       (+2200)

Cincinnati defeats Michigan    (+3300)

It’s sure to be a good weekend, and an even better championship next Monday. So without further ado, here are my previews and predictions for Friday’s games, brought to you by BetOnline.ag:

Alabama vs. Cincinnati – Cotton Bowl Classic

December 31, 2021 – AT&T Stadium

3:30pm – ESPN

Odds

Spread: Alabama -13.5

Total: O/U 57.5

Moneyline: Alabama -500/Cincinnati +395

Storylines

Alabama is once again at the top of the college football world. They finished the season as the number one team in the country, and it’s thanks to Bryce Young. The 20-year-old sophomore out of Pasadena, California won the 2021 Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Alabama signal-caller in the award’s history to do so. He led the Crimson Tide’s offense with 4,322 passing yards and 43 passing touchdowns, while turning the ball over just four times. Alabama sophomore Will Anderson Jr. was the team’s leader on defense. He is tied for the NCAA lead in sacks with 15.5, and also added 52 tackles to his campaign. Many believe he was snubbed from the Heisman Trophy ceremony.

The Cincinnati Bearcats are set be the first non-power five team ever to play in the College Football Playoff. They are led by quarterback Desmond Ridder, who has been a star for Cincinnati over the last four years. Ridder threw for  career-highs in passing yards (3,190) and passing touchdowns (30) this season, and led the Bearcats to an undefeated 13-0 record and their second AAC title in as many years.

Prediction/Pick

Being the first non-power five team in the CFP will be quite a challenge for Cincinnati, and I’m not sure they’re ready for it. Nick Saban and Alabama are just made for these games, while Luke Fickell and the Bearcats are not. I am interested to see if the Bearcats put up a fight on offense, because I’m a big fan of Desmond Ridder. However, I think the Tide are going to roll. Alabama wins by 30+.

Prediction: Alabama 52 – Cincinnati 21

Side: Alabama -13.5

Total: OVER 58

Michigan vs. Georgia – Capital One Orange Bowl

December 31, 2021 – Hard Rock Stadium

7:30pm – ESPN

Odds

Spread: Georgia -7.5

Total: O/U 45.5

Moneyline: Georgia -285/Michigan +240

Storylines

After watching the beat down that Alabama puts Cincinnati, it’ll be refreshing to settle in for a closer matchup between Michigan and Georgia. These teams are far closer in skill level than the two in the early game.

Michigan is led by Heisman Trophy finalist and projected number one overall pick Aiden Hutchinson. Hutchinson is tied for 3rd in the NCAA with 14 sacks and has two forced fumbles for the Wolverines. Michigan and coach Jim Harbaugh finally got past their kryptonite in Ohio State, and look to be well equipped to win a national title.

The Georgia Bulldogs went wire-to-wire as the number one team in the country until their SEC Championship loss to Alabama. The Dogs defense was dominant as always, allowing just 9.54 points per game. Quarterback Stetson Bennett is the one thing that is truly holding this Georgia team back, and I’m interested to see the kind of leash head coach Kirby Smart will have on him before turning to the once injured J.T. Daniels.

Prediction/Pick

I think this is going to be a hard fought matchup. Wolverines QB Cade McNamara will certainly have his work cut out for him with this Georgia D, but I think he’ll rise to the occasion.

Michigan has exceeded expectations all season long, and they’ll continue to do so on Friday night. I’m going with the upset. Michigan wins and takes on Alabama in the National Championship.

Prediction: Michigan 23 – Georgia 20

Side: Michigan +8.5

Total: UNDER 45

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston sports news!

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Our friends at BetOnline.ag ran the data, and fans in 26 out of 50 states believe that Young should take the trophy home. Here’s a look at the map:

Rounding out the top five are Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (16 states), Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (5 states), Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker (2 states), and Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (one state).

Here is BetOnline’s  full list of odds to win take the prestigious trophy home:

Bryce Young – Alabama                             -220

Aidan Hutchinson – Michigan                  +550

C.J. Stroud – Ohio State                            +625

Kenny Pickett – Pittsburgh                     +1400

Will Anderson – Alabama                       +2000

Kenneth Walker III – Michigan State  +2500

Matt Corral – Ole Miss                             +2500

Jordan Davis – Georgia                            +3300

Desmond Ridder – Cincinnati                +5000

Bryce Young has Alabama ranked number three in the country, and a win against #1 Georgia on Saturday would put the Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff for the seventh time in eight years. Young has thrown for 3,901 yards this season with 40 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions. He also has two touchdowns on the ground.

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has flown up the board this week after the Wolverines took down the Ohio State Buckeyes for the first time since coach Jim Harbaugh’s took over in Ann Arbor. Hutchison is third in the nation with 13 sacks this season, and also has two forced fumbles. The maize and blue will take on the 13th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big 10 Championship game on Saturday.

Rounding out the top three is Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stroud led the Buckeyes offense this season throwing for 3,862 yards and 38 touchdowns, though he failed to get them past Michigan last weekend. This will certainly hinder his chances at taking the Heisman home.

With Stroud not having another game left to fill his resume and a defensive player not having won the award since Charles Woodson in 1997, Bryce Young at (-220) is clearly the safe play here. Don’t get cute with it – Young is your Heisman winner.

The Heisman Trophy ceremony will take place on the night of December 11th and will air on ESPN. Be sure to get your bets in before next Saturday using BetOnline.ag!

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The post Pulse of the 2021 Heisman Trophy Race | BetOnline.ag appeared first on CLNS Media.