Last year, Spencer Danielson took over a Boise State football program in crisis and led it to the Mountain West Conference championship. In addition, Boise State scored a win in the LA Bowl. Danielson is coming off a full offseason including a recruiting cycle and training camp. Boise State is a popular college football odds pick for winning the Mountain West Conference. Also, they could earn the Group of Five College Football Playoff spot allotted to it. But the first game of the season is potentially tricky. The Georgia Southern Eagles are dangerous when overlooked against bigger brands.
Boise State Broncos vs. Georgia Southern Eagles NCAAF Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, August 31, 2024, 4 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, GA |
| TV Coverage: | ESPNU |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State | -13 -110 | 56½ -110 | -530 |  |
| Georgia Southern | +13 -110 | 56½ -110 | +390 | |
| ||||
From a casual perspective, there will be plenty of betting on college football interest in the Boise State Broncos. Cause by the Broncos brand remains strong with squares. Wise Guys will look hard at Georgia Southern, a G5 school that regularly goes to bowl games.
Georgia Southern Eagles Team Overview
Last year was a tale of two sports betting seasons for Georgia Southern. Clay Helton’s crew secured bowl eligibility with a win in “Modern Day Hate” over Georgia State in a 44-27 win on October 26. However, they didn’t win another game after that. Including a rather embarrassing 20-point loss to Ohio in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
The Eagles scored over 30 points per game. Yet they were outscored on the season. Correlate that the defense was putrid, and the one-dimensional offense gave the ball away too much. Georgia Southern’s 31 turnovers tied for the most in the nation, and they were one of seven teams with a TO differential of -10 or higher. In turn, that could mean positive regression. On the other hand, who is playing quarterback?
Boise State Broncos Team Overview
At the onset, it is possible that the Broncos could have a 5-star quarterback throwing to a 5-star wide receiver, with a Heisman-level running back leading the run game. Highly touted USC transfer Malachi Nelson was QB1 during spring practice. But he did not win the job from Maddux Madsen in the fall. Madsen missed the spring due to injury but will get a chance to run new coordinator Dirk Koetter’s offense in fall camp.
Last week, Madsen was confirmed as the starter. Most importantly, Mountain West Conference Player of the Year Ashton Jeanty returns as a running back. Jeanty was seventh in the nation at 112.3 rushing yards per game and led the nation in yards from scrimmage per game at 159.7. Also, Jeanty scored 19 touchdowns.
Boise State fired Andy Avalos after ten games last year. Yet the Broncos rallied under Spencer Danielson to reach the Mountain West title game. The Broncos have a shot at the Group of 5’s playoff spot. Edge Ahmed Hassanein racked up 12.5 sacks last season, good for second in the MWC, and he should again be in line for first-team.
Accordingly, kicker Jonah Dalmas has a shot at becoming the NCAA’s all-time leader in field goals. He needs 8 to set the record. He has kicked 24, 23, and 26 in the last three seasons, respectively.
Boise State at Georgia Southern SBG Free Picks
In this situation, Georgia Southern’s defense will prove to be a College Football odds liability.
Boise State at Georgia Southern SBG Best Bet: Boise State Broncos.