The Bookie of Eli

With college football Saturday already underway, here are more best bets to add to your card. The 3:30 slate has multiple enticing contests such as an early SEC matchup where Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss seek revenge for last season’s loss to Kentucky. Another SEC contender faces a test when Byrum Brown, who was terrific last week against Boise State, and South Florida visit the Florida gators. Last but not least the “Border War” between Kansas and Missouri takes place for the first time since 2011 one of the nation’s oldest rivalries.

(20)Ole Miss @ Kentucky

Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss rebels have not forgotten the loss to Kentucky last year that would cost them a spot in the college football playoff. Eager to redeem themselves for underachieving a season ago Ole Miss started their season red hot. New quarterback Austin Simmons tossed 3 touchdowns in a 63-7 drubbing of Georgia State. Kentucky on the other hand struggled to throw the ball against Toledo in a 24-17 win. Wildcat quarterback Zach Calzada looked indecisive finishing with just 85 yards passing and an interception. With added motivation Simmons and Ole Miss will score points and I have no faith in Kentucky’s offense following last week’s sub-par performance.

Best Bet: Ole Miss -9 (-110)

South Florida @ (13)Florida

South Florida is fresh off a victory against then ranked Boise State with Brown stealing the show with powerful touchdown runs. The bulls took a quarter to get the offense going, but once it did it never stopped. Brown and his offensive teammates won’t have that same luxury against Florida. The gators had a gentle start to their season with a 55-0 shutout win against Long Island. Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is a Heisman candidate and last week he was efficient before the bench players came in to finish the game. Both teams have explosive dual threat quarterbacks who aren’t afraid to lower the boom. I expect both teams to put up points with Florida’s depth putting them ahead late.

Best Bet: Over 57 points (-110)

Kansas @ Missouri

The Border War rivalry is reignited for the first time since Missouri left for the SEC in 2012. Kansas already has 2 cupcake games under their belt with wins against Wagner and Fresno State. Quarterback Jalon Daniels is another electric dual threat quarterback who leads the jayhawks in what is now his 6th collegiate season. Daniels has looked the part so far and new running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. has filled in nicely for Devin Neal who left for the NFL. On the other side Missouri has had an equally easy start with a warmup 61-6 win over Central Arkansas a week ago. Lookout for transfer running back Ahmad Hardy who rushed for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns in the Sunbelt last season. I like the over once again with playmakers on offense for both team scoring points early and often.

Best Bet: Over 50.5 (-110)

Player Prop: Hardy Over 67.5 Rushing Yards (-110)