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🏈 Hawaii starter out of boot
Micah Alejado was noticeably injured during Hawaii’s Week 0 victory against Stanford. He was in a boot earlier this week, but ‘Bows head coach Timmy Chang “expects him to play.” He has participated in practice but isn’t doing much. Arizona is probably salivating at the thought of facing a limited Alejado.
Arizona opened -14 and got smashed to -17.5 and -18.
“I don’t know why they would rush him back,” one respected bettor told me. “You’re not winning this game either way. Take the L and get him healthy for the next four games which are all winnable.”
Stay tuned.
🎙 Vegas Voices
Bookmakers expect to take more and more Texas money as we get closer to kickoff. Maybe you’ve heard Peyton and Eli’s nephew Arch Manning is the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. He’s also favored to win the Heisman Trophy.
“We’ll need Buckeyes,” Wynn Resorts bookmaker Motoi Pearson told me. “They’re jamming Texas like no other. Hopefully this youngster [Julian Sayin] can make magic.”
Elsewhere, Golden Nugget executive director of race and sports Tony Miller had me rolling about the betting support he gets from Texas fans. He refers to them as “the cowboys.” They enter his shop with fancy hats, spurred boots and enough cash to make you nervous.
“Arch winning the Heisman is a big problem for me,” Miller said. “They love him down there. He’s their bombshell.”
📊 Sharp Report
Arizona -14 —> -17.5
Rice +14 —> +11.5
Toledo +11.5 —> +7.5 followed by Kentucky -7.5 —> -10
ND-Miami U54 —> 49.5
Texas-OSU U50.5 —> 47.5
🔭 FCS Watch
Be on the lookout for a Jackson State “Over” move first thing Saturday morning. Watch that baby go. #VegasRick
☘️ Irish “D” vs. Miami’s “O”
VSIN’s Tim Murray and I see the ball differently for Sunday night’s showdown in South Beach. I’ve bought my fair share of Carson Beck Heisman stock while Murray believes the Irish defense is “fucking loaded.” That’s a direct quote.
Here’s more from Tim:
“Former Rutgers head coach Chris Ash steps in as defensive coordinator, the secondary is elite and this unit is primed for a big season. I played Under 53.5 in early August. I’ll be at the game cheering for my Irish to ruin Sammy’s bet.”
As someone who bet the Irish to win last year’s CFP when the bracket came out — close, but no cigar — I’m warning people that Notre Dame lost four defensive starters to the NFL Draft and faced a bunch of backup quarterbacks last season.
👥 Around the Table
Shoutout to Taking Shots at Sports Podcast from the live show:
“I wanna fade Cal all year.”
Same. I bet ‘em Under 5.5 wins (-140). The program is a mess.
🐔 The Card
Here’s my three piece for CFB Week 1. Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Miami +2.5 vs. Notre Dame
Texas-Ohio State Over 47.5
Oregon State ML -120
YTD: 0-0
“We’ll need Buckeyes. They’re jamming Texas like no other. Hopefully this youngster [Julian Sayin] can make magic.” - Motoi Pearson, Wynn Resorts
The NFL returns next week — as does The Bartender.
Cheers!
