As college football fanatics celebrate Week One’s Thursday night opening of the regular season there is an intriguing handicap of an Atlantic Coast Conference over achiever against a Group of Five team stuck in the muck but hosting what for them is a big home opener against a Power Five school. The Tulane Green Wave have made one bowl game since 2002 but will get their shot for national attention against the visiting Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Wake Forest is coming off their second straight bowl season and has shown methodical improvement since reaching rock bottom in 2013.
This matchup in Week 1 will take place on Thursday, August 31, 2018, at 8p.m. ET at Yulman Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Wake Forest -7
Tulane +7
Over/Under 54
Odds Analysis
Oddsmakers have set this line based in large part due to the perception that a Power Five bowl team like Wake Forest will appeal much more to the betting public than a Tulane team that simply has not been able to gain any traction.
Coaching Angle
Dave Clawson took over a Wake Forest program that had grown stale under Jim Groebe and has worked a considerable amount of magic in his four seasons on the job. This year will be a major test however and will reveal just how effective his recruiting has been. The Demon Deacons have a new quarterback and lost significant assets off their defense. Clawson has set a good foundation in place and is an offensive wizard that should quickly get the unit to a productive status. Clawson has improved facilities and culture to the point that Wake now expects to win games.
Willie Fritz took over the coaching graveyard at Tulane and has gone 4-8 and then 5-7 last year. What was most painful about 2017 is that the Green Wave were ruled an inch shy on instant replay of scoring the touchdown that would have sent them to a bowl. Fritz has recruited hard to get enough talent to jump start a run-oriented offense. His offense scored 21 or fewer points six times last year.
Matchup to Watch
Tulane is aiming to diversify its offense with dual threat quarterback Jonathan Banks. Banks threw for 565 yards in the final two games last year and showed marked improvement down the stretch. The running game is set after powering to 231.5 yards per game last year. Defensively the Green Wave should improve just by getting some offensive support that will give them more rest in games.
Wake Forest’s offense exploded in a 55-52 Belk Bowl win over Texas A&M which capped off its meteoric improvement. A veteran offensive line and one of the top receiving corps in the Atlantic Coast Conference should ease the transition to new quarterback Kendall Hinton. Hinton has a powerful arm and can run. Running back Matt Colburn ran for 120 yards or better in four of the Deacs final six games. Second year defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel has now had two years to get everyone on the same page but key players have departed. Slot receiver Greg Dortch and record setting tight end Cam Serigne should keep the passing game going with that good O-line.
Key Trends
Wake Forest is a solid 6-4 against the spread as a road chalk with five of their last six in that role going under the total. Tulane has failed to get the money in four of their last seven as a home dog with four of their last six in that role going under the total.
Free ATS Pick
Most believe that Clawson has recruited well enough and built a strong culture that can withstand roster turnover. The Wake Forest system is solid and the offensive line and receivers are the difference here. While Fritz must be commended for his improved Tulane program the fact is Wake Forest is further ahead in its development and deeper.
College Football Odds: Wake Forest 27, Tulane 17
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
