Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica is back for college football Week 1, and after hitting a solid 42-30-2 record last season, he’s gunning to improve. And trust me, his picks are already shaking things up, with a major bet on a Miami squad that looks absolutely loaded. If you thought they were good last year, just wait. This team has the potential to be even more talented than the one that played for the national title, and The Bear isn’t expecting any slow starts like the 35-0 second-half rally we saw last season.
The Big Guns Are Ready To Roll
Miami is not messing around. With their depth and a bunch of players battling for snaps, it sounds like they’re just not going to take their foot off the gas, ever. Stanford’s offensive line has some serious issues, and against this Miami defense? That’s just a recipe for disaster. The Bear sees something like a 42-10 final, and honestly, that just feels right when a squad is this hyped and ready. Over in Oregon, after a rough end to 2025, the Ducks are coming out with an urgency you can feel. This Oregon team is better, Boise is worse, and with so many key players back for a title run, you know they’re focused. Their defensive line should absolutely eat, with a massive edge against Boise’s offensive line. Expect some fireworks there, no question.
Underdogs And First-Half Gambles
Now, for some real Week 1 intrigue, how about that old school Pac-12 after dark vibe in Berkeley? The Cal vs. UCLA game is wild because the betting number flipped, with Cal going from favorite to ‘dog. The Bear is grabbing the Golden Bears as an underdog here, and it’s a big move. He thinks everyone’s too focused on the Bob Chesney narrative at UCLA and is overlooking that Cal might actually have the better roster right now, especially with Tosh Lupoi coaching his first game. Don’t sleep on Tarleton State either! They’re one of the best FCS teams, and after BG’s offensive collapse last year, The Bear isn’t convinced BG is any better. Tarleton’s Kaden Anderson and Dylan Hines did whatever they wanted on offense against Prairie View, and there isn’t even a big home field edge for BG. And if you’re looking for a first-half play, Texas is your team. Their roster is so deep and talented, even if you expect them to ease up later, they’ll dominate early. Then there’s USF, where the Brian Hartline era starts with a tricky opener. FIU got better under Willie Simmons, built some real culture, and they’ve got good backs like Anthony Carrier plus an experienced defense. FIU might not win outright, but they’re definitely covering north of two touchdowns.
Bear Bytes & What’s Next
The Underdogs to play on the Moneyline this week are Cal at +104, Tarleton State at +114, and Florida State at +136. Plus, keep an eye on Jeff Brohm: his team has won 8 of his last 11 games outright when they’re underdogs by six points or more, which is huge for No. 24 Louisville against No. 9 Ole Miss. What a way to kick off the season! This is just Week 1, folks, and already the picks are wild, the potential upsets are brewing, and we’re looking forward to seeing how these early trends play out. The college football season is officially ON.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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