Mike Handzelek's 9* CFB Week 1 Public Missed Perception Play Analysis/Review/Notes Saturday, September 04, 2021 Texas San Antonio vs. Illinois (NCAAF) - 7:30 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Point Spread: 7/-115 Texas San Antonio Rating: 9* Mike's CFB Week 1 Public Missed Perception Play (WIN) It's Week 1 in CFB where on 1 side lessons are learned & the other smart plays are carried out. Remember, this is a marathon & not a sprint. As analytical patterns are formed (so much consistent in football than in bases or baskets), we'll gladly climb up the ladder on a graduated scale. The public is prematurely in love with the wrong side here. For Saturday, 1 game REALLY stands out as a strong play. Illinois is riding high & will come in fat & happy here after their emotional 30-22 home upset win over Nebraska last week. In that win, senior QB Brandon Peters was banged up with a shoulder injury (left shoulder) & remains questionable here. Rutgers transfer QB Art Sitkowski will be inserted again if Peters is a no go. My take from last week was that the Illinois' "D" got gifts from an erratic offense (turnovers & penalties) that they won't be getting this week (Nebraska did out-gain them 392 to 326). In college football, it's often about stability. UTSA (7-5 LY & lost to Louisiana 31-24 in the First Responder Bowl) is pretty solid in that category with only something new @ DC with Jess Loepp & Rod Wright serving in that role. But on the other sideline, the 2-6 last season Fighting Illini have new coaches with new systems everywhere with HC Bret Bielema, OC Tony Petersen & DC Ryan Walters. With 20 of 22 returning starters (replacing a WR & a NG in the middle of their 3-4 alignment), HC Jeff Traylor (2nd season) can challenge UAB & Louisiana Tech for the Conference USA West division. Traylor has excellent credentials coming in with being named Texas High School Coach Of The Year 4 times along with 3 state titles & 12 district championships. He knows how to use his 2 veteran game-changers in senior QB Frank Harris & junior TB Sincere McCormick. The defense looks solid & has obtained 319-pound run stopper NG Brandon Brown who transferred from Tulane (they also have a week of Illinois film to take in). My bottom line says the numbers DON'T LIE! Illinois has only covered 3 of 18 as a single-digit home favorite the past 12 seasons. They now take on an experienced UTSA squad (9th season in the FBS) whose strong suit is in 2 categories. They're a PERFECT 6-0 versus the number as an underdog of less than 8 while going 3-0 ATS taking on an opponent off a SU dog win. this game is ALSO a sandwich game for the Fighting Illini. They're off a conference game & travel to Virginia next week. Texas-San Antonio entertains Lamar in their home opener next week. Here's where we'll play this. Let's go to Memorial Stadium in Champaign to play the TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO ROADRUNNERS (buying to a strategic + 7 1/2 with a little pasta on the dog ML) as my 9* CFB Week 1 Public Missed Perception Play! NOTES: It was an excellent start to the CFB season with a dog & ML dog win. Great output from QB Frank Harris & RB Sincere McCormick in putting up 497 yards & leading from early 1st quarter to finish was key. Adding 3 Power 5 transfers & getting back their top 14 tacklers on defense certainly showed with this Roadrunners' squad grabbing a convincing one on the Big 10 road. Thanks to all my loyal subscribers! Be back next week as I zero in on CFB premiums & defend my NFL title @ VegasTopdogs.com. Mike Handzelek's 2021-22 CFB Overall Record: 1-0 for 100%
 

Click here to view all of Mike Handzelek 's premium picks.