Old Dominion at Wake Forest odds, picks and prediction
The Old Dominion Monarchs and Wake Forest Demon Deacons meet Friday in the season opener at Truist Field in Winston-Salem, N.C. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Old Dominion vs. Wake Forest odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Monarchs are back in action after electing not to play during the 2020 season due to COVID-19. Head coach Ricky Rahne officially takes the reins for the Monarchs, who are expected to be a bit rusty. They were 1-11 in 2019, and just seven starters return.
The Demon Deacons have one of the top offensive units in the ACC, returning QB Sam Hartman. WR Jaquarii Roberson also heads up a top-notch receiving corps, and all five members of the offensive line are back, too. The weak spot for this team is on defense, although eight starters are back and it should be improved.
Old Dominion at Wake Forest odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9:58 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Old Dominion +1300 (bet $100 to win $1,300) | Wake Forest -5000 (bet $5,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Old Dominion +31.5 (-117) | Wake Forest -31.5 (-103)
- Over/Under (O/U): 62.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Old Dominion at Wake Forest odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Wake Forest 51, Old Dominion 10
Money line
Wake Forest (-5000) will cost you $100 for every $2 won, so it shouldn't be a surprise that I'm steering you to the spread instead. While Wake is fully expected to win this game, over the long haul, betting huge favorites on the money line is a losing proposition. Eventually, you'll get smacked hard. It's just not worth the risk.
AVOID.
Against the spread
Play WAKE FOREST -31.5 (-103) laying the big points. Old Dominion last played Nov. 30, 2019. The Demon Deacons haven't won a game since Aug. 31, 2019, more than two calendar years. This is going to be an ugly game with the home team routing the Conference USA visitors.
Over/Under
The play is the UNDER 62.5 (-108) even though Wake Forest is likely to march the ball up and down the field. The Deacs will do the heavy lifting, but the Monarchs are likely to have a hard time cobbling together much in the way of offense, especially on the road against a solid team.
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