Buffalo vs Wagner 9/2/21 College Football Picks, Odds, Predictions

The Buffalo Bulls host the Wagner Seahawks Thursday in week 1 college football action at UB Stadium. Wagner played just two games last season that they lost by a combined 7-43 score. Buffalo is coming off a 6-1 season that finished with their second bowl win in school history.

The Wagner Seahawks averaged 3.5 points and 172.5 yards per game last season. Wagner allowed an average of 22 points and 330.5 yards per game last season. Ryan Yost returns at quarterback after throwing for 89 yards on 22 attempts. Chris Collier returns as the leading rusher with 83 yards and one touchdown while Eric Castorina and Noah Ellison is a receiving duo that combined for 63 yards on eight catches. Defensively, Titus Leo returns after leading Wagner with 15 tackles, John Gioia had one sack and Ahmad Lyons had one interception. It’s hard to know what to expect from Wagner given that we saw just two games last year, but at least the Seahawks return all of their key players. Wagner should at least look more respectable on the offensive side of the ball. 

The Buffalo Bulls averaged 43.4 points and 478.4 yards per game last season. Buffalo allowed an average of 21.9 points and 360.4 yards per game last season. Kyle Vantrease returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,300 yards and seven touchdowns. Kevin Marks, Jr. should takeover at running back after 700 yards and seven touchdowns, while Jovany Ruiz is back at receiver with his 20 receptions and one touchdown. Defensively, James Patterson returns after leading Buffalo with 63 tackles, Eric Black had three sacks and Shemar Hayes had one interception. Buffalo returns enough key players on both sides of the ball to be considered a title contender once again in the MAC. Buffalo will miss Malcolm Koonce on the defensive side, but this squad overall is more than respectable. 

The Bulls are 34-16-1 ATS in their last 51 home games and 12-3 ATS in their last 15 games overall. The under is 5-2 in Bulls last 7 Thursday games. The over is 9-4 in Bulls last 13 games overall.

Buffalo is head and shoulders the better team here and is rightfully a decent sized favorite. However, this is a crazy line for a season opener where we usually see sluggish or sloppy play at times. This is also one of the bigger games on Wagner’s schedule, so you should get a motivated performance from the Seahawks. Wagner returns all of its key players from last season and has a capable running game. This is too many points for me to swallow. In fact, this is only the sixth time ever Buffalo is favored by at least 30 points. Give me the Wagner Seahawks.