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Michigan has found it's starting quarterback for the 2018 season, and so Texas for that matter, plus much more in today's best betting notes.
Shea's the One
Michigan has settled on its starting quarterback for the 2018 season – and it should come as no surprise that the Wolverines have tabbed Shea Patterson for the role. Patterson joined Michigan at the end of last season from Ole Miss, where he threw for 2,259 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing nearly 64 percent of his pass attempts. Patterson edged out a trio of challengers for the starting job, and gives the Wolverines some much-needed stability at a position of need; Michigan finished 110th out of 129 Division I schools in average passing yards per game last season (171.2).
The majority of books have the Wolverines as 1 1/2-point favorites for their season opener at Notre Dame, with little movement either way since the line opened. The total is up a point to 48.5 in most spots.
Texas Two-Step
The Texas Longhorns have also announced their starting QB for Week 1. Sophomore signal-caller Sam Ehlinger will be under center when the Longhorns kick off their season Sept. 1 against the host Maryland Terrapins. Ehlinger established himself as a legitimate two-way threat as a freshman, passing for 1,915 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also leading Texas in rushing yards (381). That includes a pair of 100-yard rushing games in back-to-back weeks against Kansas State and Oklahoma. The Longhorns finished 41st in the country in passing yards per game in 2017 (258.8).
The Longhorns opened as 10-point favorites against the Terrapins, but bettors can find the line as high as -13 at some books. The total hasn't yet been posted.
Cephus Takes Leave
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Quintez Cephus has taken an indefinite leave from the team to deal with charges of third-degree sexual assault and second-degree sex assault of an intoxicated victim. Cephus will make his first court appearance Thursday following an incident in April, one Cephus insists stemmed from a "consensual relationship." Cephus finished second on the team in receiving yards last season (501) while adding six touchdowns despite playing in just nine games due to a knee injury. The Badgers, who suspended Cephus on Monday, are expected to conduct their own inquiry into the charges.
The Badgers remain overwhelming 34-point favorites for their season-opening encounter with visiting Western Kentucky on Aug. 31. The total has held steady at 51.
Zamir Out for the Season
The Georgia Bulldogs will be without one of the most talented freshmen in the nation after running back Zamir White suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his left knee. White, who was wearing a brace after suffering an ACL injury in his final year of high school, was injured during an intrasquad scrimmage over the weekend. The six-foot, 215-pounder was ranked 15th in this year's recruiting class after racking up more than 2,000 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns in just 11 games as a senior at Scotland High School in Laurinburg, N.C.
There is no line or total as of yet for Georgia's season-opening encounter with Austin Peay on Sept. 1. The Bulldogs come into the season at +800 to win the national title.
Annexstad the Surprise Starter
Minnesota will look to a true freshman walk-on to fix its ongoing passing game woes. Zack Annexstad has been named the surprise starting quarterback for the Golden Gophers' season curtain raiser against New Mexico State on Aug. 30. Annexstad beat out fellow freshman Tanner Morgan for the Week 1 opportunity, though Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck says Morgan will see time under center at some point this season. Annexstad should feel more comfortable than most walk-on starters; his brother, Brock, is a wide receiver with the Golden Gophers.
Minnesota is a 17.5-point home favorite against New Mexico State, down slightly from a -18 open. There is no total yet.
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