With Nick Chubb back from injury, Georgia should cover in opener

In a recently released made-for-Georgia fans hype video, Bulldogs tailback Nick Chubb confidently proclaimed, “The machine is rebuilt.”

Before suffering a devastating knee injury during the middle of last season, Chubb, a 5-foot-10-inch, 220-pound bundle of strength and speed, was being mentioned in the same breath as Louisiana State’s Leonard Fournette.

Chubb, who rushed for 1,547 yards as a true freshman in 2014, says he’s fully confident in his surgically repaired left knee. That could spell bad news for a North Carolina defense that has struggled mightily against the run in recent years.

The Tar Heels have allowed more than 5 yards per carry in each of the past two seasons and were torched for a total of 1,272 yards (6.6 ypc) rushing in their final three games last season, against North Carolina State, Clemson and Baylor.

Go with Chubb and Georgia to cover the 3-point spread against North Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome on Saturday.

Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs’ new coach, is the toast of Athens for at least a day.

Four more plays for Saturday (home team in CAPS):

Missouri (+10) over WEST VIRGINIA — The Tigers are banking on new offensive coordinator Josh Heupel to jumpstart a moribund attack that averaged only 9.0 points in eight Southeastern Conference games last season. Still, the points seem too high, considering Missouri’s defense again figures to be among the nation’s best.

AUBURN (+8) over Clemson — While the public still has vivid memories of a Clemson squad that stood toe-to-toe with Alabama in January, the Tigers have lots of holes to fill on defense. Also, Clemson is not the same team away from Death Valley, as evidenced by its 4-8 record against the spread the past three seasons as road chalk.

Ucla-TEXAS A&M (Under 54) — The Bruins are replacing a 1,300-yard rusher (Paul Perkins) and a 1,100-yard receiver (Jordan Payton). The Aggies said goodbye to a 1,100-yard rusher (Tra Carson) of their own. Both clubs are also plugging in three new faces on the offensive line, which can slow the engine until things start to jell.

TULSA (-5) over San Jose State — It will take some time for San Jose State to adjust to life without Tyler Ervin, the do-everything back who accounted for more than 2,600 all-purpose yards last season. Meanwhile, Tulsa’s fast-paced attack is guided by veteran senior quarterback Dane Evans (30 career starts), who is on pace to depart as the school’s all-time passing leader.

Paul Stone of VegasSportsAuthority.com is providing college football analysis for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Follow on Twitter: @paulstonesports.