We’ve already started issuing some of our college football sports betting suggestions with the first week of the regular season upon us. There are some stellar matchups coming up, and there are some opportunities for you to make some money.
Take a look at some of our top suggestions for the weekend’s college football action.
NCAA News: College Football ATS Picks for Week 1
Saturday, September 4
Alabama Crimson Tide (-19.5) vs Miami Hurricanes (O/U 61.5) (3:30 pm ET)
This line keeps creeping upward, up a full point from when we looked at this yesterday. A lot of sports bettors are not impressed by Miami, who will have quarterback D’Eriq King back from a season-ending knee injury. He is dangerous with his arm and with his feet, and he returns with no limitations. He also has the savvy not to try and force passes into windows that will end up in interceptions. He is the more experienced quarterback in this game by a long shot, as Bryce Young will suit up for the Crimson Tide facing all kinds of pressure. Miami has an elite pass rush, which will help out their secondary — and remember that Alabama has a new offensive coordinator, new starting quarterback, new tailback and new top wide receivers. That’s a lot of new personnel.
On the other hand, Alabama should have the linebackers to shut down King. They can provide containment if he decides to run, and while the offense might take a quarter, or even two, to get things up and running, once they get on track, they should be able to move the ball at will. Alabama has not lost a season opener since 2001, when they fell to UCLA. In recent years, the Tide has taken on all Power Five competition in their openers, so they’re not taking down cupcakes. Their last nine wins have come by an average of 26.5 points. So while the Hurricanes will provide some competition, I still like Alabama to win and cover. If that line creeps up past 21 points, though, I might move my focus to the point total.
West Virginia Mountaineers (-2.5) at Maryland Terrapins (57.5) (3:30 pm ET)
The Mountaineers are no longer the all-offense team that had to put up 40 or 50 points a game if they wanted to win, now that Neal Brown has taken over for Dana Holgorsen. Now the Mountaineers are a grinding, defense-first team, with a unit that led the Big 12 and was fourth in the nation in total defense in 2020. No team permitted fewer yards than West Virginia did last year (160) — and the D-line can contain as well as generate a pass rush. Quarterback Jarret Doege has the experience to avoid making mistakes, and that should give West Virginia the rhythm it needs to put up points early and then lock down the Maryland offense.
Maryland has the sort of offense that can put up points in a hurry if it can exploit mistakes by the opposing defense. West Virginia lost four games in 2020, and in each of those games, their opponents were able to show offensive balance. Maryland has Taulia Tagovailoa calling signals and they have solid talent at wide receiver. However, their running game can’t do enough to keep West Virginia from pinning their ears back and selling out for the pass rush. West Virginia to win and cover.
Georgia Bulldogs (+3) vs Clemson Tigers (51) (7:30 pm ET)
Clemson’s defense had a number of flaws that they were able to keep covered during ACC play. They led the conference in total and scoring defense, but it was a young defense that took some lumps — all of which should help them as they prepare for 2021. They lost cornerback Derion Kendrick — who will start on Sundays soon — to Georgia, but they still have an elite secondary. The offense has D.J. Uiagalelei at quarterback, who looked solid in that crazy loss to Notre Dame and in the win over BC. Wide receiver Justyn Ross is back after missing 2020 with a spinal condition.
Georgia will try to stack the box after leading the nation in run defense in 2020 — and seeing Clemson struggle to run the ball (at least according to their standards) last year. The team only ran for 200 or more yards three times last season; in 2019, they hit that mark 10 times. On offense, J.T. Daniels took over at quarterback midway through 2020, and he added a downfield threat to the Georgia passing attack. Expect a defensive struggle all the way through. I see Clemson getting the win late, if only because I’m still waiting for Kirby Smart to win one of these elite matchups instead of just coming up short. Clemson to win and cover.
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