College Football Week 1 ATS Picks

We’re just a couple weeks away from the 2016 NCAA football betting season, which means it’s time to lock in your bets for the opening week of action. Obviously, when you’re putting money down on a game, there are no certainties, but these Week 1 ATS picks have been selected just for you. The home team is in all caps.

Here’s a Look at the College Football Week 1 ATS Picks

A few highlights from practice day 1. #RollTidehttps://t.co/pl2lVDbhTJ

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) August 5, 2016

Saturday, September 3

Alabama (-9) over USC (in Arlington, TX)

The Crimson Tide comes back from their national championship season ready to take on an up-and- coming foe in the Pac-12. USC is emerging from the drama of watching Steve Sarkisian implode last year, and they are a definite player in the Pac-12 South race this season. However, that doesn’t mean that you should bet on USC to win this game, or even to cover it. The Crimson Tide have a solid passing and rushing offense, and they have a brutally quick defense. I like the Tide to win this by a couple of touchdowns.

North Carolina (+3.5) over GEORGIA

The Bulldogs enter with a new coach against a North Carolina team that has to think they could have done much better at the end of last season than they did, falling to Clemson in the last minutes of the ACC title game, thanks (at least in part) to some controversial officiating. Now the Tar Heels enter Week 1 with a chance to make a real statement about their stature in the ACC — and all of college football. I like them to go down to Georgia and use their quick passing offense to surprise the Bulldogs and come out with a Week 1 upset.

WISCONSIN (+10) over LSU (in Green Bay)

Historic Lambeau Field will be the site of this tilt between one of the most intriguing SEC teams and one of the grittiest Big Ten programs. LSU is favored to contend in the SEC West thanks to the running prowess of Leonard Fournette, who made opponents look silly in the first half of last season — until opponents figured out that quarterback Brandon Harris struggled to hit passes in the clutch, so they would load the box with seven or even eight men and dare them to beat them through the air. Wisconsin has a salty defense and a strong running game and should be able to move the ball enough to keep this game close, even if they don’t win.

Sunday, September 4

Notre Dame (-2.5) over TEXAS

Last year, the Fighting Irish went up and down the field against Texas up in South Bend, winning in a 30-point romp. However, the Texas defense will be better this year, so as long as the Longhorns can muster a competitive pass rush, they should be able to keep the game in hand. The problem for Texas is that they don’t have what it takes on offense to keep up with Notre Dame. Malik Zaire returns with his cannon arm and quick feet to lead the Notre Dame offense — and the Irish will win.