Nine Best Bets on the 2017 College Football Season

We’re less than a month away from the opening games of the 2017 college football season, and as you consider your college football betting strategy, here are some futures bets to take a look at. Obviously, a game played by teenagers and men in their early twenties is going to have some real ups and downs, but we like the research that we’ve done on each of these picks. Here’s are nine 2017 College Football betting picks you should take into consideration.

Nine Best Bets on the 2017 College Football Season

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Tennessee Over/Under Win Total (7)

The Volunteers started 5-0 last year — and then fell off the table. Some of this had to do with hitting a wall in their schedule, and some of it had to do with a rash of injuries that would have devastated any roster. They did go on to finish with four wins out of five — but that loss to Vanderbilt at the end of the regular season is what a lot of people are looking at. Tennessee still won eight games in the regular season despite that gruesome middle stretch, and I see them winning at least eight again this year — so take the over.

West Virginia Over/Under Win Total (7)

A lot of people like to overlook West Virginia in Big 12 football, but they have an offensive system that can torch the opposition in a hurry, and their home field in Morgantown is one of the toughest road destinations in all of college football. Remember, though, that the Big 12 does not have a lot of teams that are headed to great places in 2017 — and West Virginia gets six home games. Oklahoma could be down this year as well after a coaching change — so the Mountaineers should be able to get to eight or more wins fairly easily, so take that over.

SMU Over/Under Win Total (5)

SMU might win all five of their first games to start the season. Four of those games are at home — Stephen F. Austin, North Texas, Arkansas State and fellow American Athletic Conference member Connecticut. All of those are highly winnable for the team that had the top recruiting class in the conference and needs to stock a defense that fell apart after halftime too many times last year simply because of a lack of depth. That fifth game — at TCU — is the site of a game where the Mustangs were within five of a CFP contender two years ago in the fourth quarter. Later in the season, SMU also gets Tulane and UCF at home. Their game at Cincinnati is also eminently winnable — so I see lots of ways to six or more wins for the Ponies. Take the over in this one.

Alabama Over/Under Win Total (10.5)

Their toughest matchups are against Florida State in the opener (remember how they destroyed USC in a similar situation last year?) and against LSU and Auburn. That’s it. Alabama hasn’t lost more than one regular-season game in seven years. So why would you pick against Nick Saban this time? He’s reloaded his team with another dynamite recruiting class, so taking the over here is a no-brainer, especially with Jalen Hurts returning to lead that offense.

Miami Over/Under Win Total (8.5)

The Hurricanes have to replace Brad Kaaya at quarterback. However, they have eight starters coming back on defense, and they have Mark Walton at tailback still. They don’t have to play Louisville or Clemson in their divisional crossover game. Their toughest test is a game at Florida State — so getting to nine wins should not be that difficult. Give me the over here

Mississippi State Over/Under Win Total (5.5)

Nick Fitzgerald is not Dak Prescott, but he is still one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, and he could push this offense to surprise some teams. Their biggest non-conference threat is BYU at home, but the Bulldogs should be able to beat their defense. They just need a pair of conference wins to do it — and they have Texas A&M, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Kentucky on their slate this year. I’ll take the over.

Missouri Over/Under Win Total (6)

The Tigers’ offense does return ten starters, including quarterback Drew Lock and tailback Damarea Crockett. However, their defense was #93 in the nation last year in yards permitted per play at 6.07. The easiest SEC opponents that the Tigers face this year (Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Arkansas) are all road games this year. So I’m going to take the under here.

Nebraska Over/Under Win Total (6)

The Cornhuskers have a new quarterback and a new defensive system. That might seem like trouble, but they’re in the Big Ten West, which doesn’t have any really strong programs other than Wisconsin. Purdue and Illinois live in the basement, but Minnesota, Northwestern and Iowa all have their flaws as well. Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin are probably guaranteed losses, but other than that, there are plenty of paths to seven wins for Nebraska. Give me the over.

Penn State Over/Under Win Total (9.5)

The Nittany Lions don’t play Wisconsin this year, so their toughest games are at home against Michigan and then at Ohio State a week later. Pitt and Nebraska are a couple of other challenges, but those both come at home. Trace McSorley will lead a terrific offense, along with tailback Saquon Barkley — and the defense brings back seven starters. I’m taking the over here.