Top College Football Week 1 Betting Odds & Predictions

That first weekend in September is fast approaching, which means that it’s time to start plotting your college football week 1 betting strategy.  Thanks to the fact that the power conferences have some terrific intersectional matchups, we open the season with some real nailbiters instead of what happened in prior years, when the big schools would line up cupcakes for a couple of weeks to pad their records while they worked the kinks out. Let’s take a look at some of the games that you should consider as you put those opening week wagers together.

Top College Football Week 1 Betting Odds & Predictions

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Lines That Are Too Large in College Football Week 1

• Rice (+38) vs Stanford (in Sydney, Australia) (August 26)
• Louisiana-Monroe (+23) at Memphis (August 31)
• Utah State (+37) at Wisconsin (September 1)

You’re taking a bunch of kids on the other side of the planet — to Australia, where the distractions will be legion — and asking them to cover a 38-point spread? Stanford has to figure out what to do now that Christian McCaffrey is gone. Rice is a tomato can of an opponent, but you’re asking those Stanford kids to overcome all of those distractions and run a dominant four-quarter effort in what is really Week Zero? I don’t see the Cardinal covering here.

Does Memphis Stand a Chance?

This isn’t the Memphis that had Paxton Lynch at the helm. I could see them winning this game by two touchdowns, but Louisiana-Monroe has made a reputation out of sneaking up on much bigger and badder opponents in nonconference play the last two seasons. I don’t see Memphis winning by more than three touchdowns — in that opening week, there are just too many hiccups that can happen on offense.

Is It a Easy Game for Wisconsin?

The Badgers should beat Utah state handily — but by more than five touchdowns? Remember, the Badgers’ offense is a plodding type, using the running game to grind down the opposition, while their ironclad defense beats the heck out of opposing offense. It’s a slow process, which is why I think that 37 points is too many to give in this one.

Lines That Are Too Small in College Football Week 1

• Houston (-17) at Texas-San Antonio (September 2)
• Navy (-21) at Florida Atlantic (September 1)
• Tulsa (+10) at Oklahoma State (September 2)

Houston comes in for Game One of the Major Applewhite era, and you have to imagine that this successful offensive coordinator will have quarterback Greg Ward Jr ready for some redemption this season. Texas-San Antonio enters their seventh season as a program and their second under head coach Frank Wilson, who lead the Roadrunners to their first bowl game last season, where they fell short to New Mexico, 23-20. I see Houston making the Roadrunners take a big rout in their home opener.

Is Navy a Good Pick Against Florida Atlantic?

Navy lost their tailback and top two quarterbacks down the stretch last year — which is a big problem when you rely on the option on offense. That’s how Army was able to end a 14-game losing streak in their annual rivalry series last year and eke out a 21-17 win. Navy has their sights set on an American Athletic Conference title, and Florida Atlantic is a team that a Navy team that posted 75 points against SMU last fall should be able to blow out handily.

Can Tulsa Beat Oklahoma State?

Tulsa is viewed as a contender in the American Athletic Conference this year — but Oklahoma State looks to take over the top slot in the Big 12 after seeing head coach Bob Stoops step off stage into retirement. Tulsa showed last year that they can score in bunches, but their defense was more than a little suspect. I see Oklahoma winning in a shootout, and running away with it in the end to cover.

Neutral-Site Pick of College Football Week 1

Alabama (-4) vs Florida State at AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)

You have a matchup of two of the best sophomore quarterbacks in the nation in the Crimson Tide’s Jalen Hurts and the Seminoles’ Deandre Francois. Alabama is coming off a last-second loss to Clemson in the national championship game last season, while the Seminoles beat the Michigan Wolverines in a 33-32 barburner in the Capital One Orange Bowl. I see the Tide coming out with a new level of motivation after that disappointing loss, and I see Nick Saban having them ready to win — and cover. All you have to do is look back at their Week 1 shellacking of USC a year ago to know why well Saban prepares his teams to open the year.

Final College Football Week 1 Predictions

There are many more games to look at but only a few that actually are worth it. We hope these games selected can give you the boost you’re looking for. Plus, with the weeks remaining, much can happen and change. So, be sure to keep alerts up to date before making any bets. And most of all, enjoy the season!