There’s no better way to jump-start your college football betting season than by opening the fall of 2017 with some wins on parlay betting. We’ve put together a pair of picks from Thursday night and a pair from Saturday that should help you start out in the black. On Thursday, Buffalo visits Minnesota and Ohio State heads down to Indiana. On Saturday, Temple visits storied Notre Dame, while independent BYU heads down into the bayous to take on LSU. Check out all of our thoughts on these matchups before you place your own NCAA football betting wager.
College Football Week 1 Winning Parlay Picks
Thursday, August 31
Buffalo at Minnesota (-25), O/U 50.5 (7:00pm ET)
The Buffalo Bulls finished just 2-10 last year, but they have a lot of potential coming into 2017. Starting quarterback Tyree Jackson returns after a campaign in which he put up 1,772 yards. He did throw nine interceptions, though, so he needs to work on ball security. They have blue-chip recruit Rodney Scott coming in at wide receiver, and he should have a great freshman year. The Bulls’ defense is porous at best, permitting 32.3 points per game.
This means that Minnesota should have plenty of opportunities to score. Conor Rhoda and Demry Croft will serve as the quarterback tandem, but their real gains will come in the running game, as Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith return after combining for 1,808 rushing yards. Their defense — a strength last year — will be a question this year as they have not replaced some graduating seniors on the defensive line. For this game, you should take the over, because you should have two teams running all over the field with a minimum of defense.
Ohio State (-20.5) at Indiana, O/U 56.5 (8:00pm ET)
The Ohio State Buckeyes have had a lot of time to let their frustration build up since December 31, when Clemson absolutely dismantled them on national television in the College Football Playoff semifinal, 31-0. Eight of those offensive starters return for the Buckeyes, including tailback Mike Weber and quarterback J.T. Barrett. Barrett threw for 2,555 yards and 24 touchdowns, and he ran for 845 more yards — and nine more scores. The team averaged 39.4 points per game a year ago and hung 38 on Indiana in 2016.
Indiana showed some improvement on defense last year, permitting just 380 yards per game after allowing more than 500 the year before. The offense should slow down and have more of a grinding rhythm, but that won’t stop the Buckeyes from getting that offensive monkey off their backs. The Buckeyes are 42-20-1 ATS in their last 63 games away from Columbus, and the Hoosiers are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven games at home. I like Ohio STate to win and cover here.
Saturday, September 2
Temple at Notre Dame (-17), O/U 53.5 (3:30pm ET)
The Temple Owls head to South Bend to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Owls have a new head coach — while the Irish appear to be in the middle of a rebuild after a 3-9 campaign a year ago. Temple is the defending AAC champion, with a 10-4 overall record last college football season, but just 10 starters return, and their recruiting class was rated the worst in their conference. Anthony Russo is set to take over the quarterbacking duties — although he lacks much in the way of experience. Temple’s defense was third in the nation against the pass and in total yards permitted last year, but their defensive line has some major holes, and their linebackers don’t have much in the way of talent.
Notre Dame returns 15 starters and has one of the best recruiting classes in the nation, with Brock Wright and Cole Kmet the second-and third-most highly rated tight ends in the nation. Brandon Wimbush takes over the quarterback position from Deshone Kiser, but Josh Adams returns to give the running game some consistency. Given the dive that Temple is taking talentwise, I see Notre Dame winning and covering here.
BYU vs LSU (-13), O/U 47.5 (NRG Stadium, Houston, 9:30pm ET
Disclaimer: Pay attention to updates regarding sporting events in the Houston area before placing this bet. Rain continues to fall in Houston from Hurricane Harvey, with another 24 inches predicted this week. As of this writing, no announcement has been made regarding the postponement or cancellation of this game.
BYU already has a win on the season, as they knocked off FCS foe Portland STate at home on SAturday, 20-6. LSU had an 8-4 campaign in 2016 and finished the college football season with a shocking 29-9 win over Louisville in the Citrus Bowl. In their opener, BYU was favored by 35 points, but their offense struggled all game long. Tanner Mangum went 16 for 27 for 194 yards and a touchdown. Squally Canada picked up 98 yards on 16 attempts. However, they could not sustain drives to score at the pace that the oddsmakers had thought.
LSU has Derrius Guice to run the ball with Leonard Fournette gone, and Guice picked up 1,387 yards and scored 15 touchdowns when Fournette was out with a foot injury last season. Danny Etling threw for 2,123 yards with 11 touchdowns last year but needs to do more with the Tiger offense if LSU wants to contend in the SEC West. However, BYU should not present much of a challenge for LSU — I like them to win and cover.
