Predicting Biggest Upsets for 2018 College Football Season

The 2018 college football season is almost upon us, which means that it’s time to start picking the best games for your sports betting. College football is often an emotional game played by young men in their teens and early twenties, which means that crazy things can happen that you just don’t see in the pro game. Remember 2013, when Alabama lined up for a long field goal, only to have Auburn field it in the end zone and return it for an unthinkable touchdown? Remember 2015, when Michigan State picked up a mishandled punt by Michigan and took it to the house for a touchdown (on a play where the returner had his career ended by an injury he suffered in the dogpile)? There will be some memorable upsets this season — check out our college football betting predictions as to where you’ll see them.

Predicting Biggest Upsets for 2018 College Football Season

15 days until football. We repeat, just 15 days! No. 15 on our PFF ELO College Preseason Power Rankings – the Miami Hurricanes. pic.twitter.com/6fx9ekVfyN

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 10, 2018

2018 College Football Week 1: Army (+11.5) at Duke (August 31, 9:00pm ET, FS1)

Army made it to the Armed Forces Bowl last year, and they run the triple option, an offense that frustrates a lot of opponents. Duke has a decent team, but if they haven’t worked on defense against the option, their offense will have a hard time getting on the field as Army runs the clock off. I see the Black Knights making this a close one, covering if not winning outright.

2018 College Football Week 1: Texas at Maryland (+10) (September 1, 3:30pm ET, BTN)

Texas lost at home to Maryland in the early going last year, as the two teams combined for more than 80 points. The Longhorns figured out their defense as the season wore on, but putting them as a double-digit favorite on the road? Revenge is a powerful motivator, but I’m not sure Texas is good enough to win and cover this on the road. Give me the Terrapins with those points.

2018 College Football Week 1: Miami at LSU (+3) (September 1, 7:30pm ET)

Baton Rouge is a notoriously tough place to play, and Miami has that tailspin to consider from a year ago, as they started 10-0 and then finished 10-3. LSU has a smashmouth defense that rivals anything Miami has seen, with the exception of Clemson. LSU struggles to move the ball, but if Miami can’t get that Turnover Chain going again, this could be a long night for the Hurricanes.

2018 College Football Week 2: Mississippi State at Kansas State (September 8, 12:00pm ET)

Kansas State is a tough road destination, and Bill Snyder is known for getting the most out of his players. He doesn’t recruit the top talent, but his squads work together and make life difficult for the opposition. Mississippi State brings a new head coach and a new approach, but if they overlook this Big 12 foe, this could end up turning into an early disappointing loss. Either way, I would take the Wildcats if the line is 10 or more.

2018 College Football Week 2: Clemson at Texas A&M (September 8, 7:00pm ET, ESPN)

Do I think the Aggies can beat Clemson at home? Maybe — Clemson lost at Syracuse last year and lost to Pitt at home the year before. So if the Tigers don’t have their heads on right, they will come out of the Home of the 12th Man, with a 1-1 record. However, even if Clemson is firing on all cylinders, they will have a tough time against an Aggie team that plays tough in College Station. So if you get a line of 10 or 12 points, think hard about picking the Ags. 2018 College Football Week 3: North Texas at Arkansas (September 15, 4:00pm ET, SEC ESPN Network) UNT brings a surprisingly stout team this season, and they meet Arkansas on the road, coached by offensively minded Chad Morris. So expect the Razorbacks to fly up and down the field, but will they have the offense to slow down the Mean Green? If this line is 12 points or more, I’d look hard at North Texas to cover.