College Football Week 1 Betting Odds: How to bet on biggest games

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The betting odds are out for the first week of the 2016 college football season and here is how to bet on the week’s biggest games.

The opening week of the college football season is being hailed as the best start to the season of all-time. It very may well be that with four games featuring ranked opponents. The season is just getting underway but it is very possible teams will see their national championship hopes come to a crashing halt after one game.

Hopefully, for those betting on the games, you don’t experience any crushing losses, and that’s why I’m here to help. The betting lines are out for Week 1 and here’s how you should be betting on the week’s biggest matchups.

Betting lines courtesy Sportsline.

No. 3 Oklahoma (-10) at No. 15 Houston

The Oklahoma Sooners are the overwhelming favorites to repeat as Big 12 champions and return to the College Football Playoff. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Samaje Perine should pile on the points this year. Houston looks to back up their success from last year when they only lost one game and beat Florida State in the Peach Bowl. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. returns as one of the best dual-threat options in the country.

Pick: Oklahoma wins straight up but Houston covers. Take the points.

No. 18 Georgia (-2.5) vs. No. 22 UNC

Nick Chubb is cleared to play after suffering a season-ending knee injury last year but Sony Michel is a game-time decision. I anticipate Georgia starting true freshman Jacob Eason, or at least, playing him extensively. North Carolina is fighting for respect as one of the most underrated teams in the country and could have a breakout star in quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

Pick: Georgia wins straight up and covers the spread.

No. 16 UCLA (+3) at Texas A&M

Texas A&M began last season with a win over a ranked team from the Pac-12 and hope history will repeat itself. The Aggies have graduate transfer Trevor Knight taking over at quarterback and has plenty of weapons to work with. Defensive end Myles Garrett could be the top pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and he’ll be after UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, who could be the top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Pick: UCLA wins straight up and pulls off the minor “upset.”

No. 1 Alabama (-10.5) vs. No. 20 USC

The USC Trojans have a ton of dynamic and intriguing talent surrounding first-year starting quarterback Max Browne. Meanwhile, Alabama still doesn’t know who will be starting as they begin their title defense. Picking USC will be a trendy upset pick this week, but it’s hard to pick against Nick Saban when he has this much time to plan for an opponent.

Pick: Alabama wins but doesn’t cover the spread. Take the points.

No. 10 Notre Dame (-3.5) at Texas

Could this be the year Charlie Strong turns the corner at Texas? He better hope so after two losing seasons to begin his tenure in Austin. Texas will turn to freshman quarterback Shane Buechele so I am a little surprised this line isn’t a little bigger. Notre Dame handled Texas last year in South Bend and I think the same holds true this year in Austin.

Pick: Notre Dame wins straight up and covers the spread.

No. 11 Ole Miss (+4.5) vs. No. 4 Florida State

The Monday night affair could be the best game of the loaded Week 1 slate of games. Florida State will start redshirt freshman Deondre Francois in place of the injured Sean Maguire, but other than that, have few weaknesses. Ole Miss counters with quarterback Chad Kelly who has some young talent he’ll be relying on against a stout Seminoles defense. This game should go down to the wire.

Pick: Florida State wins, but doesn’t cover the spread. Take the points.