Last week was just a tease with a few college football games. Now, it’s time to enjoy a smorgasbord of college pigskin action with a full slate on deck for Week 1.
Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the NCAA football week 1 schedule , and make our best expert college football picks and predictions.
While there will be a lot of focus on Saturday’s marquee primetime showdown in Columbus between No. 5 Notre Dame and No. 2 Ohio State, there are some hidden gems on the schedule to cash in on some winners. Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Below, I give you my top 3 plays of the weekend.
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Best college football bets for Week 1
– All games listed are Saturday and ET
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:34 a.m. ET.
Colorado State at No. 6 Michigan – Noon (ABC)
The Colorado State Rams are coming off a dismal 3-9 season, leading to a regime change. Former Nevada coach Jay Norvell is now in charge, replacing Steve Addazio. Norvel brings some help from Nevada, too, as QB Clay Millen and WR Tory Horton joined their coach in making the move from Reno to Fort Collins. Millen and Horton could be one of the more unheralded pass-catch combinations in the Mountain West this season.
After flirting with a return to the NFL, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is back in Ann Arbor, but both coordinators are new. The Wolverines (0-0) made the CFP last season, but lost a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, including Heisman finalist Aidan Hutchinson. The offense should once again be solid, but the Rams might be able to move the ball, especially through the air, keeping this one well within the 26.5-point spread.
Pick: Colorado State +30.5 (-115)
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No. 25 Houston at UTSA – 3:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
The UTSA Roadrunners were one of the nicer stories of the 2021 college football season, attaining its 1st ranking in program history, while also picking up its 1st win against a Power 5 opponent (Illinois). UTSA fizzled a bit down the stretch, going 1-2 in the final 3 games, and 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in the final 5 outings, including a 14-point loss to San Diego State in the Frisco Bowl.
The 38-24 setback to the Aztecs was largely due to the team missing RB Sincere McCormick, who opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. It was a sneak peek into what to expect in 2022, as the offense will miss its biggest weapon.
Coach Dana Holgorsen’s Cougars won 12 games a season ago, and this team is expected to be a high-octane offense again in 2022. Look for the Cougars to roll.
Pick: Houston -4.5 (-110)
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Kent State at Washington – 10:30 p.m. (FS1)
The Kent State Golden Flashes were one of the more prolific offenses in the Mid-American Conference in 2021. With the departure of QB Dustin Crum, the Flashes turn to QB Collin Schlee. Kent State shouldn’t miss a beat. The skill positions are littered with a ton of talent to keep the chains moving at a dizzying clip again in 2022.
Washington begins the Kalen DeBoer era after the Huskies really hit rock bottom in 2021. UW finished 4-8, including a loss to FCS Montana in the season opener. DeBoer takes over the reins after coaching Fresno State for 2 years. Brittle QB Michael Penix Jr., who played for DeBoer at Indiana when the coach was the offensive coordinator and QB coach in 2019, transferred in from Bloomington and hopes to lead the Huskies in his reunion with DeBoer.
It’s unlikely Washington loses its opener for a second consecutive season, but Kent State has the weapons to make things awfully uncomfortable for the Huskies.
Pick: Kent State +22.5 (-110)
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