College football has officially kicked off, ending a long wait for fans. In Week 1, exciting matchups have emerged, particularly with Coach Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes hosting the renowned North Dakota State, a consistent FCS championship contender.
Caesars Sports’ Joey Feazel indicated that while interest in Colorado is strong, it’s not at last year’s level. Oddsmakers are optimistic about several notable games in Week 1 as they analyze trends in bets.
The highlight matchup features No. 14 Clemson against No. 1 Georgia, taking place at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Initially opened at Georgia -13.5 in April, the line fluctuated between -13.5 and -14 in recent days. The betting dynamic suggests a critical moment for oddsmakers. “We need Clemson to show up and lose by 13 or less,” Feazel noted, referring to the game’s importance and potential impact on betting outcomes.
In an analysis of the game total set at 48.5, college football betting expert Paul Stone favored the Under. He pointed out challenges for Clemson’s offense, particularly in replacing standout running back Will Shipley, along with both teams’ reputations for strong defenses.
Stone also expressed confidence in Colorado State, predicting they would outperform against fourth-ranked Texas, highlighting vulnerabilities in the Longhorns’ defense as they look ahead to a significant game against Michigan.
The matchup between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 20 Texas A&M also garners attention for its shifting odds. Initially opened as a pick ‘em, the Aggies have moved to -3 following significant betting action on their side.
As the Sunday night standalone game approaches, No. 13 LSU will face No. 23 USC in Las Vegas. With both teams experiencing quarterback changes, early betting has shown a shift towards USC, prompting curiosity about the game’s scoring potential, which opened at a high total of 62.
Ahead of their Thursday game, Colorado has drawn significant betting interest, leading some sportsbooks to express potential liability on the Buffaloes.
As the season begins, substantial bets on College Football Playoff futures have been placed, showing varied levels of confidence in teams like Georgia and Colorado.
As college football season unfolds, experts remind bettors to wager responsibly and enjoy the excitement of the opening weekend.