Our expert has analyzed the NCAAF odds for a trio of Week 1 matchups, and here is what you need to know for your ATS top picks.
The Deion Era begins in Colorado with a trip to Ft. Worth, just one of the best bets on Saturday’s college football betting card. Let´s dive in.
Picks Summary
- UNC/SC Over 64½ (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
- Ohio State -29 (-109) at UniBet
- Colorado +21 (-110) at Bet365
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Saturday, September 02, 2023 – 07:30 PM EDT at Bank of America Stadium
Officially being touted as the Duke’s Mayo Classic, this year’s meeting between North Carolina and South Carolina is just the sixth time the interstate rivals have met since 1991. They used to get together far more frequently, and after the last 5 meetings stayed ‘under’ the marks, this year’s clash is fitting to be sponsored by a mayonnaise since both defenses might get smeared by a couple of outstanding quarterbacks.
Fourth-Straight Meeting in Charlotte
What could’ve been for Mack Brown and North Carolina a year ago after such a promising 9-1 start was derailed by three losses to end the season. Then again, what could’ve been if the Tar Heels had played better defense than the one that ranked dead-last in the ACC allowing both 30.8 PPG and 436 YPG.
South Carolina did a little better in both categories in the SEC, but still finished in the back half of the conference in those columns. Both units have changed personnel since 2022, obviously, but the Tar Heels and Gamecocks still have a lot to prove on the defensive side of the ball.
The Pick
What hasn’t changed are the quarterbacks, Spencer Rattler for South Carolina and Drake Maye for North Carolina. Look for both to lead their offenses up and down the field to send this one past the total.
College Football Pick: Over 64½ (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
Ohio State Buckeyes at Indiana Hoosiers
Saturday, September 2, 2023 – 3:30 PM EDT at Memorial Stadium
Ohio State and Indiana are diving right into the Big Ten schedule against one another in Week 1, and the oddsmakers aren’t expecting the contest to be much fun for the fans in Bloomington where the Buckeyes are favored by 30 on NCAAF odds boards with 60½ for the total.
Buckeyes Cruise to 28th* Straight Win in Series
Not that we should be surprised by that spread since the rivalry hasn’t been any fun for IU fans for a long, long time. The Buckeyes enter the game with an official 27-game win streak against the Hoosier, that string not including the 2010 OSU win that was vacated for being naughty, according to the NCAA.
One must go back to 1988 to find Indiana’s last victory over Ohio State, and bettors have been laying 20+ on the Buckeyes since they were -18 in the October 2009 collision.
The Pick
It’s a tone of points, no doubt, especially for a conference and season opener on the road, and the Hoosiers are a better team than the one that lost 8 of their last 9 games in 2022. Still, expect Ryan Day and the Buckeyes to run it up to get the 2023 schedule off on a dominant start.
College Football Pick: Ohio State -29 (-109) at UniBet
Colorado Buffaloes vs. TCU Horned Frogs
Saturday, September 02, 2023 – 12:00 PM EDT at Amon G. Carter Stadium
The storylines are aplenty for Colorado’s first official game with Deion Sanders as head coach. For starters, the Buffaloes will be facing a TCU team that made it to the College Football Championship last season, and the Horned Frogs will become a conference foe a year from now when Colorado returns to the Big 12.
One of Early Tilts on FOX
Add to that the fact this will have a national TV audience looking on to begin a huge day of action, as well as packing a lot of interest with college football bettors who are champing at the bit to bring home the cheddar to start things off well. The Horned Frogs are showing up as 3-TD chalk at most outlets, including Unibet, with 59½ for the total.
Buffs Seeking Revenge from 2022 Season Opener
Much has been made about how Sanders rebuilt the roster in Boulder where much of the first and second-stringers are transfers. One of those is Alton McCaskill IV, who came to Colorado from Houston where he sat out all of 2022 with a knee injury.
McCaskill is showing up as questionable on most reports, but should at least see some action after he was a non-contact participant in fall drills.
The Pick
Just one year ago, Sonny Dykes was entering his first season running the TCU program, a debut season that ended with the Horned Frogs losing to Georgia in the National Championship. Yes, TCU will be without Max Duggan who directed and starred in that surprising campaign, but the Horned Frogs still have a solid QB returning in Chandler Morris.
It all began with a skate past Colorado in Boulder, TCU easily covering the 2-TD spread then. Despite being at home, it won’t be nearly as easy this time. Take the points.
College Football Pick: Colorado +21 (-110) at Bet365
