College Football Week 1, Preview & Best Bets: Let’s Get Ready to Rumble
Written by: Nate Hornung
Last Update: Sat Sep 02, 2023, 10:47 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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College Football Week 1 is finally here and we've got all of our best bets!
Last weekend was only a seven game teaser of what's to come, and now we have a full weekend slate of NCAA Football spanning Thursday through Monday.
This weekend we have:
- 11 Thursday Night Games
- 6 Games under the Friday Night Lights
- Too Many Games to Count on Saturday
- 3 Stand Alone Games on Sunday
- And a Monday Night Showdown
Whew. That's a whole lot of football.
And we are more than ready for it.
Let's talk Week 1 Best Bets!
College Football Week 1 Best Bets
Week 0 Record
- 1-3
- -1.42 units
While there are plenty of games on Thursday and Friday, all of my favorite picks happen later this weekend.
Therefore let's just talk about Saturday's action!
Saturday's Slate
Virginia @ Tennessee *In Nashville*
Matchup Information
- Venue & Location: Nissan Stadium (Nashville, TN)
- Date: Saturday, September 2nd, 2023
- Kick Off: 12:00pm Eastern
- Broadcast: ABC
The Pick: Tennessee -28 (-110) Bovada
The Volunteers were an electric offense to watch last season, and even though this game isn't at Neyland, I think they handle business in their season opener.
The #12 team in the country, Tennessee averaged over 45 points per game last year, while the Cavaliers barely managed 17.
Josh Heupel has proven to be the guy to lead this Tennessee team and put up some points on the scoreboard.
I see them scoring six touchdowns easily and don't think the Cavs will get more than two of their own.
Arkansas State @ Oklahoma
Matchup Information
- Venue & Location: Memorial Stadium (Norman, OK)
- Date: Saturday, September 2nd, 2023
- Kick Off: 12:00pm Eastern
- Broadcast: ESPN
The Pick: Oklahoma/Arkansas State Over 58 (-110) Bovada
Dillon Gabriel should have no problem going up against this Red Wolves secondary that allowed nearly 250 passing yards per game this year.
In a bounce back year for the Sooners, they will look to run up the score in a statement win. I think they get a blowout win this weekend, but the spread is iffy with the hook.
If they win by 35, it would be heartbreaking to get hooked. Lucky for us, I think Arkansas State could contribute 17-24 points to help us get well over 60.
At home in their first game, I think the Sooners come out and put up at least 45 in their home opener.
South Florida @ Western Kentucky
Matchup Information
- Venue & Location: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium (Bowling Green, KY)
- Date: Saturday, September 2nd, 2023
- Kick Off: 3:30pm Eastern
- Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
The Pick: Western Kentucky -11.5 (-110) Bovada
The Hilltoppers are a consensus pick to win the CUSA this year, while the Bulls of South Florida are picked to finish 2nd to last in the much weaker American Conference.
Western Kentucky went 9-5 last season capped off with a bowl victory, and took Indiana to overtime in Bloomington.
This season they look to go bowling again and to win themselves a conference title.
It starts tonight against a South Florida team that has won a combined 4 games in the past three seasons.
UTSA @ Houston
Matchup Information
- Venue & Location: TDECU Stadium (Houston, TX)
- Date: Saturday, September 2nd, 2023
- Kick Off: 7:00pm Eastern
- Broadcast: FS1
The Pick: UTSA ML (-125) Bovada
The Roadrunners are hungry after last season.
Sure there will be plenty of regression following an 11-3 season, but UTSA didn't even walk away with a trophy as they lost to Troy in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl 18-12.
This year, UTSA moved to the American Athletic Conference where they are picked to finish 2nd behind Tulane.
The Roadrunners won the CUSA Title last year and want to take the AAC this year.
They start that campaign on the right foot with a victory in a rivalry game in South Texas.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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