Best College Football Week 1 Betting Picks

Posted by Aaron . on August 5, 2016 in

Let’s take a look a some of the best ways you can turn the first week of NCAA football betting action into money in your pocket. There are a lot of exciting games that will be underway, and you can take advantage of some lines that don’t accurately reflect what is likely to happen.

Best College Football Week 1 Betting Picks

Friday, August 26

HAWAII (+22.5) over California

The California Golden Bears have found their new quarterback to replace Jared Goff, as Texas Tech transfer Davis Webb comes to town. Webb arrives ready to take over an offense designed much in the same scheme that he learned at Tech, and his ability to hit quick passes with accuracy will help Cal move the ball up and down. Even so, this Week Zero affair takes place in the distracting climes of Hawaii, and I just don’t see Cal coming out that early with enough focus to win by more than three touchdowns. The Rainbow Warriors aren’t a solid team, and I would take Cal if the line were 14 or 17, but I’d still take Hawaii with all these points.

Friday, September 2

Colorado State (+10) over Colorado (in Denver)

The Buffaloes are officially the home team, but this yearly rivalry takes place in Denver each year. Last year, the Rams pushed Colorado to overtime and would have won if they could have made their field goals in regulation. Colorado has improved on the offensive side of the ball, particularly in their rushing game, but not enough to the point where they are a double-digit favorite, particularly in a rivalry like this one.

Saturday, September 3

WEST VIRGINIA (-11.5) over Missouri

Missouri finished dead last in the SEC East last year, and I don’t see them going up to West Virginia and pulling off this upset. The Mountaineers have a solid passing game and a defense that relies on an aggressive pass rush, so this could get out of hand. Even so, I like the Mountaineers to win and cover in the opener, as this is one of the toughest home fields in the NCAA.

ARKANSAS (-20.5) over Louisiana Tech

Arkansas took some huge strides last year, starting 1-3 but then winning seven of their last nine, knocking off Auburn and Missouri at home and Tennessee, Ole Miss and LSU on the road. Their only losses came at Alabama (by 13) and to Mississippi State (by just one point). They routed LSU on the road, 31-14. So they showed that they can take their offense to the opposition, and Louisiana Tech is a long way below the SEC in terms of competitiveness. I like the Razorbacks to bring it out of the gate in Week 1 and rout the Techsters.