Week 0 gave us a small taste of college football — and a disappointing showing from Kansas State over in Ireland — with favorites going 3-2 against the spread and unders cashing in three of five games.
But now the real season begins — and the market is already buzzing.
Week 1 always delivers chaos, both on the field and on the betting board. By Monday morning, sharp bettors had hammered more than 20 openers ahead of this weekend’s slate. The true opening weekend of college football is all about timing, and with lines moving this fast, getting in early is often half the battle.
Here are three Week 1 college football betting opportunities that stand out to me at the moment:
Georgia Tech (-4, 52.5) at Colorado
Colorado’s offseason was anything but routine. Health issues, NFL departures and transfer portal turnover left Deion Sanders reshaping the roster yet again. Oddly enough, this year’s Buffs might be more balanced than last season. A key piece of that balance: Liberty transfer quarterback Kaidon Salter, who brings playmaking juice right away.
Georgia Tech counters with a healthy Haynes King at QB. The senior has always flashed highlight-reel ability, but his aggressive style has made durability an issue, often forcing the Yellow Jackets to slow their pace. In Week 1, though, King should allow for a faster tempo.
New defensive coordinator Blake Gideon is still installing his system, and with both offenses capable of explosive plays, the potential for a shootout is real. Sharps initially disagreed, pushing the total down from 55 to 52 before resistance showed in the low 50s. With the market bottomed out, it’s time to buy the dip.
Pick: Colorado-Georgia Tech over 52.5 (-110)
Hawaii at Arizona (-17.5, 52.5)
Hawaii escaped Week 0 with a 23-20 win over Stanford, but the bigger story was quarterback Micah Alejado briefly leaving with an injury. Though he returned, sharp action on Monday suggested skepticism about his availability against Arizona. The total tumbled from 55 to 52, while the Wildcats were steamed from -14 to -17.5.
If Alejado can’t go, the Rainbow Warriors would likely turn to a JUCO transfer at QB, a significant downgrade against a Big 12 defense. Factor in the travel and a potential absence under center, and the early edge tilts towards Arizona before Hawaii can settle in.
Pick: Arizona 1st half -8.5 (-115)
Temple (-2.5, 47.5) at UMass
Few totals have been hit harder than the under in the Temple-UMass game. The number opened around 53.5 in the summer and has been driven all the way down to 47. Injuries and new personnel have fueled concerns about offensive efficiency on both sides, but the steam may have gone too far.
Nearly seven points of movement is significant, and there’s reason to trust the original oddsmakers’ number more than the latest plunge. With this much market adjustment, it’s worth going against the grain.
Pick: Temple-UMass over 47 (-110)
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