College football best bets: Three Week 1 upset predictions and up to $3,400 in sportsbook bonuses

Akron Beacon Journal

31 August 2023

College football best bets: Three Week 1 upset predictions and up to $3,400 in sportsbook bonuses

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The highly-anticipated 2023 college football Week 1 slate is here, and we’ve highlighted three matchups that could produce major upsets.

Cashing in a bet always provides great joy, but doing so on a massive underdog’s moneyline odds is a feeling like no other. Week 1 is an excellent time for upsets as players adjust to new teammates, coaching staffs, and schemes.

You can find betting markets on each upset prediction after activating our sportsbook bonus codes, which score new users up to $3,400 in bonuses:

No. 14 Utah hosts Florida in Salt Lake City on Thursday night, with the Utes looking for revenge from the 2022 season opener. Last year, Anthony Richardson’s three rushing touchdowns led the Gators to a 29-26 victory in Gainesville.

With Richardson gone, Florida’s ceiling for the 2023 season is far lower. But the Gators still have an excellent shot at notching back-to-back Week 1 wins vs. Utah.

One of the great mysteries of the 2023 college football offseason is the status of Cam Rising. Utah’s QB tore his ACL in January and just seven months later is starting against the Gators.

Rising is the heartbeat of the Utes offense and led the team to a 9-3 regular season record before thumping USC in the Pac-12 Championship. While the 24-year-old prepares for his fourth season, questions loom regarding Rising’s health as his knee injury could severely limit his mobility.

If Rising is hampered by the ACL tear, Florida will be well-positioned to claim victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Colorado hits the road for a bout against No. 17 TCU. The Horned Frogs exceeded all expectations in 2022, going undefeated in the regular season and making the CFP National Championship.

TCU’s offense was the force behind its success, but the unit is undergoing lots of change entering the new season. Max Duggan and Quentin Johnston joined the NFL, and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley was poached by Dabo Swinney and Clemson.

The Buffaloes overhauled the program following an abysmal 1-11 season. After posting a 27-6 record in three years at Jackson State, Deion Sanders is now the Buffaloes’ head coach.

Prime Time’s success with the Tigers was thanks to his ability to recruit top-tier players, and Sanders brought many of those players with him to Boulder. That includes Deion’s son, Shedeur Sanders, who threw for 6,963 yards in two seasons.

Former five-star recruit Travis Hunter also joined the Buffs. Hunter played WR and CB at Jackson State but will solely focus on defense with Colorado.

With the programs headed in opposite directions, look for the Buffaloes to make a statement in Week 1.

The Blue Devils had a surprisingly strong 2022 campaign, going 9-4 with marquee wins over Miami and Wake Forest. Duke capped the year off with a convincing 30-13 victory over UCF in the Military Bowl.

Duke’s nine victories were the most in a season since 2014.

Clemson posted an 11-3 record en route to an ACC Championship but struggled putting away high-caliber conference opponents.

D.J. Uiagalelei joined Oregon State in the offseason, leaving Cade Klubnik to start a full season for the first time in his career.

The 19-year-old was impressive in the ACC Championship but underperformed vs. Tennessee in the Orange Bowl. If Klubnik fails to take the reins of No. 9 Clemson’s offense, the Tigers will be on upset alert in Week 1.

Plus, the game takes place at Wallace Wade Stadium, where Duke lost just one game in 2022.

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