Opening College Football Week 1 Odds, Spreads and Early Predictions
After a nice appetizer with “Week 0”, the 2023 college football season kicks into high gear with a full slate of games in Week 1. The action starts on Thursday, August 31st, with four games on docket to get you warmed up for a jam-packed Saturday.
Week 1 is highlighted by two marquee non-conference games that are rematches from last season. The defending Pac-12 champs Utah face Florida of the SEC on Thursday, while LSU looks for revenge on Florida State later in the week.
Let’s take a look at the Week 1 opening college football odds and offer some early predictions.
College Football Week 1 Opening Odds
In the Week 1 college football odds, the biggest spread for a game featuring a Power 5 team is 39.5 points, which is how much Alabama (vs Middle Tennessee) and Auburn (vs UMass) are favored in their respective matchups.
The smallest spread of the week can be found in the UTSA vs Houston matchup, where the Cougars are 1-point home underdogs against the Roadrunners.
sports betting sites for wagering on college football Week 1. Bettors in the Bluegrass State should check out Kentucky sports betting ahead of the official launch.
Florida vs Utah Opening Odds
Kicking off the Week 1 college football slate is a matchup between Florida and Utah on Thursday, August 31st. The opening Florida vs Utah odds pit the Utes as 9-point favorites over the Gators at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
In 2022, the Florida Gators finished with a 6-7 record, while the Utah Utes had a more successful season, finishing with a 10-4 record and a 7-2 record in the PAC-12. This is a rematch from last season in which Florida narrowly defeated Utah by a 29-26 margin.
In the early college football public betting trends, the majority of early money is on Florida to cover the spread. The Gators must replace QB Anthony Richardson, while the Utes return starting QB Cam Rising. The concern for Utah, however, is Rising’s knee injury that he suffered at the end of the last season.
Utah’s projected win total for 2023 is 8.5, while Florida’s win total is sitting one point lower at 7.5. Given how close this matchup was last season, expect some potential line movement in favor of Florida. Keep in mind, though, that Utah is 9-3 ATS in their past 12 home games and Florida is just 3-9 ATS in their last 12 non-conference games.
- Pick: Florida +7.5 (-110)
LSU vs Florida State Betting Line
Another college football Week 1 game that is also a rematch from last season is LSU vs Florida State on Sunday, September 2nd. The opening LSU vs Florida State betting line has the Tigers priced as 2.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 58 points.
Florida State knocked off LSU by a 24-24 margin last season in a game that became an instant classic. Both quarterbacks, FSU’s Jordan Travis and LSU’s Jayden Daniels, put on a show for the fans and return for their respective clubs. Travis and Daniels are also top-five favorites in the current Heisman odds.
Florida State’s win total is set at 10 for the 2023 campaign, while LSU’s win total is listed at 9.5 in a tougher SEC conference. Brian Kelly’s team has been gaining traction in the National Championship odds, however, recently moving into the top-five.
The early spread money is all over LSU, and that’s where we fall a week out from the game. The Tigers return eight offensive starters, and the Daniels-Neighbours tandem has the potential to be one of the best in the country.
South Carolina vs North Carolina Spread
The first full college football Saturday of the 2023 campaign doesn’t feature any notable top-25 matchups, but it does feature an underrated rivalry game. North Carolina is a 2.5-point favorite over South Carolina at Bank of America Stadium on ABC in primetime.
The Gamecocks are an intriguing home underdog following their impressive end to the 2022 campaign, which included upset wins over Tennessee and Clemson. North Carolina, on the other, hand, concluded their 2022 season with four straight losses, including an ugly one to Georgia Tech.
UNC Drake Maye is gaining buzz as the projected second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but will the Tar Heels’ offensive line be able to protect him? North Carolina allowed six sacks in their loss to the Yellow Jackets, and the Gamecocks’ pass rush should be improved under new tackle coach Travian Robertson.
When these two teams met last in 2021, USC prevailed in a 38-21 matchup in Charlotte. It’s hard to feel confident in North Carolina right now given their lackluster defensive performance. The Tar Heels allowed the most yards per game in the ACC last season, including an average of 271 through the air.
