Welcome to Week 1, you college football sickos.
There’s an enormous slate on tap — from Thursday night to Monday night, we have 91 games involving FBS teams — and compared to Week 0, it’s pretty easy to feel overwhelmed.
But don’t worry, I dug deep into the exhaustive slate so you don’t have to. I present to you our Week 1 college football betting primer and cheat sheet.
Did you know that Georgia Tech and Colorado have never met, despite playing football for a combined 268 years? Or that Iowa State has a terrible track record against FCS foes? Or who's college football’s worst team in one-score games?
Below, you’ll find all that, plus important line moves, injuries, roster impacts, weather and much more.
Let's dive into the college football odds, NCAAF lines and more for Week 1.
Notable Line Movement for College Football Week 1
- USF moved from +10 at open to as low as +6 at home against Boise State.
- East Carolina fell from +14.5 to +11.5 at rival NC State.
- Rutgers jumped from a -10.5 favorite to -14.5 at home against Ohio.
- Charlotte dropped from a +8.5 favorite to a +7 against Appalachian State — a move onto a key number.
- Georgia Tech moved away from a key number, up from a -3.5 favorite to a -4 favorite, at Colorado.
- Texas moved off a key figure, from a +3 underdog to a +2.5 underdog at Ohio State.
- Northwestern moved through a key number, dropping from a +7.5 underdog to +6 at Tulane.
- Temple flipped from a +1.5 underdog to a -3.5 favorite at UMass.
- Southern Miss dropped from a +15.5 underdog to as low as +10.5 at home against Mississippi State (buyback brings it to -11.5).
- Utah State jumped from a -3.5 favorite to a -6 favorite at home against UTEP.
- Clemson moved through a key number, jumping from -2.5 to -4 at home against LSU.
- Oregon State moved onto a key number, up from a -1.5 favorite to -3.
- Utah moved off a key betting number, jumping from -3 to -6.5 favorite at UCLA.
- TCU flipped from a +1.5 underdog to a -3.5 favorite at North Carolina on Monday.
College Football Week 1 Coaching & Matchup Notes
East Carolina vs. NC State
- NC State leads the all-time series, 19-14. The Wolfpack have won three of the last four.
- These two teams closed their 2024 season against each other in the Military Bowl. ECU won late, 26-21.
- Previously, NC State beat ECU in Greenville on the final missed kick, 21-20.
- NC State has not covered a season opener since 2021. The last three openers: 38-21 win over FCS Western Carolina (-32), 24-14 win over UConn (-14) and 21-20 win over ECU (-12.5).
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati
- Game played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
- Nebraska won the only historical matchup between these two teams back in 1906.
- The Huskers are technically the road team here, but expect Arrowhead to serve as a de facto ninth home game.
- Nebraska is 1-7 outright in its first Power Conference game of the season and has not beaten a Power Conference foe in Week 1 since at least 2008.
- Under Matt Rhule, Nebraska covered each of its two opening weekend games.
Auburn vs. Baylor
- Baylor leads the all-time series, 2-1-1 (last played in 1976).
- Despite opening up this summer, this line has not moved off -2.5 in favor of Auburn.
- This is Auburn’s first true road opener since 2003 and its first time not opening at home since 2019 (also the last time Auburn opened with a non-SEC Power Conference foe).
- Baylor has not opened the season against a non-Big 12 Power Conference foe since 2009.
- Baylor has not beaten a nonconference Power Conference foe in the regular season since 2009 (Wake Forest; played five of them since 2017).
Georgia Tech vs. Colorado
- First-ever meeting between these two teams.
- Watch for weather here. Boulder is forecast to undergo an extended period of rain that may bleed into Friday night.
- Colorado has not played an ACC foe in the regular season or postseason since 2008.
- Deion Sanders is 4-0 ATS as a home underdog, but none were outright wins.
- Georgia Tech has not traveled west of the Mississippi River since 2013 (regular season or postseason).
- GT has not played a Big 12 foe in the regular season since 2011.
Syracuse vs. Tennessee
- Tennessee leads the all-time series, 3-0. These two last met in 2001.
- Game is played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (indoors) in Atlanta.
- Syracuse moved off a +14.5 underdog to +14, and the over/under dipped five full points
- Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli was named the starting QB for Syracuse, while Appalachian State (via UCLA) transfer Joey Aguilar is QB1 for Tennessee.
- Note multiple offseason disciplinary issues in Tennessee’s roster, notably Boo Carter (will not be dismissed despite reportedly missing several team events).
Alabama vs. Florida State
- Alabama leads the all-time series, 3-1-1, last winning this series in 2017 in a 24-7 opening weekend win in Atlanta.
- Road favorites are just 18-31-4 against the spread (36.7%) in Week 1 and just 8-21 (27.6%) when the total dips under 56 points.
- The Tide haven’t lost an opening game since 2002 and are 18-5 ATS in that span. (Note: 22 of those games came under Nick Saban.)
- Florida State debuts a renovated Doak Walker Stadium. Alabama has never visited FSU in Tallahassee.
- Mike Norvell is just 3-10 outright against top-25 teams at Florida State.
South Dakota vs. Iowa State
- Iowa State returns from a Week 0 opener in Ireland and does not have a bye week to rest. This is South Dakota’s first game of 2025.
- South Dakota elevates DC Travis Johansen to head coach after a run to the FCS Playoff semifinals.
- Iowa State is on a 3-10 ATS run against FCS opponents. South Dakota is on an 8-3 ATS run against the FBS.
- The Coyotes return a potential FCS All-America duo in QB Aidan Bouman and RB Charles Pierre Jr.
LSU vs. Clemson
- LSU has lost its last five season-openers. It lost four of those outright as a favorite and has not covered any of those games.
- Clemson rose through a key number, now up to -4 (opened -3).
- This is the first meeting between these teams since the 2020 National Championship, where Joe Burrow led LSU past Trevor Lawrence and Clemson. LSU leads the all-time series, 3-1.
- This is a true home game for Clemson between the two schools that both claim the moniker “Death Valley” for their home stadiums.
Utah vs. UCLA
- UCLA leads the all-time series, 12-9, but Utah won six of the last seven matchups when these two were Pac-12 foes.
- Watch for weather here. Much of the West Coast, including Southern California, is under heat advisories and extreme heat warnings with highs near and above 90 degrees. This is expected to continue all week, disproportionately affecting those in L.A. and, potentially, UCLA. Reminder: this kind of heat is abnormal, and SoCal is not equipped to combat it for an extended period.
- Last year, UCLA averaged only 51% attendance at the Rose Bowl — a number derived from ticket sales and not actual attendance. Weather may drive this down.
- This is Utah’s first game under new OC Jason Beck (New Mexico) and QB Devon Dampier.
- UCLA also breaks in a new OC, Tino Sunseri.
Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina
- South Carolina leads the all-time series, 11-7-2 (last: 1991).
- Game is played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (indoors) in Atlanta.
- At Virginia Tech, Brent Pry is just 4-10 ATS against nonconference foes. Last year, VT went 0-3 ATS.
- Pry is 1-2 ATS and outright in Week 1s, including an outright loss to Vanderbilt as a 13.5-point favorite and another as a six-point favorite against Old Dominion.
- QB Kyron Drones continues to battle with nebulous injuries and missed all of spring practice due to a “medical procedure.”
- VT is 3-15 in one-score games, and that record turns to 1-12 since 2022 under Pry.
- Tech turns over both coordinators again for Year 4 under Pry.
TCU vs. North Carolina
- College coaching debut for Bill Belichick, one of the NFL’s winningest coaches.
- North Carolina leads the all-time series, 3-0.
- UNC is 11-0 straight up against non-ACC foes (plus Notre Dame) since 2021.
- TCU is one of just 30 FBS teams to return its head coach, both coordinators, and primary starting QB. UNC returns just 51% of its roster production.
- TCU is one of just two FBS teams to play 11 Power Conference teams (Baylor).
Impact Injuries on Week 1 Odds
- USF at Boise State: Boise could be without two offensive linemen for the opener in right tackle Hall Schmidt and left guard Tyler Keinath. Both underwent offseason procedures and were limited in fall camp.
- Coastal Carolina at Virginia: The Hoos suffered a pair of injuries this offseason, and the team as a whole reportedly is suffering from bumps across the board. Linebacker Kam Robinson and tackle Makilan Thomas are both out for an extended period of time with lower-body injuries.
- Weber State at James Madison: It’s unclear whether QB Alonza Barnett III will be ready for the start of the JMU season after a late-year ACL tear in 2024. JMU brought in transfer QBs as an insurance policy, but preseason reports suggest Barnett may play. It’s a true 50/50 shot as of Monday.
- LIU at Florida: OK, maybe these injuries won’t tank Florida’s opener, but they’re necessary to put on alert right now. Projected star QB DJ Lagway and stud defensive tackle Caleb Banks are both battling injuries; the latter didn’t participate in either fall scrimmage, and his injury status has been kept on the down low. Much more impactful for Weeks 3-6, should the issue persist.
- LSU at Clemson: Clemson RB Jay Haynes also suffered a late-season ACL tear last year and may not be ready to go for the opener. Haynes projects extremely highly and should play a critical role for Clemson this year, should he return healthy.
- Cal at Oregon State: A storyline kept under the radar is the supposed health of the Oregon State offensive line. Its best player, guard Tyler Voltin, is still recovering from a torn ACL from October 2024 and was slow going in camp. But other undisclosed names on the injury list reportedly forced Oregon State to shuffle its line around with semi-regularity. Certainly worth keeping an eye on.
- Hawaii at Arizona: QB Micah Alejado stayed in the game in Week 0 for Hawaii but did carry a noticeable limp. He’s a player to monitor this week.
- Notre Dame at Miami: Once again, Notre Dame’s injury report is piling up. Defensive end Jordan Botelho, who missed last year with a knee injury, and tackle Charles Jagusah, who also missed last year with an injury, are out for an extended period of time. DE Boubacar Traore is still recovering from an ACL tear from October 2024 and was limited in fall camp. Jagusah, in particular, is an impact player for the Fighting Irish.
Other Impact Injuries for Week 1
- RB Jam Miller, Alabama (OUT)
- RB Dallan Hayden, Colorado (OUT)
- G Drew Evans, Indiana
- RB Dylan Edwards, Kansas State (left Week 0, did not return)
- RB Seth McGowan, Kentucky
- C Connor Tollison, Missouri
- S Jalen Stroman, Notre Dame
- TE Luke Hasz, Ole Miss
- WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
- CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
- QB Behren Morton, Texas Tech
- WR Corey Thompson Jr., Utah State
- C Jake Renfro, Wisconsin
Season-Ending Injuries Suffered in Camp
- RB Kanye Roberts, Appalachian State (knee)
- RB Dawson Pendergrass, Baylor (foot)
- P Josh Cupitt, Delaware (knee)
- TE Kevin Bauman, Notre Dame (medically retired)
- WR Evan Stewart, Oregon (Patellar tendon)
- OT Andre Cojoe, Texas (knee)
- RB Quinten Joyner, Texas Tech (ACL)
- CB Nyzier Fourqurean, Wisconsin (eligibility)
- DT Caleb Robinson, Wyoming (Achilles)
Staff & Roster Impacts on College Football Week 1
- Texas at Ohio State: Julian Sayin won the QB competition for Ohio State, beating out Lincoln Kienholz. Sayin is a five-star prospect who was named MVP in the 2023 Elite 11 competition.
- Merrimack at Kent State: CJ Montes, a Fordham transfer, was announced as the starting QB a week before kickoff. Kent State also turned over almost its entire coaching staff mid-offseason, including both coordinators in July. Already coming off a historically bad season, Kent faces significant turnover late in the offseason.
- UTEP at Utah State: Despite spring rumors that he was buried as fourth on the QB depth chart, former five-star prospect Malachi Nelson (USC, Boise State) will start for UTEP in its season opener. It will be Nelson’s first collegiate start.
- Portland State at BYU: Bear Bachmeier will become BYU’s first true freshman starter in opening weekend history. Bachmeier, brother of both Hank and Tiger, will sport No. 47.
- Lamar at North Texas: A surprise to many, redshirt freshman Drew Mestemaker beat out Miami (and formerly Albany) transfer Reese Poffenbarger for the QB1 job at North Texas.
- Rice at Louisiana: Former blue-chip QB Walker Howard gets his first crack at a starting FBS job for Louisiana. Sophomore Chase Jenkins gets the start for Rice under its new spread option offense.
- Cal at Oregon State: True freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele beat out Ohio State transfer Devin Brown for the QB1 job for the Golden Bears. An Oregon transfer — yes, a true freshman transfer — Sagapolutele was the No. 7 overall QB in the past cycle.
- Notre Dame at Miami (FL): CJ Carr was announced as the starting QB for Notre Dame after much speculation this offseason. Despite some rumors, Kenny Minchey will be the backup.
Weather Impacts on Week 1 Odds
Weekly college football weather reports may change as forecasts become more certain. But here are a few spots to keep tabs on early in the week.
West Coast Heat Wave
Nearly the entire West Coast is battling high heat this week, from Washington to Southern California. Games impacted here include Missouri State at USC, Georgia Southern at Fresno State, and Utah at UCLA.
Others to keep an eye on include Montana State at Oregon and Idaho at Washington State.
Highs could push 90 degrees, which much of the West Coast is unequipped for. Teams that play in heat more regularly, like Missouri State and Utah, may be less impacted than those that do not, such as USC and UCLA.
Rain on the Parade
Thursday and Friday are days to watch in the central plains with games like UT Martin at Oklahoma State, Central Arkansas at Missouri and Wagner at Kansas.
Heavy rainfall is expected locally, and while we can’t pinpoint which games will or won’t see this heavy rain, it’s worth monitoring throughout the week.
Also keep an eye out for central and southern Florida, specifically Bethune-Cookman at FIU and LIU at Florida, for rain impacts.
There’s low confidence, but at least a possibility for a tropical system that could develop and impact Florida and the extreme southeast this weekend.
Week 1 Situational Spots to Watch
UNLV vs. Sam Houston
Both teams played in Week 0 to varying degrees of success (or lack thereof).
UNLV failed to cover over a 30-point spread, nudging out a 38-31 win over FCS Idaho State. Sam Houston’s offense didn’t do enough to make up for a porous defense in a 41-24 loss to Western Kentucky.
Neither team receives rest, and this game is played on Friday.
A slight nod goes to the “home” team in Sam Houston, though the Bearkats play all home games 70 miles away at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston proper while Elliott T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville is renovated.
South Dakota vs. Iowa State
Iowa State grinded out a 24-21 win in sloppy conditions overseas in Ireland against Kansas State in Week 0.
The Cyclones aren’t afforded a bye week after the extensive travel and take on a formidable South Dakota opponent that made a run to the FCS Quarterfinals last year.
While USD undergoes a leadership change, new head coach Travis Johansen was an internal hire.
North Dakota vs. Kansas State
Like with its rival, Kansas State doesn’t take a bye between its Ireland game in Week 0 and its opening home game against North Dakota.
UND projects as a fringe top-20 FCS team that also turns over its head coach, hiring San Diego State defensive coordinator Eric Schmidt.
Under its previous regime, UND opted to slow things down, grinding Iowa State down to a 21-3 finish; 10 of its last 13 games against FBS competition went under the posted total.
Kansas State may also be without RB Dylan Edwards, who left Week 0 with a lower-body injury.
Hawaii vs. Arizona
Hawaii plays its second game against a Power Conference foe to open the 2025 season (though Stanford rates more like a mid-level non-power conference team).
QB Micah Alejado was banged up in the 23-20 walk-off win over Stanford, though he remained in the game.
Arizona did not play a Week 0 game and enters this contest a bit healthier than Hawaii. Alejado’s status is something to watch as the week progresses.
