NCAA Football Week 1 Betting Guide – 2018 Season.

NCAA Football Week 1 Betting Guide – 2018 Season

Written by on July 18, 2018

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the month of July, and while 2018 is passing quickly, it also means that we are ever closer to the NCAA Football Week 1. While some games will go a little earlier, the meat of the Week 1 schedule falls on Saturday, September 1. That is when all the big guns are going to be entering the fray, with all of them focused on winning a National Championship. We are going to look at the top 5 teams heading into the season to see how they might fare on the opening, as those are likely the games that most bettors are going to be looking at. Let’s get right to it.

NCAA Football Week 1 Betting Guide – 2018 Season

Louisville Cardinals vs Alabama Crimson Tide

This game will be played in Orlando and would have been a much bigger spectacle had it taken place last year. Lamar Jackson is out of Louisville and into the NFL, meaning that the Cardinals are probably ready to take a big step backward this season. Perhaps no real surprise then that Alabama is in as an early 25 ½ point favorite for this one. While this should be a game that the champions win handily, I am a little worried about the size of that spread. I am leaning towards taking the Cardinals to cover.

Furman Paladins vs Clemson Tigers

There are no odds on the board for this one yet, but if and when the lines to go up, I imagine it will be a huge spread in favor of the Clemson Tigers. Clemson has won all 5 previous meetings against Furman, although the average margin of victory is perhaps not quite as high as you might imagine, with the Tigers winning by an average of 24 PPG. I believe this one will go a little higher, though, as Clemson looks to bounce back this season.

Oregon State Beavers vs Ohio State Buckeyes

I tend to shy away from the larger spreads like we see in this one, but this is one that I might actually be all over. Ohio State was a little unfortunate not to be in the playoffs last season, and they are going to come out with a bit of a chip on their shoulder this year. That does not bode well for an Oregon State team that only win 1 game in 2017. Look for the Buckeyes to get in the end zone early and often in this one as they run up the score.

Austin Peay Governors vs Georgia Bulldogs

Everyone believed that this would be the year when the Kirby Smart era would really swing into high gear, so it’s fair to say that the National Championship runners-up are ahead of schedule. Georgia will have a lot of new faces on the field this season, particularly on the defensive side of the football. The Bulldogs are favorites for NCAA Football Week 1 of the 2018 Season. This game should serve as a comfortable opener, giving those new faces some time to shake out the nerves and get used to playing between the hedges. Big blowout win for the Bulldogs.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers went unbeaten all season in 2017 before falling to Ohio State in the Big 10 Championship Game, a loss that cost them a playoff berth. This team will once again be built on defense, which makes this spread seem a little high. After all, this is a Badgers team that averaged 33 PPG on offense last season, less than the spread they are being asked to cover here. I like Wisconsin to win on the opening Friday of the season, but I am looking more in the 25-30-point margin of victory.