College Football Week 1 Betting Odds Preview

College football fully arrives this week with a full slate of games on tap, including several ranked matchups that could make or break a few teams’ seasons right away.

The reigning national champions and current No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide get their season started this week against the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes. This game is a neutral-site matchup being held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. At Bovada Sportsbook, the Crimson Tide are 19.5-point favorites.

Alabama was undefeated last season at 13-0 straight up with a 9-4 record against the spread. Away from home, the Crimson Tide are 12-1 SU and 8-5 ATS in their last 13, all as the favorite.

Miami was 8-3 SU and 6-5 ATS last season. In their last nine games as an underdog, the Hurricanes are 3-6 SU and 4-5 ATS. As an underdog, the Hurricanes have been a strong UNDER play at 6-1 UNDER in their last seven.

Clemson has been strong OVER play recently

In an early top-five matchup, the No. 3 Clemson Tigers face the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs as a 3-point favorite. This is also a neutral-site game being played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Clemson was 10-2 SU last season but only 5-7 ATS. On the road, Clemson is a strong 14-1 SU and 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games. The Tigers have been a good OVER play recently at 6-2 OVER in their last eight games.

Georgia was 8-2 SU and 4-6 ATS last season. The Bulldogs have been strong on the road at 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in their last 10, but as an underdog they’ve lost four straight at 1-2-1 ATS.

The last time Clemson and Georgia met up in 2014, the Bulldogs won 45-21 as a 9.5-point favorite. In their last five vs Clemson, Georgia is 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS.

Badgers favored by 5.5 points over Nittany Lions

There are two ranked matchups in the Big Ten this week, starting with the No. 12 Wisconsin Badgers hosting the No. 19 Penn State Nittany Lions as a 5.5-point favorite.

Wisconsin was 4-3 SU and 3-4 ATS in a short season last year. At home, the Badgers are 8-1 SU but only 5-4 ATS in their last nine games.

Penn State was 4-5 SU and ATS last season. The Nittany Lions lost their first five games before finishing the season on a four-game winning streak both SU and ATS. As an underdog, the Nittany Lions are 1-7 SU and 5-3 ATS in their last eight.

Hoosiers have covered 8 of last 9 as underdog

In the other Big Ten matchup, the No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes host the No. 17 Indiana Hoosiers as a 3.5-point favorite.

Iowa was 6-2 SU and 5-2-1 ATS last season. At home, the Hawkeyes are 6-1 SU and 3-3-1 ATS in their last seven, and they’re 5-7-1 ATS in their last 13.

Indiana was a surprising 6-2 SU and 7-1 ATS last season. As an underdog, the Hoosiers have won five straight ATS and they’re 8-1 ATS in their last nine games.

The last time Iowa and Indiana met up in 2018, the Hawkeyes rolled in a 42-16 win as 3.5-point road favorites. In their last eight games against the Hoosiers, the Hawkeyes are 7-1 SU and 3-5 ATS.