College Football Best Bets of the Week: Week 1

We are one month away until the 2023 college football season kicks off across the country. The action begins Saturday, Aug. 26, with seven games in the FBS, including Navy taking on Notre Dame in Dublin, Ireland, and USC opening up the season at home against San Jose State.

Week 1 should be exciting for fans and bettors alike, as there are a ton of great matchups that will be worth watching and betting on. Bettors will be watching to see if LSU can get its revenge on Florida State, who defeated them 24-23 to kick off the 2022 season. Below we’ll highlight three games on the Week 1 schedule and provide our best bet for each as we try to make you profitable to start the college football season.

All odds per DraftKings Sportsbook.

Best Bet No. 1: San Jose State at USC (-30.5), O/U 63.5

8 p.m. ET Aug. 26

Most bettors like to stay away from astronomical point spreads to start the season. But we will take on the challenge with the Spartans and Trojans. USC is coming off a disappointing end to the 2022 season, losing both the Pac-12 title game and Cotton Bowl. The Trojans will try to turn the page this season and shoot to make the Pac-12 title game again, but this time be on the winning side.

USC enters the regular season opener with a superior offense led by star quarterback Caleb Williams, who many people project could be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Last season, the Trojans scored 41.4 points per game but gave up a ton of points on defense. San Jose State had a good season in 2022, as they finished 7-5 and played in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Spartans are led by sixth-year QB Chevan Cordeiro, who completed 60.7% of his passes for 3,251 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. Cordeiro also produced nine rushing TDs, which was second on the team. The Spartans’ defense was excellent last season, allowing 22 points per game (30th in the country).

Last season, the Spartans were 1-1 in nonconference play, which included a tough eight-point road loss against Auburn. It was also the only game where SJST was a 20-point underdog and covered. However, the bad news for the Spartans is the Trojans aren’t the Tigers. They will put points in a hurry. Last season, USC averaged 48.5 points per game in non-conference play, and the over went 3-1 in those games. That said, we will take the over to kick off the 2023 season as the Trojans look to put on a show at the Rose Bowl.

Best Bet

Over 63.5 points (-110)

Best Bet No. 2: East Carolina at Michigan (-34.5), O/U 52

12 p.m. ET Sept. 2

We will head to Ann Arbor as the Michigan Wolverines will open up the regular season against the East Carolina Pirates. Last season, the Wolverines were dominant in nonconference play, as they scored 50-plus points in three-straight contests against Colorado State, Hawaii and Connecticut.

There’s a chance Michigan covers this spread and the over by themselves as J.J. McCarthy is poised to have another outstanding season under center. Also, Michigan has a dynamic duo at RB with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, who will have their work cut out for them against a Pirates defense that allowed 112.5 rushing yards last season. However, East Carolina gave up 27.2 points per game, which isn’t great. The Pirates will be starting a new era at quarterback as Holton Ahlers moved onto the NFL. Mason Garcia could be ECU’s starting QB, and his first test will be against one of the best defenses in college last season.

Even though we want to take the Wolverines’ spread in this spot. We will take the OVER 52 points, as Michigan should not have any problems with the Pirates in Ann Arbor.

Best Bet

Over 52 points (-110)

Best Bet No. 3: LSU (-2.5) at Florida State, O/U 55.5

7:30 p.m. ET Sept. 3

When these two teams played each other in New Orleans to open up last season, the Seminoles were victorious, winning 24-23. Florida State staved off a furious comeback by LSU, who were down by 14 points in the third quarter. Jayden Daniels put the Tigers on his back, recording 323 yards of total offense and two passing TDs. Meanwhile, Jordan Travis was throwing dimes against the LSU defense, completing 20-of-33 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns.

Something tells me we will see another special matchup between these two teams at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. However, the Tigers will be on the winning side this time around. Last season, the Tigers were 4-4 against the spread as a favorite but 4-1 ATS in nonconference games. LSU has a fantastic ground attack that will test Florida State, whose defense allowed 156.4 rushing yards per game last season. If the Tigers can establish the run early, it should open up the passing game for Daniels. As for Florida State, they were 2-1 ATS as an underdog and 2-3 ATS in non-conference games last season. It should be an exciting regular season opener between two QBs in the Heisman convo. That said, we like Daniels and the Tigers’ defense to make the game-changing plays to secure the win.