The kick-off nears for the upcoming season of college football.
In this deep dive article, we’ll go over some of the top games of the weekend as well as some of the best spreads at top sportsbooks like Bovada that could go differently than the bookies expect.
So tag along as we dive deep into the odds of the college football world, and you just might like what you see.
Top 10 Sites With the Best College Football Point Spreads
- Bovada: Best overall
- MyBookie: Earliest lines
- BetOnline: Most competitive odds
- BUSR: $1,500 welcome bonus
- SportsBetting.ag: #1 pick for parlay bets
- BetAnySports: Top pick for over/under bets
- EveryGame: Reputable site
- BetUS: Features live betting
- Lucky99: Fast banking
- XBet: 24/7 customer support
How to Read College Football Odds: Guide to Point Spreads
A point spread is an expected differential set by sportsbooks that are available to bettors to bet on if they don’t want to bet on the game straight up.
For instance, if a dominant team that was arguably the best in the country had a game scheduled with a team that was 1-10 on the year, not many would bet on the 1-10 program. So sportsbooks added spreads that, in this case, could be like 35 points in order to encourage bettors to still get in on the action.
There are 4 different bets someone can make when they have a spread. There is the favorite cover, the underdog to cover, or the moneyline for either team.
Moneyline is odds set by sportsbooks for a team to win their game straight up. For the favorite, the return on moneyline bets is less but may be safer for bettors. While for underdogs, the moneyline is more profitable but also more risky.
College Football Spread Analysis (Odds from Bovada)
College Football games spread promises to be an entertaining one with countless big-time matchups and great lines to pay attention to from the sportsbooks. With the season just starting, there are plenty of questions surrounding each program as they enter the year ahead.
However, with so much uncertainty, there are plenty of opportunities for bettors like you to take advantage of and find some great odds to consider for the kickoff weekend.
Navy Midshipmen vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Spread: Notre Dame -20.5
Analysis: In Dublin, Ireland, the college football season will begin, so what better game to cover than the first? Navy and Notre Dame will face off overseas in what the sportsbooks expect will be a game that largely leans in the Fighting Irish’s direction. However, with a point spread of 20.5, could the Midshipmen potentially cover?
The main storyline for this game revolves around the new look offense for Notre Dame. With Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman at QB, and new offensive coordinator Gerard Parker running the offense, can the team make the leap to the next level?
Notre Dame went 8-4 last season after dropping their first two games of the year. While the Navy was a disappointing 4-8 in 2022, but was a notable 7-5 against the spread. The Midshipmen also had five one-possession losses last season, including a three-point loss to Notre Dame.
Writer’s Pick: Navy +20.5
The Fighting Irish have made some promising additions to help them take the next step in year two under Head Coach Marcus Freeman. Yet with their struggles early last season, and only a three-point victory over the Navy in 2022, the 20.5-point spread seems too large. Watch out for the Midshipmen to cover.
>> Place your bets at Bovada <<
Florida Gators at Utah Utes
Spread: Utah -7.5
Analysis: Last season, Florida vs. Utah was arguably one of the best games of the opening week, and there’s a chance that it could happen again. Currently, the books favor Utah to win this game by over a touchdown. However, the Florida Gators were very active in the transfer portal this offseason, so the team could be surprised.
The main headline in this one will be the quarterback position, as both teams enter the game with question marks for different reasons. For the Gators, they will start Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz, while Utah is expected to start Cam Rising, who is coming off of a torn ACL he suffered late last season.
The Utes will look to keep their success rolling, as last season, they went 9-3 before winning the PAC 12 championship. For Florida, they started out 2022 with a Week 1 victory, but inconsistent play led them to a pedestrian 6-6 record. Both teams will look to get on the right track on August 31st, but only one can walk away victorious.
Writer’s Pick: Utah -7.5
This is going to be heavily influenced by the health and availability of Rising, so keep an eye on that. However, Utah should be one of the strongest teams in the country and should be better prepared to host the Gators at home this year.
South Carolina Gamecocks at North Carolina Tar Heels
Spread: North Carolina -3
Analysis: In an established rivalry between two teams with high expectations, you can be certain that this match-up will be an entertaining one. Currently, the oddsmakers favor North Carolina.
The headline of this game will be the high-end quarterback play between Drake Maye and Spencer Rattler. While Maye is widely regarded as the better QB, if Rattler can step up and play at a high level, then they stand a good chance in this one. Especially with star WR Antwuane Wells to help get the offense going.
Both teams had solid seasons in 2022, as the Tar Heels went 9-3 while the Gamecocks went 8-4. So on the surface, rolling with North Carolina to win makes sense. However, South Carolina is a roster built for the SEC, and they should be able to control this game in the trenches, which will go a long way toward their chances at victory. Keep an eye on Chapel Hill, the books could be wrong.
Writer’s Pick: South Carolina ML
The Gamecocks were one of the hottest teams to end last season and have a lot of returning talent on the offensive side to continue that success. While facing a talented Tar Heels team won’t be easy, South Carolina should cover and win in this one.
>> Get the latest odds at MyBookie <<
Boise State Broncos at Washington Huskies
Spread: Washington -14.5
Analysis: If you’re looking for an underrated game to follow for the first week of the season, then look no further than Washington hosting Boise State in a Northwest affair that promises to be a good one.
Both teams roll into the season with a high-powered offense and a QB that does well to execute it. For the Huskies, QB Michael Penix Jr. is widely regarded as one of the top passers in the country, and some even believe he could be a Heisman candidate with a strong season. However, Boise State QB Taylen Green is capable of making some fireworks of his own, as he recorded 24 total touchdowns in 2022.
The Huskies enter the game with high expectations after a strong 10-2 outing last season that they capped off with a victory over the Texas Longhorns in the Alamo Bowl. The Broncos are also coming off of a successful 2022 after going 9-3 this past year. While Washington is favored by over two touchdowns, this game is far from certain.
Writer’s Pick: Boise State +14.5
This is a risky bet on college football when going against a high-powered passing attack like the Huskies, but the Broncos have plenty of ability to match. If Green can get going in the passing game, and RB George Holani can continue to produce on the ground, then Boise State should keep this one closer than 14 points.
South Alabama Jaguars at Tulane Green Wave
Spread: Tulane -7
Analysis: While many fans will pay attention to the bigger conferences, this Group of 5 games could be one of the better matchups of the opening slate. Both teams were very strong last season, and the expectation is for that success to repeat. That makes for a major roadblock in Week 1 for both programs as a result.
The big storyline in this outing will be how QB Michael Pratt fares against an impressive South Alabama secondary headlined by safeties Yam Banks and Jaden Voisin. If Pratt can find a way to continue to build on his already impressive 37 touchdowns 2022 campaign, then the Jaguars will have their work cut out for them.
Both teams are coming off of very impressive seasons last year. Tulane went 10-2, including 2 additional wins to secure the AAC Championship and a victory over the USC Trojans in the Cotton Bowl. The South Alabama Jaguars went 10-2 last season as well and return plenty of talent on both sides of the football from last year. This game should be a close one, you won’t want to miss it.
Writer’s Pick: Tulane -7
The Green Wave brings back the best player in this game in QB Michael Pratt, and that should be enough to handle business at home against the Jaguars. Regardless of who wins this one though, it should be a very impressive mark on their season-long resume.
>> Place your bets at BetOnline <<
UTSA Roadrunners at Houston Cougars
Spread: Houston -1
Analysis: In the world of conference realignment in college football, the Houston Cougars start their first season as a member of the Big 12, and UTSA does the same for the American Athletic. The expectations surrounding this game are that it should be a close one, as the books think Houston will win by just one point.
The Road Runners enter their final season with star QB Frank Harris who returned to school for a chance to help UTSA get acclimated to their new conference. While Houston is expected to roll out Texas Tech transfer Donovan Smith to lead their offense. Both QBs have different stories to get here, but they should also both contribute to a very exciting game.
The Cougars had one of the more bizarre 2022’s across college football with a 7-5 record that featured 2 overtime losses and one game where they let up 77 points to SMU. However, they enter 2023 with a clean slate and hope to make a strong first impression in the Power 5.
For UTSA, they finished 10-2 last year before winning the Conference USA Championship. Now they look to continue their success in the AAC, and they hope to get on the right track by knocking off Houston in the season opener.
With both teams filled with high expectations, this game should be very enticing to check out.
Writer’s Pick: UTSA ML
In a game that should be very exciting, the Roadrunners get the advantage of their experience and familiarity within their program. Houston has a very promising future in the Big 12, but to start the season, there should be some hiccups that let UTSA escape with this one.
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LSU Tigers vs Florida State Seminoles
Spread: LSU -2.5
Analysis: In 2022, the Tigers lost the season opener to Florida State after the Seminoles blocked an extra point attempt to walk away winning 24-23. This time around, the entire college football world will have eyes on this game as both teams enter the season with expectations of potentially making the College Football Playoff. A win here for either team is a great step in the right direction.
The storylines write themselves with the expectations surrounding both teams. However, the big players to watch will once again revolve around quarterback play in this match-up. For the Seminoles, Jordan Travis recorded 31 total TDs and is ranked 7th in Heisman odds at +1400. For LSU, Jayden Daniels sits at +900 odds which is currently 2nd best only behind USC QB Caleb Williams.
Daniels recorded 28 total TDs in 2022 and did an excellent job taking care of the football as well. One could argue that the winner of this QB duel could be the one who walks away from this game with the win as well, both passers will need to be on their A-game.
In 2022, the Seminoles went 9-3 with a 4-0 start to the season and a 5-0 finish. The team returns plenty of talent as well as some key additions through the transfer portal, like Michigan State WR Keon Coleman and Virginia CB Fentrell Cypress II. The Tigers found similar success last season, as they went 9-3 as well before losing in the SEC Championship to Georgia. Both squads are dangerous, which makes a game of this magnitude to open the season extremely special.
Writer’s Pick: LSU -2.5
It’s a bit unfair for two teams of this quality to have to face off so early in the season. However, that doesn’t change that the Tigers have one of the most well-balanced rosters in the country. Thus, they should be able to get out of Orlando with a victory of three points or more on their way to what should be an incredible season for LSU.
>> Find the latest odds at BUSR <<
Clemson Tigers at Duke Blue Devils
Spread: Clemson -12
Analysis: It’s not often that we get a conference matchup in Week 1, but one of this caliber is rather surprising. The Clemson Tigers enter this contest with aspirations of returning to the playoffs, but Duke is looking to establish they’ve taken the next step with a big season-opening upset at home.
Overall this game is going to be dependent on the trenches, and Duke has one of the best offensive lines in the country. Headlined by LT Graham Barton and C Jacob Monk, the Blue Devils actually have the protection to hold up against a deadly Clemson defensive front that features stars such as DTs Tyler Davis & Ruke Orhorhoro, DE Xavier Thomas, and LBs Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter.
Clemson was 10-2 last season but also brings in former TCU Offensive Coordinator Garrett Riley in hopes he can provide a spark for the offense. Duke had a tremendous turnaround season going 8-4 under new Head Coach Mike Elko. This season opener could easily be the ACC Championship at season’s end, so it’s reasonable to believe that Duke sticks around here.
Writer’s Pick: Duke +12
QB Riley Leonard will need to be efficient pushing the ball downfield, but he did so all last year. The Blue Devils may not have what it takes to knock off the Tigers in Week 1, but within 12 points? They have a good shot and are worth the bet.
How to Bet on College Football Season 2023-2024
With all the excitement and opportunity there is in sports betting, it’s still important to get registered safely and properly in order for you to be able to bet this college football season. So if you’re looking to get started, here is a step-by-step guide to getting registered with one of our most recommended sportsbooks in Bovada!
Step 1 – Register for a New Betting Account
- Visit Bovada and click the green ‘Join’ button
- Fill out all the sign up information as needed
Step 2 – Validate your account
- Check your email account for the validation link
- If you can’t find it, try checking your junk folder
- Once you’ve found it, verify your account by clicking the confirmation link
Step 3 – Deposit and Score Your Bonus
- Deposit money into your account using your preferred payment method
- Activate the welcome bonus
Step 4 – Start Betting on a College Football Game
- Go to the sports betting section
- Start betting online
Best College Football Point Spread Betting Strategies for the 2023-24 Season
Everything is better with a plan, and if you want to bet on games this upcoming season of college football, then why not get a few setups?
Regardless of how much you may know, there are always small ways to continue to put yourself ahead of the books, and we plan to help you do that. Here are some tips and strategies to consider for the year ahead.
Experience Is King Early
As the season begins, there are a ton of wrinkles that teams will work to iron out over the course of the year. However, at the beginning of the year, teams that already have an established familiarity will get a leg up on their competition.
While it doesn’t always ensure they’ll win, it can be a benefit for teams to cover their spreads, especially when the talent difference is already apparent. Teams like Kansas (85%), Missouri (82%), and Florida State (79%) are some of the top big conference schools that lead in returning production from last season. Keep that in mind for your early-season bets this season.
Create An Account With Multiple Sportsbooks
Even if you have a platform you feel comfortable with, giving yourself options can never hurt. Registering for an account with multiple sportsbooks is a great way to compare odds, receive additional bonus funds, and find additional lines that you may not have found with other sites. At the very least, look around and see if you can find odds that are worth it to you to register.
Take Advantage of Promotional Offers
Regardless of the sportsbook you use, you have to love the idea of boosted odds or additional funds. That’s why it’s important to try to keep up with potential sign-up offers or daily promotions that sportsbooks offer daily.
If you find an offer that you like, then take it. Having the option, though, that’s a great way to put yourself one step ahead on your bets.
>> Get up to $750 welcome bonus [Bovada]
Best Sites to Place Your Spread Bets On The 2023-2024 College Football Season
Bovada: Bovada is a very trustworthy brand with a great platform to quickly put out lines and offer a large selection of season-long bets. New users have an opportunity of a 50% deposit match for new sign-ups up to $250 using fiat currency or a 75% match up to $750 with Bitcoin using code BTCSWB750. A 5x rollover applies to both bonuses.
MyBookie: MyBookie is an excellent platform for bettors looking to find a variety and unique betting options. Sign up today, and you could be eligible for a 50% deposit match of up to $1,000 with a $50 minimum deposit.
BetOnline: BetOnline already has odds ready for each and every Week 1 game as well as a great user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. If you sign up now, you could be eligible for a 50% deposit match up to $1,000, although you’ll have to make a $55 deposit and meet a 10x rollover.
BUSR: Coming up next, we have BUSR, another very well-known sports betting site with some of the best odds for college football betting. Don’t forget to sign up for their generous welcome bonus of up to $1,500.
Sportsbetting.ag: Sportsbetting.ag is consistent at staying up to date on their odds, so for live betting, they’re extremely dependable. Give them a chance this college season and see what the hype is about. New users could be eligible for a 50% welcome bonus up to $1,000 using code SB1000, although a $55 minimum deposit and 10x rollover apply.
Guide to Finding the Best College Football Point Spread Odds: FAQs
When Does the College Football Season Begin?
The College Football season began August 26th at 2:30 PM EST in a game between Navy and Notre Dame.
What Is the Difference Between Week 0 & Week 1?
The difference between Week 0 and Week 1 isn’t much outside of the dates they are played. However, very few college football teams play before September so they don’t count the first weekend as the official 1st week. The games still fully count toward a team’s record and standing.
Who Will Win The College Football National Championship?
The Georgia Bulldogs are currently the odds on favorite at +240 to win the National Championship. The Bulldogs won the championship the past two seasons, and are headlined by their dominant defensive play.
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Ready to Place Your NCAAF Point Spread Bets for the 2023-24 College Football Season?
The clock is ticking for what should be an extremely exciting season, and it all starts in Week 1! With this guide taking you through some of the top games and lines to follow, you’re ready to hit the sportsbooks and make your choices.
For our most recommended sportsbook, we suggest you check out Bovada. However, no matter where you choose to bet, be sure to do so safely & responsibly!
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