Even though the calendar still says that it is June, it won’t be long before college football is once again the major betting focus. Betting on college football is right up there with betting on the NFL, and there are going to be some great matchups taking place during the 2023 season.
College football programs have done a much better job of scheduling big games to begin the year, and that’s the case again in 2023. Here is a look at some of the early betting odds for the top games set to take place in Week 1.
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers -7.5
The Big Ten Conference has been trying to get some more featured games early in the season, and they actually play conference games in Week 1. There is a big matchup taking place in the West Division as Nebraska will visit Minnesota to begin the year.
Minnesota is expected to be a contender in the West Division this season, and they always seem to find some great offense. The Golden Gophers should face a tough test in Week 1, but playing at home is going to help.
Nebraska enters 2023 with a new head coach as Matt Rhule is taking over the program. Rhule is expected to help turn things around with the Cornhuskers, but he is facing a tough task in the first year.
Look for the Cornhuskers to struggle to begin the year as Minnesota will roll to a big win at home.
Florida Gators +9.0 vs. Utah Utes
The Gators and Utes are meeting for the second straight year in Week 1, but this season the game will be played in Utah. The Utes are expected to compete for the Pac-12 Championship yet again, while it’s hard to know what to expect from Florida.
Florida will come into this game with a ton of questions on offense, especially at the quarterback position. There will still be plenty of skill on that roster though, and that will keep them competitive.
Utah is going to have to find a quarterback due to the injury to Cameron Rising, but this team will do nearly everything else well. The Utes can also really defend, and that unit might decide this game.
Take the nine points and bet on the Gators, but Utah is going to win.
Colorado Buffaloes +21.0 vs. TCU Horned Frogs
Deion Sanders will take his Colorado Buffaloes team to TCU in Week 1 for a huge matchup with the Horned Frogs. Colorado has been terrible the last few seasons, while TCU is one of the best programs in the country.
It’s hard to really know what to expect from Colorado as it is going to take a while before “Coach Prime” is able to get a roster full of his own players. The Buffaloes are going to compete though, but that won’t be enough against TCU.
The Horned Frogs are going to take a step back this season, but it won’t be a big one. TCU will be back in the mix for a Big 12 Championship, but there will be some rough patches in the season opener.
Take the points here as Colorado finds a way to cover.
LSU Tigers -2.5 vs. Florida State Seminoles
The best game in Week 1 should take place on Sunday night as the LSU Tigers take on the Florida State Seminoles in Orlando, Florida. Both teams are expected to be among the 20 best teams in the country, but each program will have plenty to prove.
LSU is trying to get back to being the best team in the SEC, and they need to get better on the offensive end. You can always expect a great defense from the Tigers, and that is going to be a key in this game.
Florida State went 10-3 a season ago, and the Seminoles are a team that looks like it can take a huge step forward in 2023. Facing a tough LSU defense in Week 1 won’t be easy, but this is a team that has plenty of potential weapons on offense.
Florida State is close to being back, but they will lose in Game 1 as the LSU Tigers win and cover the spread.