Last week wasn’t the start of the college football season that we were looking for. However, we now are ready for the bounce back for a great comeback. 0-3 (-3.37u) on the best bets article so far this season, however we had a 2-1 night on Thursday to start the trip back into the green. My plays for Friday night are below. However, my best bets for this week have one Saturday game, one Sunday game, and the Monday night game as well. Here are my three best bets for Week One of the college football season.
Colorado vs TCU (-20.5) O/U (63.5) 9/2 12:00 PM EST
We got Deion Sanders coaching in his first game as a head coach for Colorado as they are going up against the National Championship runner-ups in TCU. The majority of TCU’s offensive production left in the off-season. They bring a ton of transfers at wide receiver and have Chandler Morris as their starter this year. Colorado also did a whole re-tool of their team via the transfer portal. We have to see how both of these offenses look in Week One before we can project how they look for the entirety of 2023.
One of the things that is getting in my head is that the Horned Frogs return eight starters on defense. With the eight starters returning from the National Championship runner-ups, TCU defensively has the advantage. It will be Shedeur Sanders’ first start against the toughest competition that he has seen in his collegiate career. This is going to be a must watch on the first full Saturday of college football.
Betting Trends
-Colorado has hit the over in 5 out of their last 6 games overall.
-TCU is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games played on a Saturday.
-TCU 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games.
The Don’s Play
I am riding with the Buffaloes +20.5 at -110 for one unit. The matchup between Deion and Dykes will be a great clash to start off the afternoon slate on Saturday. I think this game will be a lot closer than Vegas is expecting it to be. We will get a lot of answers to the questions about Colorado this weekend.
LSU (-2.5) vs Florida State O/U (55.5) 9/3 7:30 PM EST
The first top 10 matchup of the 2023 season takes place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. This is a rematch from last year when the LSU Tigers shot themselves in the foot and cost themselves a Week One victory. Brian Kelly has had this circled on his calendar for some time now. We saw the LSU Tigers have a great 2022 season and they won the SEC West. They bring back Jayden Daniels at quarterback who will look to be a lot better and help LSU get back to the College Football Playoff.
Florida State has a lot of hype around them after a successful campaign last season. Jordan Travis is back and is an early season Heisman favorite. Mike Norvell got his first winning season at Florida State last season and will look to build off of that success. This Seminoles team brings back a ton of starters on both sides of the football. Florida State’s offense is going to be good and I can’t wait to see both of these two teams go at it.
Betting Trends
-Florida State was 1-2 SU in three games as underdog last season.
-Florida State is also 5-12 SU as an underdog in the Mike Norvell era.
-LSU overs are 7-1 in their last 8 games overall.
The Don’s Play
I am taking LSU -2.5 -105 for one unit. Historically in the Norvell era, they aren’t good as underdogs. I think LSU has revenge on their mind and I think they come out swinging in this top ten matchup. Brian Kelly is 7-2 in his last nine week one games as a head coach. He rarely loses to start the season and doesn’t lose in week one in back to back years. Ride the Tigers to start the season 1-0 and to win by a field goal or more.
Clemson (-12.5) vs Duke O/U 55.5 9/4 8:00 PM EST
Clemson is taking on a dark horse in the ACC in Duke on Monday Night. The Blue Devils return a total of 18 starters on both sides of the football and that includes Riley Leonard who was a big-time playmaker for Duke. Mike Elko really improved this team last year and they are poised to make some more noise in 2023. Dabo is looking to get this team to bounce back after back to back three loss seasons. This is going to come down to how Cade Klubnik developed. If he developed well, Clemson’s offense will be scary, but if he continues to struggle Duke has a chance at an upset.
Betting Trends
-Duke 6-0 ATS at home under Mike Elko.
-Clemson 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games in September.
-Duke 5-1 ATS in last 6 ACC opponents.
The Don’s Play
I am taking Duke +12.5 -110 for one unit. Clemson more than likely wins this game, however I see Duke keeping this within one score. This line is too inflated and 78% of the money is on the Tigers. Sharp money is on Duke to cover and I think they cover easily in this one.
Final Thoughts
Remember I write up my three best bets every week so make sure you look for them. My whole card is on twitter @cjoneswho1212 and here again was my Thursday record and my plays for Friday night’s slate. Don’t miss out on riding with The Don and the bankroll will increase!
