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Top 5 NCAA Football Games to bet Week 1: Fla/Utah, Ohio State/IU, ECU/Michigan. Vir/Tenn. Colo/TCU

Mike Goodpaster

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Chief Editor

Publish Date: 08/29/2023

Fact checked by: Simon Briffa

Week 1 Top Predictions

Week 1 is here! These are my top five games to bet in no order!

Florida at No. 14 Utah -6.5

Over the last four seasons, Utah has gone 21-1 S/U and 14-8 ATS at home. For Florida with plenty of unanswered questions – how will Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz fare with his first start for Gators against Utah on Thursday Night Football (-6.5 on ESPN)? Florida won this matchup 29-26 last season. Can Utah return the favor?

Prediction: Utah 31 Florida 21

DraftKings

4.6/5

Prediction: Bet Utah -7

Over/Under: Florida vs Utah(45.5)
Spread: Utah -6.5
Pick: Bet Utah -6.5

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East Carolina at No. 2 Michigan (-36.5)

Can the Pirates keep that momentum going with new quarterback Mason Garcia in the Big House against a team without Jim Harbaugh on its sideline? East Carolina is a solid team, and this point spread is way too big.

Michigan 38 East Carolina 17

DraftKings

4.6/5

Prediction: Bet East Carolina +36.5

Over/Under: East Carolina vs Michigan(51.5)
Spread: Michigan -36.5
Pick: Bet East Carolina +36.5

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Virginia vs. No. 12 Tennessee(-28)

Let the Joe Milton era begin! Tennessee is a heavy favorite against Virginia’s Cavaliers – who finished 3-7 last season and are counting on Monmouth transfer quarterback Tony Muskett to lead their offense. Virginia averaged just 17 points per game last season – this won’t do against Tennessee once their offense gets rolling! The Cavs do not have the speed to cover this spread.

Tennessee 45 Virginia 13

DraftKings

4.6/5

Prediction: Bet Tennessee -28

Over/Under: Virginia vs Tennessee(56.5)
Spread: Tennessee -28
Pick: Bet Tennessee -28

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Colorado at No. 17 TCU (-21)

Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter will likely make big plays, while TCU must adjust to a new quarterback in Chandler Morris while losing eight critical players to the NFL. I don’t think Colorado can keep pace with the high-octane Horned Frogs offense.

TCU 41 Colorado 17

DraftKings

4.6/5

Prediction: Bet TCU -21

Over/Under: Colorado vs TCU(63)
Spread: TCU -21
Pick: Bet TCU -21

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No. 3 Ohio State (-29.5) at Indiana (3:30 p.m., CBS)

Indiana hasn’t defeated Ohio State since 1988 – an astonishing 27-game losing streak between Big Ten conference opponents. Indiana has lost the last seven meetings by an average margin of 29.8 points per contest; therefore, the line seems accurate. How long will it take Ohio State quarterbacks Kyle McCord and Devin Brown – both expected to play – to adjust in Bloomington? Expect Ohio State to pull away in the second half.