College Football Week 1 Predictions:

After a long, labor-intensive offseason, college football is finally back in full swing. Week 0 was surprisingly entertaining and was the perfect appetizer for Week 1, but there’s nothing like a full Thursday-Friday-Saturday slate of college football games. Be sure to take advantage of VSiN’s new subscription offerings so that you get all of my college football and NFL best bets all season long. I will be back later in the week to highlight some lines that have been the biggest movers throughout the week and capitalize with some additional best bets on those as well.

Here are my early Week 1 best bets:

 

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Minnesota (+1.5, 50.5) vs North Carolina

Thursday, 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX)

Minnesota saw the early line move this summer from -2 to -2.5 at Circa, but has now been steamed through 0, and the Tar Heels are now favored by 1.5 points on the road against PJ Fleck’s Golden Gophers. TSI has Minnesota favored by 4 here, and the line touched Minnesota -3 at DraftKings just a week ago. North Carolina is certainly a more famous brand than Minnesota, which could help explain the late line move here, but I’m not buying it. Minnesota was certainly down last year, in large part due to the subpar QB play it got from Athan Kaliakmanis, but I expect them to progress back to their baseline level of QB play (which isn’t’ world-beating, by any means), and we know they’re going to play rugged defense. Give me the Gophers +1.5 and another half unit on the money line.

Best Bet: Minnesota +1.5 (Play to -1.5)

Northwestern (-2.5, 42.5) vs Miami (OH)

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (BTN)

This is a battle of the #92-rated TSI offense (Northwestern) vs the #100 TSI offense (Miami OH) in what shapes up to be a rock fight between these teams. Northwestern far exceeded expectations last season with coach David Braun, while Miami (OH) continues to be in the mix as a MAC contender. This is probably one of those games you bet and try at all costs not to watch because it should be a very boring, Big Ten West (RIP) style of game. TSI projects Northwestern -4.5 with a total of 37.5, so I would lean Northwestern -2.5 here, but I like this total, especially north of key numbers 41 and 42.

Best Bet: Under 42.5 (Play to 42)

Notre Dame (+3, 46.5) at Texas A&M

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Earlier in the summer, when this game was a pick ‘em, I thought the line would be moving Notre Dame’s direction. All iterations of my T Shoe Index preseason numbers have Notre Dame substantially higher than Texas A&M, who’s breaking in new head coach Mike Elko (who I am a fan of) and might need some time to get things rolling. Conversely, this is Year 3 of the Marcus Freeman era at Notre Dame, and TSI is very high on the Irish coming into this season after adding QB Riley Leonard (who played for Elko at Duke) and returning a stout defensive unit. TSI projects Notre Dame as a 4.5-point favorite in this game, but the market disagrees and has moved this line 3 points in the Aggies’ favor. I’ll trust my offseason work and fade the steam here. Give me the Irish +3, and I might put a half unit on the moneyline.

Best Bet: Notre Dame +3 (Play to pick ‘em)

For more College Football Week 1 predictions, visit the College Football Week 1 Hub at VSiN.com.

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