It’s the best time of year to be a college football fan, as the anticipation builds leading into the Week 1 college football schedule. While big Saturday games like Texas vs. Ohio State, LSU vs. Clemson and Notre Dame vs. Miami will dominate the headlines in Week 1, Friday’s slate has intriguing matchups as well. Michigan State hosts Western Michigan at 7 p.m. ET, while Baylor faces Auburn at 8 p.m. ET and Georgia Tech travels to Colorado at 8 p.m. ET. According to the latest Week 1Â college football odds, Auburn is a 1.5-point road favorite at Baylor, and Colorado is a 3.5-point home underdog against Georgia Tech. Â
Before locking in your Week 1 college football picks on your favorite betting apps, be sure to check out the top college football betting picks from SportsLine’s proven computer model. Claim the latest bet365 promo code here, where new users get $200 in bonus bets with the placement of a $5+ bet:Â
The model simulates every FBS game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a betting profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college spread football picks, and was a profitable 27-16 combined on money-line and over/under college football picks in 2024. Anybody following its college football betting picks on betting sites could have seen strong returns, and new users can also target the DraftKings promo code, which offers $300 in bonus bets instantly plus over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket:
Week 1 college football best bets for Friday, Aug. 29 (odds subject to change):Â
- Western Michigan +20.5 vs. Michigan State (-104)
- Under 58.5 points in Auburn vs. Baylor (-110)
- Colorado +4.5 vs. Georgia Tech (-108)
Combining the model’s three picks into a Week 1 college football parlay would result in a payout of +621 (risk $100 to win $621).
Western Michigan +20.5 vs. Michigan StateÂ
Michigan State is coming off a disappointing finish to its first season under head coach Jonathan Smith, losing four of its last five games to finish 5-7 overall. Quarterback Aidan Chiles completed just 59.4% of his passes with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while losing four fumbles. Western Michigan reworked its roster by bringing in 33 transfers in the offseason, including JUCO standout quarterback Brady Jones. SportsLine’s model predicts a single-digit win for Michigan State, as the Broncos are covering the spread in well over 70% of simulations.Â
Under 58.5 in Auburn vs. Baylor
Auburn has not drilled down its starting quarterback yet, with three players competing for the job. Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold is expected to be the main quarterback, but he averaged just 5.8 yards per pass attempt last season. Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze even said the defense was told to hold back to help Arnold gain confidence in practice. Auburn went Under in five of its final seven games last season, and the model has the Under cashing in 60% of simulations on Friday. Â
Colorado +4.5 vs. Georgia Tech
The primary storyline heading into this game is Colorado moving on from quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter, who both left for the NFL. Colorado still has an experienced quarterback in Kaidon Salter, who spent the last four seasons at quarterback for Liberty. He has 77 career touchdowns and can provide rushing yards when needed. This is a tricky season-opening road game for Georgia Tech in front of a rowdy crowd, and the model has Colorado covering well over 50% of the time.Â
Want more Week 1 college football picks?
You’ve seen the model’s Week 1 college football best parlay for Friday. Now, get against the spread, total and money-line picks for every Week 1 CFB game here, all from the model that’s simulated every game 10,000 times.Â
Also at SportsLine:
You can also see Week 1 college football picks from insider Thomas Casale. Visit SportsLine to see his best bets. SportsLine’s Micah Roberts, who is 9-2 in his last 11 spread picks involving Ohio State, has locked in his best bets for Ohio State vs. Texas right here.
