Opening College Football Week 1 Odds, Spreads & Early Predictions 2025

• Week 1 of the 2025 college football season kicks off on Thursday, August 28th with multiple marquee matchups
• Top matchups include Texas vs Ohio State and LSU vs Clemson, with both games carrying massive playoff implications
• Read below for the full Week 1 college football odds, lines, spreads and our best bets

Week 0 delivered its usual appetizer of football action, but now the main course arrives. The 2025 college football season explodes into full gear with Week 1, featuring some of the biggest openers we’ve seen in years.

The headliner? Texas visiting Ohio State in what’s essentially a pick ’em game. It’s the first time the preseason No. 1 team has opened as an underdog in over four decades. The Longhorns are getting 1.5 points in Columbus despite their top ranking.

LSU travels to Clemson as another Top 10 clash, while Notre Dame faces Miami in a rivalry renewal. Alabama opens the Kalen DeBoer era against Florida State in Dallas. With the expanded 12-team playoff, these early losses won’t end seasons, but they’ll certainly set the tone.

Let’s dive into the Week 1 college football odds and identify the best betting opportunities.

College Football Week 1 Opening Odds

Thursday, August 28

Friday, August 29

Saturday, August 30

Sunday, August 31

Monday, September 1

The biggest spreads belong to Penn State (-44.5 vs Nevada) and Georgia (-39.5 vs Marshall). Those lines are so massive that several books aren’t even offering moneylines.

Odds as of August 23rd at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out our top college football betting apps to make an early Week 1 wager.

Texas vs Ohio State Odds & Predictions

The preseason No. 1 Texas Longhorns open as underdogs in Columbus. That hasn’t happened to a top-ranked team in over 40 years. The line opened at Ohio State -2.5 but has already moved to -1.5, with sharp money coming in on the Longhorns.

Both teams feature first-year starting quarterbacks making their debuts in one of college football’s biggest stages. Arch Manning finally gets his chance to lead Texas after two years as Quinn Ewers’ backup. Julian Sayin, a redshirt freshman and former five-star recruit, won the Ohio State job after transferring from Alabama.

The total has plummeted from 50.5 to 47.5, and for good reason. Two inexperienced quarterbacks facing elite defenses typically means points come at a premium. Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski will throw everything at Sayin early, while Ohio State’s new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia provides an unknown element without recent tape.

Ohio State does have weapons. Jeremiah Smith returns after putting up 1,300+ yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman. The offensive line allowed just one sack per game last season. But replacing Will Howard, TreVeyon Henderson, and Emeka Egbuka is no small task.

Ryan Day excels with first-year starters and has the Horseshoe crowd behind him. But this total keeps dropping for a reason. Both defenses should dominate early while the quarterbacks find their footing.

Texas vs Ohio State Pick:

• Under 47.5 (-108)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK

Offer

T&Cs

Get Up To $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US), Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.

LOCK IN PROMO

CODE: SBD1500

CODE: SBD1500

SIGNUP BONUS

GET $1,500
BACK

BET NOW

LSU vs Clemson Betting Line

The battle of the Tigers features two programs heading in opposite directions. Clemson enters as the No. 4 team in the country, while LSU sits at No. 9 despite loading up through the transfer portal.

The line opened at Clemson -3 and has moved to -4 at most books. Sharp bettors jumped on the Tigers early, believing Dabo Swinney’s squad is being undervalued. This movement comes despite LSU’s offensive firepower with returning QB Garrett Nussmeier.

Clemson’s defense is the story here. They return NFL-ready talent at every level, including potential first-round picks in defensive linemen Peter Woods and T.J. Parker. This unit resembles the dominant Clemson defenses from their championship runs.

Cade Klubnik enters his third year as starter after throwing for 3,600 yards and 39 touchdowns last season. He’s earned AP preseason first-team All-America honors and has the experience edge over Nussmeier in big games.

Brian Kelly’s record against Top 10 teams (6-20) raises red flags. LSU has also struggled in season openers recently. Meanwhile, Swinney is 17-10 against SEC teams and thrives when his team feels disrespected.

Clemson’s home-field advantage and defensive prowess make them the right side. The moneyline currently offers better value than laying the points, as the spread has crossed the key number of 3.

LSU vs Clemson Pick:

• Clemson ML (-180)

CAESARS SPORTSBOOK

Bet $1 & Double Your Winnings On Your First 20 Wagers!

LOCK IN PROMO

CODE: SBD20X

CODE: SBD20X

SIGNUP PROMO

DOUBLE YOUR
WINNINGS

ON YOUR FIRST 20 WAGERS!

CLAIM OFFER

Notre Dame vs Miami FL Preview

The renewal of this historic rivalry brings playoff implications to South Florida. Notre Dame opened as 2.5-point favorites despite playing on the road, reflecting the betting market’s trust in Marcus Freeman’s program.

Miami landed the transfer portal’s biggest prize in Carson Beck from Georgia. At his best two years ago, Beck looked like a future first-round pick. But last season brought inconsistency and turnovers that cost the Bulldogs in big moments.

The Hurricanes haven’t beaten a Top 10 team since defeating Notre Dame in 2017. They’re 0-8 in such games since, including several embarrassing blowouts. This would be their first season-opening win against a ranked opponent since 2009.

Notre Dame recently named freshman CJ Carr their starting quarterback, but this might not matter as much as you would think. ND’s defense features playmakers at all three levels, and running back Jeremiyah Love is arguably the nation’s best at his position. The Irish offensive line returns intact and should dominate the trenches.

The total opened at 54.5 but has crashed to 49.5, suggesting a defensive battle. Miami’s new defensive coordinator Cory Heatherman arrives from Minnesota with a reputation for aggressive schemes. But Notre Dame’s balance and physicality should prevail.

Freeman has restored energy to the Irish program after reaching the national title game. Miami needs Beck to rediscover his 2023 form immediately against an elite defense. That’s asking a lot in Week 1.

Notre Dame vs Miami Pick:

• Notre Dame -2.5 (-108)