College Football Odds, Lines and Picks for Week 1 – Sept. 4th

• Week 1 of the College Football season continues Thursday through Labor Day Monday
• #2 Oklahoma has averaged 44.5 points per game during Lincoln Riley’s tenure and their opener vs Tulane has been moved to Norman
• All the odds can be found below along with some best bets for Week 1

After a smallish Week 0 slate last week kicked off the College Football season, a jammed pack schedule returns for Week 1, with games featuring Power 5 teams starting on Thursday (September 2nd).

All the powerhouse schools are in action, and with games to sweat on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there’s absolutely no reason to leave your couch this Labor Day weekend.

Check out all the Week 1 odds below, plus a few bets to target, including a potential shootout between #2 Oklahoma and Tulane.

College Football Week 1 Odds

Odds as of August 31st at DraftKings

Oklahoma vs Tulane

The Sooners are currently a 31-point favorite, in a game that features a total of 68.5. Right away there’s value on the total if you can grab it, as most books have the number at 69.5 or higher. Make sure to price shop.

The game was originally scheduled to take place in New Orleans, but has been moved to Norman due to Hurricane Ida.

Oklahoma rates out as the second best offense per SP+ ratings, and has a strong history of starting fast. Dating back to head coach Lincoln Riley’s first season in Norman, the Sooners have posted 48, 49, 63 and 56 points in their last four season openers. The Sooners have averaged 44.5 points per game during Riley’s tenure, despite playing most of their games against tough Big 12 foes.

Lincoln Riley will have 6 of his QBs start in the NFL / FBS in Week(s) 1:

Baker Mayfield: Cleveland #Browns
Kyler Murray: Arizona #Cardinals
Jalen Hurts: Philadelphia #Eagles

Spencer Rattler: Oklahoma #Sooners
Tanner Mordecai: SMU #Mustangs
Austin Kendall: LA Tech #Bulldogs

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) August 31, 2021

Now they get a matchup with Tulane, who yielded 28 points and 423 yards of offense per contest to opposing teams last season.

Heisman Trophy favorite Spencer Rattler, fresh off a 3,000 yard, 28 TD season, will have both his top-two wideouts back this year, while 2019 1,000 yard rusher Kennedy Brooks returns after opting out of 2020.

If Rattler is going to become the third Sooner QB in the last five years to win the Heisman, he’ll need to put on a show right out of the gate, and there’s little reason to believe the Green Wave will be able to slow him down.

Highest-graded seasons by 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝟭𝟮 QBs since 2014

1. Baker Mayfield ('17), Oklahoma: 94.6

1. Kyler Murray ('18), Oklahoma: 94.6

3. Baker Mayfield ('16), Oklahoma: 93.8

4. Spencer Rattler ('20), Oklahoma: 92.5

5. Jalen Hurts ('19), Oklahoma: 91.8 pic.twitter.com/ByUsX1YOtF

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 31, 2021

On the other side of the ball, don’t be surprised if Tulane can keep pace, at least for the first few quarters. Last season, they broke in a new QB (Michael Pratt), but still averaged 35 points per game.

Running the ball is their calling card, and they return both talented sophomore Tyjae Spears and Cameron Carrol. 25% of Spears runs last season went for 10 or more yards before he suffered an injury, while Carrol posted the AAC’s top rushing grade per Pro Football Focus.

Tyjae Spears to the house, we're all tied up at 14! #RollWave pic.twitter.com/dCGnLCTzKO

— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) September 26, 2020

Tulane led the AAC in rushing with 217 yards per game, while Oklahoma is not known for its defensive prowess. The Sooners surrendered 21.7 points and 350 yards of offense per outing last season.

Pick: Over 68.5 (-110)

Bowling Green vs Tennessee

We’re fading offense with our next selection. Bowling Green visits Tennessee as 35-point underdogs, in a contest that boasts a total of 61. These two programs finished 102nd and 111th respectively in total offense last season, and didn’t do nearly enough to significantly boost their stock for 2021.

The Green Falcons will once again rely on Matt McDonald at QB, despite an atrocious 2020. He threw just one touchdown pass in five games, and completed a mere 43.9% of his throws. Bowling Green scored just six touchdowns all year, while averaging 11.4 points per contest.

The Vols meanwhile, rank 116th in returning production, and over the last year have seen 40 players enter the transfer portal. They averaged only 14 points per game over their final six contests, all losses, and will feature a new head coach, quarterback, running back, and four new starting offensive lineman.

https://twitter.com/Vol_Football/status/1431277828952125448

Tennessee does have a favorable matchup versus what projects to be an awful Bowling Green defense, but we can’t expect the Vols to push this game over the total by themselves. Expect Tennessee to win comfortably, but for the game to fall well short of 61 points.

Pick: Under 61 (-115)