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Thursday College Football Parlay: Expert CFB Picks at +475 Odds

Brady Trettenero

By Brady Trettenero in College Football

Published:


Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola hypes up the crowd
Nov 23, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) hypes up the crowd at the end of the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
  • A Thursday college football parlay is the perfect way to start the 2025 season
  • Our top CFB parlay picks pay out at +475 odds, featuring Boise State and Nebraska
  • Read below for expert college football Thursday night parlay for Week 1

Week 1 of the 2025 college football season kicks off Thursday night with multiple games spread across major TV networks, including ESPN and FOX. Week 1’s slate brings some solid betting spots, including a Group of Five clash in Tampa and a Big Ten home dog getting too many points.

Here’s my top college football parlay for Thursday night’s action.

Thursday College Football Parlay Week 1

MatchupPick (Odds)
Boise State at South FloridaBoise State -5.5 (-110)
Nebraska vs CincinnatiNebraska -6 (buy ½ pt) (-130)
Buffalo at MinnesotaBuffalo +18 (buy ½ pt) (-130)
TOTAL PARLAY ODDS+475

All odds as of August 28th, at Bet365 Sportsbook. Browse the best College Football betting apps for parlay betting.

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These three picks – Boise State -5.5, Nebraska -6 (bought down), and Buffalo +18 (bought up) – combine for a nice +475 parlay to get the college football season started right. Ensure you visit the “alternate spreads” section to tail our exact picks.

Thursday CFB Parlay Picks: Boise State -5.5

I’m starting my college football parlay with the Broncos laying the points in steamy Tampa against South Florida.

The chatter around this game is way off. Everyone’s focused on the heat, life after Ashton Jeanty, and road woes. But Boise State has been scheduling tough non-conference games for years – Spencer Danielson and this program know exactly how to get ready for these spots.

Maddux Madsen is back at quarterback after throwing for 3,018 yards with a 23/6 TD/INT ratio last season. The Broncos lost top receiver Cameron Camper, but they’ve still got weapons in TE Matt Lauter (47 catches, 619 yards) and transfer Chris Marshall from Texas A&M and Ole Miss.

The defense should keep them in this one with four of their top-five tacklers returning, including their best cover corner. DC Erik Chinander had a solid first season, cutting points allowed by 3.0 per game and yards per play by 0.4.

South Florida gets back QB Byrum Brown, who missed most of last season, but the Bulls lost their top three running backs and leading receiver Sean Atkins (79 catches, 781 yards). That up-tempo offense that ranked second nationally in pace last year could struggle against a more experienced Boise State defense.

  • CFB Pick: Boise State -5.5 (-115)

Thursday College Football Parlay Picks: Nebraska -6 (Buy ½ Point)

Matt Rhule’s third-year pattern is real, and I’m buying the half-point to get off that tricky 6.5 number for this neutral site game at Arrowhead Stadium.

The track record speaks for itself: Temple went 2-10 then 10-3, Baylor went 1-11 then 11-3. Nebraska went 7-6 last season and made their first bowl since 2016. Year 3 is when everything comes together.

Dylan Raiola showed promise as a true freshman with a 71.5 passing grade – a big jump from Nebraska’s 42.4 quarterback grade in 2023. The receiving corps got some serious help through the portal with Dane Key (79.3 PFF grade from Kentucky) and Nyziah Hunter from Cal.

Dana Holgorsen taking over as offensive coordinator is huge. The guy knows how to fix offenses fast – Oklahoma State jumped from No. 70 in yards per game to No. 3 in his one season as OC. With just offense to focus on and no head coaching headaches, Holgorsen should have Nebraska’s attack humming.

Cincinnati went 5-7 last season and couldn’t win one of their final five Big 12 games to reach a bowl. The Bearcats’ offense managed just 25.2 points per game (89th nationally), and that won’t cut it against a Nebraska defense that ranked 26th in EPA allowed per play last season.

This neutral site game will play like a home game for Big Red fans, and buying the half-point to -6 is worth the extra juice when you’re dealing with a potential touchdown margin.

  • CFB Pick: Nebraska -6 (buy ½ pt) (-130)

Thursday Night Parlay Picks: Buffalo +18 (Buy ½ Point)

Closing out my Thursday night CFB parlay by taking the points with the Bulls as a big road dog at Minnesota.

PJ Fleck tends to be the center of attention when it comes to the Gophers’ football program, but there’s plenty to like about Buffalo in this matchup. The Bulls went 5-0 straight up and 4-1 ATS to finish last season, setting some lofty expectations for Pete Lembo’s squad in 2025.

The Bulls return 10 defensive starters, including linebackers Red Murdock and Shaun Dolac, who combined for over 200 tackles last season. That defense should keep this one competitive against a Minnesota offense breaking in freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey.

Minnesota was bottom-20 in the country in pace last season, using an average of 29.3 seconds per play. Neither offense will be in much of a hurry with both teams starting new quarterbacks. The Gophers’ defense was top-15 in yards per game, points per game, and yards per play allowed last season.

Buffalo’s sixth-year QB Ta’Quan Roberson threw for over 2,000 yards with 14 touchdowns at UConn in 2023, but only attempted seven passes as a backup at Kansas State last season. He’s got the experience edge over Lindsey, though.

YouTube video

Minnesota has gone 2-5-1 ATS in its eight season openers under Fleck. That’s a trend worth backing when you’re getting nearly three touchdowns with a Buffalo team that has the horses to hang around.

Buying the half-point to get to a full 18 points is the move when you’re getting this many points with a road dog that finished last season hot.

  • CFB Pick: Buffalo +18 (buy ½ pt) (-130)
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Brady Trettenero
Brady Trettenero

Lead NHL & NCAAF Editor

Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.

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