Opening 2020 College Football Point Spreads: Clemson Biggest Favorites on the Board

• Opening lines for some of the biggest games of the upcoming 2020 college football season have been released
• The Clemson Tigers are the biggest favorites on the board, but do they deserve to be after an underwhelming finish to the 2020 College Football Playoff?
• Take a look at the full list of spreads and some early leans below

Looking for something to do with the sports world on pause?

Let us present you with a bevy of opening point spreads for a bunch of college football’s biggest games in the upcoming season.

Opening 2020 College Football Spreads

All odds taken Mar. 17th

The CFP odds will need a major adjustment after these big-time games early in the schedule.

Where should you put your money? Here’s some early leans on the notable games.

Alabama Crimson Tide (-14) vs USC Trojans

This one is at a neutral site because, well, Alabama doesn’t play road games outside their mandated SEC schedule. Even still, I like the Trojans to cover the number here thanks in large part to rising sophomore QB Kedon Slovis.

He’s a sneaky Heisman Trophy candidate who tossed for 30 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions last year. He’ll benefit from continuity with USC deciding to keep both head coach Clay Helton and offensive coordinator Graham Harrell.

OC @CoachHarrellUSC and QB @Kedonslovis are on the same page going into Spring Football. 😂😂 #FightOn pic.twitter.com/XIwILXlGMl

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) March 10, 2020

Alabama, however, faces some uncertainty at the quarterback position. Mac Jones looked okay when Tua Tagovailoa went down last year and is likely to get the first shot. I think #1 overall prospect Bryce Young will eventually take over, but much like Trevor Lawrence at Clemson they’ll likely make him watch a few games from the sideline before throwing him into the fire.

In the meantime, I’d place bets against Alabama as big dogs especially against a quality opponent like USC.

PICK: USC +14 (-120)

Louisville Cardinals vs Clemson Tigers (-23.5)

Clemson returns superstar quarterback Trevor Lawrence and that’s enough for the oddsmakers to give the Tigers the biggest cushion on the board. They are favored by 23.5 over Louisville and I expect that number to rise considerably by the time this one kicks off September 12th.

Lawrence threw for 36 touchdowns and 8 interceptions last year, completing over 65% of his passes for the 2nd straight year. He lost the championship game by 17 points and many weren’t sure the Tigers deserved to escape their semifinal game against Ohio State. Those missteps will have the presumed first pick in the 2021 NFL draft ready to showcase his stuff early in the year.

PICK: Clemson -23.5 (-120)

Ohio State Buckeyes (-6.5) vs Oregon Ducks

Follow the pattern, I like certainty at the quarterback position early in the year. That will become even more important this year with the likelihood of limited practise times due to the virus that’s put the sports world on pause. With that in mind, I’m taking Justin Fields from Ohio State over whomever Oregon settles on as Justin Herbert’s replacement.

🗣 Win the moment.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/DL3SmTMmH5

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) March 6, 2020

Fields had 41 touchdowns and 3 interceptions last year and welcomes an abundance of talent alongside his returnees on the offensive side of the ball. The game is in Eugene, but I believe the Buckeyes will be strong enough to win by a touchdown or more.

PICK: Ohio State Buckeyes (-6.5)