Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

Opening Odds Released for Week 1 of 2021 College Football Season – See Spreads for Marquee Games

Brady Trettenero

By Brady Trettenero in College Football

Published:


Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Josh Morgan/Pool Photo via AP)
  • Opening odds have been released for Week 1 of the 2021 College Football Season
  • Alabama faces Miami in Atlanta, while Georgia and Clemson clash in North Carolina
  • See all the opening odds and spreads for Week 1’s games below

Odds and spreads have been released for the opening weekend of the 2021 College Football season following the announcement of kickoff times. Labor Day weekend is loaded with several marquee matchups that offer early betting value.

Miami will take on defending national champions Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, September 4th (3:30 PM EST), while Georgia and Clemson will clash in primetime (7:30 PM EST) later in the day.

We layout the opening odds and spreads for the top matchups in Week 1 of college football.

2021 Week 1 College Football Opening Odds and Spreads

Team Spread at DraftKings Moneyline
North Carolina -6.5 (-112) -230
Virginia Tech +6.5 (-109) +180
Team Spread Moneyline
Georgia +4 (-110) +145
Clemson -4 (-110) -182
Team Spread Moneyline
Penn State +3.5 (-110) +123
Wisconsin -3.5 (-110) -155
Team Spread Moneyline
Alabama -17.5 (-110) -1000
Miami Florida +17.5 (-110) +575
Team Spread Moneyline
LSU -4.5 (-112) -200
UCLA +4.5 (-108) +155
Team Spread Moneyline
Notre Dame -9.5 (-124) -400
Florida State +9.5 (+102) +285

Odds as of May 19th

Roll Tide In Atlanta

The Alabama Crimson Tide are being listed as heavy 17.5-point favorites over the Miami Hurricanes in Week 1. Nick Saban’s team is dealing with some major turnover after defeating Ohio State to win the 2020 National Championship.

Heisman winner DeVonta Smith, QB Mac Jones, RB Najee Harris and WR Jaylen Waddle are among the Tide players who have departed for the NFL.

Saban is no stranger to handling turnover, however, and has plenty of elite talent in the pipeline. Bryce Young was the top QB recruit in 2020 and is expected to make his first collegiate start against the Hurricanes. He’ll have have no shortage of weapons at his disposal with the return of WR John Metchie and RB Brian Robinson in the backfield.

YouTube video

Miami went 8-3 in 2020 and will be returning starting QB D’Eriq King. The senior pivot sustained an ACL injury during the Cheez-It Bowl against Oklahoma State, however, and is still rehabbing the injury. If King isn’t available to start against Alabama, the spread could easily climb to three touchdowns.

Alabama is 14-3 all-time against Miami, but this will be the first meeting between the two programs since the Tide’s 34-13 win in the 1993 Sugar Bowl. Despite the offseason losses for the Tide, Alabama is still being listed as the favorites in the National Championship odds. Miami couldn’t hang with the top ACC programs last year, so we’re in for a potential Week 1 blowout in Atlanta.

Uiagalelei vs Daniels In Primetime 

The Clemson Tigers are being listed as 4-point favorites over the Georgia Bulldogs at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte in Week 1. This will be one of top ranked matchups of the entire season with major CFP implications. The Tigers went 10-2 in 2020 and lost to the Buckeyes in the CFP semifinal, while the Bulldogs went 8-2 and defeated Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl.

Clemson is heavily favored to win the ACC in the Conference Championship odds despite losing QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne to the NFL. DJ Uiagalelei has taken over the reigns and is primed for a big year after impressing as a freshman. The 6-4 pivot threw for 781 yards and four TDs in marquee matchups against Boston College and Notre Dame.

YouTube video

Georgia returns starting QB JT Daniels and could have their most talented team in a long time. After returning from a knee injury in November, the UCS transfer pivot threw for 10 TDs with only two interceptions in his final four games. He’ll have several of his top targets back at WR, including Kearis Jackson and Jermaine Burton.

UGA has won six of the past seven meetings with Clemson, but the Tigers are 7-1 all-time at Bank of America Stadium. This game will feature two of the best defenses in the country and could come down to a few big plays. Clemson’s Uiagalelei and Justyn Ross might be the top 2021 QB-WR duo, and a potential season-ending injury to Georgia’s George Pickens puts the value on the Tigers.

Irish Back to Independence

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish travel to Florida State to face the Seminoles in Week 1 on Sunday, September 5th. ND will be retooling after a 10-2 season that concluded with a blowout loss to Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Brian Kelly’s team is listed as 9.5-point favorites in what will be their first game since returning to independent status.

The Fighting Irish are tasked with finding a replacement for longtime starting QB Ian Book. Freshman quarterback Tyler Buchner has been impressing in spring camp and will compete with Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan for snaps.

The Irish have one of the best running backs in all of CFB in Kyren Williams, who rushed for over 1,000 yards as a redshirt freshman.

YouTube video

Florida State is coming off a 3-6 season and haven’t finished with a winning record since 2017. They’ll be turning to former UCF transfer McKenzie Milton to try and spark the offense. The senior pivot led the Knights to an undefeated season in 2017 before suffering a brutal knee injury against USF. His ability to return to form will be key to the success of Mike Norvell’s team.

The Seminoles hold a 6-4 advantage over Notre Dame all-time, but the Fighting Irish have dominated the recent meetings. The Irish beat the Seminoles 42-26 this past season and won 42-13 back in 2018. We could see this spread climb higher leading up to Week 1 kickoff at Doak Campbell Stadium.

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.

Entertainment NFL NHL NCAAF

Recommended Reading


sports betting dime logo

Unfiltered sports betting coverage every fan needs — squeezed into your inbox before dinner.

Sign Up Now!

By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, to receive updates and offers and confirm you are 21+ and have never self excluded from betting or gambling. Unsubscribe at any time. Please gamble responsibly. Need help? 1-800-GAMBLER