College Football Week 1 Predictions 2023: Picks, Odds, and Best Bets

Rounding up our best college football picks and predictions for Week 1. ML, ATS, O/U, and prop plays for a big payday.

Esten McLaren

Last updated: September 3, 2023 8:09 AM EDT • 3 min read

Saturday's seven-game slate was only an appetizer for our first full week of action as we round up all of our college football Week 1 predictions and picks based on the top NCAAF odds.

Week 0's unassuming collection of seven games on Saturday has been logged, signaling our full immersion into Week 1 of the exhilarating 2023 college football season. Enthusiastic fans and avid bettors alike are in for a treat as an uninterrupted stretch of five days, spanning from Thursday to Monday, unfolds, offering a cascade of captivating matchups to revel in with our college football best bets for Week 1.

To celebrate, we're rounding up all of our betting experts' top predictions for Week 1 based on the odds from our best college football betting sites.

College football picks and predictions for Week 1

College football Week 1 picks: Sunday

Northwestern vs. Rutgers Under 39.5 pick (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pick made by Brenden Schaeffer

Oregon State vs. San Jose State Over 55.5 pick (-104 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pick made by Phil Wood

LSU vs. Florida State +2.5 pick (-108 via BetRivers) ⭐⭐⭐

Pick made by Mike Spector

College football Week 1 picks: Monday

Clemson -12.5 vs. Duke pick (-110 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐

Pick made by Mike Spector

College football expert picks for Week 1

College football odds pages

CFP National Championship Odds	SEC Odds	Big 12 Odds
Heisman Trophy Odds	Big Ten Odds	Pac-12 Odds
College Football Playoff Odds	Mountain West Odds	ACC Odds

How to bet on college football

In the dynamic world of college football betting, success requires a blend of strategy and analysis.

First, research team statistics, recent performance, and player injuries. Identify key matchups and track trends like home-field advantage. Look beyond the headlines to assess team morale and coaching strategies.

Next, understand the point spread – it's not just about predicting the winner, but also the margin of victory. Moneyline bets focus solely on the winner, while Over/Under bets predict total points scored. Parlays combine multiple bets for bigger payouts, but are riskier. Remember, responsible bankroll management is essential – never wager more than you can afford to lose.

Lastly, stay updated with real-time odds and news as they can affect betting decisions. College football betting demands astute insight, adaptable strategies, and a disciplined approach.

Here are our best college football betting sites:

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BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
BetRivers Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers Review
FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review

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* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)

Written By:
Esten McLaren

Esten is the Senior Publishing Editor for SportsbookReview.com. He has been in the sports betting industry since the legalization of mobile sports betting in New Jersey, and with SportsbookReview prior to the launch of sports betting in Ontario. Esten's previous stops include the USA TODAY network, including GolfWeek. He previously worked in the fantasy sports industry, with FNTSY Sports Network, theScore, and USA TODAY. Esten graduated from the College of Sports Media with a diploma in Radio and Television Sports Broadcasting after acquiring a degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Guelph. He has appeared on FNTSY Sports Network, VSiN, and VSiN's Long Shots podcast, where he correctly called Will Zalatoris as the winner of the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship. Esten is a big proponent of the entertainment side of sports betting and loves to dip his toes into the novelty and alt-markets while chasing long shots with reduced wagers on golf outrights and futures markets. He's also been known to sprinkle some lunch money on touchdown-scorer parlays with two notable hits still funding his bankroll. Esten looks at sports betting much like golf and advises beginner bettors to compete against themselves rather than being concerned with what others may or may not be doing based on social media claims.