The first week of the college football season is still over two months away but there’s been a lot of debate since the lines were posted. Remember, college isn’t like the NFL. We aren’t going to see any exhibition games between now and then. That means we shouldn’t see any major injuries. As a result, it’s interesting to note the following three games and how the lines have already moved. Odds are courtesy of BetDSI Sportsbook.
Michigan Wolverines @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Opening Odds: Notre Dame -7
Current Odds: Michigan -1
In what could be the marquee game of the first week, one of college football’s oldest rivalries returns for the first time since 2014. The Fighting Irish blew out the Wolverines 31-0 at home that day, and the Wolverines would love to return the favor in South Bend. Brandon Wimbush struggled at the tail end of 2017 for the Fighting Irish under center, and Michigan has one of the best defenses in the country. The Wolverines have their own problems at quarterback, although it looks like Shea Patterson will be the favorite after transferring from Mississippi. However, with Jim Harbaugh at the helm, absolutely anything is possible with this Michigan team. This is definitely a line to watch out for as Week 1 approaches.
Louisville Cardinals vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Opening Odds: Alabama -20
Current Odds: Alabama -25.5
This game will take place at a neutral site in Orlando, Florida, and it looks like a really high spread. However, it is Alabama, winners of five national titles since 2009 and the defending national champions. Most of the attention is being centered around Alabama’s quarterback competition between Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. Hurts got the Crimson Tide to last season’s title game, but it was Tagovailoa threw the title-winning touchdown against Georgia. Tagovailoa has been out for most of the spring with a finger injury, but Hurts has not really capitalized on his absence.
For the Cardinals, they are looking to replace Heisman-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson. It appears as though Jawon Pass will take over for Jackson. He is more of a traditional quarterback than Jackson. However, he is going to making his debut against an Alabama defense that annually loses players to the NFL, and they just reload. It would not be a surprise to see this spread get even higher before the season.
Virginia Tech Hokies @ Florida State Seminoles
Opening Odds: Pick ‘em
Current Odds: Florida State -5.5
The Seminoles will play their first game at home under Willie Taggert, the former Oregon head coach that replaces Jimbo Fisher, who left for Texas A&M. Taggert’s goal should be to protect quarterback Deondre Francis as he returns from injury. However, the rumor is that James Blackman might actually be the frontrunner for that spot. The Hokies have their own issues at quarterback as Josh Jackson might have to deal with eligibility problems. Those should be sorted out before the season, one way or another, but it will definitely affect the line going forward. Both teams should have very good defenses lining up as well. The ACC season is going to get off to a rocking start with these two heavyweights clashing in Tallahassee.
