NCAAF Odds for Week 1: Boost Your Parlays with These Matchups

NCAAF
August 25, 2025


The 2025 NCAAF season is kicking off with some incredible matchups that will have major implications for the College Football Playoff. The preseason rankings are set, and the stage is now set for some of the sport’s biggest powerhouses to face off. BUSR News analyst will break down the key matchups for week 1, giving you a deeper look into the strengths, weaknesses, and key players for each game.

 

Texas Longhorns vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

 

This is a rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal, where Ohio State beat Texas 28-14. This is a crucial game for both programs, and it’s a home-and-home series that will continue next year.

  • Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
  • Time: 12:00 PM ET
  • Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH

 

Texas Longhorns 

The Longhorns enter the season as the consensus preseason No. 1 team, finishing last season with a 13-3 record. They have a new full-time starter at quarterback in Arch Manning, a highly touted recruit. While he is new to the starting role, he has immense talent and a strong supporting cast.

Their offense features an elite receiving corps and a veteran offensive line. Their defense is a major strength, finishing last season as the nation’s third-best scoring defense, allowing just 15.31 points per game. They will need to rely on their defense to contain Ohio State’s high-powered offense and give Manning time to get comfortable. The Longhorns are a slight underdog in this game, which shows just how much respect the market has for Ohio State’s talent and home-field advantage.

 

Ohio State Buckeyes

The defending national champions have a new look, but the talent is still there, coming off a 14-2 season. They also have a new quarterback in Julian Sayin, a five-star recruit. He will have a wealth of talent to work with, including a dynamic group of receivers. The Buckeyes’ defense, a strength last season, has eight new starters, which could be a point of concern early on. The Buckeyes are a slight favorite, and their strong home-field advantage will be a significant factor.

 

Betting Analysis

  • Spread: Ohio State is a -2 point favorite, with Texas as a +2 underdog.
  • Total Points (Over/Under): The total for the game is 48 points.
  • Moneyline: Ohio State is -125 on the moneyline, while Texas is +102.
  • Key Trends: The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Texas’s last 12 games. Ohio State is 5-1 against the spread in its last six appearances.

 

Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Nevada Wolf Pack

 

Penn State kicks off its highly anticipated season at home against a Mountain West opponent. This is a classic “tune-up” game for a top-tier team against an overmatched opponent.

  • Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
  • Time: 12:00 PM ET
  • Venue: Beaver Stadium, State College, PA

 

Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State is a legitimate national championship contender with a veteran quarterback in Drew Allar and a powerful running back duo. Their defense is expected to be a top unit, and they have dominated non-conference opponents at home, with a 28-game winning streak. The Nittany Lions’ biggest challenge will be covering the massive spread, but their potent offense and new defensive scheme should be more than enough to overwhelm the Wolf Pack.

 

Nevada Wolf Pack

Nevada is in a rebuilding phase under their second-year head coach. The team struggled last season with a 3-10 record. Their offense will likely face significant growing pains, and their defense will be tested by a Penn State offense that is loaded with talent.

 

Betting Analysis

  • Spread: Penn State is a massive NCAAF odds -44.5 point favorite.
  • Total Points (Over/Under): The total for the game is 56.5 points.
  • Moneyline: Not listed due to the significant spread.
  • Key Trends: Penn State is 9-4 against the spread in games as a 30+ point favorite since 2017.

 

Clemson Tigers vs. LSU Tigers

 

This is a marquee non-conference matchup between two of college football’s most recognizable programs. Both teams have national championship aspirations, and a win here would be a huge statement.

  • Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
  • Time: 7:30 PM ET
  • Venue: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC

 

Clemson Tigers

Quarterback Cade Klubnik and a top-ranked offensive line lead Clemson. They have a strong defense that returns key players and should be a solid unit. Clemson has historically dominated at home in non-conference games, with a 31-2 record in their last 33 matchups. A win here would solidify their place in the top tier of college football.

 

LSU Tigers

LSU is led by Heisman hopeful Garrett Nussmeier, who threw for over 4,000 yards last season. The offense is explosive, and the defense has been bolstered by key transfers, making them a formidable opponent. The Tigers will need their defense to step up and contain Clemson’s offense, which has the potential for big plays.

 

Betting Analysis

  • Spread: Clemson is a -3.5 point favorite, with LSU as a +3.5 underdog.
  • Total Points (Over/Under): The total for the game is 57.5 points.
  • Moneyline: Clemson is -179 on the moneyline, while LSU is +145.
  • Key Trends: LSU has struggled against AP-ranked opponents, and Clemson’s recent home favorites have had difficulty covering the spread.

 

Georgia Bulldogs vs. Marshall Thundering Herd

 

This is another huge mismatch to open the season, with the Bulldogs hosting the Thundering Herd. Georgia will look to make a statement on their home field and start the season on a high note.

  • Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
  • Time: 3:30 PM ET
  • Venue: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA

 

Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia is a preseason favorite with a physically dominating style of play, especially on defense. They will look to control the line of scrimmage and overwhelm Marshall. Their offense will aim for efficiency and a mistake-free game.

 

Marshall Herd

Marshall will be facing a top-tier opponent with a massive talent discrepancy. The Thundering Herd will need to play a nearly perfect game and force turnovers to have any chance of keeping this close. Given the talent on both sides, this will be a major challenge for them.

 

Betting Analysis

  • Spread: Georgia is a massive -39 point favorite.
  • Total Points (Over/Under): The total for the game is 55.5 points.
  • Moneyline: Not listed due to the significant spread.

 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Miami Hurricanes

 

This is a historic rivalry that will be played in Miami. Both teams have a strong football tradition and high expectations for the season, which should make for an exciting game.

  • Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
  • Time: 7:30 PM ET
  • Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL

 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame had a great season last year, reaching the College Football Playoff National Championship. They are a stout defensive team, known for being opportunistic and playing a physical brand of football. They will be tested on the road against a high-powered Miami offense.

 

Miami Hurricanes

Miami’s offense is a major strength, ranking among the best in the nation in points and yards per game last season. They are explosive and have a strong rushing attack. They will be playing at home, which should give them a significant advantage, and their defense will need to hold up against a solid Notre Dame team.

 

Betting Analysis

  • Spread: Notre Dame is a -2.5 point favorite, with Miami as a +2.5 underdog.
  • Total Points (Over/Under): The total for the game is 49.5 points.
  • Moneyline: Notre Dame is -142 on the moneyline, while Miami is +107.
  • Key Trends: The total has gone OVER in 12 of Miami’s last 16 games. Miami is 10-3 straight up in its previous 13 games.

 

Conclusion

 

With Week 1 of the college football season upon us, the stage is set for a number of exciting matchups that offer great betting value. The biggest games to watch are the Texas-Ohio State clash, where the top two teams in the preseason polls battle it out, and the Clemson-LSU rivalry, which features two of the most talented teams in the country. We also have some interesting betting trends to watch out for, such as Georgia’s difficulty in covering large spreads and the high-scoring nature of Miami games.

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