College Football Week 1 Picks And Top 25 Matchups

College Football Week 1 kicks off the 2021 season in full this week, and I’m back chipping in picks, profiles and shooting for profit with information you can bet on. I’ll be updating the Top 25 and key match-ups each week in my coverage at Forbes, and adding picks, opinions, leans and insight to assist fans and bettors.

Week 1 features five Top 25 match-ups, and I listed them below and provide some analysis in my coverage and updates at osga.com. The Week 1 picks, opinions and leans include some analysis on selected games along with ATS info and added information you can bet on.

Please recognize the betting lines move and adjust, and I provide this information for news and entertainment purposes. I do not tout or sell picks for companies. See more in my Week 1 introduction and update at Offshore Gaming Association, which includes more analysis than a few provided below.

College Football Week 1 Top 25 Match-ups and Picks

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 14 Miami, FL (Atlanta, GA – 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Line: Alabama -19.5 and Total 61

This line was ‘Bama -13.5 more than three months ago when some sportsbooks sent out opening week lines. The Crimson Tide  are 14-0 and 12-2 ATS in season openers under HC Nick Saban. They may reload again and the defense should get back to it’s dominant ways. But a ton of offensive starters are gone for the ‘Tide with seven lost to the NFL Draft including its quarterback. Miami returns 90% of its offensive production that averaged 440 yards and 34 PPG last season. The Hurricanes positional units rank top 3 across the board in the ACC. This line has gotten out of whack, and if senior QB King keeps his cool and minimizes mistakes and turnovers, Miami hangs tough.

Pick: Miami plus points and Opinion Under Total

No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 5 Georgia (Charlotte, NC) – 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Line: Clemson -3 and Total 51.5

The post-Trevor Lawrence era begins at Clemson, and the Tigers are expected to be the ACC Kingpin again and the biggest favorite to reach the College Football Playoff…Georgia is so talented and tough with top recruiting classes the past three years, and early season position rankings have the Bulldogs top-3 at every position in the SEC…read more at osga.com.

Opinion: Georgia plus points, and Moneyline +132

No. 12 Wisconsin vs. No. 19 Penn State – 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX
Line: Wisconsin -5.5 and Total 50

Lean: Penn State plus points

No. 17 Indiana at No. 18 Iowa – 3:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network
Line: Iowa -3.5 and Total 50

Iowa loses six starters along the offensive and defensive lines including one of the best at left tackle. Indiana has top rated QB Michael Penix operating behind an OL with four returners and a top, talented WR core. Indiana is off a historic season after going 6-1 SU and 7-0 ATS last year including 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS as an underdog in Big Ten play. Another ‘Dog plenty capable of being a betting man’s best friend…read more at osga.

Pick: Indiana plus points, and moneyline +145

No. 21 Texas vs. No. 23 Louisiana – 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX
Line: Texas -8.5 and Total 59

Lean: Louisiana plus points

Thursday night, Sept. 2, I also kicked off the first full week with a big ‘Dog on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (+14) protecting home turf against No. 4 rated Ohio State in one of the many Big Ten battles to start the season opening week.

FairwayJay is a proven sports handicapper and is recognized as one of the sports industry’s most insightful analysts. Reach him as interested with comments, suggestions or chip-ins along with inquiries for contract work and media inquiries at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at @FairwayJay