Here we go for Week 1 of FBS college football, kind of Week 2 for FCS, and what an interesting slate it is. I had four picks in Week 0 for FBS and FCS; however, the article was mistakenly not posted. Those picks were Jacksonville State +7, Memphis +6.5, Fordham +10.5, and Southern Utah +16.5, and I had the dogs barking with a 3-1 record. This week, I had to go searching, but I was able to find some more puppies to back.
College Football Week 1: Miami Hurricanes @ Stanford Cardinal
The first game I will be wagering on this weekend takes us to Palo Alto, CA, where we will see Andrew Luck’s squad, who took out Hawai’i in late, backdoor cover fashion, taking on Mario Cristobal’s last-year runner-up Hurricanes. The Cardinal is getting 24.5 points as an underdog, which to me seems a little steep in terms of power rating differential.
When it comes to power ratings, Adam Burke over at VSiN has this game at a 20-point line, Jeff Sagarin has it around a 25.5-point line, Steve Makinen at VSiN has the line at 21.5, and ESPN power ratings make this a 21-point line. While one of these spread projections is not necessarily linear with the others, I believe this game is going to be closer than it is anticipated, so give me Stanford +24.5.
College Football Week 1: Tarleton State Texans @ Bowling Green Falcons
My second pick for the week takes me across the amber waves of grain to Bowling Green, OH, where Eddie George’s Falcons will take on the Tarleton State Texans. Let me take you back to last CFB season, when the Texans went into Mitchie Stadium and beat the Army Black Knights in double overtime by 3 points as 14.5-point underdogs. Now here we are to kick off the 2026 CFB season, and Tarleton find themselves as a 2.5-point underdog as they face Bowling Green.
Most power ratings project this game to go the opposite way on the line. Steve Makinen’s power ratings project this line as Bowling Green being a 3.5-4 point underdog, and Jeff Sagarin’s ratings were right there to match as well. I have a good feeling that the Falcons may underestimate the Texans and find themselves in a hole they cannot get out of. I will take Tarleton State here and buy the line up to +3 just to play it safe.
College Football Week 1: FCS Dabbles and Leans
In the past, I have not been much of an FCS bettor or even follower. This season, I want to make more of a commitment to it and give it the respect it deserves. This inspiration comes from the CFB betting golden boys over at SGPN, Ryan “Moneyline Mac” McIntyre and Colby “Pick Dundee” Dant.
I will pick a couple of FCS exclusive games here, and the first one I am locking up is Lehigh -18.5, who is facing Georgetown. I think Georgetown may still have their heads stuck in that lightning delay from last week, so give me the far more dominant team in Lehigh here.
My second FCS exclusive pick is Weber State +15.5, who is taking on a Southern Utah team that is coming off of a close loss to the Montana Griz. I feel that this may be a letdown spot for Southern Utah after coming off of a loss to a great opponent. On the other hand, Weber State is being led by former Ohio State Buckeye QB Devin Brown, so I am all in on these cats.
College Football Week 1: Football is Back Baby
There is no stopping football fans from now until February; we had CFB back last weekend and a full slate this weekend, with the NFL to follow next week. I may add some additional picks for Saturday, and if I do, you can find those on our main page. Let’s lock in, find some winners, and do nothing but watch ball!
