The NCAAF went properly last weekend with the Week 1 round of fixtures. So now, with Week 2 almost upon us, it’s time for some more of our free NCAAF betting picks.
Most of the main teams got their campaigns underway last weekend after the Week 0 fixtures a week earlier, and this weekend it’s the Pac-12 taking center stage, with Stanford v USC picking the fixtures.
Last weekend we got our first opportunity to see the main favorites in action, and it’s fair to say they didn’t disappoint. The overall favorite to be crowned NCAA National Champion in 2023 is the Alabama Crimson Tide, and they underlined their favorites tag by destroying Utah State by 55 points to nil.
Despite this, the Crimson Tide has seen their odds slightly drift in the latest Vegas NCAAF betting odds to win the title. Before last weekend’s win, they were +175, now +200. Elsewhere in the betting, the Georgia Bulldogs’ odds have remained the same at +350, but they are up to second favorites.
Ohio State is the big mover in the odds of winning the National Championship. Their less than convincing win (21-10) over the Fighting Irish has seen their odds drift from +300 second favorites to +400 third favorites. The latest odds from our recommended NCAAF betting sites can be found below.
| NCAAF 2023 National Championship Betting |  |
|---|---|
| Alabama Crimson Tide | +200 |
| Georgia Bulldogs | +350 |
| Ohio State | +400 |
| Clemson Tigers | +1200 |
| USC | +1600 |
BetOnline provides our odds. You can check out our BetOnline sportsbook review for more great betting offers.
So, what are the biggest and best matches this weekend? Let’s take a look and get some NCAAF betting picks.
The spread on the Crimson Tide is far lower this weekend; it’s 20.5 to be exact. On the Moneyline Nick Saban’s team is -1400 to win, with the Longhorns at +800.
On the total points market, the marker is set at 65.5 points, so where is the best value here?
Both sides won last weekend. As mentioned, Alabama won 55-0, while Texas defeated LA Monroe 52-10.
The Longhorns are going to cause Alabama more problems than Utah State did, but will it be enough to beat the handicap? I don’t think it will, therefore I’m making a win for the Crimson Tide on the handicap market, my first pick for the weekend.
The Fighting Irish gave a good account of themselves against Ohio State last weekend and will take plenty of confidence into their first-ever meeting with Marshall. This is the Fighting Irish’s first home match of the season, and they will want to put on a show for their fans.
As for the Thundering Herd, they are on record saying they are looking to cause an upset.
The betting odds suggest that Charles Huff’s team (+900) will fall short of that prediction on the Moneyline, but can they beat the spread?
The Fighting Irish (-1600) kept things tight last weekend, and I’m expecting more of the same this week. I’m not going near the over 50.5 spread on the total points market, as I’m not sure if it will come in. I was tempted on unders, but I like another bet more.
I will take the Fighting Irish to win on the handicap instead. At 20.5, I can see them beating that, and at -110, I think that’s a decent value pick.
Finally, I want to look at the Panthers’ clash with the Volunteers. This looks like a close clash on paper. The best sportsbooks make the Panthers +180 on the Moneyline, with the Volunteers at -220.
On the handicap, Tennessee is giving Pittsburgh a 6 points start, while the total points spread is 67.5.
In their opening matches, Pittsburgh was pushed by West Virginia, winning 38-31. At the same time, the Volunteers won 59-10 against Ball State.
If I were going near the Moneyline, I would probably go for the Panthers purely for the value, but I’m not convinced they will win. I did originally think that 67.5 seemed a touch high on the total points market but looking at the score lines from last weekend for both these sides, maybe the marker is spot on.
For my final pick, I’m going to stick with my initial instinct, though. As I alluded to, I initially thought that 67.5 points seemed a bit high. So for my betting pick, I’m going for under 67.5 total points in the match between the Panthers and the Volunteers.
