The moment has arrived – Week 0 is finally here! The extensive and eventful offseason is now behind us, and the 2023 NCAAF season is ready to kick off. The quest for a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff starts this Saturday and will continue until December.
The previous season’s NCAAF showdown witnessed Georgia winning over TCU, securing its second consecutive national title. Could we witness a third win in a row by the Bulldogs this season? The potential is undoubtedly there.
They are priced up at +250 to be NCAA Champion again. A $100 bet would return $350
With the offseason now finished, focus shifts to the first week of games. It serves as a delightful appetizer for avid NCAAF fans. The odds for these matchups were set a few months ago and have already experienced shifts, prompting Vegas Betting to offer our initial observations on these lines.
NCAAF Opening Game Picks
Navy vs Notre Dame – Saturday, August 26
Historically, supporting service academies when they’re receiving a spread of more than 14 points has proven to be a consistently profitable trend over the years.
Several factors contribute to this trend, possibly due to the challenge of accurately assessing the Navy’s playing style, leading to increased unpredictability in their games.
Their unique approach often introduces more variability to matchups. Additionally, the introduction of the Navy’s new offensive scheme, orchestrated by new offensive coordinator Grant Chesnut from Kennesaw State, could potentially introduce an element of surprise, adding to the unpredictability.
While still rooted in the triple-option style, the new playbook might incorporate more RPO (Run-Pass Option) and short passing plays, adding a layer of uncertainty for Notre Dame’s defense, which is relatively untested.
The offseason saw Sam Hartman’s prominent transfer to the quarterback position. His presence is expected to bolster Notre Dame’s previously modest offensive performance in the long term. However, in the opening game, a challenging match against a seasoned Navy defense boasting a significant amount of returning production from the previous season could lead to initial struggles for the Irish.
Although data for both teams in this NCAAF Week 0 matchup is limited, the historical context indicates that the service academy tends to thrive in such scenarios.
Therefore, we are picking Navy +20.5 vs Notre Dame at -105, with Bovada
San Jose State Spartans vs USC Trojans – Saturday, August 26
USC undoubtedly enters the upcoming season fueled with huge motivation. The Trojans suffered a challenging setback in the Pac-12 Championship Game. They fell 47-24 with an injured Williams, missing out on a coveted opportunity to secure a spot in the NCAAF Playoff.
The subsequent late-game stumble against Tulane in the Cotton Bowl further compounded their frustrations, serving as an unfortunate finale to a season that had been nearly unblemished. The narrow loss to Utah by a single point stood as the only stain on an otherwise flawless regular season campaign.
We are picking San Jose State +30.5 vs USC at -110, with Bovada.
San Jose State +30.5 vs USCSan Jose State Spartans vs USC Trojans
Before the season starts, make sure to take a look at the other NCAAF futures markets offered by Bovada.
Caleb Williams stands as the favorite in the race for the Heisman Trophy. Trailing closely behind him are several other prominent quarterbacks. Texas’ Quinn Ewers and LSU’s Jayden Daniels featured among the contenders.
Bovada is offering generous odds of +550 for Caleb Williams. A $100 bet would return $650
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.