Aug 25, 2025
admin
It’s finally here, a full slate of live football games. Week 1 features a bevy of games but none more prominent than the matchup between #1 Texas at #3 Ohio State. The line for this game has been slowly creeping down ever since it was published weeks ago. The opening line had Ohio State -3. But as bets came pouring in the line crept downward off that key number. It went to OSU -2.5, then OSU -2, and now sportsbooks like BetOnline.ag are showing OSU -1.5 About 60% of the action has been placed on Texas at this point.
People see that #1 ranking and the fact that Texas is featuring the Manning kid at QB. But it’s important to remember that college football isn’t do-or-die anymore. A team like Texas can lose this game and another, play in the Big 12 Championship game and still make the College Football Playoffs. The pressure isn’t the same as it used to be when it was more like one-and-done.
List of Games
Here is a list of marquee games for week 1 of the 2025-26 season of College Football. These are games that have relevance to the hunt for the national championship. WE are including line movement and other information as well.
- Thursday, August 28, 2025:
- Boise State (-6.5) at South Florida (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): A key Group of 5 matchup featuring two competitive teams. Boise State is favored, but South Florida has seen betting support, moving the spread from +9.5 to +6.5, indicating public interest in a potential upset. The total is set at 63.5, suggesting an expectation of points.
- Saturday, August 30, 2025:
- Texas (+1.5) at Ohio State (-1.5) (12:00 p.m. ET, FOX): A blockbuster clash between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State, considered a potential National Championship preview. The line has tightened from -3 to -1.5 for Ohio State, with the total at 47.5, reflecting strong defensive expectations. The under (47.5) is a popular bet, hitting in nearly 60% of simulations.
- Alabama (-13.5) at Florida State (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC): A high-stakes game with Alabama favored by 13.5 points. Public betting has heavily backed Alabama, moving the line from +3.5 to -13.5, with 63% of bets on the Crimson Tide against the spread. The total is set at 50.5, with 60% of bettors favoring the over.
- LSU (+4) at Clemson (-4) (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC): A marquee matchup with Clemson favored by 4 points. LSU is a popular underdog pick, with SportsLine’s model projecting them to cover in over 60% of simulations. The total is 57.5, with 57% of bets on the over, indicating expectations of a competitive, high-scoring game.
- Utah (-6.5) at UCLA (11:00 p.m. ET): A former Pac-12 rivalry now a non-conference game, with Utah gaining momentum as a 6.5-point favorite, up from -3.5 over the summer. The total is 50.5, with 53% of bets on the over, reflecting public interest in Utah’s strong futures market buzz.
- Sunday, August 31, 2025:
- Virginia Tech (+7.5) vs. South Carolina (-7.5) (3:00 p.m. ET, ESPN, Atlanta): A neutral-site game with South Carolina favored by 7.5 points. The total has moved from 45.5 to 50.5, with 62% of bets on the over, showing public expectation of a high-scoring affair. South Carolina is backed by 75% of bettors against the spread.
- Notre Dame (-2.5) at Miami (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC): A high-profile rivalry game with Notre Dame favored by 2.5 points. The game has a tight spread, with 74% of bets on Notre Dame against the spread and a 51% split on the under, indicating a close contest with significant betting interest.
- Monday, September 1, 2025:
- TCU (-3.5) at North Carolina (8:00 p.m. ET): A standalone Monday night game featuring TCU as a 3.5-point favorite, with 56% of bets on the Horned Frogs against the spread. The total is 58.5, with 53% of bets on the over, suggesting public anticipation of an offensive battle.
These games are highlighted due to their involvement of ranked teams, significant betting line movements, or high public betting interest.