Here’s a Look at Some Week 1 Matchups for Those Who Bet on NCAAF

No Lack of Tantalizing Matchups First Week of CFB Season

Brian Kelly leads LSU against Florida State, Notre Dame meets Ohio State and former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning brings his Oregon team to face the defending national champions. Those are just some of the intriguing matchups in the NCAAF first week of the season. Fortunately, the matchups and scores of powerhouse teams facing overmatched opponents won’t be too prevalent in the opening week. For those who love to bet on NCAAF, here’s a breakdown of some of the games to look at.

West Virginia vs Pittsburgh

Both teams will be relying on transfers at quarterback. JT Daniels came from Georgia to West Virginia while the new Pittsburgh quarterback following the departure of first-round pick Kenny Pickett will be former USC standout Kedon Slovis. Star receiver Jordan Addison is among the players who transferred out of Pitt.

The teams met every season from 1997-2011, typically around Thanksgiving, with West Virginia taking nine of those contests. However, this will be the first meeting between the school since a West Virginia 21-20 win in 2011. Not that the trends matter much with so much time that has elapsed since the most recent meeting, but the team that won also covered in 13 of the last 14 meetings.

Pittsburgh is currently favored by 6.5 points with the total set at 54.

Penn State Nittany Lions vs Purdue Boilermakers

These conference rivals haven’t met since 2019. The average margin of victory in the last four games between the teams has been 26.3 points. With Penn State favored by 3.5 points, a much closer game is expected when the teams play on Sept. 1. The total is 54.5 which is a sign that Penn State’s defense could slow down Purdue’s passing offense. This is one of the top conference games in Week 1 of the NCAAF week 1.

Penn State has won the last nine games in the series with the last win by Purdue coming in 2004. Purdue is 3-3-1 against the spread in the last seven meetings with the Nittany Lions. Penn State put 62 points up the last time.

Aidan O’Connell received a sixth year of eligibility as he will be the unquestioned starting quarterback at Purdue for the second season in a row. Replacing receiver Jahan Dotson will be no easy task for Penn State. Defensive lineman Cole Brevard transferred from Penn State to Purdue so that will be an interesting storyline leading into the game.

Utah Utes vs Florida Gators

There would probably be more made of the fact that Urban Meyer coached both of these programs if not for his disastrous and rather brief run with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. It does make for a matchup to watch on the NCAAF schedule.

First-year Florida coach Billy Napier brought three of his players with him from Louisiana, the game could have added meaning for linebacker Mohamoud Diabate who transferred from Florida to Utah.

When the teams play on Sept. 3, Utah should be favored as the line has the Utes as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 53 at the current time.

Louisville Cardinals vs Syracuse Orange

Malik Cunningham will look to build on an impressive 2021 season for Louisville when he threw for nearly 3000 yards and ran for more than 1000. Syracuse’s Sean Tucker should be one of the top running backs in the ACC.

Louisville has won seven of the last games against Syracuse and covered in each of those victories. The Cardinals averaged 42.3 points in the three most recent matchups with the Orange.

Another interesting showdown on Sept. 3 with Louisville the three-point favorite. The 59-point total does seem a little on the low side.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Ohio State Buckeyes

This is about as good as it gets for people who bet on NCAAF with two teams that could be in the running for the national title going head to head.

Ohio State features quarterback C.J. Stroud, the current favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njiba and running back TreVeyon Henderson could be the best returning player at their respective positions.

With Brian Kelly off to LSU, Marcus Freeman debuts as the Notre Dame head coach. Tight end Michael Mayer is one of the pro prospects to keep an eye on for the Fighting Irish.

The teams haven’t met in the regular season since 1995 when Ohio State rolled to a 45-26 win.

Ohio State is currently favored by 14.5 points with the total set at 58 when the teams meet on Sept. 3.

Oregon Ducks vs Georgia Bulldogs

This will be the debut for head coach Dan Lanning at Oregon. He’ll see some familiar faces considering that he was the architect of Georgia’s dominating defense before getting the chance with the Ducks. This is another matchup that will attract plenty of action among those who bet on NCAAF.

Georgia lost many of the stars off of its defense with Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, and Lewis Cine all going in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Nolan Smith leads the list of key returnees on defense.

Former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix is now at Oregon while linebacker Noah Sewell will be up for multiple national awards in 2022.

The afternoon game at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Georgia has the Bulldogs favored by 17.5 with the total set at 51.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs Arkansas Razorbacks

Cincinnati does not shy away from challenging non-conference games. Arkansas is a little underrated with the eighth-best odds to win the SEC title in the upcoming season. KJ Jefferson will look to build on his 2021 campaign when he threw for 21 touchdowns and had just four interceptions. He was also the leading rusher for the Razorbacks. His return is one of the reasons why Arkansas is favored by seven points in the 2022 season opener. The total comes in at 54.

Quarterback Desmond Ridder, leading rusher Jerome Ford and top receiver Alec Peirce are all off to the NFL but Cincinnati is still a very talented squad, especially with the additions of receiver Nick Mardner, linebacker Ivan Pace, defensive lineman Noah Potter and running back Corey Kiner.

Florida State Seminoles vs LSU Tigers

In a wild offseason, there might have been no more surprising move than head coach Brian Kelly leaving Notre Dame to take over at LSU. LSU had top-five-rated recruiting classes in 2019, 2020, and 2021 so there will be plenty of talent for Kelly to work with.

Former Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels is now at LSU while the defense will be aided by the arrival of transfers Mekhi Wingo, Sevyn Banks, Jarrick Bernard, and Kolbe Fields.

Florida State’s Jordan Travis will look to improve after having 15 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2021. Safety Jammie Robinson is earning plenty of honors in the preseason.

LSU is favored by 2.5 points for the Sept. 3 game at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The total is 51.5.