We’re only 86 days away from the kickoff to the college football season. While some of the bigger Week 1 games have had spreads posted for a while, lines have now been posted for every all-FBS game in Week 0 and Week 1.
Using my power ratings, I’ve identified three early college football predictions for Week 0 and Week 1. Read on for my free college football picks.
Early NCAAF predictions for Week 0 & Week 1
Nevada +4
Stanford (-3) vs. 
Hawaii
My power ratings make the Stanford Cardinal around a 4.5-point favorite. A 1.5-point difference might not sound like a big overlay, but when you’re dealing with a key number of 3, it’s enough for me to make the Cardinal a best bet.
Last year’s meeting between the two teams saw Stanford lead 10-0 early on the road. The Cardinal still led 20-17 in the fourth quarter and were deep in Hawaii territory, but an interception changed momentum. Hawaii got two late FGs to win 23-20.
I bring up last year’s game because I thought Stanford was the better team (outrushed Hawaii 177-96) and should have won. Now the Cardinal go from a long flight to hosting Hawaii with revenge.
On top of that, Stanford is the much more experienced team this year. The Cardinal return 12 starters, while Hawaii returns only seven. Stanford ranks No. 33 in Bill Connelly’s returning production, while Hawaii is only No. 101.
Stanford is the better and more experienced team. They are at home with the revenge angle. That’s exactly what I’m looking for when making a bet this time of year.
- Date/Time: Saturday, August 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ACCN
UNLV(-3) vs. 
Memphis
Similar to the Stanford best bet, my power ratings make the UNLV Rebels around a 4.5-point favorite here.
UNLV has quietly become one of the better Group of Six programs in the country. The Rebels have won 30 games the last three years, and that includes some big-time victories over non-conference opponents like Vanderbilt, Houston, Kansas, California, and UCLA.
UNLV returns only six starters. However, they do bring back their top player in RB Jai’Den Thomas, who ran for 1,036 yards last year. They also welcome in QB Jackson Arnold, who’s been a starter at Oklahoma and Auburn.
Remember, UNLV head coach Dan Mullen is one of the better QB coaches in college football history. He’s coached Tim Tebow, Dak Prescott, and certainly got the most out of transfer Anthony Colandrea last year (4,108 total yards).
On the other side, Memphis returns only two starters and has a new coaching staff. The Tigers welcome in a combined 75 new players to their roster, which is the most out of any Group of Six team in the country.
I’m guessing a new roster and staff won’t be hitting on all cylinders in the first game of the season.
- Date/Time: Saturday, August 29 at 10:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FOX
Nevada (+4) vs. 
Western Kentucky
My power ratings made Western Kentucky only a 3-point favorite here.
The two teams played last year, with Western Kentucky winning 31-16. It was a very misleading final as the Nevada Wolf Pack led 13-10 entering the fourth quarter and the Wolf Pack had a 372-361 yard edge.
WKU scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes to get the cover, including a 48-yard onside kick returned for a TD that was featured on Scott Van Pelt’s “Bad Beats” segment.
Both teams have the same head coaches, so I think last year’s matchup is a relevant data point. However, WKU is on their sixth different offensive coordinator in seven years.
Nevada ranks higher in Bill Connelly’s returning production (No. 91 vs. No. 133), and this is the latest start time and longest travel spot for Western Kentucky in four years.
- Date/Time: Saturday, September 5 at 10:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: CBSSN
NCAAF odds for biggest games of Week 0 & Week 1
- TCU -6.5 vs. North Carolina (Dublin, Ireland)
- Virginia -4.5 vs. NC State
- Georgia Tech -7 vs. Colorado
- California -1.5 vs. UCLA
- Oregon -24.5 vs. Boise State
- Auburn -6.5 vs. Baylor (Atlanta, GA)
- LSU -10.5 vs. Clemson
- Notre Dame -20.5 vs. Wisconsin (Green Bay, WI)
- Ole Miss -6.5 vs. Louisville (Nashville, TN)
- SMU -2.5 vs. Florida State
As we get closer to the season, I will have more Week 0 and Week 1 best bets while also breaking down some of the bigger games.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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