The first college football games of the season kicked off on Saturday, Aug. 28. The biggest teams in the land, though, don’t play until this week. Check out Nitrobetting odds, analysis, and free picks for the top games in College Football Week 1.

Be sure to check out the latest 2021 College Football odds and lines at our online Bitcoin sportsbook before placing your bets this season!

Top 2021 College Football Week 1 Games to Bet On

The FIRST win of the 2021 College Football season belongs to @IlliniFootball ? pic.twitter.com/XexL1Y7dqH

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 28, 2021

Boise State Broncos at UCF Knights

• When: Thursday, September 2nd, 6:00pm ET
• Where: 3MG Stadium, Orlando, Florida
• 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds: UCF Knights -5

Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel has the skills to play on Sundays. He should ensure the Knights score against a strong Boise State defense. This happens on UCF’s field. Although the line is higher than we’d like, it’s tough to go against the home team.

2021 College Football Week 1 Pick: Central Florida

#4 Ohio State Buckeyes at Minnesota Golden Gophers

• When: Thursday, September 2nd, 7:00pm ET
• Where: TCF Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds: Ohio State Buckeyes -14
• Betting Preview: Click Here

Most believe Ohio State easily covers this spread. Before jumping on the Buckeyes, though, realize that Minnesota starts 10 seniors on offense, including every player along the offensive line and quarterback Tanner Morgan. Ohio State must replace Justin Fields at QB. We’re taking the points.

2021 College Football Week 1 Pick: Minnesota

#10 North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Tech Hokies

• When: Friday, September 3rd, 5:00pm ET
• Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
• 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds: North Carolina Tar Heels -5.5
• Betting Preview: Click Here

Virginia Tech always fields a top defense. The Hokies could be a surprise team in the ACC. Unfortunately for VA Tech and their fans, though, the first game won’t impress. North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell Jr. is one of the best in the nation. He’ll ensure UNC covers the spread.

2021 College Football Week 1 Pick: North Carolina

#19 Penn State Nittany Lions at #12 Wisconsin Badgers

• When: Saturday, September 4th, 6:00pm ET
• Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
• 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds: Wisconsin Badgers -5.5

At -3, which is where it opened, Wisconsin was a decent play. The Badgers should be better than Penn State this season. But since oddsmakers set the line, Wisconsin has become an underlay. It’s not that the Lions should beat the Badgers. But Wisconsin may not be 5 points better than Penn State. In fact, based on our handicapping, they aren’t. We must take the points.

2021 College Football Week 1 Pick: Penn State

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #14 Miami Hurricanes

• When: Saturday, September 4th, 2:30pm ET
• Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
• 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds: Alabama Crimson Tide -18.5

Everyone knows Nick Saban reloads. Not only that, but quarterback Bryce Young is the favorite to win the Heisman. Still, it’s hard to lay so many points on Alabama taking on Miami at a neutral site. First, not only did the Tide lose QB Mac Jones, but they also lost WR DeVonta Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner, and RB Najee Harris. Also, Miami can counter Young with the brilliant D’Eriq King. Back the Canes.

2021 College Football Week 1 Pick: Miami-FL

#17 Indiana Hoosiers at #18 Iowa Hawkeyes

• When: Saturday, September 4th, 2:30pm ET
• Where: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
• 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds: Iowa Hawkeyes -3.5

Iowa will be a good football team. But although always good, the Hawkeyes are never great. Indiana has the chance to be a great football team because Michael Penix Jr. is a legit Heisman Trophy contender. Consider backing the Hoosiers on the moneyline.

2021 College Football Week 1 Pick: Indiana

#23 Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns at #21 Texas Longhorns

• When: Saturday, September 4th, 3:30pm ET
• Where: Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
• 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds: Texas Longhorns -8

The line opened at Texas -9. Since then, both Saturday handicappers and pro handicappers have dumped on the Cajuns. Although Texas will eventually be a good team, it will take time for new HC Steve Sarkisian to get every Longhorn on the same page. Louisiana-Lafayette could upset Texas SU in this.

2021 College Football Week 1 Pick: Louisiana-Lafayette

San Jose State Spartans at #15 USC Trojans

• When: Saturday, September 4th, 6:00pm ET
• Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
• 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds: USC Trojans -14

On Aug. 28, San Jose State blasted Southern Utah 45-14. The Spartans are a good football team. USC is better but asking the Trojans to cover a -14 spread is asking a lot. USC played regular season games last season. SJSU figures to make this much closer than the spread.

2021 College Football Week 1 Pick: San Jose State

#5 Georgia Bulldogs vs. #3 Clemson Tigers

• When: Saturday, September 4th, 6:00pm ET
• Where: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
• 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds: Clemson Rigers -3

This game happens in Charlotte. So even though Clemson will have more fans, Georgia fans will, no doubt, make the trip. The Tigers don’t have much of a homefield advantage and the jury is out on whether their quarterback, D.J. Uiagalelei, is better than Clemson’s quarterback, JT Daniels. Georgia’s defense could be better than Clemson’s, which means the odds on Dabo Swinney’s squad make the Tigers an underlay. Consider the Dawgs on the moneyline.

2021 College Football Week 1 Pick: Georgia

#16 LSU Tigers -4 at UCLA Bruins

• When: Saturday, September 4th, 6:00pm ET
• Where: 3MG Stadium, Orlando, Florida
• 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds: UCF Kngihts -5

UCLA blitzed Hawaii 44-10 in their first game. Although we like to favor teams with experience, the Bruins’ victory over the Warriors may have the opposite effect. On Saturday, UCLA faces cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and one of the best defenses in college football. UCLA may not score a touchdown. So, yes, we like LSU to cover.

2021 College Football Week 1 Pick: LSU

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