2023 College Football Season Betting Guide

By Hank Blaine • June 21, 2023

College football always has more turnover than the NFL. Although turnover makes it difficult to handicap games, it’s also difficult for oddsmakers to set correct betting lines. With that in mind, keep reading for tips on how you can make money in the first few weeks of this upcoming college football season.

How to Make Money Betting on the First Weeks of the 2023 College Football Season

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— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) June 20, 2023

Back teams with returning quarterbacks to cover the spread

Early in the season, consistency matters. Quarterback consistency is the most important factor for any football team, NCAAF or NFL. We list the top ten returning quarterbacks. Caleb Williams is at the top because he won the Heisman Trophy last season.

Caleb Williams – USC Trojans
Jordan Travis – Florida State Seminoles
Drake Maye – North Carolina Tar Heels
Michael Penix Jr. – Washington Huskies
Jayden Daniels – LSU Tigers
Bo Nix – Oregon Ducks
Sam Hartman – Notre Dame Fighting Irish
JJ McCarthy – Michigan Wolverines
Michael Pratt – Tulane Green Wave
KJ Jefferson – Arkansas Razorbacks

Start with returning quarterbacks. It will take time for signal-callers at teams like Alabama and Georgia to get into a groove. So instead of targeting teams like the Tide and the Dawgs to cover spreads, look to back squads with returning QBs.

Home teams often play great in the first few weeks of the season

Home is where it’s at. In the first month of the season, home teams have an edge. But don’t blindly back home teams to cover.

For example, Alabama is a -6.5 favorite over a powerhouse squad like Texas because the game happens in Tuscaloosa. Texas’ quarterback Quinn Ewers played well last season and ensures the Longhorns have an edge under center.

Look for teams with experienced offensive lines to cover the spread

Teams with experienced offensive lines always give their team an edge to cover. Here’s a list of the top 10 offensive lines in the nation.

Texas Longhorns
Michigan Wolverines
Georgia Bulldogs
LSU Tigers
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Alabama Crimson Tide
USC Trojans
Utah Utes
Kansas State Wildcats
Florida State Seminoles

So the key here is to pair the top offensive lines with the top quarterbacks and then think about the spread. For example, in their first game, LSU takes on Florida State.

The Tigers are -2.5 versus the Seminoles. Are FSU’s offensive line and Jordan Travis enough to back the Seminoles at +2.5 or even on the moneyline?

Bet over under totals based on offense, not defense

In the NFL, defenses have the upper hand early due to consistency on both sides of the ball. But in college, offenses have the early edge because defensive coordinators don’t have enough film to determine what teams will do.

For example, Alabama threw the ball a lot last season because Bryce Young was their starting quarterback. This season, Nick Saban doesn’t know who his starting quarterback will be. There’s a chance the Tide is a rushing team, but defensive coordinators won’t know until Bama actually plays.

So when handicapping game totals, consider offenses first. Then determine if the defense can contain the opposing offense.

Handicap coaches and offensive coordinators as much as you handicap individual player matchups

It’s important to notice coordinator changes. Let’s go to Alabama again for an example. After last season, Bill O’Brien, Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator took the same position with Bill Belichick in the NFL. O’Brien is the New England Patriots new offensive coordinator.

Saban hired Tommy Rees from Notre Dame. Rees will call plays from Saban’s playbook. So early on, Alabama will run Nick Saban’s strategy.

How will that effect Bama’s ability to score points? Nobody is sure, but we can look to Saban’s past teams, think the Derrick Henry days, for clues.

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Check out our latest bitcoin betting guides for the 2023-24 College Football season. Stay tuned for more football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest NCAAF betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.