College Football 2017 Week 1 Lines: Betting Odds For Top 25 Games

Jim Harbaugh Michigan — Michigan is among the betting favorites in Week 1 of the 2017 college football season. Pictured: Head coach Jim Harbaugh argues a call on the sideline during the second half against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium on Nove. 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. Getty Images

The 2017 college football season technically first began on Aug. 26, but it finally gets in full swing this weekend. Two teams ranked in the AP Top 25 made their debuts Thursday night, and the rest will take the field over the next four days.

Because there is no preseason, most of the nation’s top teams face overmatched competition in their first game. That makes for some interesting betting odds, with several teams favored by multiple touchdowns and some forcing oddsmakers to create point spreads close to 40 points. Other games are expected to be so one-sided that there is no available betting line 24 hours before kickoff.

No.7 Oklahoma is the biggest betting favorite on the upcoming schedule. They are giving 43 points to UTEP, who is coming off a 4-8 campaign in 2016.

Defending national champion Clemson isn’t far behind the Sooners. Even after losing starting quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Wayne Gallman to the NFL, the Tigers are 39.5-point favorites over visiting Kent State.

That’s not to say there won’t be some exciting games on opening weekend. In fact, one of the best games of the entire season is scheduled for Saturday night. No.1 Alabama is a seven-point favorite over No.3 Florida State in a contest featuring two teams that have a real chance to make the College Football Playoff.

The Crimson Tide have been underdogs just once in their last 98 games, and they are usually favored by double-digits. Saturday night’s betting line would be at least 10 points if the contest were being played in Tuscaloosa, but Alabama and FSU will square off at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Three games this weekend will include two ranked teams. No.11 Michigan is less than a touchdown favorite over No.17 Florida, but the smallest point spread comes in Sunday’s neutral-site game between No.22 West Virginia and No.1 Virginia.

Below are the complete betting lines for all the Week 1 college football games with top-25 teams, including the point spreads and totals. These are the consensus odds from multiple sportsbooks in Las Vegas and online, via OddsShark.

Friday

Utah State (+27) at No.9 Wisconsin, 51.5

Saturday

Kent State (+39.5) vs. No.5 Clemson, 51

Akron (+30.5) at No.6 Penn State, 66

Maryland (+18.5) at No.23 Texas, 56

Bethune-Cookman (N/A) at No.18 Miami

UTEP (+43) at No.7 Oklahoma, 64

No.11 Michigan (-5) vs. No.17 Florida, 43

Stony Brook (N/A) at No.19 South Florida

Western Michigan (+26.5) at No.4 USC, 57.5

Appalachian St. (+14) at No.15 Georgia, 45.5