College Football 2018 Odds: Notre Dame, Washington, Miami Among Week 1 Betting Underdogs

We’re less than two weeks away from the official start of the 2018 college football season, and the betting lines are set for several marquee matchups. With a few ranked teams set to open the year against opponents that are also in the Top 25, a couple of College Football Playoff contenders are bound to begin the season with a loss.

Four games are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 25, but Week 1 officially extends through the following weekend. Virginia Tech, Washington, Notre Dame and Miami are all ranked no worse than No.17 in the preseason coaches poll, but each team is an underdog in their season opener.

The betting odds favor No.1 Alabama by nearly four touchdowns, and No.3 Ohio State is laying more than five touchdowns against their opponent. No.5 Oklahoma and No.9 Penn State are both favored by more than 20 points, as well.

No.6 Washington is the best team that’s an underdog in Week 1. They are getting a field goal against No.11 Auburn in a neutral site game at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Tigers will be less than a two-hour drive from home, while the Huskies will have to travel more than 2,600 miles.

The contest between No.11 Notre Dame and No.14 Michigan might be the biggest game on the Week 1 schedule. The Fighting Irish are early two-point underdogs, despite being ranked three spots higher by the coaches and playing at home. Notre Dame’s only loss in South Bend last year came by a point to Georgia, who went on to play in the national championship game.

No.8 Miami is a three-point underdog against No.24 LSU at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, Sept. 2 in the night’s only game. No.17 Virginia Tech and No.19 Florida State are the only contest scheduled for the following night, and the Seminoles are favored by nearly a touchdown at home.

Colorado State is favored by two touchdowns over Hawaii on the very first night of college football this year.

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