CFB betting: Biggest games of Week 1

The first full slate of Saturday college football games is finally here. Each week we'll look at the biggest games on the college football card to see how they are being bet and which way the line is moving. Week 1 is headlined by a matchup between two top-20 teams, with the Oregon Ducks and Auburn Tigers set to face off in Arlington, Texas.

Auburn Tigers vs. Oregon Ducks

Line: Auburn -2.5

This line opened Auburn -2.5 and moved to the Tigers laying 3.5 at most sportsbooks, despite the bets coming in close to 50-50 on both teams. A couple of sportsbooks even went to -4. As of Wednesday, the line had gone back to Auburn -2.5. Sharps hit the Tigers early at -2.5 and then bought back (betting the other side) on Oregon once it got to +3.5, trying to middle the game. If Auburn wins by three points, bettors who have Auburn -2.5 and Oregon +3.5 cash both wagers.

Auburn has one of the top defensive lines in the country. Oregon counters with the most experienced offensive line in the FBS, with 153 career starts among them. That's the most combined returning starts for any program's offensive line since 2011. The Ducks also have an edge at quarterback with Heisman Trophy candidate Justin Herbert returning for his senior season, while Auburn's Bo Nix will make his first career start Saturday.

Auburn -3 looks like the right number here, and that's where it's been hovering for the last two months. If you can get Oregon +3.5 or more, there is some value in taking the dog.

Northwestern Wildcats at Stanford Cardinal

Line: Stanford -6.5

The line for this game opened Stanford -6.5 and hasn't moved. Northwestern is a popular Week 1 public play, and for good reason. The Wildcats are 13-3-1 against the spread with 10 outright wins in their last 17 games as an underdog. Northwestern has also won a school-record eight straight true road games.

Though Stanford welcomes back quarterback K.J. Costello, it's still one of the least experienced teams in the country, with only nine starters and 54 percent of its overall production returning from last season. The Cardinal have won 11 consecutive home openers by an average of 25 points, but this pesky Northwestern squad is a different class of opponent.

This seems like a low-scoring, defensive battle. Considering Northwestern's amazing underdog run, it's hard to lay close to a touchdown with Stanford in this spot.

Boise State Broncos vs. Florida State Seminoles

Line: Florida State - 4.5

Is Florida State back? Bettors seem to think so. FSU opened -4 over Boise State on a neutral field at the Westgate LV SuperBook, but that line quickly moved to -5.5 before settling at 4.5.

FSU is expected to be much better this year with 16 returning starters but could be overvalued early in the season. The Seminoles closed out 2018 by losing four of their last five games by at least 19 points, with a 22-21 home win over Boston College being the only victory over that span.

Boise returns seven starters on defense but will be breaking in true freshman quarterback Hank Bachmeier on Saturday. The Broncos are 6-5 straight up versus Power 5 teams over the last five years, although five of those wins came against Pac-12 opponents. Boise State got blown out 44-21 at Oklahoma State last season and lost to Virginia 42-23 in 2017. Florida State is a little overvalued here based on expectations for the upcoming season, but with Boise State starting a new quarterback, the game looks like a pass.

Houston Cougars at Oklahoma Sooners

Line: Oklahoma -23

Oklahoma opened -26 at home and the line felt a little high. Bettors agreed. Early money on Houston knocked the number all the way down to Oklahoma -23.5 at the SuperBook and many other shops.

Houston is a dangerous underdog. The Cougars had a ton of injuries on defense last season and stud quarterback D'Eriq King missed the final two games, both of which Houston lost with a combined score of 122-45. King returns to lead an explosive offense that brings back eight starters from last season. Oklahoma is a national title contender again but returns just four starters on offense and has a new quarterback, Alabama transfer Jalen Hurts.

Though the Sooners have won 31 of their last 33 home openers, 23.5 points is a lot to lay in a game that will likely feature a ton of scoring. The Cougars have won five of their last six road openers, and while they may not upset OU, Houston has enough firepower on offense to stay within the number.