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CFB Week 0 best bets: Starting the season even cooler on Frost

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We did it!

We made it all the way through college football's offseason with nine different previews to get you set for a new campaign. While Week 0 is little more than a modest appetizer, there are still five games worth betting Saturday.

Northwestern vs. Nebraska (-13, 50.5)

Nebraska had one win over a Power 5 conference team last year, and it was a big one. The Cornhuskers beat Northwestern by seven touchdowns, which is one reason why they're almost two-touchdown favorites for their meeting in Ireland. Nebraska is getting positive buzz coming into the season, which is nothing new in Lincoln, but it's also the problem in point spread betting.

Pat Fitzgerald seems borderline excited about an offensive line that has more size and experience than it did last year when the Wildcats were often pushed around in the trenches. A year of development for Ryan Hilinski, as well as depth at running back, will bring Northwestern back to being a dangerous underdog - one that we're happy to back here. However, we'll wait to see if this line finds its way up to +14 before we fire.

Pick: Northwestern +13 (wait for possible +14)

Wyoming @ Illinois (-10, 44)

Maybe it's a good thing Wyoming has suffered as much offensive roster turnover as it has since the team scored 17.5 points per game in-conference last year. However, I'll bet against the Cowboys being able to move the ball consistently on Illinois' defense, which went from 97th to 29th in points allowed during Bret Bielema's first season with the Illini.

Syracuse transfer Tommy DeVito takes over at quarterback for an offense that should be able to gash Wyoming on the ground. Craig Bohl's team was 11th in the Mountain West against the run in 2021.

Pick: Illinois -10

Charlotte @ Florida Atlantic (-7.5, 57)

Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds should have little trouble moving the ball against an Owls defense with at least six new starters. The 49ers can keep up with N'Kosi Perry and Florida Atlantic, who should score even though Charlotte's defense has a new coordinator.

Will Healy's group has struggled since a 2019 season that saw Charlotte pull off several upsets. Even last year, Charlotte knocked off Duke in the opener. While the rest of 2021 didn't go as planned for the 49ers, FAU dropped its final four games of the season. Instead of hoping the line moves higher, grab the 7.5 points now.

Pick: Charlotte +7.5

North Texas @ UTEP (+1, 55)

UTEP had the most plays of 40-plus yards in the CUSA last year. It'd be nice to have more consistency elsewhere, but that's easier to improve than the other way around. It's also hard to imagine UTEP has anything close to last year's -11 turnover margin. Those fixes should give the Miners value here.

North Texas' defense improved last season, but Seth Littrell is still looking for answers that might be hard to come by against Gavin Hardison. Meanwhile, whoever starts at quarterback for the Mean Green won't be the best passer on the field. Dana Dimel and UTEP have a better chance of starting the way they left off.

Pick: UTEP moneyline (+100)

Vanderbilt @ Hawaii (+6.5, 55)

I'll go out on a limb and say Clark Lea's assertion that Vanderbilt will be a powerhouse won't come to fruition, but his energy provides optimism in Nashville.

Hawaii, on the other hand, is digging itself out of the Todd Graham debacle that saw him resign due to toxicity within the program. Rainbow Warrior hero Timmy Chang takes over, but after a mass exodus of talent, competing with any SEC team - even the worst one - seems unlikely.

With few chances to get a win once conference play starts, look for the Commodores to use dual-threat quarterback Mike Wright to spur on a running game that will overwhelm the 'bows.

Pick: Vanderbilt -6.5

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.

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