College Football Week 1: Sharp Bettors, National Championship Contenders Take Center Stage

College football Week 1 is upon us, bringing a plethora of intriguing matchups and storylines. With the absence of last year's coaching phenom, Coach Deion Sanders remains the early rage at Colorado, but the schedule makers have provided several captivating encounters across the college football landscape.

The long-awaited college football season has finally arrived, and Week 1 promises to deliver an exhilarating kickoff to the gridiron extravaganza. The schedule features several blockbuster clashes that are sure to captivate fans nationwide. However, it's not just the on-field action that has sportsbooks abuzz – sharp bettors and oddsmakers have already begun to voice their insights on the most intriguing matchups.

College Football Week 1: Sharp Bettors, National Championship Contenders Take Center Stage

No. 14 Clemson takes on defending national champion No. 1 Georgia in a highly anticipated noon ET showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. With Georgia opening as a 13.5-point favorite, the line has fluctuated between -13.5 and -14 ever since, with the Bulldogs making brief dips to -13 before rebounding.

Caesars Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel anticipates a significant amount of Georgia action, but emphasizes the need for Clemson to stay within 13 points.

Speaking of sharp betting, college football expert Paul Stone has his eyes set on the total for Clemson-Georgia, which is currently set at 48.5. Stone believes the Under is a solid bet, citing Clemson's limited deep-passing game and Georgia's losses on offense.

Stone also favors Colorado State +31.5 against No. 4 Texas, citing Texas' defensive vulnerabilities and the stout performances of Colorado State wide receiver Tory Horton. Additionally, he likes No. 7 Notre Dame as a road underdog against No. 20 Texas A&M, citing Notre Dame's new-look offense and Texas A&M's coaching transition.

Staying in the Lone Star State, the focus shifts to Notre Dame's clash against Texas A&M in College Station on Saturday night. Despite Notre Dame's higher ranking, they are not favored on the road.

Caesars Sports opened the game as a pick'em, but the Aggies have since moved to -3. Feazel acknowledges that the market was initially higher on Notre Dame, but sharps have shifted the line in Texas A&M's favor. He anticipates a lot of public action on Notre Dame but emphasizes the need for the Aggies to cover +3 or more.

Week 1 concludes with a standalone Sunday night showdown between No. 13 LSU and No. 23 USC at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Both teams will field vastly different rosters after losing their star quarterbacks.

Caesars Sports initially opened LSU as a 6.5-point favorite, but sharp bettors have pushed the line down to LSU -4.5. Feazel expects a large LSU contingent to flood the Vegas Strip and anticipates the need for USC to cover +4.5. Additionally, he predicts a high-scoring affair, with the total currently set at 64.5.

Multiple sportsbooks across the country have noted significant liability on Colorado for Thursday night's game against North Dakota State. Caesars Sports will likely join that group by 8 p.m. ET Thursday.

Caesars Sports opened the game at Colorado -9.5, but the line has since moved up to -9.5 after briefly reaching -10.5. Feazel believes that sharps are indicating that 10 is too much, but the situation could change.

Outside of individual games, several notable wagers have already been placed in college football odds markets, particularly on the College Football Playoff championship winner and other futures.

Some of the most eye-catching bets at Caesars Sports include:

- $15,000 on Georgia +300 to win the CFP, potentially profiting $45,000.

- $2,000 on Colorado +7500 to win the CFP, potentially profiting $150,000.

- $630 on Texas running back Jaydon Blue +20000 to win the Heisman Trophy, potentially profiting $126,000.

While these are merely select examples, they highlight the excitement and anticipation surrounding the upcoming college football season. As the games unfold, sharp bettors will continue to provide valuable insights while fans across the country cheer on their favorite teams.