Today, we bring you our best bets for Week 1 of the eagerly anticipated 2025/26 NCAAF season.
With rivalries renewed and new stars ready to shine, Friday night’s slate offers some of the most exciting matchups of opening weekend. From local derbies to powerhouse clashes, bettors can expect high-octane encounters under the lights.
Let’s jump into our expert picks for Friday’s action!
Targeting Top Matchups in Week 1
Week 1 means we are flying blind a little, so you may want to temper your stakes accordingly, as it’s a long season.
The excitement is palpable, though, with many old rivalries being renewed on the College Football fields around America. To enhance that further, we have several local derbies rostered for Friday evening,
Given the heady mixture of anticipation for week 1 of the NCAAF season, players looking to impress, we can expect some high-octane encounters this week
Let’s start with one of those sorts of matchups in Michigan.
Western Michigan Broncos vs. Michigan State Spartans (-21)
Given it’s week 1, there is a good chance that the defenses are marshalled to a premium as the Michigan State Spartans look to justify their commanding three-touchdown 21-point opening week spread.
That is an awfully big spread, and although the Broncos are not expected to be world-beaters, they do have a solid defense, which is the key reason for believing that covering a 21-point spread is a big ask for the Spartans.
The Spartans quarterback, Aidan Chiles, started last season in a rather nervous fashion, and a reproduction of those turnovers and interceptions will make covering the spread difficult for the Spartans.
Expert Pick: Western Michigan +21 (-104) BetOnline
Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. Charlotte 49ers (+5)
Keeping on with the theme of long-standing local matches in the NCAAF, the next one to analyze is the Appalachian Mountaineers against the Charlotte 49ers.
The look-ahead line was 8.5, but that has now been reduced through two key numbers to 5 as the confidence behind Charlotte’s chances catches pace. However, in truth, it looks like a poor matchup for them on all known forms, particularly in turnovers.
Now, of course, it’s Week 1, and Charlotte could have improved their football retention and unforced errors to two turnovers minimum a game. They do have the home advantage, but it’s less than two hours down the road for the Mountaneers, who, conversely, were proficient in forcing turnovers at just under two a game and look bound to cover the spread.
Expert Pick: Appalachian State -5 (-105) BetOnline
Auburn Tigers vs. Baylor Bears (+2.5)
The Baylor Bears finished the regular season with six successive wins before the Bowl loss, and at first glance, it is a little surprising to see them as home dogs.
When you dig a little deeper, perhaps it is the Bears’ record against top 25 teams that struggles to bear scrutiny (Auburn Tigers #21), or perhaps it is the slew of signings in the off-season under the head coach, Hugh Freeze, who now has multiple new attacking options.
That scenario looks like a strong one for Freeze with a deep, talented roster of running backs who will put the Bears’ concerning Secondary under pressure from the off. Should the Baylor Bears win, it will be the first time in the last eleven tries against Top 25 opposition, so the -2.5 on the Auburn Tigers becomes too tempting a spread for bettors.
Expert Pick: Auburn Tigers –2.5 (-108) Heritage Sports
Place Your College Football Bets Today
College football is a fast-moving betting market. As such, our expert picks won’t be available at these odds forever. Head to your favorite BMR-recommended sportsbook today or take advantage of the numerous sign-up bonuses available at some of the most trusted options in the industry.
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
