2025 College Football Week 1

The Associated Press Top 25 just dropped; NCAAF Week 1 odds are ready – college football is back.

While we’ve said in our college football betting preview that wagering on these games is not for the faint of heart, with big plays, big momentum swings, and big matchups, college football still has the perfect combination of odds and entertainment.

NCAAF Odds

View the latest NCAAF odds at Bovada

We preview the best NCAAF Week 1 lines so you can make some early college football picks.

EARLY GAMES

Saturday, August 23, 2025

NO. 22 IOWA STATE CYCLONES VS. NO. 17 KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

• Odds: Kansas State -3.5
• Total: 49.5
• Time: 12 p.m. ET
• Channel: ESPN

The 2025 season kicks off with an international game as the Cyclones and Wildcats play in Dublin, Ireland’s Aviva Stadium. This will be the first-ever game outside the U.S. for Iowa State and its earliest-ever opener. Iowa State is a 3.5-point underdog despite returning 12 starters, including QB Rocco Becht. At the same time, Kansas State is leaning toward returning starting quarterback Avery Johnson, a central figure to the K-State offense, and a diverse group of transfers who shore up the offensive line, skill positions, and overall defense.

FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS @ KANSAS JAYHAWKS

• Odds: Kansas -13.5
• Total: 50.5
• Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
• Channel: Fox

Fresno State opens as double-digit dogs on the road under first-year head coach Matt Entz, who previously coached North Dakota State to success. Kansas’ -13.5 advantage is primarily due to Kansas returning a significant chunk of their offensive core while Fresno State is still amid a QB competition. That said, last year, Kansas was just 3-3 against the spread (ATS) at home and 1-3 ATS as a home favorite.

STANFORD CARDINAL @ HAWAII RAINBOW WARRIORS

• Odds: Hawaii -2.5
• Total: 52.5
• Channel: CBS
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Stanford visit Hawaii amid controversy as they had to fire head coach Troy Taylor amid misconduct allegations and appointed Frank Reich as interim head coach. The hopes of the 2025 Rainbow Warriors have never been higher as redshirt freshman Micah Alejado exploded for 469 passing yards and five touchdowns in his first and only 2024 start – something no other Hawaii QB has ever done.

THURSDAY GAMES

Thursday, August 28, 2025

NO. 25 BOISE STATE BRONCOS @ SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS

• Odds: South Florida +6
• Total: 64
• Channel: ESPN
• Time: 11:30 p.m. ET

Boise State, fresh off a 12-2 season and undefeated Mountain West run that earned a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth, visits South Florida. The Bulls return QB Byrum Brown, who in 2023 joined Jayden Daniels as the only QBs to pass for 3,000+ yards and rush for 800+, though his 2024 ended early with a leg injury. This Week 1 showdown offers conference pride and potential playoff stakes for both programs.

NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS @ CINCINNATI BEARCATS

• Odds: Cincinnati +6.5
• Total: 52.5
• Channel: ESPN
• Time: 5:30 p.m. ET

This is another game on neutral ground as Nebraska faces Cincinnati at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium. Dubbed the “Kansas City Classic,” the Cornhuskers have the ATS advantage due to better offensive line depth and the return of rising star QB Dylan Raiola, who posted solid stats as a true freshman (2,819 yards, 13 TDs, 11 interceptions, 67.1% completion rate). Also, Arrowhead Stadium is technically close to Lincoln, Nebraska.

MAIN EVENT MATCHUPS

Saturday, August 30, 2025

NO. 1 TEXAS LONGHORNS @ NO. 3 OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

• Odds: Ohio State -2.5
• Total: 48.5
• Channel: FOX
• Time: 12 p.m. ET

It’s not hyperbole to say this matchup is a monster. Texas recently celebrated its first opening atop the AP poll, but it could all disappear by Sunday as they’re a +2.5 underdog at Ohio State. This makes Texas also the first top-ranked football team to be an underdog in Week 1 since 1978. On top of all that, this is a rematch of last season’s CFP Semifinal, where Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 as a 5.5-point favorite. The difference this year is that they weren’t starting Arch Manning, a QB everyone has pinned as a Heisman favorite and a future No. 1 overall pick.

NO. 24 TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS @ SYRACUSE ORANGE

• Odds: Syracuse +14
• Total: 53.5
• Channel: ABC
• Time: 12 p.m. ET

How much worse are the Tennessee Volunteers without blue-chip QB Nico Iamaleava? That’s the question on everyone’s minds when they visit Syracuse. Oddsmakers were kind enough to bless them with a double-digit handicap, and it’ll be up to a senior transfer from Appalachian State, Joey Aguilar, to show that Tennessee is still a playoff contender. This game is another neutral-site Aflac Kickoff Game located in Atlanta, which eliminates home-field advantage for Syracuse.

NO. 9 LSU TIGERS @ NO. 4 CLEMSON TIGERS

• Odds: Clemson -4
• Total: 57.5
• Total: ABC
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Another monster matchup that could have CFP implications. It’s a battle between Tigers as LSU heads to Death Valley for an SEC vs. ACC battle. When it comes to NFL draft scouts in April 2026, this is likely a game they’ll point to as two top prospects, Garrett Nussmeier for LSU and Cade Klubnik for Clemson, go head-to-head.
While Clemson has home-field advantage, LSU could make things tough on Klubnik with an improved secondary featuring high-impact transfers.

Sunday, August 31, 2025

VIRGINIA TECH @ NO. 13 SOUTH CAROLINA

• Odds: South Carolina -7.5
• Total: 48.5
• Channel: ABC
• Time: 3 p.m. ET

Does South Carolina deserve to be the AP No. 13-ranked team? They have a chance to cement their status when they face Virginia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta – neutral ground. South Carolina is coming off a 2024-25 season where they defied the odds in the SEC and finished 9-3 behind the performance of dual-threat, redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers. Virginia Tech will try to take advantage of neutral ground and solid defense to beat the odds.

NO. 6 NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH @ NO. 10 MIAMI HURRICANES

• Odds: Miami +2.5
• Total: 50.5
• Total: ABC
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Another top-10 cash in Week 1 with CFP implications. This match will be played at Miami, but the Fighting Irish still have a 2.5-point advantage. It’s a bit surprising as the Hurricanes boast top-tier transfer Carson Beck at QB, while they’re still figuring out who gets the starting nod between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey. But oddsmakers have likely considered the return of key contributors like running back Jeremiyah Love, defensive back Christian Gray and safety Adon Shuler. Their defense is still elite, while the Hurricanes had a lot of turnover on offense.

All College Football matches in Week 1