College Football Best Bets: Week 1 Friday Night Top Picks and Predictions

College football is back, baby! From now until the start of December, we will be keeping a close eye on all the action, sharing our expert analysis and betting insights every week. Stay up to date with the top picks, predictions, and betting advice for all things college football.

Check out what bets we’re targeting with our Week 1 Friday Night selections!

Where to Watch Auburn Tigers vs. Baylor Bears

Ballpark: McLane Stadium
Location: Waco, TX
Where to Watch: FOX, YouTube TV
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Auburn -2.5 | Total: 58.5
Moneyline: Auburn -128 | Baylor +106

Note: All odds are subject to change after article publication. Get the most up-to-date odds here.

The tides have turned for the Auburn Tigers in recent years. Their streak of nine straight bowl games came to an end in 2021, and the Tigers have yet to post a winning record since 2020. Their outlook looks even bleaker as they kick off the 2025 campaign on the road versus an underappreciated Baylor Bears squad.

Baylor saw tremendous growth last season. Led by Sawyer Robertson and Bryson Washington, the Bears racked up 440.9 yards per game, 14th-most in the country, against FBS foes last season. Predictably, this correlated with an equally impressive scoring surge, with the Big 12 contenders averaging 33.5 points per game (18th-most). Returning virtually every starter on both sides of the football, we are high on Baylor heading into this season.

The same can’t be said for Auburn. Over the past few seasons, their roster has been in constant flux. Most recently, the Tigers landed Jackson Arnold via the transfer portal this offseason. Arnold was so bad that the Sooners benched him partway through last season, while he was averaging just 5.8 yards per pass attempt. With five underclassmen starting on defense, we’re not convinced this iteration of the Tigers is ready to growl.

Auburn’s reputation has staked it to a betting edge in the season opener. However, sharp bettors will be quick to recognize the advantage on the Bears. Baylor should have no problem covering the spread, but we expect the Bears to pull off the outright upset.

Best Bet: Baylor +106

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Where to Watch Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Colorado Buffaloes

Ballpark: Folsom Field
Location: Boulder, CO
Where to Watch: ESPN
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Spread: G-Tech -4.5 | Total: 52.5
Moneyline: G-Tech -178 | Colorado +146

Shedeur Sanders’s jersey retirement is the symbolic representation of the mediocrity the Colorado Buffaloes have embraced. Despite a busy recruiting period via the transfer portal, we don’t think the Buffs will take a meaningful step forward in 2025. Friday’s season-opener against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets sets the tone for what should be another disappointing campaign.

Last season, Colorado’s offensive production was average, at best. The Buffaloes put up a laughable 2.5 yards per rush attempt (133rd in the country), which was offset by their eighth-ranked 307.4 pass yards per game. Altogether, their 373.1 yards per game ranked 72nd. Losing Sanders and their top four receivers doesn’t inspire confidence at the outset of the season.

At the same time, Georgia Tech is stacked on offense. Dual-threat quarterback Haynes King returns for his senior campaign. The Texas native completed 72.9% of his throws for 2,114 passing yards and a 14-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. That was good enough for a 78.6 QBR, 13th-best in the country. With Jamal Haynes handling the lion’s share of rushing duties, the Yellow Jackets will catch a few teams off guard, starting with the Buffaloes.

Coach Prime will have his team ready to go, but even with home-field advantage, that won’t be enough to secure victory. The key number has us slightly worried, so bettors may want to hold tight to see if this drops below -4. If so, Georgia Tech is undoubtedly the play. But at the current offering, we’re leaning towards a moneyline play.

Best Bet: Georgia Tech -178

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