Things change. Right now the seasons are changing from summer to fall, which also means our sports interests are changing from baseball to football. Specifically college football, as the season kicks off into full gear this week.
Odds also change. They fluctuate for many variables whether it be looming weather forecasts, injuries, starters named and so on.
Here are some of the biggest odds movers for Week 1 of the college football season.
No. 23 Texas vs. Maryland from FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday on FS1
Opening Odds: Texas -10, Total 58
Current Odds: Texas 13.5, Total 53
While most of the preseason has been about Ohio State and its issues, Maryland’s preseason has been just as controversial with a death of a player and accusations about how head coach DJ Durkin is treating his players.
With an interim head coach on the Maryland sideline, paired with a Texas team looking to avenge last season’s 51-41 loss it was a perfect storm for the odds to move in Texas’ favor.
With a lot of distractions for the Terps, Texas very well could make this a blowout.
It sounds like a safe bet, but all of those factors could be used as motivation for Maryland to rally around each other.
Related: College Football Betting Guide
Middle Tennessee State at Vanderbilt
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Saturday on SEC Network
Opening Odds: Vanderbilt -6.5, Total 55
Current Odds: Vanderbilt -3, Total 56.5
The Blue Raiders return a lot of players from a season ago and perhaps the oddsmakers didn’t know much about MTSU when opening the line.
However, Vandy did thump MTSU last season, 28-6, to open the year and the Commodores welcome back seven offensive starters and five on defense.
While the Blue Raiders should be a much improved team from 2017, Vandy might also be improved.
Akron at Nebraska
Kickoff: 8 p.m. Saturday on Fox
Opening Odds: Nebraska -21, Total 55.5
Current Odds: Nebraska -26, Total 54.5
True freshman dual-threat quarterback Adrian Martinez has been given the keys to the Nebraska offense. While Martinez’s career is beginning, running back Tre Bryant has decided end his career, retiring due to injuries.
While a true freshman quarterback paired with the loss of an expected starting running back would lead to a drop in confidence, Akron isn’t exactly the class of the Mid-American Conference.
The Zips did represent in the East Division in the MAC Championship game a season ago, but the East wasn’t nearly as strong as the West and Akron is due for an decline this season.
This is still a safe bet.
Bowling Green at No. 24 Oregon
Kickoff: 8 p.m. Saturday on Pac-12
Opening Odds: Oregon -27.5, Total 69
Current Odds: Oregon -32, Total 72
What might have changed here is the oddsmakers realizing, much like Akron in the previous game, that BGSU isn’t even a top team in the MAC’s weaker division.
While the Falcons may have been one of the MAC’s top teams when these schools agreed on this matchup, that’s not the case anymore.
Meanwhile the Ducks are looking to become relevant once again and not blowing out the likes of BGSU would be a let down.
A 32-point cushion seems like a lot, but the Falcons aren’t good.
Navy at Hawaii
Kickoff: 11 p.m. Saturday on CBS Sports Network
Opening Odds: Navy -15.5, Total 53.5
Recent Odds: Navy -10, Total 62
What changed here is Hawaii played a game last week and the Warriors’ offense looked like a high powered offense.
Hawaii went into Colorado State and won 43-34 behind quarterback Cole McDonald completing 26-of-37 passes for 418 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 96 yards and scoring two more times.
Navy is still favored, and rightfully so, but Hawaii has a game under its belt already and looked good in that game.
