It’s never too early to start looking forward to the 2017 college football season. Unlike in the NFL, some of the best games off the season are played early on with plenty of highly anticipated matchups to kick off the college football season. We took the time to look ahead to some of the key matchups next season with a look at the sports betting odds for those games. Here is a look at the early betting odds for the most highly anticipated college football games of the 2018 season. Odds are courtesy of BetDSI.
Clemson @ Florida State
College Football Odds: Clemson -10
Clemson has made the college football playoff three years in a row and returns the bulk of a roster that ranked No. 1 in the nation last season. Bryant is one of the top quarterbacks in the country and he has the potential to carry Clemson back to a national championship game. Meanwhile, the Seminoles are getting a fresh start under head coach Willie Taggart and will have this game circled on their calendar. Can they upset the Tigers at home? Clemson is a 10-point favorite for what projects to be one of the most highly anticipated showdowns of the year in the ACC.
Stanford vs. USC
College Football Odds: Stanford -2
The Cardinal received a significant boost with the return of running back Bryce Love. The Heisman candidate is capable of big things in 2018. Meanwhile, quarterback K.J. Costello is projected to make strides for what should be an improved Stanford offense. USC lost quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Ronald Jones III but still boasts some intriguing talent. This is a game both teams will have circled as they battle in the Pac-12 next season with the Cardinal listed as the slight betting favorites early on.
Michigan vs. Penn State
College Football Odds: Michigan -3.5
Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson could be a difference-maker for Michigan at the quarterback position. Is this the year the Wolverines finally put it all together under head coach Jim Harbaugh? The road through the Big Ten will once again be difficult but Michigan has the talent to make a splash. The Wolverines will need to beat Trace McSorley and the Nittany Lions if they are serious about contending. This game should be one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the Big Ten season.
Notre Dame @ USC
College Football Odds: Notre Dame -1
USC’s second entry on this list is a home date versus rival Notre Dame in another game that could have significant implications. The Fighting Irish will be motivated to build on last year’s 10-win season with a new quarterback and plenty of talent on both sides of the football. First, Notre Dame will need to figure out who deserves to start at quarterback. Then, the Fighting Irish will need to overcome a difficult schedule that includes a tough trip to USC in a game in which they are currently listed as slight road favorites.
Alabama @ LSU
College Football Odds: Alabama -10
It’s no surprise that the team with the best overall roster and the best coach in college football is once again being talked about as a national title favorite. The Crimson Tide has everything they need to make another championship run under Nick Saban this season. The key will be surviving another tough schedule in the reloaded SEC including a trip to LSU to face the rival Tigers. Alabama is currently listed as a 10-point favorite for that game but it won’t be an easy test away from home.
Ohio State vs. Michigan
College Football Odds: Ohio State -9
Ohio State lost a handful of key players but the next wave of stars is ready to debut in Columbus with a focus on contending for a Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes-Wolverines rivalry is one of the best in college football and this year’s showdown should be among the most highly anticipated games of the season. Harbaugh vs. Urban Meyer remains one of the most intriguing coaching matchups of the year. However, with Ohio State currently listed as a 10-point favorite the real question at this point is whether Michigan will be able to keep up with the Buckeyes in another game they will need to win if they are going to contend in the Big Ten this season.
