“The season is here, and the action has never looked better. “
College football is finally back, and that means the chance to dive into fresh betting action. The wait through the offseason is long, but the reward is a loaded Week Zero and Week One slate. On IDP Plus Bets, DJ Doc and Professor Locks break down eight games that kick off the new campaign. Along the way, they provide insights, injury updates, and their favorite plays to help build a profitable betting card. This is where College football bets get fun right out of the gate.
(This is an AI-generated article from a recently published IDP+ Podcast transcript.)
More Top NFL Fantasy Football IDP Advice!
-
- NFL IDP Advice: AFC East and North Deep Dive + Training Camp Updates – IDP+
- NFL IDP Advice: NFC East and North Draft Targets, Risks, and Preseason Takeaways – IDP+
- NFL IDP Advice: AFC South and West Deep Dive + Training Camp Updates – IDP+
- Fantasy Football IDP Safeties: Repeaters, Risers, and Who Falls Out in 2025 – IDP+
Week Zero Matchups
The season begins overseas in Dublin, Ireland, with Iowa State against Kansas State. Iowa State went 11–3 last season, while Kansas State finished 9–4. Derek likes Kansas State with quarterback Avery Johnson and a strong defense. Doc takes Iowa State +3, pointing to last year’s victory and consistency at key positions.
Later that same Saturday, Fresno State visits Kansas. Kansas finally returns to an on-campus stadium after a season at Arrowhead. Derek takes Fresno State +12.5, calling the spread too high. Doc is confident in Kansas with quarterback Jalon Daniels healthy, momentum from last season, and a true home-field boost. These early matchups are key tests for anyone placing College football bets.
Week One Friday Night Lights
Friday night brings Auburn against Baylor in Waco. Auburn finished 5–7 last year and still has major questions at quarterback. Baylor went 8–5 and brings back eighteen starters. Both Doc and Derek are taking Baylor, praising the continuity and calling Auburn overrated due to hype.
At the same time, Georgia Tech travels to Colorado. Derek likes the Buffaloes as four-point home underdogs, citing a roster stacked with veteran transfers and the altitude advantage. Doc prefers Georgia Tech, pointing to returning stars Haynes King and Jamal Haynes and confidence in the trenches. For College football bets, this game highlights the tension between continuity and transfer-heavy rebuilds.
Saturday’s Headliner: Texas vs Ohio State
The marquee game is Texas at Ohio State. Texas went 13–3 last season before losing to the Buckeyes in the playoff semifinal. Ohio State enters as the defending champions despite losing to Michigan again.
Professor Locks, a Buckeye backer, goes with Ohio State at home. He believes in five-star transfer quarterback Julian Sayin and calls the roster reloaded despite turnover with Ohio State having the best player on the field at all times, thanks to Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs. Doc counters with Texas plus two and a half. He highlights Arch Manning, a defense returning seven starters, and serious questions about Ohio State’s new coordinators. It is a clash of trust in returning defenses versus belief in national champion firepower. This is one of the most important College football bets of the opening weekend.
Alabama vs Florida State
Alabama visits Florida State in a matchup with a huge spread. The Crimson Tide went 9–4 last year while the Seminoles fell apart at 2–10.
Both Doc and the Prof are confident in Alabama at -13.5. Alabama brings back eight starters on defense and a stacked group of receivers. New quarterback Ty Simpson fits coach Kalen DeBoer’s offensive style. Florida State, meanwhile, is in disarray. The Seminoles rely on transfer quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who struggled at Boston College. Doc questions his leadership after negative comments about past teammates. Both hosts believe Alabama’s talent and motivation, following its absence from last year’s playoff, will overwhelm FSU. College football bets do not come much easier than siding with the Crimson Tide here.
LSU vs Clemson
The battle of the Tigers pits LSU against Clemson in Death Valley. LSU went 9–4 last season, while Clemson finished 10–4 and claimed the ACC.
Both Doc and Derek ride with Clemson at -4. They point to a roster stacked with returning talent, including Cade Klubnik at quarterback and defenders TJ Parker and Peter Woods. LSU, meanwhile, has a poor history in Week One, failing to win an opener since 2019. Under Brian Kelly, their defense has been shaky year after year. Clemson has the continuity and the crowd advantage to make this one of the safer College football bets of the weekend.
Notre Dame vs Miami
Sunday night belongs to Notre Dame and Miami. The Irish went 14–2 and reached the national championship. Miami finished 10–3 but now faces major turnover on offense.
Both Doc and Derek back Notre Dame at -2.5. Quarterback CJ Carr steps in, but he is supported by a dominant run game led by Jeremiah Love. The Irish also bring back fourteen starters and a strong defense. Miami replaces its quarterback, running back, tight end, and top three receivers. The defense was poor last year and lost its leading tackler. Notre Dame has also beaten Miami in four of the last five meetings. This is another strong College football bets angle.
Locks, Dogs, and Parlays
Each host closes with their favorite College football bets:
Professor Locks (Derek Bennett)
- Lock: Notre Dame -2.5
- Dog: Colorado +150 ML
- Parlay: Baylor ML + Clemson ML (+242)
DJ Doc
- Lock: Clemson -4
- Dog: Baylor +114 ML
- Parlay: Clemson ML + Notre Dame ML (+178)
Closing Thoughts
Week Zero and Week One deliver a packed slate with eight key games. While Doc and Derek split on several early picks, they agree on three critical positions. Alabama, Clemson, and Notre Dame are the anchors of their cards. Baylor is a trendy home dog. Texas and Ohio State highlight the weekend’s fireworks. With College football bets, success comes from finding the spots with consistency and value. This week, stability wins out over hype and turnover. The season is here, and the action has never looked better.
Thank you for reading this article by @IDP_Plus. This article was created using IDP+ AI and edited by Derek Bennett. Be sure to check out the video by The Degen Doc and Professor Locks, which this article is based on, talking about college football betting. Follow @TheDegenDoc and @Prof_Lock2 on X!
