College Football Betting Week 1 Predictions, Best Bets and Touchdown Picks

The first full Saturday of the College Football season is here and we've got your guide to betting on the slate using the Dimers data.

The stage is set across the country as College Football Saturday kicks off Week 1 of the 2025 season. Already underway since Thursday's games, the slate runs through Labor Day weekend, the first full slate of action signals more than just the full return of college football; it’s the official start of a new season full of title chases, lurking upsets and betting value every week. With Texas and Ohio State leading the preseason polls, and Texas and Alabama lurking close behind, everyone is ready for kickoff.

Add in Dimers’ biggest most advanced college football betting model yet, you're never betting alone when you have our Best CFB Bets, Player Props, National Championship Futures, CFB Parlays and more, all part of Dimers Pro which you can get for 50% with our exclusive football season pass offer.

Now, let's dive all the way into Dimers' Week 1 college football predictions and help guide your hand when betting on Week 1 of the college football season.

College Football National Championship Favorites and Value

Ohio State (+600) and Texas (+650) enter the season as national championship frontrunners, with Penn State (+800) and Georgia (+900) not far behind.

While the Dimers model projects Ohio State as the clear leader with a 17.4% probability to win the Natty, don’t sleep on last year's runner-up Notre Dame, who boast a stacked roster and +1400 odds, a big value at 8.4% from our model.

The Heisman race projects just as tightly, led by Texas signal-caller Arch Manning (+650), who enters the season with sky-high expectations, Cade Klubnik out of Clemson at +900 and LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier at +900.

Week 1 Closest-Projected College Football Games on Saturday

Dimers’ predictive models point to several razor-thin contests on Saturday, where bettors should expect tense, back-and-forth play:

Texas (-1.5) vs. Ohio State

• ML Prediction: Texas 50%, Ohio State 50%

Massachusetts (-2.5) vs. Temple

• ML Prediction: Temple 53%, Massachusetts 47%

Oregon State (-1.5) vs. California

• Oregon State 53%, California 46%

Sharp bettors may look to capitalize on the slim margins by examining Dimers’ predictions and value bets where they may find some plus-money value on underdogs waiting.

For more, check out Dimers' Week 1 college football predictions.

Dimers’ Best College Football Value Bets for Week 1

Dimers highlights “High Value” bets when favorable odds line up with strong probability. These three wagers stand out on Saturday's slate:

Alabama A&M vs. Arkansas – Over 61.5

• Bet: Over 61.5
• Probability: 61.4%
• Edge: 9.0%
• Odds: -110 on FanDuel

Abilene Christian +5.5 vs. Tulsa

• Bet: Abilene Christian +5.5
• Probability: 60.8%
• Edge: 8.4%
• Odds: -110 on DraftKings

Each of these represents strong expected value, particularly where spreads and totals overlap with Dimers’ probability edges. These two bets carry a "High Value" Dimers Signal, pointing to a major discrepancy between the sportsbook odds and our predictions. With over a 60% probability, both bets project for a strong hit rate as well.

To find more value bets, including moneyline upsets and prop picks, check out Dimers’ Best College Football Bets every day of Week 1.

College Football Week 1 Touchdown Predictions

Part of Dimers' college football predictions include our Anytime and First TD probabilities, identifying each player's chance to score one, the first or multiple touchdowns in every game.

You can cross-reference these high probabilities with our Best College Football Touchdown Props to see which players get value, which are overpriced and who is most likely to make an impact any given Saturday.

Here are Week 1's most likely Touchdown scorers:

Smart Betting Tips for Week 1

Opening weekend is all about balance—taking advantage of sharp value edges while recognizing the volatility of early-season play. 

Don't overexpose yourself by betting too many units or placing too many longshot parlays and make sure to look for some futures value.

Texas and Ohio State look like solid futures bets, while Dimers’ Week 1 “High Value” picks provide bettors with calculated opportunities. Keep an eye on tight games where upsets could shake the rankings and playoff odds from the very start.

With stadiums buzzing nationwide, College Football Saturday is primed for drama, and Dimers is giving bettors every tool they need to play it smart.

Responsible Gambling

Remember to please gamble responsibly. If you sense that you’re taking your luck too far, know when to call it quits and don’t be afraid to seek assistance. Keep in mind that gambling is all about having a fantastic experience! If you or someone you know is grappling with gambling issues, reach out to 1-800-GAMBLER for crisis counseling and support.