Expert College Football Betting Locks for 2025 Games of the Year

Starting this Saturday, college football’s dreaded stretch of dormancy will officially end. Football—real, actual football—will commence in the form of an abbreviated (but much appreciated) Week 0 slate.

Although these will be the only games played in the next week, one doesn’t have to wait to bet on what they believe will happen weeks or even months from now. The world of wagering has changed plenty over the past decade, and the biggest games of the upcoming college football season are available to be bet upon.

Granted, these will change over the coming weeks. Some, depending on outcomes or injuries, will swing violently. For those who believe they have enough information to pick a side, however, now is the time to pounce. Once the results start to pour in, everything changes.

As is tradition at B/R, we’re picking winners involving some of the biggest and most compelling games of the season. No need for more words; time to pick winners. And be sure to check out our picks against the spread each and every week.

August 30: Clemson (-3.5) vs. LSU

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This is the only Week 1 game we’ll mention, although it is worth mentioning. With this game barreling in, we’ll get to these soon enough.

If you’ve been reading our preview content all along, however, you know how we feel about Clemson. And although LSU will be one of the most talented teams the Tigers will face all year, that doesn’t change how we look at this matchup.

Also, the fact that this game will be played at Memorial Stadium is massive.

Clemson is loaded, and the offense, led by QB Cade Klubnik and an experienced offensive line, should find success against a unit that has performed well below expectations in recent years. Defensively, the Tigers will have a far tougher challenge going up against the very capable Garrett Nussmeier, although he’s been dealing with tendinitis this camp.

In short, we’re not overthinking it. LSU is good; Clemson is better. The Tigers start off hot by taking down a trendy SEC team in the opener.

The Pick: Clemson (-3.5)

September 12: Tennessee (+7.5) vs. Georgia

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On the topic of keeping it simple, enter a game and spread that simply seems a little too robust. Indeed, Knoxville knows how to throw a football party, and this matchup will provide just that.

Georgia will play two games at home against Marshall and Austin Peay before heading on the road, and the environment should hit like a ton of bricks. Although the Bulldogs have an overall talent advantage, Tennessee, which enters the year with a defense that should be one of the nation’s best, should be up for this.

Offensively, the focus will rightfully be on the QBs. For Georgia, Gunner Stockton will get his first true road test. For Tennessee, Joey Aguilar, who was recently named the starter after transferring from UCLA, will get his first major test with the program.

When sizing up all games out into the future, there remains one constant. Atmosphere.

Tennessee will have that, plus both sides of the ball figure to be better than many expect. This could be one of the best games of the young season. Oh, and a Vol cover.

The Pick: Tennessee (+7.5)

October 11: Arizona State (-4) vs. Texas Tech

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Although the Big 12 remains, in many respects, a year-to-year, week-to-week mystery, it seems likely that this particular matchup between two conference hopefuls will mean a lot.

The fact that Arizona State has played its way into this picture is a testament to just how much better this team got last year. And although they must endure the loss of running back Cam Skattebo, as long as Sam Leavitt is at quarterback and Kenny Dillingham is coaching, this team has a shot against anyone.

That includes Texas Tech, which has plenty of oddsmaker respect. Given the resources being poured into the program, it’s easy to see why.

But on the road, against one of the best young quarterback-young coach combos in football, this seems like a massive uphill climb. While Arizona State is not without questions, it feels like the biggest pale in comparison to the ones lingering over Tech.

This has the chance to be a beautiful, touchdown-heavy affair. But in the Sun Devils we trust.

The Pick: Arizona State (-4)

October 25: Michigan State (+8.5) vs. Michigan

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Will both teams hold up their end of the bargain to make this hugely important rivalry feel as important as it should? While both programs have questions, don’t sleep on it.

And don’t sleep on Michigan State.

Sure, the first year of the Jonathan Smith era was largely meh. Sparty finished with five wins, although the schedule was absolutely brutal. Aidan Chiles, the team’s starting QB, certainly endured plenty of ups and downs along the way. The experience gained, however, will pay dividends this fall.

While Michigan State has plenty of questions, Michigan, still less than two years removed from a national championship, lost major pieces on defense, still has questions at quarterback.

Simply put, it feels like we’re giving the Wolverines far too much respect against a team that has largely played its rival tough.

Michigan might win, but this has the makings of a tight, ugly football game.

The Pick: Michigan State (+8.5)

Other Games We Like

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September 20: Nebraska (+3.5) vs. Michigan

We promise, we're not being biased against Michigan. But the depth of the Big Ten will show itself throughout this year, and Nebraska is very much live as a small home underdog.

The Pick: Nebraska (+3.5)

October 18: USC (+10.5) at Notre Dame

Speaking of the Big Ten's depth, enter USC. While it'll be a long road trip, and the weather could be iffy, the Trojans' defensive improvements in 2024 should help keep this game outcome at single digits.

The Pick: USC (+10.5)

November 1: Penn State (+4) at Ohio State

There might not be a bigger game on the 2025 schedule, and James Franklin is here for it. While this will indeed be a challenging road trip, Penn State has the talent to cover and win outright.

The Pick: Penn State (+4)

November 8: Alabama (-5.5) vs. LSU

While it might not carry the same weight as it did 10 years ago, it should still be plenty important in early November. Alabama, new quarterback and all, beats its conference rival by more than a touchdown.

The Pick: Alabama (-5.5)

November 28: Georgia Tech (+12.5) vs. Georgia

Last year's game produced eight overtimes. What will this year give us? If Georgia Tech stays healthy, this could be another tight one. The fact that Georgia Tech gets to play this game at home only adds to the interest.

The Pick: Georgia Tech (+12.5)