Expert CFB Betting Locks for Ohio State vs. Texas and Week 1's Biggest Games

At long last, behold a full slate of college football games is at our doorstep.

While Week 0 provided us with a small taste of what's to come, Week 1 features three games featuring teams ranked inside the top 10 going toe-to-toe, which promises to provide a shakeup out of the gate.

As for our Locks of the Week, things get real now. Each week during the college football season, we'll pick an assortment of college football games against the spread. We'll track our progress throughout and see where we end up.

Week 0 was certifiably meh. We hit big on Kansas, we lost on Kansas State, and we essentially held serve. Needless to say, there is room to improve.

With so many fascinating games to pick from, Week 1 wasn't an easy one to dissect. That's what makes it fun.

Away we go into the college football season.

Last Week's Record: 2-3

Year to Date: 2-3

Ohio State (-1.5) vs. Texas

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It's the most important football game of the young season, and it has all the ingredients to be an absolute classic.

Also, thank you to Ohio State and Texas for playing this on a college campus. Everyone else, pay attention.

The fact that it will be played in Columbus, however, is one of the key tipping points. While Texas will return an abundance of talent on both sides of the ball, new starting QB Arch Manning has never seen an environment like this.

Sure, he played some last year. That should help. But those reps and these reps will be much different.

The same can be said about Ohio State starter Julin Sayin, who threw a grand total of 12 passes as a true freshman. The reports out of camp on Sayin seemed extremely positive, although going up against a Texas defense that might just be the best in the country will be a crash course for the young QB.

In the end, we're choosing the environment. Ohio State will certainly break in its fair share of new players, although Columbus will serve as the most important variable in a game overflowing with them.

It'll be close. It might be a bit ugly. The Buckeyes pick up where they left off.

The Pick: Ohio State (-2.5)

Clemson (-3.5) vs. LSU

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When was the last time LSU won a home opener under LSU?

Well, the answer would be never.

The Tigers are 0-3 under Kelly across his three seasons, and Kelly is a combined 2-8 in openers during his tenure at LSU and Notre Dame. Granted, his teams have played tougher opponents. We are deeply grateful these games existed, although the performances are noteworthy, nonetheless.

Which brings us to an incredibly challenging road game against an experienced team. Clemson is loaded on both sides of the ball, and they have enough future pros to keep up with LSU's incredible athleticism.

Indeed, Kelly's game did wonderful work on the recruiting trail and through the transfer portal. They also return Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback, and he certainly is able to create.

But so can opposing QB Cade Klubnik, who is surrounded by weapons on offense. Klubnik is poised to take his game to another level, and his road to the Heisman begins here.

While LSU might have the more opposing athletes, Clemson has the better team and home field advantage. That should be enough to give the orange Tigers the advantage.

The Pick: Clemson (-3.5)

UCLA (+6) vs. Utah

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It's easy to forget that this is no longer a conference game, no matter how odd it still might feel. Either way, this is a sneaky-good Week 1 matchup. It's also a tricky place to start a season for Utah.

Despite losing two of its final three games last season, UCLA showed a pulse. Defensively, this group hung in there under new head coach DeShaun Foster. Now, with the addition of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the offense could help this program take another step.

We don't need another massive step in this spot. We need Iamaleava to showcase hias athleticism at home against a program that took a step backward last season.

For Utah, this will be the Devon Dampier show. The transfer QB was electric at New Mexico, and he'll certainly make this group more explosive. But like many teams breaking in new QBs, including UCLA, finding comfort could take time.

Perhaps Utah regains its old form in short order. But playing on the road, albeit against a familiar foe, it seems like a lot to ask. The Utes find a way to win, but the Bruins keep this one close enough.

The Pick: UCLA (+6) 

Notre Dame (-2.5) at Miami

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Like many games this weekend, Notre Dame and Miami will break in two new starting quarterbacks.

Carson Beck began last season as one of the favorites to win the Heisman, then with the Georgia Bulldogs. Beck played an inconsistent season before injuring his shoulder, and he landed with Miami after toying with a departure for the NFL.

On the other sideline, CJ Carr spent last season on the sideline for the Irish as they made it to the national championship. The former 4-star recruit is a sensational athlete, although it's fair to wonder how his skills will translate to the field. Being able to hand the ball off to Jeremiyah Love won't hurt.

While both teams lost meaningful contributors, Cam Ward was truly sensational for Miami last season, playing his way to the No. 1 overall pick. It's fair to wonder how Miami, which finished with the nation's top scoring offense last year, will look under a QB coming off major surgery.

Stylistically, the Notre Dame team from a season ago matches up well here. Sure, that team lost a lot, but this group still has plenty to overcome a tricky road game to begin the year.

The Pick: Notre Dame (-2.5)

South Florida (+5.5) vs. Boise State

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For those in search of a slippery road game—and point spread—to start the season, look no further.

Boise State, fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance, is less than a touchdown favorite on the road against a South Florida program that won seven games last season.

Indeed, it feels fishy. Although when you consider where Boise State is, it's not exactly a surprise. Losing Ashton Jeanty, the most important individual football player to any team last season, is a tremendous blow. Having QB Maddux Madsen back helps, although Jeanty's absence looms large.

On top of that, think back to how many games the Broncos struggled in last year before finding their footing. It became a theme of sorts, and it was last year for Boise State against Georgia Southern in an opening game it almost lost.

While the Broncos have superior talent, USF presents an interesting challenge—along with some extreme temperatures expected at game time—that will push this closer than many expect. Look for QB Byrum Brown, who missed most of last season with injury, to produce in a big way.

The Pick: South Florida (+5.5)

Other Games on the Card

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Nebraska (-6.5) vs. Cincinnati

Are we drinking the Nebraska Kool-Aid again? Yes, we are. At least we will on Thursday night. Expect to see much more polished Dylan Raiola at QB and some new portal pieces make an immediate impact.

Auburn (-2.5) at Baylor

Don't sleep on this delightful Friday night out-of-conference matchup. While Hugh Freeze says he could play three QBs, we seriously doubt that. We don't doubt the talent Auburn returns in some key areas, and it should translate here.

Sam Houtson vs. UNLV (Over 62.5)

Both teams were in action last Saturday, and both defenses looked absolutely awful. Sure, we don't want to overreact to one week, although both offenses have plenty of talent to make this a wild, high-scoring football game.

East Carolina (+14) at NC State

If you have read this weekly column for a while, you know we tend to pack the Pirates when the time calls for it. This is one of those times. Coming off a solid eight-win season, East Carolina keeps it tight.