Best Bets for Round 1 of the College Football Playoffs

By Max Dorsey

Playoff season is upon us, so here are my favorite bets for the first round of the CFP. (All odds are via Draft Kings Sportsbook.) None of this is gambling advice; it’s just how I feel about the lines for this weekend, and as always bet responsibly.

Notre Dame vs Indiana (ND -6.5) Total: 50.5

Best Bet: U 50.5

I love the under in this game. The snowy conditions should lead to both these teams running the ball a lot. Both these teams rank in the top three in point differential in college football and have done an excellent job defensively all season. This game has all the makings of a slugfest, and for that reason, the under is my play.

Penn State vs SMU (PSU -9) Total: 53

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Best Bet: PSU -7 (-144)

I don’t love the spread or the total in this game. Nine points is a lot and SMU is not just going to let PSU walk over them. With that being said this game is going to be cold with a high of 21 degrees in Happy Valley tomorrow, and I think Penn State is much more comfortable in those conditions than SMU. Penn State matches up well against SMU and their defense should shut down Kevin Jennings and the SMU offense. I think the safest thing to do is buy PSU down to a TD favorite.

Texas vs Clemson (Texas -12.5) Total: 50.5

Best Bet: Clemson +12.5

Texas has not done an outstanding job against ranked opponents this year with a total point differential in those games of +14. The only ranked team they’ve beaten by more than 12 was Michigan back in week two. While Clemson isn’t the powerhouse we’ve seen them be in the past, I think they’re good enough on both sides of the ball to hang with Texas. Give me the Tigers to cover.

Ohio State vs Tennessee (Tennesee +7) Total: 46

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Best Bet: Tennessee +7

I think there’s a real chance Tennesee wins this game outright on Saturday night. Ohio State has played three ranked opponents all season, losing to Oregon, beating PSU by 7, and Indiana by 18. I don’t think Ohio State is as dominant as this spread suggests,  nor do I think their home-field advantage is going to play that big of a factor as a lousy Michigan team walked into the shoe and won against this OSU. I think Tennesee is a lot better defensively than people give them credit for, and will have major success against Ohio State’s banged-up offensive line. Give the Vols spread as my favorite play of the weekend

MAX DORSEY

CFB, NFL Draft Analyst

A Floridian, Max is a Broadcast Digital Journalism student at Syracuse University – where he has previously been a recruiting and scouting intern for The Orange. Follow him on Twitter @maxdorsey44

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