Show Me the Money: Texas Tops List of Most Bet Teams in Saturday’s College Football Games

College football bettors have a mouth-watering slate of Week 1 games to bet on Saturday, highlighted by No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Ohio State.

Here, we examine the most popular CFB bets based on updated handle totals at BetMGM. Always compare the odds being offered by multiple sportsbooks to ensure the best value for your bets.

The headline might insinuate that these are our most popular bets, but in fact, we’re suggesting you go the other way in all three games. Your best bet is taking the OVER on the number of times you’ll see this new ad featuring Jon Hamm on Saturday.

Bettors Love Longhorns Against Defending National Champions

A potential national title matchup in Week 1? Yes, please.

Texas (+1) at Ohio State

Arch Manning takes the reins at quarterback for Texas, which opens the season as the top-ranked team in the country. This line opened at Ohio State -3, but it’s been bet down to a single point.

Seventy-three percent of the handle is on the Longhorns for bets on the spread. Additionally, Manning has attracted the most tickets as an anytime touchdown scorer in all of this weekend’s games at +200 odds. He’s also the consensus betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, with odds ranging between +500 to +700.

Ohio State defeated Texas, 28-14, in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff last season en route to the program’s sixth national title.

Our lean: Ohio State -1

Alabama (-14) at Florida State

Florida State was one of the nation’s most cringeworthy teams last year, finishing 2-10 after starting the season with a top-10 ranking. That bit of recency bias likely contributed to the significant amount of money flowing in on Alabama. This line opened at ‘Bama -12.5, but Crimson Tide money bumped it up to two full scores.

FSU head coach Mike Norvell welcomes former Boston College quarterback Tommy Castellanos to the fold. The dual-threat QB will need to be at his best if the Seminoles want to hang around in the season opener.

Quarterback Ty Simpson is making his first start for the Crimson Tide, and you have to give Castellanos the edge at QB. Unfortunately for him, Alabama returns eight of its top-10 tacklers from a season ago. We still recommend holding your nose and taking double-digit points at home here.

Our lean: Florida State +14

Which Underdog Should I Bet on Saturday?

There’s nothing better than cashing tickets on underdogs to win outright, whether you’re at the betting window or, more likely, on your phone. LSU has taken the most tickets among all ‘dogs at BetMGM.

LSU (+150) at Clemson

This tilt kicks off in primetime tomorrow on ABC, so many observers will be sufficiently juiced and ready to roll. If you’re in town for the game, do yourself a favor and check out The Esso Club. You’ll thank us later.

Fun fact: LSU has lost five consecutive season openers. Nearly three-quarters of BetMGM patrons (74%) are still on the Bayou Bengals to prevail on the road at Clemson. We use that unofficial moniker because both teams are technically Tigers that play in stadiums known as Death Valley.

There’s deservedly a lot of shine on Texas-Ohio State as the game of the week, but this battle between quarterbacks Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier will be must-watch TV. Given his family pedigree, Manning is more ballyhooed down in Texas, but it’d be no surprise to see one of these two Tigers holding the Heisman at season’s end.

We’re not big on betting money-line favorites, but our forecast calls for Clemson to win — if not cover -4 — under the lights at home.

Our lean: Clemson (-185)