With Week 0 in the books, we now look ahead to Week 1 of the 2025 college football season.
Below, I have three parlays for you to consider: a standard one, a longshot, and a Same Game Parlay.
Let’s check them out.
Best CFB Parlay This Week
CFB Week 1 Parlay (+569)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.10 units
- TCU at North Carolina: North Carolina +3.5 (-115)
- Virginia Tech at South Carolina: South Carolina -7.5 (-112)
- Notre Dame at Miami (FL): Miami +2.5 (-112)
For my Best CFB Parlay, I’m taking North Carolina, South Carolina, and Miami (FL).
TCU at North Carolina: North Carolina +3.5 (-115)
Playing on Monday night, I like North Carolina, in their first game with Bill Belichick as their head coach, to at least cover the spread.
In 2024, TCU allowed nearly 170 rushing yards per game. North Carolina has a quarterback, Gio Lopez, who has some rushing ability, running for 463 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024 with South Alabama.
I expect Belichick to run the ball effectively and work with the defense he has.
Virginia Tech at South Carolina: South Carolina -7.5 (-112)
In Week 1, I have to back South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers. He had seven rushing scores and 674 rushing yards last season.
The Hokies have a dual-threat of their own with Kyron Drones, but he struggled in 2024 and now has a bunch of transfers on offense.
I’ll take the more trusted quarterback in Week 1.
Notre Dame at Miami (FL): Miami +2.5 (-112)
Notre Dame is coming off a national title appearance, and Miami has a new quarterback in Carson Beck.
I like Miami in this one due to their offensive line, led by Francis Mauigoa, stability in the backfield with Mark Fletcher Jr. back after rushing for nine scores last season, and the more experienced quarterback.
Notre Dame’s starter is C.J. Carr, who’s never played in a college football game.
On top of that, the Fighting Irish lost defensive coordinator Al Golden to the NFL.
I’ll take some points with Miami.
CFB Week 1 Long Shot Parlay Bet
CFB Week 1 Long Shot Parlay (+1123)
DraftKings Sportsbook • Wager 0.10 units
- Texas vs. Ohio State: Texas ML (+102)
- Alabama vs. Florida State: Alabama -20.5 (+183)
- Tennessee vs. Syracuse: Tennessee -16.5 (+114)
Texas vs. Ohio State: Texas ML (+102)
I have to go with Texas in this one on the road.
The Buckeyes lost a bunch of talent to the NFL. While the Longhorns lost their fair share, this is Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin’s first-ever college football start.
While Arch Manning doesn’t have much more experience, he’s a Manning. He’ll be ready, and he proved what he can do in limited action last season.
I’ll take Manning on the road.
Alabama vs. Florida State: Alabama -20.5 (+183)
The line in this game is at 13.5 points, and I’m upping it to 20.5.
Alabama will be much better this season in the second campaign under head coach Kalen DeBoer. They have a new quarterback in Ty Simpson, who was hand-picked by this coaching staff and brings a ton of talent.
That list includes Tim Keenan III, LT Overton, Kadyn Proctor, Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and more.
The Seminoles are coming off a dreadful season. They have a new quarterback in Thomas Castellanos, but he’s far from an upgrade. He completed 61.5% of his passes for 1,366 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions last season. Boston College also benched him.
He did run for 1,113 yards in 2023, but I think Alabama squashes Florida State in this game.
Tennessee vs. Syracuse: Tennessee -16.5 (+114)
Tennessee has had to deal with some drama with Nico Iamaleava, but they’ll get off to a hot start in Week 1 against Syracuse.
Syracuse had a solid 2024, but they lost the man who led them there: quarterback Kyle McCord. He’s now in the NFL.
Tennessee turned things over to Joey Aguilar. Aguilar has plenty of experience, throwing for 6,760 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions over the last two seasons. He also ran for 452 yards in that same span.
As for Syracuse, they have a tandem of Steve Angeli and Rickie Collins.
I think Josh Heupel’s offense will be in full force here with an experienced quarterback.
Tennessee wins by 20 or more.
Read more of our CFB Week 1 best bets.
CFB Same Game Parlay Pick
CFB Week 1 SGP (+365)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.10 units
- Texas vs. Ohio State: Texas +1.5 (-108)
- Texas vs. Ohio State: DeAndre Moore Jr. Anytime TD (+190)
I discussed my rationale for Texas to win this game. However, for the sake of somewhat hedging my bets, I’ll take the +1.5 for Texas.
As part of Texas potentially winning this game outright, I think Manning will look to Moore Jr.
In his start last season against Mississippi State, Manning found Moore Jr. for two touchdowns. One went for 50 yards and the other for 27 yards.
He caught four passes for 104 yards and two scores.
Moore Jr. caught 39 passes for 456 yards and seven touchdowns last season and has a rapport with Manning.
Coming out of the slot, he’ll likely see a lot of Lorenzo Styles Jr.
Last season, he played 162 snaps, and I think Moore Jr. can take advantage of that inexperience.
