It’s never too early for college football, at least in the mind of one internet sports book that released early lines for the first week of the 2018 college football season. Spring practice is still a month away, but if a gambler wants to bet on the Sept. 1 matchup between Army and Duke, 5Dimes is taking action.
The internet site, based in Costa Rica, has the bets at -120 and a limit of $250 so no one is going to get rich making these wagers. But it does allow for the rabid fan to plunk down some money early on a game that is a little more than eight months away.
The first game of the season is a Big 10 affair with Northwestern at Purdue. The Boilermakers are giving away a point. Both teams are 200/1 selections to win the National Championship, according to the Westgate LV SuperBook. Northwestern won last year, 23-13.
Busy SEC Labor Day Weekend
The Southeastern Conference has five teams featured on the early betting board. Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi, Tennessee and LSU are all playing over the Labor Day weekend.
Defending national champion Alabama is facing Louisville and is giving the Cardinals 29.5 points. Auburn is -4 against Washington. Tennessee is an eight-point underdog against West Virginia. Mississippi is a pick ’em against Texas Tech and LSU is a one-point underdog with Miami.
Only one of those SEC teams are playing at home to begin the season. Tennessee will host West Virginia. Mississippi is on the road at Texas Tech and the other three are playing on neutral fields. The Alabama game will be held in Orlando as part of the Camping World Kickoff.
Auburn will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game. It is the third time since 2008 they have played in the game. It will be the first time for Washington.
LSU will be playing in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game is on Monday, Sept. 2 and both teams are coming off of bowl game losses. This could be one of the best games of the weekend. The two teams should be ranked around the top 10 when the preseason poll comes out.
Other Key Matchups
Another big contest should be Michigan at Notre Dame. The Wolverines are 12/1 to win the national title and are facing a rebuilt Fighting Irish program that had a successful 2017.
Notre Dame is a -2 choice to defeat Michigan, but quarterback Brandon Wimbush will be without two All American offensive linemen. Michigan gets Mississippi transfer Shea Patterson at quarterback and he may be the key to a successful season. This game will certainly be a barometer for how Jim Harbaugh’s program will do in 2018.
Washington and Auburn should be a great game as well. Both are 30/1 to win the national championship and could be in the Top 10 by the end of the year.
One team expected to get into the four-team playoff to decide the best program is also in action that weekend. Ohio State is easing into its schedule with a home game against Oregon State. The Buckeyes are 31-point picks over the Beavers.