Thursday Night College Football Betting Preview: Should Ohio State Be On Upset Alert Against Minnesota?

We lost Temple vs Rutgers tonight but there is still more than enough to hold our interest as we continue to ease into Week 1 of the college football season.

We get a Big Ten matchup featuring defending champ Ohio State and maybe the best G5 vs. G5 game of the season with Boise State visiting UCF.

Let's take a closer look.

College football odds listed below are via BetOnline Sportsbook.

Boise State Broncos vs UCF Knights, ESPN, 7:00 p.m. ET

Boise State vs UCF College Football Betting Odds

• Spread: Boise State +6.5 (-110), UCF -6.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 68 (-110), Under 68 (-110)
• Moneyline: Boise State +185, UCF -223

Love the matchup here and it is made even more intriguing that we are seeing the debuts of coaches with their new teams. Andy Avalos is returning home to Boise State while Gus Malzahn has landed at UCF. In both cases, they inherit experienced quarterbacks and programs that expect to win a lot. It is especially interesting to see how Malzahn tinkers with an elite UCF offense.

A TD margin feels right. You could have gotten -5.5 a couple of days ago, but we have not crossed a key number just yet. I love Boise State in underdog roles, but I am going to take a wait-and-see approach with the Broncos this season.

Boise State vs UCF Best Bet: UCF -6.5

USF Bulls vs N.C. State Wolfpack, ACC Network, 7:30 p.m. ET

USF vs N.C. State College Football Betting Odds

• Spread: USF +19 (-105), NC State -19 (-115)
• Total: OVER 58.5 (-110), UNDER 58.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: USF +708, NC State -942

The Bulls had a disaster of a first season under coach Jeff Scott. Things have to be better this season, but that is only because they can’t really get much worse. They were not competitive on either side of the ball in most games. N.C. State is getting a lot of low-key buzz. The defense is always stingy and if QB Devin Leary is healthy the offense can be really good.

Unfortunately, the time to bet this one might have been back in July when it was -16.5. Crossing over -17 takes some value away, but if you still like the Wolfpack, and I do, there is no reason to hold back. They should win by 3 TDs and look great doing it.

USF vs NC State Best Bet: NC State -19.5

East Carolina Pirates vs Appalachian State Mountaineers, ESPNU, 7:30 p.m. ET

East Carolina vs Appalachian State College Football Betting Odds

• Spread: East Carolina +9 (-110), Appalachian State -9 (-110)
• Total: OVER 56 (-110), UNDER 56 (-110)
• Moneyline: East Carolina +281, Appalachian State -342

East Carolina has a ton of returning starters but the outlook is still pretty light on the Pirates this season. They should be competent on offense, but until they can make some stops they are going to struggle against legit teams. Appalachian State is definitely one of those. They might be only the third-best team in the Sun Belt, but this program is super consistent. Transfer QB Chase Brice is working his way around the Carolinas, but they will not be asking much of him at Appalachian State.

The line was up at 10 earlier today, and there is definitely value at the lower number. This is a spot where the Mountaineers should take care of business. They could win each half by this spread if they are fully motivated.

East Carolina vs Appalachian State Best Bet: Appalachian State -9

Bowling Green Falcons vs Tennessee Volunteers, SEC Network, 8:00 p.m. ET

Bowling Green vs Tennessee College Football Betting Odds

• Spread: Bowling Green +36.5, Tennessee -36.5
• Total: OVER 60.5 (-110), UNDER 60.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Bowling Green +2200, Tennessee -20000

This game is a little bit interesting but in the way that watching cars wreck on the track is. Bowling Green is one of the worst football programs in America, and Tennessee is one of the worst in the Power 5. Tennessee has new leadership, but there is not much expected of them this season. They have had a serious talent drain in the transfer market since Josh Heupel arrived from UCF, and this might be the only chance they get to dominate an opponent this season.

The line on this one jumped out at me because I have a hard time seeing the Vols as this much better than anyone. Then I remembered that Bowling Green lost all five of their MAC games a year ago by an average score of 45-11. So maybe it is not out of reach.

Bowling Green vs Tennessee Best Bet: Under 60.5

Ohio State Buckeyes vs Minnesota Golden Gophers, FOX, 8:00 p.m. ET

Ohio State vs Minnesota Betting Odds

• Spread: Ohio State -13.5 (-110), Minnesota +13.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 62.5 (-110), UNDER 62.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Ohio State -515, Minnesota +413

Ohio State is one of the most talented teams in the country. There is no doubt about that. Still, I think we can have some reservations early as they will be breaking in inexperienced quarterback C.J. Stroud. They could probably run the ball on every down and still win, but it is reasonable to think this first game could have some challenges. It is on the road too and Minnesota has a lot to prove after last year’s disappointing season. They have an experienced QB in Tanner Morgan and a strong running game. Maybe that is enough to keep it close.

This line has dropped from -14. I keep going back and forth between loving the value on the Gophers and assuming that Ohio State is going to roll through the regular season. Let’s try Minnesota. We have all season to make it back from a bad opening week play.

Ohio State vs Minnesota Best Bet: Minnesota +13.5