Getty Images

Perhaps the best non-conference slate of the season is on tap as the Week 1 college football schedule features some blockbuster matchups. None are bigger than top-ranked Texas taking on No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday at noon ET. Heisman contenders Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith will be in the spotlight, and the latest Week 1 college football odds list the Buckeyes as slight 1.5-point favorites. 

No. 8 Alabama (-13.5) vs. Florida State, No. 4 Clemson (-3.5) vs. No. 9 LSU are among the other huge matchups, and the college football odds board has lines of all sizes for games Thursday through Monday. Before locking in any Week 1 college football picks, be sure to see the top Week 1 college football expert picks, predictions and best bets from Thomas Casale.

A frequent guest on national radio and TV shows to discuss college sports, Casale has been sports betting -- and winning -- for more than 30 years. He opened this season with a 2-0 sweep of his best bets in Week 0, building on a 15-6 roll in his SportsLine best bets column that dates back to last season. Anybody who followed him could have been way up.

Now, he has turned his attention to the Week 1 college football odds and is sharing his top betting picks. If you parlay these college football betting picks, you could be looking at a return of around +600. Get his top college football picks at SportsLine, and new users can also target the DraftKings promo code, which offers $300 in bonus bets instantly plus over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket:

Top Week 1 college football expert predictions

One of Casale's top Week 1 college football picks: He is backing Alabama to cover the 13.5-point spread against Florida State. By their standards, the Tide were underwhelming in 2024, the first season for head coach Kalen DeBoer. With a more experienced defense and the return of Heisman contender Ryan Williams at receiver, however, they are looking for a playoff return.

Casale has spotted a big edge in the trenches for Alabama and is comfortable laying the points in this spot.

"I do expect FSU to be improved with former Boston College quarterback Tommy Castellanos under center," Casale told SportsLine. "The problem for the Seminoles on Saturday is in the trenches. Alabama enters the season with one of my top-five offensive and defensive lines. The offensive line, in particular, is an elite unit. New starting quarterback Ty Simpson still needs to prove himself, although I expect the Crimson Tide offensive front to wear down a re-tooled Florida State defensive line throughout the game." See what other pick Casale likes at SportsLine. 

How to make Week 1 college football picks 

Casale has found two other college football picks he loves, including one in a top matchup where he says the wrong team is favored. You can only see his picks at SportsLine, and you can use promo code CHAMPIONSHIP to get your first month at SportsLine for just $1.

What are the best bets for Week 1 of college football, and which underdog does Casale believe will win outright? Visit SportsLine now to see Thomas Casale's college football best bets, all from a proven college football handicapper who is on a 15-6 roll on CFB best bets, and find out.