Predictions for College Football's First Week - Top Wagers Set for Aug. 30th

In the upcoming Week 1 games, several interesting trends and insights emerge.

Home favourites have not dominated as expected, with teams playing at home in Week 1 games going under 55% of the time since 2018. This trend could potentially favour underdogs in some matchups.

One such matchup is the Tulane vs Northwestern game, where both defences are expected to control the game. Tulane, who allowed just 20.6 points per game last season, will face Northwestern's offence, which was one of the worst in the FBS, averaging only 17.8 points per game. However, the total points for this game is set at 46, and the best bet for this game is the under (46).

In another intriguing matchup, the best bet for the Hawaii vs Arizona game is the over (53.5). Hawaii's passing attack, averaging 268.2 passing yards per game last season, could be one of the best in college football. This could pose a challenge for Arizona's defence, which struggled against the pass, allowing 239.0 passing yards per game last season.

Meanwhile, in the Purdue vs Ball State game, 71% of bets are backing Purdue to cover. Purdue's coach Barry Odom has brought in a record 51 transfers, representing a complete roster overhaul for the program. Odom, who cut training camp short by two days to focus on Ball State preparation, has expressed confidence in his team. Purdue's quarterback Ryan Browne, who showed potential in his first college start last season, will be key to their success.

However, Ball State's defence struggled in the 2021 season, ranking 125th in yards allowed, 132nd in points allowed, and dead last with 85 explosive plays given up. Both teams have lost key offensive pieces to the portal, which could potentially even the playing field.

In Tulane, the quarterback situation remains uncertain, with the starter not named until game day. This uncertainty could potentially favour Northwestern, who converted red zone trips into touchdowns only 39.5% of the time last season.

On a separate note, the weather in New Orleans on August 30 will be hot and rainy, with a heat index near 100. Wet conditions in games often favour unders, especially in season openers. This could potentially affect the scoring in the Tulane vs Northwestern game.

In summary, while home favourites have not been dominant in recent years, several other factors could influence the outcomes of Week 1 games. Factors such as team performance, player transfers, and weather conditions could potentially sway the results in unexpected directions. As always, it's important to do thorough research and consider all factors before placing bets.