2022-2023 College Football Games of the Year Betting Odds and Picks

College Football Games of the Year

Prior to each college football season, sports books across the country post their Games of the Year where wagering becomes available on the biggest games for the upcoming season. WagerTalk handicapper Ralph Michaels shares some of his projected point spreads to compare with the opening lines from DraftKings on games involving Alabama, Texas A&M, USC, Georgia, Texas and many more!

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DraftKings’ Lines vs Ralph Michaels’ Lines

Week 2, September 10th: Iowa State at Iowa

DraftKings = Iowa (-6)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Iowa (-4.5)

Ralph gives the slight edge to the ‘dog in the Cy-Hawks series, Iowa State (+6). Last season, Iowa State lost to Iowa 27-17 as a 4-point home favorite, and the under hit by one point.

Week 3, September 17th: Oklahoma at Nebraska

DraftKings = Oklahoma (-5)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Oklahoma (-1.5)

We give the early-season edge to the ‘dog, Nebraska (+5), as Ralph projects Oklahoma as a 1.5-point favorite in this battle of former conference mates. Oklahoma won last year’s contest 23-16, but never came close to covering the 22.5-point spread against the Cornhuskers. The under also hit last year by 23.5 points as it was set at 62.5 points.

Week 4, September 24th: Arkansas vs Texas A&M

DraftKings = Texas A&M (-5)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Texas A&M (-2)

Ralph gives the edge to the ‘dog again, Arkansas (+5), with this game looking closer in his eyes. Arkansas beat the Aggies 20-10 last season as +4.5 underdogs. The under hit by 17 points as this was more of a defensive battle than oddsmakers projected.

Week 5, October 1st: Alabama at Arkansas

DraftKings = Alabama (-16)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Alabama (-13.5)

Another ‘dog getting the lean in the SEC matchup as Ralph doesn’t necessarily feel that Arkansas (+16) should be getting more than two touchdowns. Alabama won 42-35 last season but failed to cover as -20.5 favorites. The over/under was set at 58.5 last season, with the over cashing comfortably.

Week 6, October 8th: Texas A&M at Alabama

DraftKings = Alabama (-16.5)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Alabama (-19)

One week after leaning toward Alabama’s opponent, Ralph favors the Crimson Tide in this SEC West showdown and thinks Alabama should be closer to a three-score favorite. Alabama was upset at Texas A&M last season, 41-38, failing to cover as -18.5 road favorites. The over/under was set at 50.5, with the over cashing easily.

Week 7, October 15th: Alabama at Tennessee

DraftKings = Alabama (-13)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Alabama (-17)

Another early-season lean in the direction of the Crimson Tide, with Ralph suggesting this line should be closer to -17 compared to DraftKings’ opening line of -13. The Crimson Tide came away with a 52-24 win last season, covering the -24.5 spread. The over hit by eight points as it was set at 68.

USC at Utah

DraftKings = Utah (-3.5)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Utah (-5.5)

Even with USC’s revamped coaching staff and roster, Ralph still leans toward the Utes in this Pac-12 showdown. The Trojans were a 3-point home favorite in last year’s meeting with Utah, but the defending conference champs earned a 42-26 in the Coliseum. The total blew past the oddsmakers’ expectation at 53.5 points.

Week 8, October 22nd: Texas at Oklahoma State

DraftKings = Oklahoma State (-1.5)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Oklahoma State (-6.5)

This game presents the second-biggest discrepancy between Ralph’s numbers and the DraftKings’ opening lines as Ralph thinks this game should be lined closer to a touchdown in favor of the Cowboys. The Longhorns were a 3-point home favorite in last year’s meeting, but lost 32-24 to Oklahoma State. The over/under was set at 61, with the Cowboys’ defense leading the charge toward the under.

Week 9, October 29th: Florida vs Georgia

DraftKings = Georgia (-14.5)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Georgia (-17)

Georgia lost a record-breaking five defensive players to the first round of this year’s NFL Draft. Can the Bulldogs repeat their success in this annual neutral site clash? Georgia won last year’s contest 34-7 as a two-touchdown favorite, with the under (50) easily hitting as well.

Week 10, November 5th: Tennessee at Georgia

DraftKings = Georgia (-15.5)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Georgia (-19.5)

Back-to-back games where Ralph’s numbers favor Georgia against an SEC East rival. The Bulldogs stomped the Volunteers last year, 41-17, as 19-point favorites with the total of 56 points. Despite the Bulldogs’ roster and coaching turnover, Ralph feels this line should be closer to three touchdowns.

Week 11, November 12th: Washington at Oregon

DraftKings = Oregon (-10)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Oregon (-13)

This game has decided the Pac-12 North in recent seasons, and Ralph has an early-season lean toward the Ducks. Oregon won last year’s matchup 26-16 in Eugene, covering the -7 spread with the under (48) also getting to the ticket window.

Week 12, November 19th: USC at UCLA

DraftKings = USC (-4)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = UCLA (-1)

Wrong team favored? DraftKings opened the Trojans as a 4-point favorite, but Ralph thinks the Bruins deserve favoritism in this matchup. UCLA whipped the Trojans 62-33 last season, comfortably sailing over the total.

Miami (FL) at Clemson

DraftKings = Clemson (-9)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Clemson (-13)

Miami will be introducing a new coaching staff and roster this season, but Ralph still thinks this point spread deserves to be closer to two touchdowns. These two last played in 2020 with Clemson coming away with a 42-17 win at home en route to a College Football Playoff berth.

Week 13, November 25th: Florida at Florida State

DraftKings = Florida (-1.5)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Florida State (-5)

This Sunshine State showdown presents the biggest discrepancy between DraftKings’ opening lines and Ralph’s power ratings. Florida will be introducing Billy Napier as the Seminoles’ new coach this season. Florida won last year’s meeting 24-21, but failed to cover the spread as a 4-point home favorite with the game staying comfortably under the total.

Week 13, November 26th: Notre Dame at USC

DraftKings = USC (-2.5)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Notre Dame (-0.5)

Notre Dame captured last year’s meeting with the Trojans 31-16 as an 8-point home favorite, but the wheels had come off the Trojans’ season at that point. Can Lincoln Riley and the influx of new talent produce a different result this year?

Auburn at Alabama

DraftKings = Alabama (-23.5)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Alabama (-26)

Four overtime periods were needed to settle last year’s Iron Bowl, but Ralph and the oddsmakers project a different outcome this season. Alabama entered last season’s showdown as a 21-point favorite and escaped with a 24-22 win. Despite those four overtime periods, the under (57.5) still cashed by 11.5 points.

Michigan at Ohio State

DraftKings = Ohio State (-13.5)
Ralph Michaels’ Line = Ohio State (-13)

The Wolverines won outright last season, 42-27, as 6.5-point underdogs. Both Ralph and the oddsmakers think this year’s version will be a little more lopsided with point spreads close to two touchdowns.

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