Sam Avellone
Like Thursday night, Friday presents another opportunity for bettors to jumpstart their bankrolls ahead of Saturday’s massive opening college football slate. Auburn vs Baylor and Georgia Tech vs Colorado headline the night, but there are also a few Group of 5 games that spark some intrigue – including a matchup between 2 teams that played in Week 0. Using these games, I assembled a parlay consisting of my favorite bets of the night. Let’s get into Friday’s NCAAF parlay picks, and don’t forget our college football predictions for every Week 1 matchup.
Cam Coleman (AUB) anytime TD (+130)
Omarion Miller (COLO) anytime TD (155)
UNLV 1H ML (-278)
NCAAF Week 1 Friday parlay odds: +697
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of publishing
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Cam Coleman (AUB) anytime TD vs Baylor Bears (+130)
Usually in college football games with high totals, you don’t see many of the stud players with plus-odds to score a touchdown. It seems oddsmakers are underestimating Cam Coleman this year despite accumulating the 2nd-most receiving yards on Auburn’s roster and tying Keandre Lambert-Smith – now in the NFL – for the most receiving touchdowns as a true freshman. Now a bonafide #1, Coleman figures to pick up a large portion of the 80 vacated targets Lambert-Smith left behind.
Sure, Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton will be part of the offense, but Coleman is the guy – especially in the red zone. His 6’3 frame is the perfect end zone target for whoever is playing quarterback for the Tigers, and this matchup against Baylor is a favorable one for him considering the Bears were a bottom 20 team in PFF’s coverage grade last year – allowing 22 passing touchdowns against FBS opponents. The Bears weren’t exactly elite in the red zone either, as they gave up 28 touchdowns when their opponents crossed over their 20-yard line – which was outside the top 75 nationally. Look for Jackson Arnold to find Coleman in the end zone for 6 on Friday night.
Omarion Miller (COLO) anytime TD vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+155)
Omarion Miller has patiently awaited his turn behind the likes of Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr., LaJohntay Wester, and Will Sheppard, but now he steps into a primary role in this new-look Colorado offense. The Buffaloes are likely to have a different feel this year with Kaidon Salter replacing Shedeur Sanders under center, but expect Miller to be one of the primary targets when the ball is in the air.
Like Auburn’s Coleman, Miller has a big frame that makes him a great end zone target, but he’s also displayed an amazing ability to find yards after the catch albeit a limited sample size. In fact, he averages nearly 11 yards after catch per reception on 21 collegiate receptions. He also averaged greater than 4 yards per route run last year. That may not be sustainable with more playing time, but it showcases the big-play ability of the former 4-star recruit. He figures to be a deep-play threat throughout the game against a Georgia Tech defense going through a coordinator change after finishing outside the top 60 in passing yards per game, passing yards per attempt, explosiveness, second level yards, and open field yards – which makes this +155 price very appealing as a parlay piece.
UNLV Rebels first half ML over Sam Houston State Bearkats (-278)
UNLV didn’t look very good last week. The Rebels were outgained despite forcing 4 turnovers, and they converted only 3 of their 12 3rd downs against FCS Idaho State – nearly losing the game outright. However, they were especially good on the ground throughout the game (307 yards on 41 carries), which should be something they can replicate this week against an undersized Sam Houston State defensive front.
Given the scare against Idaho State, I’m expecting a more polished and focused effort from UNLV this week, especially early in the game against another team it has a massive talent advantage over. Look for the Rebels to overpower the Bearkats with a strong ground game behind the likes of running back Jai’Den Thomas and quarterback Anthony Colandrea early in this one, taking a lead into halftime.
Now find our CFB best bets for Week 1
