Nebraska’s Week 0 opener wasn’t where it was originally planned, but the Huskers are getting a head start on the college football opener nonetheless.
The Cornhuskers travel to Illinois — instead of Ireland — for the season opener against the Illini at noon Saturday, Aug. 28, on Fox. It’s one of five Division I games on the Week 0 schedule.
NCAAF odds at Iowa sportsbooks
The others are:
- UConn at Fresno State — 1 p.m., CBS Sports Network
- Hawaii at UCLA — 2:30 p.m., ESPN
- UTEP at New Mexico State — 8:30 p.m.
- Southern Utah at San Jose State — 9 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Nebraska and Illinois moved the game from Ireland to Illinois this season due to logistical challenges associated with the pandemic. Nebraska will take on Northwestern on Aug. 27, 2022, at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium instead.
Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos said before his retirement:
“We are excited to reschedule the trip to Ireland for our football program. The young men in our program have been looking forward to this trip and we are happy to provide them this memorable experience. I know our great Husker fan base will be excited as well and the opportunity to travel to Ireland to see their team compete on an international stage will truly be special.”
Week 0 college football games are a popular bet
Erik Butch at DraftKings Nation said Nebraska opened as a -9.5 point favorite, but the Cornhuskers are a favorite now.
Nebraska was getting at 42% 0f handle and 49% of the bets at DraftKings on Tuesday.
John Ewing, at BetMGM Sportsbook, said the Week 0 games are generating the most interest so far.
“After that, the Ohio State game (at Minnesota) on Thursday Sept. 2, Wisconsin-Penn State on Sept. 4 and Bama-Miami on Sept. 4.”
Iowa and Iowa State both kick off their seasons on Sept. 4 as well. The No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes have a top 25 matchup as they host No. 17 Indiana.
Iowa State hosts Northern Iowa on Sept. 4.
Remember, in Iowa, you cannot bet on Iowa RB Tyler Goodson’s rushing yards or the number of yards Iowa State QB Brock Purdy passes. You can bet on Iowa and Iowa State, team-based props though.
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission administrator Brian Ohorilko said:
“The statute prevents any of the sports operators from offering a wager on an individual performance of an Iowa college athlete participating in a contest. A popular bet for example, would be an over/under on the number of passing yards that a quarterback might have.”
Iowa sportsbooks can accept wagers on an out-of-state athlete, however so prop bets for players in the Nebraska-Illinois game would be permitted.
32 games pit top 25 college football teams head-to-head
The Associated Press preseason top 25 was released Aug. 16 and, starting with Week 1, not a week goes by without a head-to-head top 25 matchup.
Only four of the games pair teams in the preseason top 10:
- No. 8 Cincinnati at No. 9 Notre Dame (Oct. 2)
- No. 1 Alabama at No. 6 Texas A&M (Oct. 9)
- No. 10 North Carolina at No. 9 Notre Dame (Oct. 30)
- No. 7 Iowa State at No. 2 Oklahoma (Nov. 20)
Week-to-week outlook
Saturday, Sept. 4
- No. 19 Penn State at No. 12 Wisconsin
- No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 14 Miami (FL) (in Atlanta)
- No. 17 Indiana at No. 18 Iowa
- No. 23 Louisiana at No. 21 Texas
Saturday, Sept. 11
- No. 11 Oregon at No. 4 Ohio State
- No. 18 Iowa at No. 7 Iowa State
Saturday, Sept. 18
- No. 8 Cincinnati at No. 17 Indiana
- No. 1 Alabama at No. 13 Florida
Saturday, Sept. 25
- No. 9 Notre Dame vs. No. 12 Wisconsin (in Chicago)
Saturday, Oct. 2
- No. 17 Indiana at No. 19 Penn State
- No. 8 Cincinnati at No. 9 Notre Dame
Saturday, Oct 9
- No. 1 Alabama at No. 6 Texas A&M
- No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 21 Texas (in Dallas)
- No. 24 Utah at No. 15 USC
- No. 19 Penn State at No. 18 Iowa
Saturday, Oct. 16
- No. 14 Miami (FL) at No. 10 North Carolina
- No. 13 Florida at No. 16 LSU
- No. 25 Arizona State at No. 24 Utah
Saturday, Oct. 23
- No. 4 Ohio State at No. 17 Indiana
- No. 15 USC at No. 9 Notre Dame
Saturday, Oct. 30
- No. 19 Penn State at No. 4 Ohio State
- No. 18 Iowa at No. 12 Wisconsin
- No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 13 Florida (in Jacksonville)
- No. 10 North Carolina at No. 9 Notre Dame
Saturday, Nov. 6
- No. 16 LSU at No. 1 Alabama
- No. 21 Texas at No. 7 Iowa State
- No. 11 Oregon at No. 20 Washington
- No. 15 USC at No. 25 Arizona State
Saturday, Nov. 13
- No. 25 Arizona State at No. 20 Washington
Saturday, Nov. 20
- No. 7 Iowa State at No. 2 Oklahoma
- No. 11 Oregon at No. 24 Utah
Saturday, Nov. 27
- No. 6 Texas A&M at No. 16 LSU
