There's no time to waste with a fun intro teasing the Saturday games. Much like playing for Nick Saban, the fun is in the winning.
Here are the seven underdogs to have on your college football betting card this weekend.
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 14 Miami (+19.5, 61)
This line is climbing in favor of Alabama, so who knows if we'll end up getting a full three touchdowns, but the cover will likely come down to what D'Eriq King does when he's running for his life against the Crimson Tide defense. The good news for Miami bettors is that's exactly what King does best.
By backing Alabama, you're paying last year's prices, and though the program simply reloads each season, it doesn't make much sense to say the Tide will immediately be this good after half the offense went in the first round of the NFL draft.
West Virginia at Maryland (+3, 57)
We've got our first "wrong team favored" alert of the season. The known quantities for Maryland, with a talented group on offense - led by Taulia Tagovailoa - are far more certain than anything Neal Brown and West Virginia has this season, particularly after its highly ranked defense was ravaged by departures.
If Maryland head coach Mike Locksley paid as much attention to recruiting and developing the defense as he has to the offense, it should be an improved unit, too. I like the Terps to get a win at home here.
Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State (-23, 52.5)
Famous for being involved in wacky finishes that affect only the point spread, Skip Holtz's Louisiana Tech will play this game to the final seconds, looking to get reps against an SEC team.
Mike Leach tried to bring his high-flying offense from Washington State to Starkville last year, but it got lost somewhere over the Rocky Mountains. Though Leach likely spent the summer focusing on finding a fix, there's no guarantee the passing game is going to click, and since last season's standard was 240 yards per contest, go with underdogs.
San Jose State at No. 15 USC (-14, 59.5)
San Jose State had a glorified scrimmage with Southern Utah last week but faces a big step up here against USC. My first instinct is to fade Clay Helton's outfit, especially when laying big points. The Spartans are coming off an MWC title and brought back almost everyone, including up-and-coming head coach Brent Brennan.
USC's tendency for sloppy play early in the season, and the fact that San Jose State should be more prepared for what's a bigger game for them, has me on the 'dog here, with maybe a splash on the moneyline.
Florida Atlantic at No. 13 Florida (+23.5, 52)
Florida Atlantic became known for its defense last season under head coach Willie Taggert and coordinator Jim Leavitt after years of the express version of the "Lane Train." Though Leavitt left for SMU, he's replaced by Mike Stoops, who spent two years on the staff at Alabama.
Florida's had turnover, as well, but it's all on the field. With a bunch of new pieces on offense, the Gators may struggle to pull away in this one, and with more than three touchdowns in our pocket in a game with a low total, I'll bank on FAU keeping this respectable.
UT-San Antonio at Illinois (-5.5, 49)
This one is going to drive the fans in Lincoln nuts. Imagine being a Nebraska fan, watching UTSA beat Illinois on the road a week after you lost to the Illini. The Roadrunners might even have more talented skill position players than Nebraska, with the duo of Frank Harris and Sincere McCormick. I think the Roadrunners come out of Champaign with a win, something the Huskers couldn't do.
Utah State at Washington State (-17, 67)
Washington State has a history of kicking away openers to teams far less talented and organized than Utah State. Blake Anderson's unit is well-coached and bolstered by a handful of transfers, including his former Arkansas State quarterback, Logan Bonner. The less said about Wazzu head coach Nick Rolovich's summer, the better.
Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there’s a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on twitter @mrussauthentic.