The college football season kicks off and many Power 5 teams and big name schools are laying significant points at the sportsbooks vs. teams from non-power 5 conferences. There are 15 FBS match-ups with the favorite laying at least 3 touchdowns, and 13 of those favorites are from Power 5 conferences.

Injuries are always worth noting and impact the betting lines in various ways. Many recreational bettors are often even unaware of key injuries, and fail to recognize the impact of more notable injuries along the offensive or defensive lines. Some lines have moved significantly (more than 3 points) likely due to key injuries; notably the Iowa Hawkeyes injuries with Northern Illinois taking money.

Here is a list of injuries of note in Week 1 contests.

Northern Illinois at Iowa (-10.5). A pair of sophomore starting offensive tackles are out for Iowa, as both Tristan Wirfs and Alaric Jackson are suspended for the opening game. They broke team rules during the summer. Two replacements will make their first career starts; redshirt freshman Mark Kallenberger and senior Dalton Ferguson. Junior tackle Levi Paulsen is also likely to rotate through. Iowa had also lost a pair of projected starters in the secondary over the summer in free safety Brandon Snyder and cornerback Manny Rugamba.

Michigan at Notre Dame (-1). Wolverines wide receiver Tarik Black is out indefinitely with an injured foot suffered during practice last weekend.

North Carolina at California (-7). The Tarr Heels have 11 players serving suspensions from between 1 to 4 games, and three of them were projected starters: QB Chazz Surratt, and defensive ends Malik Carney and Tomon Fox.

Wake Forest at Tulane (+6.5). Demon Deacons junior QB Kendall Hinton is suspended for the first 3 games.

Northwestern at Purdue (-1). Wildcats senior QB Clayton Thorson may start Thursday night, but it’s not been announced. He’s listed as questionable recovering from a torn ACL suffered in last season’s bowl game.
Ole Miss at Texas Tech (-2.5). All-American wide receiver AJ Brown (hamstring) has been limited in practice and is day-to-day.

Cincinnati at UCLA (-14.5). Earlier this week, new coach Chip Kelly announced the suspension of 6 players for the opener. Three players will miss multiple games including starting center Boss Tagaloa and UCLA’s second leading rusher last season Soso Jamabo. Another starter, DE Osa Odighizuwa will miss only the Cincinnati game. Kelly has still not announced the starting quarterback.

Texas at Maryland (+14). Longhorns senior WR John Burt has been ruled out for the opener with a foot injury suffered during preseason camp

Stephen F. Austin at Mississippi State (NL). Bulldogs senior QB Nick Fitzgerald is suspended for the opener. Sophomore Keytaon Thompson will start, and he was MSU’s QB during their bowl win over Louisville.

Western Kentucky at Wisconsin (-36). Wisconsin is the Big Ten East favorite, and a contender to lead the Big Ten back to the college football playoff. Badgers wide receivers Danny Davis (suspended) and Quintez Cephus (legal) are out. Also out for Wisconsin due to injuries suffered over the summer are starting defensive ends Isaiahh Loudermilk (leg) and Garrett Rand (Achilles), who is out for the season. Senior TE Zander Neuville (leg) will also miss the opener, as will free safety Patrick Johnson (head).

Jackson State at Southern Miss (NL). Eagles senior QB Kwadra Griggs was suspended indefinitely in August for student misconduct.

LSU vs Miami (-3.5). Hurricanes junior TE Michael Irvin II is out for Sunday’s opener in Arlington, TX after suffering a knee injury in early August. He’ll miss nearly four months following surgery.

Best wishes in Week 1 and this season as you avoid the hazards, disabled list and shoot for the green and pay dirt in your pursuit of profit.

FairwayJay is a leading national sports handicapper and is recognized as one of the sports industry's most insightful analysts. Read more great insights from Jay here and follow him on Twitter: @FairwayJay