The last weekend of the summer is here and this weekend the top betting events start with the college football!! There's also a full slate of Major League Baseball action as teams make a stretch run for the playoffs.

NCAA Football Betting

Technically the college football season started last weekend with what was dubbed "Week 0". But this weekend many of the top teams are in action, with the feature game between Clemson and Georgia. Betting on college football, shop around for the best lines, as they often vary widely at the top online sportsbooks. Week1 of the NCAA football season features seven games on the board tonight and over 50 games on Saturday.

Bettors need to keep in mind what kids have graduated or moved up to the next level and also which players are injured or suspended. And, remember that some teams played little or no football last season due to Covid. Beware blindly betting college football without doing some early pre-season research. 

North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Tech Hokies
Friday, 9/3 at 6 PM ET
Line: North Carolina (-6)

This game is getting a lot of attention because the Tar Heels are ranked in the Top 10 and feature one of the top quarterbacks in the country in Sam Howell. North Carolina was ranked in the top 10 last year and lost to these Hokies in Week 5, killing their chances at a College Football Playoff. But, they think they are ready for the expectations this season. Howell, a junior, is serious contender to become UNC's first Heisman Trophy winner and should break school records for career passing yards and passing touchdowns this season. BetOnline agrees and has Howell as the 3rd favorite in the Heisman running at 10-1. But, UNC has not won in Blacksburg since 2015 and have lost six of their last eight there. This number opened with the Tar Heels a 6.5 point favorite and the number has been trending down to even 5.5 at some sportsbooks.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Miami Hurricanes
Saturday, 9/4 at 3:30 PM ET
Line: Alabama (-19.5)

We are to the point where #1 Alabama is so popular that even their first game is at a neutral site and has a name. The Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon and features two ranked teams. Miami starts off the season at #14 and the last time the Hurricanes were ranked in the AP preseason poll was 2018.  The Tide opened at -17.5 in Vegas, but that number has risen all week. Currently, they are a 19.5 favorite at every top online sportsbook. People love betting on 'Bama, so if you are looking at the 'Canes to cover the point spread, wait until closer to game time.  



Georgia Bulldogs at Clemson Tigers
Saturday, 9/4 at 7:30 PM ET
Line: Clemson (-2.5)

This is the feature game of the day as two of the Top 5 teams in the country face off. This line has dropped a bit as Clemson enters the post-Trevor Lawrence era, but Tigers fans are not worried after seeing D.J. Uiagalelei torch Boston College and Notre Dame last season. Georgia's JT Daniels is the co-owner of 3rd favorite to win the Heisman Trophy with UNC's Howell and has something to prove. He was able to guide the Bulldogs to four straight wins after being named the starter in 2020. Daniels transferred from USC where he was only the second freshman to start at quarterback for USC in 2018. But he tore his ACL in the 2019 season opener, transferred to Georgia and was recovered enough to get into the Bulldogs last four games. 

Two Heisman candidates. Two of the Top 5 teams. Tons of betting action. Sure, it's early in the season, but this is the one NCAA Football game to watch this weekend. 

Make sure to check out FairwayJay's Top 25 Matchups And Week 1 Picks for insights on which of the top teams to bet on this weekend.

MLB betting

Braves at Rockies

The Atlanta Braves have seen the NL East lead shrink to just one and half games after heading out west. They went just 2-4 against the Dodgers and Giants. They look to get right this weekend against the lowly Rockies. But tonight, they are just slight favorites, despite sending Huascar Ynoa to the mound. the Braves are just 6-5 when he starts, although he has a 2.95 ERA and WHIP right at 1 for the season. Atlanta has been crushing poor teams with three consecutive sweep of the Nats, Marlins and O's before their recent trip out West. Look for a Braves victory tonight and check the betting lines throughout the weekend as they bounce back to try and stay atop their division.

Yankees at Orioles

The Yankees were rolling, going 22-8 since the start of August and 31-13 since the All-Star break. But they suffered a four game losing streak in their quest to catch the Rays. This weekend the face the worst team  in baseball, Baltimore, and will be giant favorites all weekend long. they are -450 to win the series at Camden Yards. But, this is an excellent opportunity for MLB bettors to look at using the run line. Tonight the Bronx Bombers are -225 to win, but -120 to win by more than 1.5 runs at dimeline baseball  book BetAnySports. Last night Baltimore lost 5-4, but the run line only came into play one time in August, with the hapless Orioles losing 19 straight games, the longest losing streak in the majors in 16 years.

MLB Betting Tip

Look at betting MLB run lines throughout September as the top teams eyeing the playoffs or division titles look to load up on victories versus weaker squads approaching the end of the season.

Don't forget the NFL season starts Thursday with the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Dallas Cowboys. BetOnline is giving players a 100% bonus up to $1,000, plus a $25 free play on the first game of the 2021 NFL season. And we host our 16th annual NFL Progressive Pick 'Em challenge, with sportsbook prizes and a guaranteed cash pool that builds every week.