It’s never too early to get in those Week 1 bets for college football!  Although the NFL is close to signing that all-important collective bargaining agreement, and thereby allowing almost the entire nation of the United States to breathe a huge sigh of relief, college football has always been on track during the off-season.

The sportsbook is providing lines for six games for that first week, from September 3rd through September 5th, at this time.  The top three games on which to wager, with reasons why, are below:

Oregon +1 ½ at LSU -1 ½

Analysis:  Oregon appears to have everything going for it this season with both QB Derron Thomas and Lamichael James returning but the offense sputtered in the BCS Championship Game against one of the worst defense’s, Auburn’s, in the SEC.  Now, they take on one of the best defenses in the SEC in the LSU Tigers who have awesome ends in Lavar Edwards, Ken Adams and Barkevious Mingo.  The cornerbacks should shut down Oregon’s somewhat anemic passing game and the offense will be better than okay with their own quarterbacks in Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee returning.  Yes, LSU is 7 and 15 ATS in their last 22 home games, but they are usually favored by close to double-digits in those games.  In this contest, at least right now, they’re giving up a measly 1 ½ points.

Pick:  LSU -1 ½

Boise State -1 vs. Georgia +1

Analysis:  This game will be played in Atlanta, not Athens, which is why it’s not technically a home game for the Bulldogs.  With that being written, this is a home game for Georgia.  Boise State returns QB Kellen Moore but he has to throw to a brand new group of wide receivers.  Not only that, but the Broncos’ offensive line appears to be in flux.  They’ve got talent on the O-Line but it might not be as solid early in the season as it will be later in the season.  Georgia returns QB Aaron Murray who should improve even though he too will have new wide receivers.  Georgia’s offensive line figures to push the Broncos’ D-Line all over the place in this game.  Boise State got lucky against Virginia Tech in their first game of the season in 2010.  I don’t think they get lucky this season, not against a good SEC team on that SEC team’s home turf, in their first game.  Georgia should cover this spread with ease.  Georgia a home dog in Atlanta?  I call it a first week gift.

Pick:  Georgia +1

Miami Florida -4 at Maryland Terrapins +4

Analysis:  This should be one of the most interesting games of the first week.  Why?  Because both the Hurricanes and the Terps will walk onto the gridiron with a new coaching staffs.  Miami Florida hired Al Golden to coach their team in 2011.  Golden comes from Temple where he turned the Owls into one of the best teams in the MAC.  Maryland hired Randy Edsall in the off-season.  Edsall led the University of Connecticut to a Big East Championship and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl in the 2010 season.  Miami should win the game, but it’s hard for me to not take the points in this one.  Maryland actually returns what I believe is a more experienced team and Edsall did coach the Huskies to that Big East title and a spot in a BCS Bowl game last season.  He has more talent with Maryland than he did with Connecticut.  There’s also another reason to like Maryland in this game.  The Terps are 7 and 2 ATS in their last 9 home games and Edsall figures to want to make a splash in front of the turtle-loving fans.  Finally, does anybody really have confidence in Miami QB Jacory Harris?  Yeah…I didn’t think so.

Pick:  Maryland +4