FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2020, file photo, Texas' Sam Ehlinger (11) looks to pass against Baylor during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas. Ehlinger is the last of the Longhorns' 2020 season captains still standing. The others have either opted out of playing the Alamo Bowl against Colorado or will miss the game for an injury. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Short version: we’re not here to make friends with the sports books—we’re here to make withdrawals. Below is your Week 1 CFB blueprint using the Raymond Report numbers (C.O.W., MVI/VI, SOS) to find real edges. Bookmark this one, share it, and if you like getting paid by Halloween: become a member.
Top Sides: Texas +1.5 (ML sprinkle), Tulane -4.5, Kentucky -8, Temple -2.5, Virginia -11, Georgia Southern -1.5, California +1.5 (ML)
First-Half Hammers (reduce backdoor risk): Purdue, Penn State, Georgia, Iowa, BYU, Oregon, Washington, Air Force
Totals: Utah–UCLA Over 50, Texas–Ohio State Over 47, Temple–UMass Over 48.5, Syracuse–Tennessee Under 51
Want full Market Value Index, SBI flows, and 80% Club trends? Join the team at ATSStats.com — pick your plan and get the daily board.
Why: Model prints 24.35–24.14 with C.O.W. ~53.5%. Market is shading the Buckeyes on brand. When our number says “coin flip” but we’re getting plus money, we play the number, not the helmet.
Why: C.O.W. ~74% and a C-type Wildcats profile in transition. Green Wave’s trenches and early-season continuity should travel.
Why: C.O.W. ~72.6%. SEC power into a MAC step-up — talent, depth, and a second-half body-blow advantage.
Why: Model 26.7–23.4, C.O.W. ~57.5%. Cheap number for the better defense; correlation with the Over below.
Why: Model 35.2–23.4, C.O.W. ~78%. Market still pricing last year’s noise. Hoos > Chants in the box count and success rate.
Why: Model Cal 24.35–24.14 while book favors OSU. That mismatch = playable ML.
Why: C.O.W. ~54%. Small edge plus home opener. If you prefer lower variance, deploy -0.5 1H.
These are classic “impose your will early, rotate late” spots. We shorten the game and lay the number 1H:
Purdue -9.5 1H vs Ball State (full -18; C.O.W. ~91%)
Penn State -24.5 1H vs Nevada (full -42; ~90%)
Georgia -21 1H vs Marshall (full -38; ~96%)
Iowa -21 1H vs Albany (full -38.5; ~100%)
BYU -24 1H vs Portland State (full -42.5; ~97%)
Oregon -17 1H vs Montana (full -26.5; ~97%)
Washington -13.5 1H vs Colorado State (full -22.5; ~95.5%)
Air Force -17 1H vs Bucknell (full -31.5; ~94%)
Coaching cliché that actually pays: good teams script the first 30. We cash the script and let the substitutes worry about the 4th-quarter cover.
Model 53.5. Chip’s tempo + Utah red-zone efficiency === a number that should be 52–53.
Model 48.5. Two top-tier offenses; even a cautious script puts this in the low 50s with normal finishing drives.
Model ~50.1. Thin, but correlates with Temple -2.5 — if Owls get margin, UMass is throwing.
Model ~49.4. Vols’ defense vs Orange’s early-season install. Risk: short fields if Cuse’s ST/TO luck goes bad.
We’re not laying -35 to -50 in Week 1 unless it’s 1H or part of ML round-robin anchors. That means OU, WVU, BYU, A&M, Georgia are better as first-half plays or moneyline parlay legs — not YOLO spreads. Don’t torch CLV for a trophy cover.
C.O.W. (Chance of Winning): our base win-probability engine.
MVI / VI (Market Value Index): spots where the market price drifts from the true team strength.
SOS & Cycles (Bullish/Neutral/Bearish): who’s been tested and who hasn’t; who’s peaking and who’s due.
Want the full dashboard with MVI charts, SBI heatmaps, 80% Club trends, and daily tipsheets? That’s inside the members’ area.
If you’re serious about turning Saturdays into a side hustle, it’s time to lock in a 7-Day or 30-Day Membership at ATSStats.com. You’ll get:
Daily Raymond Report cards (MLB, CFL/NFL, NCAAF/NBA/NHL in-season)
80% Club trend finder
SBI (Sports Betting Index) market flows
DMVI fair-line screens and more
Members get the board before the line moves. Non-members get closing-line FOMO. Your call.
Q: Are these plays official “Premium Picks”?
A: The blog highlights — yes, these are plays we’re comfortable grading publicly. Members see the full card, adds, and live entries.
Q: Why so many first-half bets?
A: Week 1 brings rotations and conditioning variance. First-half favorites let us monetize talent edges before depth charts get cute.
Q: Should I parlay these?
A: Parlays are seasoning, not the steak. Flat bet or small ML round-robins for anchors; keep the bankroll healthy.
Straight off the ATS STATS ticker — Saturday’s MLB markets are stacked with inflated…
Market edges, pitcher form, streaks, and our VI/C.O.W. indicators for every matchup. Brewers at…
📊 Market stalls for favorites… books keeping things balanced. Straight-Up (SU) Favorites ⚖️ 1-Day:…
Here’s your marquee Week 1 CFB Preview for the biggest showdown on the board: 🏈…
Date: Friday, August 29, 2025 Source: ATS Stats – Raymond Report The dog days of…
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Toronto Blue Jays Game Preview for tonight (Friday, Aug 29, 2025 –…