SportsLine Model Backs Auburn, Cincinnati to Cover 7.5-Point Spreads in Week 1
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 5
SportsLine Model Backs Auburn, Cincinnati to Cover 7.5-Point Spreads in Week 1
3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 5
Summary
Auburn and Cincinnati are the model’s top Week 1 spread picks, with Auburn projected to cover -7.5 against Baylor more than 60% of the time and Cincinnati favored to clear -7.5 versus Boston College.
10,000 simulations drive the forecasts, and SportsLine says its model has gone 32-19 on top-rated college football money-line picks since the 2024 season after an upgrade to better account for transfer-portal movement.
Auburn’s case rests on Baylor’s 2-10 ATS mark last season, the Bears’ three straight road losses by an average 17 points, and new quarterback Byrum Brown after his 3,000-pass, 1,000-rush-yard season at USF.
Cincinnati’s edge comes against a Boston College team that went 2-10 last year and is 1-9 over its last 10 road games, while the Bearcats were 5-2 at home in a 7-6 season.
90 FBS games headline Week 1, with Clemson at 10-point favorite LSU, No. 9 Ole Miss versus No. 24 Louisville, and Notre Dame favored by 20.5 over Wisconsin among the marquee matchups.