While you may have your College Football Playoff parlay already built out for the first round of games, Simplebet has some first-drive trends that could provide results on picks in the first quarter of each game.
Friday, December 20
No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame
1st Notre Dame Drive Result: Touchdown +125
The Fighting Irish scored a touchdown in each of their last five game-opening drives. That may be too tough of a trend for Indiana to stop, given the Hoosiers gave up 38 points to the only ranked team that they faced this season. That ranked team was Ohio State, who scored on five of their nine offensive drives vs. Indiana – four of those scoring drives resulting in touchdowns.
Saturday, December 21
No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State
1st Penn State Drive Result Grouped: Offensive Score +100
Penn State’s offense has been clicking early in games. Three of the Nittany Lions’ last five game-opening drives resulted in Penn State scoring.
No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas
1st Clemson Drive Result: Punt -175
Texas has been tough early in games. The Longhorns have not allowed any of their last five opponents to score on their game-opening drive. Four of those five drives resulted in a punt.
Furthermore, Clemson only scored on one of their last five game-opening drives vs. FBS teams.
No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State
1st Ohio State Drive Result Grouped: No Offensive Score -190
Like Texas, Tennessee isn’t letting opposing offenses get comfortable early. In the Volunteers’ last five games, only one opponent has scored on a game-opening drive.
Additionally, Ohio State has only concluded one of their last five game-opening drives with a scoring play.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.