College football Week 1 predictions: Clemson vs. Georgia, LSU vs. USC highlight big battles (2024)

Hummer (Colorado -9.5) —FBS teams are justifiably worried about scheduling North Dakota State in the non-conference portion of the schedule with the Bison playing just one FBS opponent the last five years. Arizona, back in 2022, won that game 31-28. That Wildcats team went 5-7 in Year 2 under Jedd Fisch. I think this Colorado team is much better. The Buffaloes have one of the best skill groups in the country, which will be difficult for an Bison program that was in big need of cornerbacks this offseason under new head coach Tim Polasek. The Bison are going to be good as always. But as we saw last year when Colorado clipped TCU to open the season, Week 1 is a bad time to catch the Buffaloes. … Colorado 34, North Dakota State 21.

Crawford (Colorado -9.5) — Here's an opportunity for the Buffaloes to block out the offseason vitriol on Thursday night with a big win to kick-off Coach Prime's second season. To be honest, everything goes down the tubes if Colorado fails to play well (or even impress) against this opponent. Shedeur Sanders was my top-ranked quarterback in the country this offseason and I think he'll start with four touchdown passes and over 300 yards through the air. ... Colorado 41, North Dakota State 24.

Hummer (Minnesota +1.5) —Continuity matters in college football, and the Gophers enter 2024 with plenty of it with the 19th most production in the FBS, per ESPN. You can't say the same of UNC which is nearly last in the Power Four at 127th nationally. Plus, I think there's excellent value with Minnesota given its major upgrade at QB via the portal in Max Brosmer, who should spark an anemic passing attack that finished 126th nationally a season ago. If the Gophers can stop the run, which was a concern last year, I like them to get off to a hot start. … Minnesota 24, North Carolina 21.

Crawford (Minnesota +1.5) — P.J. Fleck could use a quality win for the Golden Gophers to kickstart the 2024 season and since the Tar Heels should go bowling this fall, this would qualify at home. The Tar Heels are breaking in a new defense with former Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins in charge and playing on the road is not easy in an opener. Most of Mack Brown's losses at UNC have come away from Chapel Hill and there's a chance this could be another. ... Minnesota 27, North Carolina 23.

Hummer (Boston College +17.5) —Don't expect Florida State to open the season with two straight losses. But Boston College does have some the pieces to challenge the Seminoles in the same way the Yellow Jackets did, particularly at quarterback where Thomas Castellanos is as dynamic a dual threat option as there is in the country. There's a bit of mystery around what BC will look like under Bill O'Brien, but almost the entire offense is back and there were some defensive upgrades made in the portal. Plus, the game between these two last year went down to the wire. Florida State wins but give me the Eagles to cover. … Florida State 38, Boston College 21.

Crawford (Florida State -17.5) —The worst-case scenario unfolded for Bill O'Brien heading into his opener for Boston College in Tallahassee — the Seminoles are coming in with a loss. Before the phrase "College Football Playoff" is ever muttered again inside FSU's locker room, Mike Norvell's team needs to first dispose of this conference opponent and get to the early open week with a hint of momentum. I'm not overreacting to the Week 0 loss to Georgia Tech, here. FSU is more talented at almost every position on the field and should play much more sound in front of its home crowd. ... Florida State 35, Boston College 14.

Hummer (Fresno State +21.5) —This game comes down to whether Fresno State can score a touchdown or two. Michigan is going to play slow. Michigan is going to run the ball. And Michigan, as we saw last year, doesn't care to run up the score in these non-conference matchups; the Wolverines averaged just 32 points per game against G-5 competition last year. So, can Fresno State score 14? I think so. The Bulldogs return a ton of offensive production, have a very good QB (Mikey Kenne) and have some experienced difference makers at receiver via the portal. Plus, there's really no telling how Alex Orji looks for the Wolverines at QB … Michigan 34, Fresno State 13.

Crawford (Michigan -21.5) — Anyone else get the feeling the Wolverines want to leave a mark in their opener coming off an unbeaten run to a national championship? This isn't Akron they're playing and Fresno State is a quality Group of Five opponent, but Michigan should be able to have its way at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football. Quarterback play doesn't need to be elite, yet. Texas rolls into Ann Arbor in Week 2, so just getting through this one in a quick, run-heavy game would be ideal. ...Michigan 31, Fresno State7.

Hummer (West Virginia +8.5) —This is a challenging opener for Penn State. The Mountaineers quietly went 5-1 at home last season with their only loss coming to Oklahoma State. West Virginia also returns almost its entire offense, including underappreciated QB Garrett Greene. There are some questions about Penn State, too, particularly at wide receiver, that make wonder if this can really turn into a blowout. I'll take Penn State on the money line, but I like West Virginia to keep this close. … Penn State 31, West Virginia 24.

Crawford (Penn State -8.5) — The Mountaineers are going to hang around in this game. Greene's a dynamic threat, especially on third down with his feet, so the Nittany Lions will have to tackle well on the road. This is also a matchup for James Franklin's team that could come in handy later on during the season if West Virginia is vying for a spot at the top of the Big 12 Conference. This is going to mark a quality win for sure on a slate that's not all-that-difficult for Penn State. ... Penn State 30, West Virginia 20.

Hummer (WKU +30.5) —It's hard for a team like Western Kentucky to scale the talent gap against Alabama. But this is a rare G-5 team that can matchup in some spots. The Hilltoppers have one of the best secondaries in the Group of Five, a unit that will make it at least difficult on the Alabama offense. On the other side of the ball, a usually potent Hilltoppers passing attack (15th nationally) will be able to challenge a very inexperienced Alabama cornerback room. I don't think this will be like Alabama's USF game last year. But I do like Western Kentucky to keep this within four scores. … Alabama 42, Western Kentucky 13.

Crawford (Alabama -30.5) — No idea which side to play here since the spread's over four touchdowns, but I do know this — the Crimson Tide will want to make a statement in Kalen DeBoer's debut, so that's part of the cover projection here. I'm curious to see Alabama's rotation in the secondary and how many first-year guys are joining Malachi Moore back there. Five-star freshman Ryan Williams should have a highlight or two in his first game at Alabama. ... Alabama 52, Western Kentucky 10.

Hummer (Florida +2.5) —This is a hard game to pick, and the losing head coach will have more pressure on them than perhaps any other in the country. In some ways this is continuity (Florida) versus a transfer portal-heavy roster (Miami). But both are talented. I think Miami finishes first or second in the ACC. Florida is also certainly being undervalued even with a brutal schedule. I lean slightly to Miami here. I think they're the more talented roster, particularly offensively, but the Hurricanes aren't without their questions either. Thus, I'm taking the coward's way out on this pick: Miami on the money line and Florida to cover. … Miami 28, Florida 27.

Crawford (Miami -2.5) — Napier said this week this year's Florida team is the best he's had in Gainesville. And while that would usually be worrisome if you're a Miami bettor and believer in the Hurricanes as a playoff team this season, the roster down in Coral Gables is even more impressive. Hummer went safe here taking the home team with the points and I do think Miami is the team playing with more pressure to play well given the NIL investment that's been made on both sides of the football. But I'm going with the Hurricanes in a statement Week 1 victory. ... Miami 27, Florida 24.

Hummer (Texas A&M -2.5) —Give me the Aggies here. Texas A&M could have the best defensive line in college football and the Irish could end up starting a pair of freshmen along the offensive line. That's a bad combo. So is the fact Riley Leonard, Notre Dame's transfer QB, is coming off a pair of ankle surgeries. Notre Dame is going to have an excellent defense and will be better in a lot of areas, particularly at wide receiver, but they have too many questions for my taste to go on the road and win in College Station in Week 1. … Texas A&M 27, Notre Dame 24.

Crawford (Texas A&M -2.5) — I've liked the home team in this game since it was announced, but even moreso now with Notre Dame bringing a couple inexperienced guys to Kyle Field at the point of attack. First-year Aggies coach Mike Elko knows what makes Leonard tick and if Texas A&M's pass rush can pose a threat, it could be difficult for the Fighting Irish to generate a rhythm offensively. This is my favorite pick of the weekend and one I'm going to hammer. ... Texas A&M 27, Notre Dame 20.

Hummer (Clemson +13.5)—Despite a negative overall narrative around Clemson, these remain two of the 10 or so most talented teams in the country. Yes, there are way more concerns about Clemson than UGA. But the Tigers have the talent to stay in this game. We saw it three years ago when these two teams opened the season in a 10-7 rock fight. Clemson will cover here if Cade Klubnik doesn't turn the ball over. Clemson's front 7 is great to elite, it has an excellent secondary and has enough talent on offense to manufacture some points. … Georgia 27, Clemson 20.

Crawford (Georgia -13.5) — ... Defenses are often ahead of offensive execution during opening weekend and it's hard picking against college football's top-ranked team against a squad not built to play from behind. There's been lots of parallels between this matchup and the 2021 version in Charlotte, but these are two completely different teams. Clemson's defensive front is stout and the Bulldogs' lack of depth in the run game could keep this one close for awhile, but I'm taking Kirby Smart's team to cover after forcing Klubnik into amistake or two. ... Georgia 31, Clemson 10.

Hummer (LSU -4.5) —Much of this game is going to come down to how LSU's reworked secondary can hold up against what should be, Caleb Williams or not, a dynamic USC passing attack. You could flip things around and say the same of USC, which will hope its reworked defense will be enough to hold up to what will certainly be an excellent Tigers offense. I think USC is being undervalued going into this season. I really do. But I also believe the Tigers have arguably the best o-line in college football, and it's going to be a tough ask for USC to hold up defensively. LSU wins a shootout in Las Vegas. … LSU 38, USC 31.

Crawford (LSU -4.5) — This could be the game of the weekend, folks. And it gets prime-time billing in its own designated spot in Las Vegas. Brian Kelly has lost back-to-back season openers with the Tigers and this time around, sports a new-look defense under former Missouri coordinator Blake Baker. He's got a first-year starting quarterback as well with Garrett Nussmeier taking over for Jayden Daniels. Will Lincoln Riley prove doubters wrong with improvements across the board or is USC in for a long season before Big Ten play begins? This could be a one-score game with more physical team prevailing. ... LSU 34, USC 27.