Week 1 College Football Picks Breakdown!

The Clemson Tigers went 9-4 (4-4) last season and they finished tied for sixth in the ACC standings with Duke and North Carolina. Clemson’s offense had some issues in the 2023 season, but they return starting quarterback Cade Klubnik. Phil Mafah, the team’s leading rusher from last year, also returns, while leading receiver, Tyler Brown, is also back. Clemson’s defense is normally outstanding and this year should be no different.  

The Georgia Bulldogs were 13-1 (8-1) last year and they finished first in the SEC East division. Georgia went undefeated in their first 12 games of the season, but they lost the SEC Championship game by a score of 27-24 against Alabama. Georgia had one of the best offensive attacks in College Football last season and they return starting quarterback Carson Beck. Beck completed over 72% of his passes last season for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions. The offensive line should be one of the best in the country, so Beck should have plenty of time to find open receivers. The Bulldogs picked up Travis Etienne (RB) in the transfer portal and even though they lost Brock Bowers, they have plenty of receiving options.  

The Pick:

Clemson’s defense has the ability to slow down the Georgia offense, especially with it being this early in the season, but can Clemson’s offense be better than 2023? I do expect a back-and-forth game early on, but I think Georgia will pull away in the second half. Play Georgia at -11.5.

Illinois State vs Iowa Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Illinois State at Iowa noon ET

The Illinois State Redbirds went 6-5 (4-4) last season and they finished tied for seventh in the Missouri Valley. Illinois State had one of the best offensive attacks in the FCS last season, but they will have a new quarterback for this campaign. The Redbirds do return their starting running back, a lot of production from their wide receivers, and more than half of their linemen. The Illinois State defense was in the top 25 for points allowed per game in 2023 and they return a good amount of the production, so the defense should be even better.  

The Iowa Hawkeyes went 10-4 (7-3) last year and they finished first in the Big Ten West standings. Iowa has to be better offensively this year, as they have consistently been terrible over the past few seasons, despite getting elite defense on the other side of the ball. Cade McNamara should be healthy to start the season at quarterback and they will have Brendan Sullivan as a backup, but the offensive line needs to be better to allow for more passing downfield. Iowa’s defense should be just as good as last season or maybe even slightly better, so if the offense can figure things out, the Hawkeyes could have a very solid season.  

The Pick:

Iowa’s defense should be able to control this game, but Illinois State has a solid defense of its own, so it will be a good early test for Iowa’s offense. We have a very low total in this game, which isn’t a surprise, but Iowa is scoring more than three touchdowns. Still, I am backing Illinois State to cover a +23.5 spread at -110.

Austin Peay vs Louisville Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Austin Peay at Louisville noon ET

Austin Peay was able to win the conference last season and make the FCS playoffs, The head coach from last year Scott Walden left to join UTEP, so in steps Jeff Faris who comes over from the Duke Blue Devils. Quarterback Mike DiLiello is gone, and they have lost many other players in the transfer portal. Austin Peay also used the transfer portal to their advantage and added a couple of quarterbacks, among a sleuth of other players. On defense, there are also a whole lot of questions. In this game, Austin Peay needs to try and find success early with the defense and try to stick around against the Louisville offense. 

Tyler Shough has an injury problem, but if he can stay healthy, he is a whole lot better than Jack Plummer. Last season the pass protection did have some issues, and they are going to need the defense to be better. Last season the defense was strong for Louisville, and they are going to need to build on that here. Last season Louisville had the top run defense in the ACC and the top red zone defense in the nation. The secondary for this team returns a whole lot of talent returning and this is a game that they believe they should lockdown. If the defense is good, Louisville should have no issue coming away with a victory.

The Pick:

Louisville is going to put on a show here, especially with the offense. Shough is going to torch an Austin Peay defense that I don’t expect to make many stops. Louisville is going to score 21 points in the first quarter and they are going to have no issue getting this game down in blowout fashion. Austin Peay is going to have no answer, and Louisville is going to cruise. Back Louisville against a -36.5 spread here at -110. 

UCONN vs Maryland Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

UConn at Maryland noon ET

Last year the Huskies had a pretty tough campaign. UConn went a rough 3-9 overall, which ranked them in last place (tied with UMass) among independents. With Jim Mora back on the sidelines for his third year, UConn will still look different in the playbook with a new OC and DC. The passing game was pretty dismal last season, even though the line allowed only 12 sacks. The Huskies averaged 326.9 total yards per game in 2023, with 190.3 of those coming through the air.

Over on the Maryland side, they had a pretty successful overall campaign a season ago—even though they struggled in a tough Big Ten. The Terrapins went 8-5 overall and 4-5 in the conference, ending the season with a dominant Music City Bowl victory over Auburn 31-13. Maryland gets Mike Locksley back in the head coaching position for his sixth year. He’ll try to help the team repeat their success on offense, as they averaged 387.3 yards per game last season (278.9 via the pass). That mark ranked fourth in the Big Ten.

The Pick:

Beyond QB, Maryland has a good line built from the transfer portal. Deep threats Tai Felton and Kaden Prather should shine as well. The Terrapins should be able to impose their will on a still-rebuilding UConn team in this opener, and I think they’ll cover. Go with the Terrapins at -23.5 (-110)

Bucknell vs Navy Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Bucknell at Navy noon ET

The Bucknell Bison won four games last season and enter the sixth year under coach Dave Cecchini. Bucknell hasn’t won more than 4 games in a season since 2017. Ralph Rucker IV returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,537 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes. Bucknell lost its running back production, but returns a receiving duo in Eric Weatherly and Derrick Anderson Jr. that combined for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The Navy Midshipmen won 5 games last year and haven’t made a bowl appearance since 2019. Navy enters the second season under coach Brian Newberry. Navy brings back quarterbacks Blake Horvath and Braxton Woodson, which gives them two reliable options at the position. The Navy offensive line returns four starters, and Alex Tecza returns after leading the Midshipmen with 758 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The Pick:

Navy is a run-first team that chews up a lot of clock, and it can make it difficult to get the amount of possessions it takes to cover a line this massive. Also, the Bucknell Bison have a proven quarterback, which has to count for something. You'd think Bucknell can string together a drive or two. Give me Bucknell and the boatload of points. Play Bucknell to cover a +33.5 spread at -110.

Kent State vs Pittsburgh Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Kent State at Pittsburgh noon ET

The Kent State Golden Flashes won just 1 game last season and enter the second year under coach Kenni Burns. Kent State has the worst odds of winning the MAC this season, by a wide margin. Either Tommy Ulatowski or JD Sherrod will take over at quarterback, and both have seen limited playing time over the years. Gavin Garcia returns after leading Kent State with 544 yards and two touchdowns, while its top 2 receivers are back in Chrishon McCray and Luke Floriea.

The Pittsburgh Panthers won just 3 games last year and entered the 10th season under coach Pat Narduzzi. Pitt hasn’t missed a bowl game in back-to-back years since 06-07. The Pitt offense gets a massive boost with Western Carolina transfer running back Desmond Reid Jr. and Alabama transfer quarterback Eli Holstein. Reid has more than 1,600 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on his resume, while Holstein was a 4-star recruit at Alabama. Pittsburgh has major questions along its offensive line, but the skill position players are above average which leads me to believe there should be offensive success.

The Pick:

Kent State is expected to once again be one of the worst teams in college football. Kent State is also 1-7-1 ATS in its last 9 games as an underdog. If Pitt is trying to return to a bowl game after a disappointing season, this is a game it should win and should win rather easily. I'll lay the chalk with Pitt at home and back them at -24.5 spread at -110.

Indiana State vs Purdue Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Indiana State at Purdue noon ET

The Indiana State Sycamores could use a reset in 2024 after a disastrous 2023 campaign in Terre Haute where the Sycamores went 1-10. Elijah Owens is expected to lead the Sycamores at QB after taking most of the snaps in spring practice and seeing four games of action in 2023 as a true freshman with 310 passing yards, 2 TDs, and 3 picks. The Sycamores need someone though, averaging just 13.5 PPG last year and less than 20 PPG in each of the last 6 seasons.

The Purdue Boilermakers come into the 2024 season hoping to take a step forward in year two of the Ryan Walters era in West Lafayette, finishing 2023 with a record of 4-8 overall, including a 3-6 mark in Big Ten conference play. Hudson Card is expected to lead the offense for Purdue at quarterback after a decent 2023 season, but he’ll have work to do with the top four receivers for Purdue gone.

The Pick:

There’s still certainly enough here against a Sycamores team that had just 13.5 PPG last season and one that also lost in their last trip to West Lafayette in 2022 by a final score of 56-0. Purdue’s still the better team in a better position by a fair margin here and I think they get the job done in this one. Give me Purdue to cover a -33.5 spread at -110.

Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt noon ET

The Virginia Tech Hokies come into the 2024 campaign looking to take another step in the right direction after a successful improvement in 2023 under Brent Pry, improving from 3 to 7 wins in 2023, with a 7-6 overall record including a 5-3 mark in ACC conference play. Kyron Drones is back at QB but needs to improve on the 58% completion percentage from last year. That being said, he still produced 17 TDs with just 3 interceptions while also running for 818 yards and 5 TDs as well.

The Vanderbilt Commodores will try to get back on track in 2024 after a frustrating 2023 season where the ‘Dores finished 2-10 overall and winless in SEC play at 0-8. Things might get a bit more fun in Nashville, with Diego Pavia following new offensive coordinator Tim Beck over from New Mexico State to lead the Commodores at QB1, while Nate Johnson comes in from Utah to provide some challenge. Pavia is a dual threat, but Sedrick Alexander is back after rushing for 371 yards and 4 TDs and will likely get a heavier workload this year.

The Pick:

I think there should be some optimism about Diego Pavia as he garnered a lot of attention late on in the year with the Aggies, and the Commodores could have a bit of punch as well offensively. I think that there could be some fireworks here, even if one side were to pull away. Give me the Over 50.5 points here at -110

Penn State vs West Virginia Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Penn State at West Virginia noon ET

West Virginia believes they are a team that can win the Big 12, and a win here would really make quite the early season statement. The offense starts with the offensive line and they have one of the better ones in the Big 12. LT Wyatt Milum and C Brandon Yates are two of the best in the Big 12, and they are going to need to be strong here. Running back Jaheim White rushed for 842 yards and four touchdowns, and he’s going to have an even bigger role this season. Quarterback Garrett Greene is the starter, and he needs to have a big year. 

Penn State has fallen short the last couple of years, but they believe they have the talent this year to get the job done. A lot of people bashed quarterback Drew Allar last season but the stats don’t tell the whole story. The coaching staff was very conservative with him as a freshman, but this year I would expect they are going to let him rip a little more.

The Pick:

Allar is going to sling it around the field, and the Mountaineers defense will struggle to slow him down. Penn State’s defense is going to take away the run game of West Virginia, and that will be the difference as they are going to get the job done. Back Penn State against the -8 spread at -110.

Chattanooga vs Tennessee Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Chattanooga at Tennessee 12:45 PM ET

The Chattanooga Mocs won 8 games last year and entered the sixth year under coach Rusty Wright. Chattanooga enters this season as a top-10 team in FCS play. Chase Artopoeus returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,672 yards and 20 touchdowns, while Sam Phillips and Javin Whatley return as a receiving duo that combined for 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns. Reggie Davis should have a chance to shine in an expanded role at running back after averaging 5 yards per carry on 65 touches last season.

The Tennessee Volunteers have won a combined 20 games in the last two seasons and enter the fourth year under coach Josh Heupel. Nico Iamaleava takes over at quarterback after 45 pass attempts last season for 314 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Vols have an above-average receiving corps in Squirrel White, Dont'e Thornton Jr., and Tulane transfer Chris Brazzell II. Notre Dame tight end transfer Holden Staes also joins what has a chance to be a special passing attack. Dylan Sampson should thrive as the star back after averaging 5.7 yards per carry and rushing for 7 touchdowns as a backup.

The Pick:

Chattanooga has a proven quarterback, a solid receiving duo, and a defense that has playmakers. Also, Tennessee has NC State on deck next week, so there could be a bit of a look-ahead factor for the home team. The Chattanooga Mocs will certainly be the more motivated side, as they don't get these sorts of looks often. Give me the Mocs at a +38.5 spread (-110).

South Dakota State vs Oklahoma State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

South Dakota State at Oklahoma State at 2 PM ET

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits come into 2024 as the two-time defending FCS champions, finishing 2023 with a 15-0 record including a 23-3 win over Montana to hoist the trophy. Mark Gronowski is a big return for South Dakota State, who lost a lot of production to the NFL, with Gronowski throwing for 3,058 yards, 29 TDs, and 5 INTs on 68% passing while also rushing for 402 yards and 8 scores. 

The Oklahoma State Cowboys come into the 2024 season off of another successful season in 2023 where OK State finished with a 10-4 overall record, which included a 7-2 mark in Big 12 conference play. The Cowboys endured a 49-21 loss to Texas in the Big 12 title game but knocked off Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl by a final score of 31-23. Alan Bowman comes in for another year of college football, his 7th season after throwing for 3,460 yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 picks for the Cowboys last season.

The Pick:

The Cowboys treat these FBS games with the utmost importance and plenty of teams at the FBS level have fallen to the Jackrabbits who also have not lost since 2022. I think the Jackrabbits are alive here. Give me South Dakota State to cover a +10 spread at -110.

Towson vs Cincinnati Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Towson at Cincinnati at 2:30 PM ET

The Towson Tigers went 5-6 (4-4) last season and they finished tied for sixth in the CAA standings. Towson does return Nathan Kent, who was the leading passer last season, but it sounds like there is a quarterback battle going on for who will start. Devin Matthews was the leading rusher last season, while Carter Runyon was the leading receiver, and both players are returning.  

The Cincinnati Bearcats went 3-9 (1-8) last year and they finished dead last in the Big 12 standings. Cincinnati did have a solid rushing attack last season and they return their leading rusher, but their passing attack needs to be better. The Bearcats will have a new quarterback this season and they should have an above average offensive line. Cincinnati’s defense needs to be much improved after a very bad 2023 season and they grabbed a few players from the transfer portal to help.  

The Pick:

Cincinnati should be able to run the ball at will and they will control the line of scrimmage, but I do think Towson will have a few scoring drives against a below-average Cincinnati defense. Take the Over 51.5 points here at -110. 

Portland State vs Washington State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Portland State at Washington State at 3 PM ET

Last year the Vikings had a pretty choppy campaign. Portland State ended up going 5-6 overall with a 4-4 record in Big Sky games. Head coach Bruce Barnum enters his 10th year on the Portland State sideline in 2024, and he’s got a host of second-year coordinators surrounding him. It’s been eight straight losing campaigns for the Vikings however, and the school is hungry for success.

Over on the Washington State side, they also had a losing season in 2023. The Cougars finished 5-7 overall with a rough 2-7 mark in Pac-12 play. It’ll be a weird season for Jake Dickert, who enters his fourth year. Washington State and Oregon State are the only schools left standing in the Pac-12, as the others bolted for other conferences in the offseason.

The Pick:

There will be some new faces on the defensive side, as only three of Washington State’s top 10 tacklers returned from last year. We may see a few chemistry hiccups in the early going but overall I think the Cougars will be good for seven or eight wins this year. I’ll stay with Washington State to cover a -28.5 spread at -110.

Merrimack vs Air Force Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Merrimack at Air Force at 3:30 PM ET

The Merrimack Warriors won 5 games last season and now begin the Mike Gennetti era. Gennetti has been on the Merrimack staff since 2005 and finally gets a crack at head coach for the first time. Malakai Anthony returns at quarterback after throwing for 795 yards and 8 touchdowns, and he has his receiving duo in Donovan Wadley and Jelani Mason who combined for over 700 yards and 5 touchdowns. Brendon Wyatt also gets a chance to shine as the starting running back role after averaging 5.3 yards per carry as a backup last season.

The Air Force Falcons have won 9 or more games in 4 of the last 5 years and enter year 18 under coach Troy Calhoun. Air Force lost 4 offensive line starters from a year ago, which isn’t ideal with the style of offense the Falcons run. Air Force also has to find a new starting quarterback with Zac Larrier no longer around. The good news for this Air Force offense is that a trio of Jared Roznos, Cade Harris, and Brandon Engel are back, which combined for more than 600 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Pick:

Air Force has a new offensive line, a new quarterback, and lost its top 6 tacklers from a year ago. The Merrimack Warriors are in a good spot offensively and should be able to string together a drive or two. Also, this is just the fourth time since 2017 where Air Force has been favored by 28 or more points. Big number for an Air Force team that's breaking in so many new guys. It's Merrimack to cover a +28.5 spread at -110.

East Tennessee State vs Appalachian State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

East Tennessee State at Appalachian State at 3:30 PM ET

Last year the Buccaneers had a pretty rough time of things. East Tennessee State limped to a 3-8 overall record and a 2-6 run in Southern Conference games. East Tennessee State gets a fresh start in 2024 with the arrival of new head coach Tre Lamb and three fresh coordinators. There will be a renewed focus on the ground game on both sides of the ball this year—both in running the football and stopping the run.

Over on the Mountaineers’ side, they had some ups and downs in last season’s campaign. Appalachian State posted a 9-5 overall run and a 6-2 mark in Sun Belt games, which eked the team into the conference championship versus Troy.  Shawn Clark steps in for his fifth season at the helm on the Mountaineers’ sideline. His team was picked to finish in first place in the East Division by the preseason coaches poll, so there are a lot of expectations. QB Joey Aguilar, TE Eli Wilson, and WR Kaedin Robinson each share in those expectations this season.

The Pick:

The defense should be sound as well for the Mountaineers. Last year’s team was in the top five in the league in scoring defense and total defense, and there are plenty of big-name players (like LB Nate Johnson) to keep that unit moving. I like Appalachian State to start strong here and eventually have a quality season. Back App State to cover a -33.5 spread (-110).

Miami-FL vs Florida Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Miami at Florida at 3:30 PM ET

The Miami Hurricanes won 7 games last year and entered the third season under coach Mario Cristobal. Big things are expected of Miami this season, a program that hasn’t won double-digit games since 2017. Miami hit a home run by snagging Washington State transfer quarterback Cam Ward, who had nearly 7,000 passing yards and 48 touchdowns in 2 years. Ward also rushed for 13 touchdowns.

The Florida Gators won 5 games last season and entered the third year under coach Billy Napier. Florida hasn’t missed a bowl game in back-to-back years since 1985-86. Graham Mertz will remain at quarterback after throwing for almost 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, his best collegiate season yet.

The Pick:

Miami is loaded roster-wise in a lot of key areas and should be competing for a playoff spot, while there's a good chance Florida doesn't even become bowl-eligible. Still, I'll stop overthinking things and lay the small number with the Canes simply off of being the more talented team. Go with Miami to cover a -2.5 spread at -110.

FIU vs Indiana Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

FIU at Indiana at 3:30 PM ET

The FIU Panthers come into the 2024 season hoping to improve on another disappointing season, finishing the year 4-8 overall including a 1-7 mark in C-USA conference play. Keyone Jenkins is back at QB after 11 TDs and 11 INTs last year but will have to forge ahead without his top receiver as Kris Mitchell is no longer a Panther.

The Indiana Hoosiers will be out to bounce back from a frustrating 2023 season where Indiana went just 3-9 overall including 1-8 in Big Ten play for their third straight losing season and have just 3 conference wins combined in as many years. The poor season meant that Tom Allen was out in Bloomington, thus beginning the Curt Cignetti era with Cignetti coming over from James Madison after making the Dukes a force in FCS and moving them into the FBS and running roughshod without a hitch. Kurtis Rourke transfers in from Ohio to take over QB1 duties for the Hoosiers after being a stud in the MAC for the last few seasons and Tayven Jackson remains waiting in the wings for his shot if Rourke were unable to go.

The Pick:

I like what Cignetti’s done leading up to the opener and in the offseason, bringing in a lot of his guys and I think the continuity for a lot of pieces is going to help especially since it was a lot of the upper-end talent that Cignetti brought to Bloomington. FIU has some production returning as well, and this is a huge number for Indiana, but I think the Hoosiers win this one rather comfortably. Give me Indiana to cover a -21.5 spread (-110) in this one.

North Dakota vs Iowa State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

North Dakota at Iowa State at 3:30 PM ET

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks come into the 2024 season to build on a decent 2023 campaign where the Hawks finished 7-5 overall but ended their season prematurely with a first-round FCS playoffs loss to Sacramento State. The Hawks still have to choose between Trey Feeney, Simon Romfo, and Jerry Kaminski for the starting QB job, but whoever does, gets a top receiver in Bo Belquist who comes in with preseason all-conference first-team honors after logging 66 receptions for 772 yards and 6 touchdowns.

The Iowa State Cyclones come into the 2024 campaign looking to take a step forward after a better-than-expected 2023 season where the Cyclones went 7-6 overall including 6-3 in Big 12 play. Rocco Becht is back as the solidified QB1 of the Cyclone offense, finishing the year with 3,120 yards, 23 touchdowns and 8 interceptions on 62.9% passing, which includes 446 yards in the bowl game and 10 TDs to just 1 interception over the final 4 games of the year.

The Pick:

I want to take the Hawks and the points, but the quarterback situation for North Dakota has me a bit uneasy as they say when you have three quarterbacks you don’t have one quarterback and whoever sees the bulk of the reps is going against a stout Iowa State defense. On the other side of the coin, Iowa State’s not known for their offensive prowess even with a fair share of weapons, and I just think this game’s going to be a slog for 60 minutes. Give me the Under 52.5 points at -110.

Eastern Michigan vs UMass Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Eastern Michigan at UMass at 3:30 PM ET

Eastern Michigan last year finished with a 6-7 record but they believe they have what it takes to get back to a winning season. Far too often last season the Eastern Michigan offense would struggle, but they believe this year they have a difference maker under center. Cole Snyder is in from Buffalo and he’s a huge upgrade at quarterback. At times turnovers could be an issue for him, and the hope is those can be cleaned up. Porter Rooks has transferred in from NC State and he gives Snyder a big upgrade to throw to. 

UMass moves to the MAC next season and many are waiting for that move to happen. A lot of people don’t really know what to expect from this team, this year, and that could make for this game hard to bet. Taisun Phommachanh will be the starter to start the season at quarterback, but there is no guarantee he’s going to be the starter all season. 

The Pick:

Cole Snyder gets the start for Eastern Michigan and he’s going to have a big game here. The UMass offense is going to really struggle to get anything going here and it’s going to be Eastern Michigan that is going to get the job done. Back Eastern Michigan as underdogs at +102 on the money line. 

UTEP vs Nebraska Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

UTEP at Nebraska at 3:30 PM ET

UTEP still hasn’t named a starting quarterback this season but either Cade McConnell or Skyler Locklear is going to get the start. Whoever is going to start, is going to need to have a huge season. Whoever does get the start is going to have a ton of talent around him. Trey Goodman is coming in from Austin Peay while Jaden Smith had a solid career at Eastern Kentucky before joining UTEP. Last season, the UTEP offensive line was an issue, but they believe they are going to be better this season. In the backfield is Jevon Jackson who rushed for almost 1,400 yards and ten scores last year for Austin Peay. 

The last five years the talk has been about Nebraska being good and every year they don’t live up to the expectations. This season, there is that same buzz, though, and many believe this is the year that they finally turn it around. All the weight of the world is on freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. 

The Pick:

Nebraska is probably going to win this game, and I think they are going to have a solid season, but there are going to be some growing pains with Raiola. He will throw a couple of touchdowns, but he’s going to turn the ball over a few times also and that is going to be enough for UTEP to keep this game close. Nebraska won’t win this game by more than 14 points, and UTEP is going to get the job done. Back UTEP against the +27.5 spread at (-110).

Western Illinois vs NIU Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Western Illinois at NIU at 3:30 PM ET

The Western Illinois Leathernecks went 0-11 (0-8) last year and they finished last in the Missouri Valley. Western Illinois was one of the worst teams in the FCS last season and they have a lot of work to do if they want to be competitive this season. The Leathernecks have a new head coach and a new starting quarterback, but they do return eight starters on the defense, so they should be slightly improved this year.

The NIU Huskies were 7-6 (5-3) last season and they finished second in the MAC West Division behind Toledo. NIU will be starting a new quarterback this year, as Rocky Lombardi is finally gone, but most of the receiving production does return, which will be a big help. On the ground, the Huskies return their leading rusher from last season and add a transfer from Iowa for depth. Defensively, NIU had a very solid season last year, but they need to find more of a pass rush to continue the success.  

The Pick:

The Huskies have some valuable pieces returning this year, but the quarterback position is a question mark. Western Illinois was absolutely terrible last season and while I do think the defense will be better, I can’t trust them against a FBS team. Take NIU to win this game in a blowout. Back the Huskies to cover a -34.5 spread at -110.

Miami-OH vs Northwestern Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Miami (OH) at Northwestern at 3:30 PM ET

The Miami-OH Redhawks went 11-3 (8-1) last season and they finished first in the MAC East standings. Miami does return starting quarterback Brett Gabbert, who was injured last season, but he should be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. Gabbert did lose the Miami leading receiver last season, but they did add a receiver and tight end in the transfer portal. The Redhawks leading rusher is also gone, so they will most likely go with a committee approach to open the season.  

The Northwestern Wildcats went 8-5 (5-4) last year and they finished tied for second in the Big Ten West behind Iowa. Northwestern’s offense did not have a ton of success putting up yards last season, but they were able to do enough to pick up eight wins. The Wildcats will have a new starting quarterback this season, but two of the top three receivers do return. The leading rusher is back for Northwestern and the offensive line should be decent. Northwestern’s defense was fantastic last season and while I do think they will be solid this year, I think we could see a drop-off.  

The Pick:

Miami (OH) should be very solid offensively and they have a veteran quarterback, but it will not be easy to face this Northwestern defense. The Wildcats' offense is a bit of a mystery going into this season, but I do think they have a pretty big advantage when it comes to the skill positions. This will be a very tight game in the first half, but I expect Northwestern to escape with a win. Back them on moneyline at -145.

Akron vs Ohio State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Akron at Ohio State at 3:30 PM ET

Akron is trying to rebuild their program and the hope is this is the year they can finally start to turn around their program. Last season the offensive line wasn’t good enough and that meant plenty of struggles with the rushing and passing game. Akron does have a new quarterback this season, Ben Finley, who the team hopes can help lead the offense to some success.

Ohio State and Ray Day know that they need to beat the Michigan Wolverines to keep his job, and this is a team that has the talent to win the title. Chip Kelly is in charge of the Buckeyes' offense, and that is something that Ohio State fans have to be excited about. Everyone knows Ohio State’s defense is scary and last year they gave up only 11.2 runs per game. Seven of the starters are back from last year's squad, and they are going to try and start right where they left off last year, creating turnovers. 

The Pick:

Ohio State is going to win this game, and they will win it big, but it’s all going to come down to the defense. I do believe Akron’s offense is going to be improved this season, but this is such a tough matchup against an elite Ohio State defense. Akron is going to struggle to get the ball past the 50-yard line, and they aren’t going to score more than a field goal. Ohio State isn’t going to score more than 52 points, and this game is going to end up staying under the total. Back the Under 57.5 points at -110 to cash. 

Ohio vs Syracuse Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Ohio at Syracuse at 3:30 PM ET

The Bobcats posted a pretty solid overall record in 2023, going 10-3 with a 6-2 run in Mid-American Conference matchups. This year will mark head coach Tim Albin’s fourth season at the helm. He’ll get a pair of new coordinators along with a ton of fresh faces in uniform. Twelve of Ohio’s players transferred to programs in power conferences, including 2022 MAC Player of the Year Kurtis Rourke.

Over on the Syracuse side, they managed to go 6-7 overall last year with a 2-6 run in ACC play. Syracuse enters a new era under head coach Fran Brown this year. He succeeds Dino Babers, who had just two winning seasons in his eight years at the helm. The Orange lost 35-plus players to graduation and the transfer portal. They’ll need some help on offense this season; Syracuse is coming off 343.3 yards per game in 2023—third-worst in the conference.

The Pick:

I’ll stick with Syracuse. There are plenty of reasons to be (relatively) high on the Orange in 2024, even with the fresh coaching staff. Syracuse should also have a decent defense built around a very good secondary. If the Orange can keep the pass-heavy teams on the schedule in check it’ll go a long way in getting back to a bowl game. Syracuse should kick things off well in this opener versus a rebuilding Ohio team. Play the Orange to cover a -17.5 spread at -110.

Colorado State vs Texas Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Colorado State at Texas at 3:30 PM ET

The Colorado State Rams won 5 games last season and entered the third year under coach Jay Norvell. Colorado State hasn’t made a bowl appearance since the 2017 season. Colorado State has one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country, Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi threw for 3,400 yards and 22 touchdowns as a freshman last season. Running back Justin Marshall should enter the starting role after averaging 5.4 yards per touch as a backup, while Tory Horton is back after 96 receptions.

The Texas Longhorns won 12 games last season and enter this year as a title contender to win the fourth year under coach Steve Sarkisian. Quinn Ewers is one of the top quarterbacks in the country after throwing for 3,400 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. Ewers has plenty of options around him in Isaiah Neyor, Isaiah Bond, Amari Niblack, Matthew Golden, and Silas Bolden. CJ Baxter is a rising star at running back, and Texas returns four starters along the offensive line.

The Pick:

Colorado State is experienced on both sides of the ball and has a quarterback who is fresh off a hell of a season and was receiving calls from Georgia and USC, according to his father. I'm not saying Colorado State has the horses to spring an upset, but this line is a bit absurd if we're being honest. Give me Colorado State to cover a +32.5 spread at -110.

Kennesaw State vs UTSA Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Kennesaw State at UTSA at 3:30 PM ET

The Kennesaw State Owls will make their FBS debut, coming up from the FCS after a successful tenure with 4 playoff appearances since the Owls’ football program opened in 2015. Davis Bryson is expected to lead the Owls’ option attack, averaging 8.6 yards per carry while Michael Benefield will likely be the leader of the Owls’ backfield with 546 rushing yards and 6 yards per carry. Alexander Diggs and Yesiah Clemons will add some depth to KSU’s backfield, while Gabriel Benyard is the top receiver coming in after leading Kennesaw State with 333 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns last season.

The UTSA Roadrunners will look to build on another successful season from the 2023 campaign, finishing the year at 9-4 overall including a 7-1 mark in AAC conference play. The Frank Harris era is over for the Roadrunners, but Owen McCown is ready to step in. With the injuries that Harris dealt with last year, it meant that McCown could get in plenty of reps and he threw for 442 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions on 74.1% passing.

The Pick:

Along with a Kennesaw State team that uses the option as their bread and butter, I wouldn’t be surprised if this game plays closer to the pace of a service academy game. There will probably be a few more points, but I still think Kennesaw State can keep this one respectable in their debut. Give me the Owls to cover a +25 spread at -110.

Boise State vs Georgia Southern Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Boise State at Georgia Southern at 4 PM ET

Last year Boise State had a pretty nice season overall but it ended on a tough loss. The Spencer Danielson era kicks off for Boise State in 2024, and he’s got a quartet of new coordinators with him. Danielson will try to duplicate the lofty statistical results on total offense from last year (444.2 yards per game) which ranked second in the Mountain West.

Over on the Eagles’ side, they posted a 6-7 record last year and a 3-5 run in the Sun Belt matchups. It’s head coach Clay Helton’s third year with Georgia Southern, and he’s got a new offensive coordinator in Ryan Aplin. Hopes are a little higher for the Eagles this year, as they were picked to finish fourth in the East behind Appalachian State, James Madison, and Coastal Carolina in the preseason coaches’ poll.

The Pick:

Defensively the Broncos will need a lift from their defensive line, a unit that returns three of its four starters from last season. The run defense and pass rush will be key to Boise State’s success (or failure) on that side of the ball. For now, this opener should prove a solid test, and I like the Broncos to pass it with a cover of a -12.5 spread at -110. It's something of a coin flip cover-wise, though. 

Old Dominion vs South Carolina Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Old Dominion at South Carolina at 4:15 PM ET

The Old Dominion Monarchs went 6-7 (5-3) last season and they finished tied for third in the Sun Belt East division. Old Dominion does return their starting quarterback, Grant Wilson, this season. Wilson should have another solid season, but he did lose one of his top receivers to the portal. The offensive line was an issue for most of the 2023 season, but I do think they will be better in 2024. On the ground, the Old Dominion leading rusher from last season is gone and there isn’t a ton to work with at that position.  

The South Carolina Gamecocks were 5-7 (3-5) last year and they finished tied for fourth in the SEC East with Florida and Kentucky. South Carolina will have a new starting quarterback this season, but they do have plenty of decent options to choose from. The receiver group lost a ton of production from 2023, so that position is going to be a major question mark. On the positive side, the Gamecocks have two solid running back options to help out the new QB.  

The Pick:

The Gamecocks should be fine offensively in this game, as they will move the ball with ease on the ground. Old Dominion does have a decent quarterback situation that could make a few plays against this South Carolina defense, but they don’t have enough firepower to keep pace with the SC offense. Take the Gamecocks to pull away in the second half for the cover of a -21 spread (-110).

UC Davis vs California Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

UC Davis at California at 5 PM ET

The UC Davis Aggies won 7 games last year and now begin the Tim Plough era, as he comes over from Cal as the tight ends coach. UC Davis enters the season as a top-25 FCS team and will be led by quarterback Miles Hastings, who threw for 2,300 yards and 14 touchdowns. Lan Larison returns as a 1,000-yard rusher, while Trent Tompkins and Samuel Gbatu Jr. are a returning receiving duo that combined for 700 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The California Golden Bears won 6 games last season and enter the eighth year under coach Justin Wilcox. Cal has a new offensive coordinator in Mike Bloesch. Cal has one of the best running backs in the country in Jaydn Ott, who racked up 2,200 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first two seasons, along with 5 receiving touchdowns on 71 receptions. While the Cal offensive line has questions, Ott gives Cal a puncher's chance when on the field due to his high-level production. Fernando Mendoza returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns as a freshman.

The Pick:

The California Golden Bears are the more talented team obviously, but their defense was awful last season and there are serious questions with their offensive line. The UC Davis Aggies are also a top-20 FCS program, so this isn't your typical FCS - FBS cupcake game. There's a chance UC Davis can make things interesting. We're getting three free touchdowns. Give me the Aggies at +20.5 spread (-110).

Stony Brook vs Marshall Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Stony Brook at Marshall at 5 PM ET

The Stony Brook Seawolves come into the 2024 season looking to bounce back from a brutal 0-10 mark in 2023, finishing below .500 for the 5th straight season. Stony Brook then made a change at head coach after that, bringing in Billy Cosh to replace Chuck Priore after Cosh made Richmond and VMI offensive success stories over the last few years. Casey Case returns at QB1 after throwing for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns while he will be challenged by former Georgetown QB Tyler Knoop who started 10 games for the Hoyas last year, throwing for 2,459 yards and 22 TDs.

The Marshall Thundering Herd will look to keep the tradition going after another decent season, making a bowl game for the 7th straight year, finishing the 2023 season with a 6-7 overall record, including 3-5 in Sun Belt conference play. Cole Pennington is expected to be given the keys to the offense with Cam Fancher now at FAU while Mitch Griffis transfers in from Wake Forest and Braylon Braxton comes over from Tulsa to give Marshall options under center.

The Pick:

I know Marshall has some solid pieces, but there’s just not enough for me here to think that they come out firing like this to lay 30+ points with a lot of new pieces that are going to take time to gel as a unit. Stony Brook was winless last year, and I think that’s baked into the line, but this just feels like too many points for me. Give me Stony Brook to cover a +30.5 spread (-110) here.

North Texas vs South Alabama Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

North Texas at South Alabama at 5 PM ET

North Texas believes this could be a special year, but for that to happen, they are going to need a few things to go their way. Last season, the North Texas offense was elite, and they believe it can be the same here this season. Chandler Morris is over from TCU, and he’s going to need to have a big year. Last year at TCU, he threw for 1,532 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Ikaika Ragsdale expects to have a big year on the ground, while Minnesota transfer Zach Evans also plays to play a big role. The top receiver back is Damon Ward. 

South Alabama was long the laughingstock of college football, but in the last couple of years, they have finally seemed to turn around the program. Over the last two games, they have finished with a 17-9 record. There was a change at quarterback and Major Applewhite has come in to continue to build on the success of the last few years. Gone is quarterback Carter Bradley, and they now turn to Gio Lopez, who did play a bit last season. Collin Lacey was the top wide receiver last season, but he has moved on to Louisville. There is still a ton of talent in the wide receiver room, though. 

The Pick:

The Mean Green were an elite offensive team last year, and it’s going to be much of the same here. I don’t trust their defense, though, and that is going to be the difference here. South Alabama is going to continue the strong offensive output that they had last year, and this game is going to be a shootout. Back the Over 62.5 points (-110) to cash here with ease. This is one of my favorite plays on the board. 

Norfolk State vs East Carolina Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Norfolk State at East Carolina at 6 PM ET

The Spartans already have one game in the books this year. That one was against Florida A&M last Saturday. In that matchup Norfolk State took a tough loss 24-23. QB Jalen Daniels went 7-for-9 for 142 yards and also posted a rush TD while Jacquez Jones caught four balls for 78 yards. Kevon King topped the rush with 14 carries for 146 yards and two scores.

Over on the Pirates’ side, they had a rough campaign in 2023 as well. East Carolina went just 2-10 overall and 1-7 in American Athletic Conference play. Mike Houston enters his sixth year on the ECU sideline as head coach, and he’s got his work cut out for him. There’s some optimism surrounding the Pirates this year, as it would be tough not to take a step forward after 2023’s abysmal campaign. If nothing else, the offense should be markedly better. East Carolina will take on Old Dominion after this one.

The Pick:

The Spartans should benefit greatly from already getting out on the field against Florida A&M—even considering the losing effort. In that one Norfolk State had a 14-10 lead at the break but were doomed by a pretty lousy third quarter. As for East Carolina, if their offense clicks this season the team will make great strides. The Pirates already had a pretty decent defense last year, and they return seven starters from that group. It’ll be interesting to see what the new East Carolina product looks like on the field. Go with Norfolk State to cover a +33.5 spread at -110.

Campbell vs Liberty Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Campbell at Liberty at 6 PM ET

Last season, Campbell was a bit up and down, and they finished with a 5-6 record. 

After the season, Campbell made a coaching change and Braxton Harris is going to be leading the troops this season. The biggest issue for Campbell is there are a ton of question marks. On offense, wide receiver VJ Wilkins is back, and he was named to the preseason All-CAA team. On the defensive side, CJ Tillman is the best player and the defense is going to need to step up here. If the defense struggles early, they could be out of striking distance early. 

Liberty is looking for another strong year, and they hope they have loaded the schedule with cupcake after cupcake. Jeremy Chadwell has taken over and his innovative offense should be Liberty fans excited. Kaidon Salter is back, and last year he ran for 1,089 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also found the end zone 32 times through the air. He is an elite quarterback, and he has to feel like he can sling the rock all around the Campbell defense. One issue for Salter though is he has lost a couple of key targets including CJ Daniels who is now at LSU. 

The Pick:

This Campbell offense isn’t that good, at least not against a team like Liberty. Their defense also has no one to slow down Kaidon Salter, and this game is going to get out of control early. Liberty is going to run up the score early, and they are going to cruise. Back Liberty against the -36.5 spread (-110) here.

Eastern Kentucky vs Mississippi State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Eastern Kentucky at Mississippi State at 6 PM ET

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels won 5 games last season and are entering the fifth year under coach Walt Wells. Eastern Kentucky has the same coaching staff It's had now for five seasons, which is rare in today’s college football. Eastern Kentucky has to find a starting quarterback as it says goodbye to Parker McKinney, but running back Joshua Carter averaged 6 yards per carry in a backup role, and tight end Hunter Brown had 3 touchdowns on 33 receptions. Eastern Kentucky does lose its top 3 receivers from last season, but those two players showed serious playmaking potential last season.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs won 5 games last season and entered the Jeff Lebby era. Lebby comes over from Oklahoma and is a head coach for the first time. Miss State has its quarterback in transfer Blake Shapen, who has 5,500 yards and 36 touchdowns to his name. Mississippi State also landed UTEP’s Kelly Akharaiyi, Arkansas State’s Seydou Traore, and Utah State’s Davon Booth. It’s going to be interesting to see how quickly things come together with so many new faces, but the talent is certainly there.

The Pick:

Mississippi State has the offensive pieces to move the ball successfully and win a comfortable season opener at home. This game truly shouldn't be competitive, and raise the red flags early if it is. Give me Mississippi State in a beatdown to cover a -24.5 spread at -110.

Richmond vs Virginia Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Richmond at Virginia at 6 PM ET

The Richmond Spiders were 9-4 (7-1) last season and they finished tied for first in the CAA with Albany and Villanova. Richmond used a two-quarterback system in 2023 and both quarterbacks will be back for this season. The Spiders averaged 28.2 points per game last season and their wide receiver room is very deep, but the same cannot be said for the running back position. Defensively, the Spiders were solid last year and should be even better this season.  

The Virginia Cavaliers went 3-9 (2-6) last year and they finished tied for 11th in the ACC standings with Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Virginia will have Anthony Colandrea under center for this game, who did play last season, but had issues with turnovers. The offensive line was not very good last year, but they do return quite a few starters that should be better. The Cavaliers did not run the ball very well last year, but they did lose their leading rusher. Defensively, Virginia was pretty bad last year, but the offense turning the ball over did not help anything.  

The Pick:

If Virginia can avoid the turnover issues that plagued them last season, they will find more victories on the schedule. I do think Virginia could flirt with a bowl appearance this year, but I also think they will start slow in this game against a very solid FCS opponent. Take Richmond to cover a +18.5 spread (-110) here.

Idaho State vs Oregon State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Idaho State at Oregon State at 6:30 PM ET

The Idaho State Bengals come into the 2024 season hoping to rebound from a disappointing 3-8 mark in 2023, including a 3-5 record in Big Sky conference play. That being said, it was a nice sign for an Idaho State team that achieved their best record since 2019, and it was a 2-win improvement from the season prior. It also led to the top passing offense in the country, averaging 330.1 yards per game and Jordan Cooke threw for 2,453 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Oregon State Beavers come into this season with a new voice leading the charge after a solid 2023 season where Oregon State finished 8-5 overall, including a 5-4 mark in Pac-12 conference play. Ben Gudbranson is expected to be the QB1 to start, but Gevani McCoy and Gabarri Johnson transfer in to put pressure for playing time. Anthony Hankerson comes in from Colorado and Jam Griffin comes back to Corvallis after a decent rushing season two years ago for the Beavers. Oregon State lost a lot of production on the outside at receiver, but Darrius Clemons transfers in from Michigan in what is a very green receiving group for Oregon State.

The Pick:

The Bengals are not a good football team on the surface, but even in a down year, the passing game worked and I think the Bengals can find just enough big plays to sneak inside the backdoor. Give me the Bengals to cover a +28.5 spread at -110.

WKU vs Alabama Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

WKU at Alabama at 7 PM ET

The Hilltoppers had some successes in 2023, ultimately going 8-5 overall with a 5-3 run in Conference USA matchups. Tyson Helton steps to the sideline for his sixth season with Western Kentucky. He’ll lose out on WR Malachi Corley and QB Austin Reed this year but still retains some high-level talent. WR Dalvin Smith and CBs Ahtony Johnson and Upton Stout will provide some experience and leadership this year.

Over on the Alabama side, it’s tough to be disappointed with a 12-2 overall finish and a flawless 8-0 run in SEC games—not to mention a victory over Georgia 27-24 in the conference championship. With head coach Nick Saban gone from the sideline for the first time in 17 years, it’ll be interesting to see how new head coach Kalen DeBoer and his new coordinators perform. Alabama’s most pressing need this year is the running game. The team averaged 4.3 yards per carry last season.

The Pick:

Defensively Alabama should be pretty solid, but there are some looming questions about the quality of their pass rush. As for the secondary, they lost some talent in the offseason and will have to step up as well. This is a good matchup for the Tide to get their 2024 feet wet, and I think they’ll bag a cover of a -31.5 (-110).

Central Arkansas vs Arkansas State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Central Arkansas at Arkansas State at 7 PM ET

The Bears posted a 7-4 overall run last year with a pretty solid 4-2 run in United Athletic Conference games. It’ll be head coach Nathan Brown’s seventh season at the Central Arkansas helm in 2024. He’ll get some First Team All-Conference players back in DE David Walker and safety TaMuarion Wilson. ShunDerrick Powell is also back to anchor the running game after 1,016 yards and six TDs last season.

Over on the Red Wolves’ side, they were just good enough to get into a bowl game last year at 6-7 overall and 4-4 in Sun Belt games. In head coach Butch Jones’ fourth season, the Red Wolves ranked fourth in the West Division in the preseason coaches’ poll. It’ll be a dogfight in the standings behind favorite Texas State this year. The good news is that the Red Wolves are on the upswing after their first bowl appearance since 2019.

The Pick:

Arkansas State does get the benefit of returning lots of experience this season, including LB Charles Willekes (90 tackles and two sacks last year). If the Red Wolves can get that side of the ball up to speed quickly in this opener, the offense should be able to keep a cover pace. This will be a fun game to check out regardless. I am going with Arkansas State to cover a -10.5 spread (-110).

Tarleton vs Baylor Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Tarleton at Baylor at 7 PM ET

The Tarleton Texans come into the 2024 season looking to build on an 8-3 record from 2023, but because of their transition from Division II, the Texans were ineligible for postseason play. They will be eligible starting this season. A lot of Tarleton’s offense averaged 33.3 PPG last year, including Victor Gabalis at QB after throwing for 2,492 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 13 INTs while Kayvon Britten is back as one of the top running backs in the FCS after rushing for 1,150 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.

The Baylor Bears come into the 2024 campaign looking to rebound from another step back in 2023, seeing their win total cut in half for the second straight season, finishing with a 3-9 overall record including a 2-7 mark in Big 12 conference play. The offense should take a step in the right direction with Dequan Finn transferring in from Toledo while Sawyer Robertson knows the system after being the backup in Waco last season.

The Pick:

This is a talented Tarleton offense, but they’re really good against teams on their level. When the Texans stepped up to Texas Tech last year, they lost 41-3, and I think they could be in for another rough outing here. Give me the Bears to cover a -26.5 spread at -110. 

UNLV vs Houston Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

UNLV at Houston at 7 PM ET

UNLV had success last season and they have confidence heading into this game. Last season UNLV’s offense averaged 34.4 points per game, and they are going to need that offense to continue the same type of success here. The big question for UNLV heading into this game is who is going to start under center. UNLV still hadn’t announced a starter for this game. Matthew Sluka was the patriot league player of the year last year, and he has a chance to be the starter this season. Running back Jai’Den Thomas found the end zone 12 times last season and is going to be the top running back again this year. 

Houston had a bad season last year finishing with a 4-8 record overall but they hope this year is going to be better. The bad record was enough for head coach Dana Holgorseon and in steps Willie Fritz to take over the job. The good news for Fritz is it looks like he has a good quarterback on paper. Donovan Smith is already being mentioned near the top of many NFL draft boards, and they are going to need him to have a big game here and a big season overall. Michigan State tight end Maliq Carr did come in and there is an expectation that he has a big season.

The Pick:

UNLV and Houston are going to have no issue running up the score. Donovan Smith is a really good quarterback, and he’s going to have a huge game against the UNLV defense. I don’t trust the Houston defense though, and whoever is under for center is going to have a huge game for UNLV. There will be zero defense played by either team and this game is going to end up being a shootout. Back the Over 55.5 points at -110. 

UT Martin vs Kansas State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

UT Martin at Kansas State at 7 PM ET

The UT Martin Skyhawks were 8-3 (5-1) last season and they finished first in the OVC. UT Martin is returning 14 starters from last season and they added more than a dozen players from the transfer portal. The Skyhawks do return their starting quarterback, but they do have to replace their leading rusher. The wide receiver group returns quite a bit of production and the offensive line should be solid, so the only real question is at quarterback.  

The Kansas State Wildcats went 9-4 (6-3) last year and they finished tied for fourth in the Big 12 with West Virginia and Iowa State. Kansas State has a ton of optimism this season, which starts with Avery Johnson at quarterback. Johnson is a dual-threat QB that played very well in the Bowl game last year. The running game should be very solid, as DJ Giddens does return, and the offensive line is always expected to be very strong. On the outside, the Wildcats do have to replace a good amount of production at wide receiver. Defensively, Kansas State was very inconsistent last year and I think we will see more of the same this season.  

The Pick:

UT Martin should find the end zone a couple of times, but they won’t be able to keep this game close. I do think the Skyhawks will have a solid season in the FCS, but it will take some time with all of the transfers they brought in. These big spreads are never easy to figure out, but I think Kansas State could score 50+ points. Take the Wildcats at home to cover a -36 spread (-110).

North Alabama vs Memphis Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

North Alabama at Memphis at 7 PM ET

The North Alabama Lions went 3-8 (1-5) last season and they finished tied for seventh in the UAC standings with Utah Tech. North Alabama does return 18 starters from last year’s team, which should be cause for optimism this year. The Lions did lose to SE Missouri in their first game this year by a score of 37-15. North Alabama led 15-13 at halftime, but they were outscored 24-0 in the second half. The Lions were outgained by a total of 372-320 and turned the ball over four times in the game.  

The Memphis Tigers were 10-3 (6-2) last year and they finished fourth in the AAC behind SMU, Tulane, and UTSA. Memphis had one of the top offenses in all of college football last season and they should be very good once again this year. Seth Henigan returns as the starting quarterback and the wide receiver room has plenty of talent, so the passing attack should be very strong. The Tigers do need to replace some starters on the offensive line, but they should be ok in conference play. Defensively, Memphis wasn’t good last year and needs to figure things out if they want to make a run at a spot in the CFP.  

The Pick:

The Tigers should have no issues scoring at will here, but I am interested to see how their defense plays. The defense is the main concern for Memphis this year and if they have trouble in this game, it could be ugly later in the year. We saw Memphis blow the doors off of Bethune-Cookman in their 2023 season opener and I think we will see a similar result here. Take Memphis at -37.5 (-110). 

Tennessee Tech vs Middle Tennessee Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Tennessee Tech at Middle Tennessee at 7 PM ET

Tennessee Tech last year finished with a 3-7 record overall and they hope that they can be better this season. The Golden Eagles made some sweeping changes this offseason and that includes bringing in Bobby Wilderr to be in charge. Last season, Tennessee Tech had a solid defense, but the offense was inconsistent, and just on paper, it looks like that could be the case again here. Under center is expected to be Jordyn Potts, and he was inconsistent last season, but he also showed some flashes of being a good quarterback. 

Former Vanderbilt Commodores coach Derek Mason is the new head coach for Middle Tennessee and he believes he has what it takes to get this program back on the right track. There were a ton of players that left in the transfer portal and this roster had a lot of overhaul which could be a problem early in the season. Nicholas Vattiato is going to be under center for Middle Tennessee and he has confidence in a big season. The wide receiver room looks a lot different and the only real pass-catcher back is tight end Holden Willis. 

The Pick:

There has been so much turnover with the Blue Raiders, and it’s going to take a few more weeks for them to mesh. The Blue Raiders offense is going to struggle to run up the score and Tennessee Tech is going to keep this game close. Back Tennessee Tech against the +23.5 spread (-110).

Furman vs Ole Miss Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Furman at Ole Miss at 7 PM ET

This is a team that has high expectations for this season and is one of the better teams in the FCS. The Paladins lost a whole lot of talent from last year's team, but it really appears like they just reloaded. It appears that Carson Jones is going to be the starting quarterback for this team, and they are going to need him to have a huge year. The three best receivers from last year's team are back including Colton Hinton who caught 34 passes for 404 yards and two touchdowns. Former Florida State tight end Joshua UBrrell has joined the group. 

There are some major expectations for Ole Miss this season and they might be the loftiest ones that this program has ever had. Lane Kiffin has done an amazing job recruiting and that has led to the expectations. USC transfer Jaxson Dart is back for another season, and he has all kinds of talent to sling the rock to. Last season he threw for 3,400 yards and 23 touchdowns. Tre Harris is back on the outside and soon he’s going to be playing on Sunday. The running game did lose Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State, and it’s expected to be a running back by the committee this season. 

The Pick:

Ole Miss’s secondary might be dominant this season, but they are going to be dominant against this Furman offense. The Ole Miss offense has Jaxson Dart and he’s going to get whatever he wants in this game. This is a game where Ole Miss could have 50 points by halftime, and this game is going to get ugly early. Furman won’t have an answer, and Ole Miss is going to get the job done. Back Ole Miss against the -42.5 spread (-110). 

Sam Houston State vs Rice Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Sam Houston at Rice at 7 PM ET

The Sam Houston Bearkats won 3 games last season and entered the 11th season under coach K. C. Keeler. Sam Houston has a new defensive coordinator in Skyler Cassity. Grant Gunnell will take over at quarterback after 22 pass attempts last season for 100 yards and 0 touchdowns. John Gentry is back after leading the Bearkats with 391 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, while Noah Smith and Malik Phillips are a receiving duo that combined for 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns. Sam Houston has proven playmakers, it’s just a matter of Gunnell settling into his new role as the starting quarterback.

The Rice Owls won 6 games last season and enter the seventh year under coach Mike Bloomgren. Rice has a chance to make three straight bowl games for the first time since 2012-14. Rice snagged Temple transfer quarterback E.J. Warner, and he has 6,100 passing yards and 41 touchdowns for his career. Dean Connors is back after leading Rice with 771 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, while Boden Groen, Landon Ransom-Goelz, and Rawson MacNeill are respectable receiving options. Rice also has three starting offensive linemen back. There are no excuses for the offensive side of the ball.

The Pick:

The Sam Houston Bearkats will be better than they were a season ago and have an explosive receiving duo that could keep them in this game. However, the Rice Owls are as talented as they've been, possibly ever. If my thoughts hold true, this should be a double-digit victory for the Owls. Give me Rice in a comfortable home-opening victory. The hosts should cover a -9.5 spread at -110.

Bethune-Cookman vs USF Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Bethune-Cookman at USF at 7 PM ET

The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats come into the 2024 season hoping to take a step forward in 2024 after a disappointing 2023 campaign where the Wildcats finished with a 3-8 overall record and a 2-6 mark in SWAC play. Luke Sprague is back at QB for Bethune-Cookman after leading the Wildcats with 544 passing yards last season, completing 65.2% of his passes with 4 TDs and 2 interceptions.

The USF Bulls will try to take another step forward in year two of the Alex Golesh era in Tampa, finishing the 2023 season with an overall record of 7-6 including 4-4 in AAC play. Byrum Brown is back at QB after throwing for just under 3,300 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for another 800 yards and 11 TDs. Nay’Quan Wright is back after rushing for nearly 800 yards himself with 8 touchdowns of his own and Sean Atkins is back at receiver after leading the Bulls with 92 receptions last season. Rahmaan-Abdur Yaseen also comes over from Purdue to give the Bulls some depth at receiver.

The Pick:

USF was a solid team last year and with a lot of continuity within the team, there’s a lot to like about the Bulls this season. Bethune-Cookman just couldn’t really cut it last season and there’s nothing here for me suggesting that they’ll be able to do anything better in this one. Give me the Bulls in a beatdown to cover a -38.5 spread (-110).

Nevada vs Troy Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Nevada at Troy at 7 PM ET

The Nevada Wolf Pack look for a bounce-back performance after coming up short in an upset against SMU in week 0. The Nevada Wolf Pack hope to avoid back-to-back 0-2 starts to a season. Brendon Lewis is completing 53.8 percent of his passes for 132 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Cortez Braham Jr. and Jaden Smith have combined for 98 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Marcus Bellon has 1 reception.

The Troy Trojans have won a combined 23 games in their last 2 seasons and now begin the Gerad Parker era. Parker was on the Notre Dame staff the last two seasons and is a head coach for the first time since going 0-6 with Purdue in 2016. Troy returns just four starters from last season, is breaking in a new quarterback, and lost nine of its top-10 tacklers. Goose Crowder should get the nod at quarterback after 13 pass attempts last season. Damien Taylor averaged 5.2 yards per carry as a backup running back on 67 touches. Having wide receiver Chris Lewis on the field would be a massive boost, but his status is up in the air after finding cancer earlier in the year.

The Pick:

The Nevada Wolf Pack have a game under their belt and nearly upset SMU outright as a 27-point underdog. Nevada has had a chance to knock off any rust and figure some things out, and they should be confident after nearly shocking the CFB world. I need to see Troy and this transition before I can just lay big numbers. Back Nevada to cover a +9.5 spread at -110.

Alabama A&M vs Auburn Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Alabama A&M at Auburn at 7:30 PM

The Bulldogs had a fairly disappointing campaign in 2023, going 5-6 overall with a 3-5 run in Southwestern Athletic Conference matchups. Alabama A&M gets a new defensive coordinator (Thomas Howard) in head coach Connell Maynor’s seventh season at the helm. The Bulldogs are projected to finish around fourth place in their division again this season.

Over on the Auburn side, they managed to eke into a bowl game berth last year with a 6-7 overall record. The Tigers went 3-5 in SEC games, landing behind Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU, and Texas A&M in the West Division standings. Hugh Freeze enters his second season as the Auburn head coach. He’s got a fresh crop of coordinators with him, so we’ll likely see some different looks from the Tigers on both sides of the ball this season.

The Pick:

There will be some early questions with the Auburn passing game however, as it remains to be seen how well QB Payton Thorne can perform with his new crop of receivers. There’s a tough schedule ahead for the Tigers, but this should be a pretty routine opener win to get the team warmed up. With that thick line, however, I could see taking the Bulldogs on principle. Go with Auburn at -46.5 (-110).

UCLA vs Hawaii Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

UCLA at Hawaii at 7:30 PM ET

The UCLA Bruins won 8 games last season and made their Big Ten debut with a new coaching staff that’s headlined by DeShaun Foster and Eric Bieniemy. Ethan Garbers will be the quarterback after splitting time with Dante Moore, throwing for 1,100 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. T.J. Harden is a potential star at running back after averaging 5.3 yards per carry and scoring 8 times on 156 carries. A receiving duo of Logan Loyla and J. Michael Sturdivant returns after combining for 9 touchdowns, and there are three returning starting offensive linemen. UCLA has talent on the offensive side and a bright OC running the show.

The Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors look for another victory after beating Delaware State, 35-14, in week 0. The Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors look to start 2-0 for the first time since the 2019 season. Brayden Schager is completing 50 percent of his passes for 203 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Pofele Ashlock and Dekel Crowdus have combined for 130 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala has 2 receptions.

The Pick:

Hawaii didn't dominate Delaware State the way it should have, and allowing 260 yards to that team doesn't bode well against a much more explosive and talented UCLA side. UCLA should have a field day offensively, and Hawaii just doesn't have the horsepower to keep up. I'll lay the two touchdowns with UCLA on the road. Back UCLA at -14.5 (-110).

Fresno State vs Michigan Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Fresno State at Michigan at 7:30 PM ET

The Fresno State Bulldogs come into the 2024 season with a new voice hoping to carry over the same standard after finishing 2023 with a 9-4 overall record including a 4-4 mark in Mountain West conference play. Mikey Keene is back at QB after throwing for just under 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns last year, opposite 10 INTs with a 67% completion percentage. Keene has a lot of his targets back, including Jalen Moss who had a fantastic freshman season, catching 55 passes for 706 yards and 6 TDs.

The Michigan Wolverines come into the 2024 season as your defending national champions, finishing the year 15-0 including a 9-0 mark in Big Ten play to earn a spot in the conference title game. The Jim Harbaugh era in Ann Arbor is over, opening the door for Sherrone Moore to take over for his predecessor after serving as acting head coach while Harbaugh was suspended last year. Alex Orji takes over from J.J. McCarthy and Orji has the size and wheels to be a dual-threat monster for the Wolverines, but there are a lot of question marks after Orji went without throwing a pass last year. 

The Pick:

I think Michigan’s offense may come out a bit flat and take some time to get going and there have been spots where Michigan’s been guilty in the past of playing with their food and kind of coasting. It wouldn’t surprise me if we saw that in the season opener as well off of their national championship. Give me the Under 47.5 points (-110) here.

Idaho vs Oregon Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Idaho at Oregon at 7:30 PM ET

The Idaho Vandals went 9-4 (6-2) last season and they finished tied for second in the Big Sky standings with Montana State. Idaho had a very successful 2023 season, but they lost two very good wide receivers, their starting quarterback, and their starting running back, so the Vandals will be rebuilding their offense here. Idaho does return five starters on offense, but the bulk of the production is gone. Idaho returns eight starters on the defensive side of the football and that unit should be very strong this year.  

The Oregon Ducks were 12-2 (8-1) last year and they finished second in the PAC-12 behind Washington. Oregon lost a ton of production on the offensive side of the ball from last season, but they did bring in Dillon Gabriel at quarterback, who should be lined up to have a monster season. Tez Johnson is back at receiver after catching 10 touchdowns in 2023. Oregon’s passing attack should be very good, which will open up opportunities to run the ball. The Oregon defense also lost quite a few players from last year but should be pretty solid against most of the Big Ten teams.  

The Pick:

Both teams lost quite a bit on the offensive side of the ball, but Oregon was able to reload in the transfer portal. Oregon will definitely win this game easily, but I think this spread is a little too big, especially when they take their foot off the gas pedal. Take Idaho at +43.5 (-110) here.

Notre Dame vs Texas A&M Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Notre Dame at Texas A&M at 7:30 PM ET

Notre Dame has high expectations again this season, but they have continued to fall short, and this year the pressure is on to not let that happen. One of the reasons there are so many expectations surrounding this team is their starting quarterback. Riley Leonard transferred in from Duke and he could be one of the best transfer portal additions ever for Notre Dame. Notre Dame did lose a couple of offensive linemen to the NFL, but this is a team that usually can rebuild because of how well they recruit offensive linemen. 

Texas A&M continues to spend a ton of money with the football program and they continue to not produce the results on the field. The Aggies believe they finally have their quarterback to get them over the hump in Conner Weigman. Noah Thomas, Jahdae Walker, and Moose Muhammad are the top receivers for this team, and they all have a chance to have a huge season out wide. Ar’maj Reed-Adams has transferred in from Kansas and he’s going to sure up the offensive line. 

The Pick:

The Texas A&M defense was inconsistent last season and those struggles are going to continue here. Riley Leonard is going to be a game-changer for Notre Dame, and he’s going to have no issue slinging the rock against the Texas A&M defense. Notre Dame’s offense is going to allow them to cover the +3 spread at -110. 

Abilene Christian vs Texas Tech Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Abilene Christian at Texas Tech at 7:30 PM ET

Last year the Wildcats missed out on bowl game eligibility. Abilene Christian went 5-6 overall with a 3-3 run in United Athletic Conference games. Abilene Christian head coach Keith Patterson enters his third season in 2024, and he’ll have some new faces on the sideline as coordinators. They’ll have their work cut out for them in this opener. The Red Raiders haven’t lost to an FCS or Division I-AA opponent since 1988 (North Texas).

Over on the Red Raiders’ side, they managed a 7-6 run in 2023 along with a 5-4 run in a very competitive Big 12. It’s the third season of the Joey McGuire era at Texas Tech, and hopes are fairly high—even after losing eight of the 14 defenders who played at least 300 snaps last year. Running back Tahj Brooks is back on offense though, and he’ll be a major contributor on that side of the ball.

The Pick:

Three of the Red Raiders’ top four pass-catchers from last season have departed as well. We’ll have to see how well the transfers work out in filling that gap. For now, Texas Tech shouldn’t have too many issues controlling this opening game from start to finish. Go with Texas Tech at -32.5 (-110).

Southern Miss vs Kentucky Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Southern Miss at Kentucky at 7:45 PM ET

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles went 3-9 (2-6) last year and they finished sixth in the Sun Belt West division. Southern Miss is expected to start Tate Rodemaker at quarterback, who helped fill in for Jordan Travis at Florida State last season. Rodemaker should be an upgrade at the quarterback position, but the Golden Eagles did lose their leading rusher and the receiver depth is thin. Defensively, Southern Miss played very poorly last season and while I would like to say that they will be better, I have to see it first.  

The Kentucky Wildcats were 7-6 (3-5) last season and they finished tied for fourth in the SEC East standings with South Carolina and Florida. Kentucky will have a new starting quarterback this season and their leading rusher is gone, so they will have to rebuild the offense. The Wildcats did bring in Trayanum at running back from Ohio State and the wide receiver talent is there, but losing Leary and Davis from last season is a big concern.  

The Pick:

I am worried about the Kentucky quarterback situation, but they should find success against a below-average Southern Miss defense. The Golden Eagles also had a lot of turnover from last year, but they should be in decent shape at quarterback. I think this could be an ugly game from both sides and points could be at a premium, so I am taking the Under 50.5 points (-110) in this matchup. 

Southern Illinois vs BYU Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Southern Illinois at BYU at 8 PM ET

The Southern Illinois Salukis won 8 games last season and entered the ninth year under coach Nick Hill. Southern Illinois has won 44 games under Hill and has made the FCS playoffs in 3 of the last 4 years. Southern Illinois has two quarterback options in Hunter Simmons and Murray State transfer DJ Williams. Southern Illinois has to replace nearly all of its running back depth and top receiver, but Vinson Davis III had 54 catches last season for 3 touchdowns and Aidan Quinn averaged 12.9 yards per catch on 27 receptions.

The BYU Cougars are coming off a 5 win season and enter the ninth year under coach Kalani Sitake. BYU has two capable quarterbacks in Jake Retzlaff, who had 125 pass attempts last season, and Baylor / USF transfer Gerry Bohanon, who has 3,400 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. LJ Martin is a star running back after averaging 4.8 yards on 109 carries, while Chase Roberts and Darius Lassiter is a receiving duo that combined for 900 yards and 9 touchdowns. The BYU offensive line returns three starters. 

The Pick

The BYU Cougars are obviously the better, deeper, more talented team and capable of blowing the doors off. BYU is also just 2-10 ATS in its last 12 games as a double-digit favorite. BYU has failed to cover 5 straight games as a double-digit favorite. Give me the Salukis at +14.5 (-110).

James Madison vs Charlotte Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

James Madison at Charlotte at 8 PM ET

James Madison had such a strong year last year, but they lost a ton from that squad. Curt Cignetti left after last season to join Indiana and in steps Bob Chesney. Chesney has made a good impression so far, but will he be able to make up for all the lost talent. Jordan McCloud was under center last year but he has now transferred to Texas State. For James Madison in steps Dylan Morris who was at Washington before coming to the Dukes. James Madison should also have a good running back with former North Carolina running back George Pettaway joining the team. 

Charlotte believes this is the year they can turn the corner. 49ers coach Biff Poggi is finally getting the guys who he believes are going to bring this team to the next level. The passing game was inconsistent last season but they believe Max Brown who came in from Florida can have a huge game. Jairus Mack was the top receiver from last season and he’s back and should be a major weapon. CJ Strokes came over from Michigan and he is in line for a huge role this season. 

The Pick:

James Madison is going to be fine this season, but there are so many new pieces, they aren’t going to look very good in this game. Charlotte will keep it within a field goal, and they could win this game outright. Back Charlotte against the +6.5 spread at -110.

Georgia State vs Georgia Tech Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Georgia State at Georgia Tech at 8 PM ET

The Georgia State Panthers won 7 games last year and began the Dell McGee era. McGee has been on the Georgia coaching staff since 2016 and is a college head coach for the first time since coaching a bowl game for Georgia Southern in 2015. Georgia State returns just one offensive lineman, but there’s hope at quarterback with Zach Gibson coming from Georgia Tech and Christian Veilleux coming from Pitt. Freddie Brock is an intriguing running back after producing 307 yards on 30 carries last season. If that’s a sign of things to come, Brock could end up being one of the best running backs in college football.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets look for another victory after upsetting Florida State last week in Dublin. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets look to start a season 2-0 for the first time since 2016. Haynes King is completing 68.8 percent of his passes for 146 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Malik Rutherford and Chase Lane have combined for 97 receiving yards on 6 catches, while Eric Singleton Jr. has 2 receptions. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ground game is averaging 190 yards per contest, and Jamal Haynes leads the way with 75 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Pick:

There's a possible jet lag situation as it's not easy to play a game, fly back 9 hours, and then play the very next week. It's why most NFL teams opt to have a bye after coming from overseas. Georgia Tech has failed to cover 6 of its last 8 games as a double-digit favorite, and 3 of those failed covers were outright losses. Back Georgia State at +21.5 (-110).

Nicholls State vs LA Tech Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Nicholls State at LA Tech at 8 PM ET

The Nicholls Colonels come into the 2024 season looking to build on a solid 2023 season where the Colonels went 7-4 overall after an 0-3 start to the year and finishing undefeated in conference play for the first time in program history and winning a Southland Conference championship. Pat McQuaide’s back at QB after recording 2,196 passing yards with 13 TDs and 12 INTs in his first campaign under center, while Jaylon Spears is back after being named Southland offensive player of the year following a season where he logged over 1,200 all-purpose yards and 9 TDs. Collin Guggenheim added 833 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in the backfield for the Colonels in 2023 while Quincy Brown is back in Nicholls’ receiving group after logging 301 receiving yards and 2 TDs last year. 

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs come into the 2024 campaign hoping to improve on a frustrating 2023 season where LA Tech finished 3-9 overall including a 2-6 mark in C-USA play. Jack Turner and Southern Miss transfer Ty Keyes are expected to battle for the starting spot under center, but whoever gets the starting job has a fairly green receiving corps to work with Tru Edwards leading the charge as the top returning receiver after logging 23 receptions last year. 

The Pick:

Nicholls has a lot of solid returning pieces and is expected to contend for another Southland conference title. I think this one could get hairy for Louisiana Tech. Give me Nicholls at +8 (-110).

Grambling State vs Louisiana Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Grambling State at Louisiana at 8 PM ET

Last year Grambling put up a pretty tepid overall record. The Tigers missed out on a bowl berth with a 5-6 run, going 4-4 in Southwestern Athletic Conference matchups. Mickey Joseph will take over as head coach for Grambling this season, and he’s installed a new defensive coordinator in Jason Rollins. There’s quite a bit of turnover in the backfield, however, QB Myles Crawley will return after 2,312 pass yards in 2023.

Over on the Louisiana side, they managed a reasonable 6-7 run last year but went just 3-5 in Sun Belt games. Third-year Louisiana head coach Michael Desormeaux will get a new defensive coordinator this year as well in Jim Salgado. The Cajuns were picked to finish in third place (behind Texas State and Troy) in the West Division by the preseason coaches’ poll.

The Pick:

Defensively Louisiana didn’t have the greatest season in 2023, however, the pass rush was excellent. Cameron Whitfield is back in the mix after his eight sacks last year and the line should be pretty effective as well. All things considered, if the Cajuns can keep the ball moving in this opener the defense should take care of the rest. Take Louisiana at -32.5 (-110).

Texas A&M-Commerce vs San Diego State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Texas A&M-Commerce at San Diego State at 8 PM ET

The Texas A&M-Commerce Lions come into the 2024 season looking to rebound from an abysmal 2023 campaign where the Lions finished just 1-9 and averaged just 15.9 PPG. Eric Rodriguez is back under center at QB for the Lions after missing the entire 2023 season due to injury, and while BK Jackson is likely to start at RB for the Lions, he didn’t have a carry last year with North Texas so there are question marks there. Jared Wilson comes in as Commerce’s top receiver, transferring in from Snow Community College, logging 55 catches for 628 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The San Diego State Aztecs come into the 2024 campaign looking to leave 2023 in the rearview, finishing the year at 4-8 overall including a 2-6 mark in Mountain West conference play. AJ Duffy and Danny O’Neil are expected to be battling for starting QB time for much of the year but it looks like Duffy, the Florida State transfer, will get the first crack. Marquez Cooper leads the Aztecs in the backfield after three straight 1,000-yard seasons in the MAC, the most recent with Ball State, and Mekhi Shaw is back as the top receiving threat for the Aztecs. Ja’Shaun Poke and Louis Brown transferred in from West Virginia and Colorado State respectively to bolster the Aztecs’ receiving room.

The Pick:

San Diego State’s going to need some time to gel, but they’re the far more talented team in this matchup and when it comes down to which team is going to break off more game-breaking plays, I just think that’s San Diego State by a landslide. Give me the Aztecs at -34.5 (-110).

Houston Christian vs SMU Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Houston Christian at SMU at 8 PM ET

The Houston Christian Huskies went 6-5 (4-3) last season and they finished fourth in the Southland standings. Houston Christian will have a new head coach for this game and he has an uphill battle getting the team ready for this matchup. The Huskies do bring back a lot of production from the running back spot, but quarterback and wide receiver is a big question mark. Defensively, Houston Christian lost quite a few starters from a bad defense last year, so this year could be even worse. 

The SMU Mustangs went 11-3 (9-0) last year and finished first in the American. SMU opened the season in week 0 with a win over Nevada, but they did not look great in the game. SMU trailed 24-13 in the fourth quarter, but they were able to score the last 16 points in the game to win 29-24. SMU outgained Nevada by a total of 408-298, but they turned the ball over once and went 5-12 on third downs. Preston Stone had a lot of hype coming into this season and he threw for 254 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.  

The Pick:

The Mustangs should have no issues running up the score here, as Houston Christian will have no answer defensively. The Huskies' offense is also a concern after losing their quarterback from last year and replacing their coach. I have not seen a spread for this game yet, but I think SMU is going to win in a blowout. 

Lamar vs Texas State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Lamar at Texas State at 8 PM ET

The Lamar Cardinals come into the 2024 season looking to build on a decent 2023 season where Lamar finished 6-5 overall. Robert Coleman is back at QB for Lamar, throwing for 1,956 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 7 INTs while Khalan Griffin comes back at RB after leading the Southland conference with 823 rushing yards and 5 TDs, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Andre Dennis is back to lead Lamar’s receiving group with 482 receiving yards and 3 TDs. 

The Texas State Bobcats come into the 2024 campaign trying to take another step forward after a successful debut season under G.J. Kinne, ending the year with an 8-5 record including a 4-4 mark in Sun Belt conference play. Jordan McCloud will take over QB1 duties in San Marcos with TJ Finley gone, and McCloud was a stud for James Madison last year. Ismail Mahdi is back at running back after logging 1,331 rushing yards and 10 TDs while Joey Hobert is back in Texas State’s receiving group after logging 76 receptions, while Kole Wilson also comes back as 5 of Texas State’s top 6 receivers from last year all return.

The Pick:

Lamar will be a feisty team in the Southland, but they just don’t have the horses to keep up here. Give me Texas State a huge win to start the year. Back the hosts at -31 (-110).

Robert Morris vs Utah State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Robert Morris at Utah State at 8 PM ET

Robert Morris will have most of its starters back on offense. Anthony Chiccitt is back to start under center and last season he threw for 1,651 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions. The offense also got better with a couple of transfers coming in. Isaiah Stewart is in from Nebraska and the expectation is he will find a ton of success. 

Nate Dreiling is still labeled the interim coach and Blake Anderson is gone. With a big season, or even a decent season Dreiling probably be will named the permanent coach. Spencer Petras was inconsistent at Iowa, but he’s going to be the starter going into the season, and they hope that he’s going to have a big season. The good news for Petras is he has a ton of playmakers that he can lean on. Last year, Jalen Royals caught 71 passes for 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns. The question this season is will the quarterback be able to get the ball out to him. 

The Pick:

Utah State is better than Robert Morris but isn’t 31.5 points better. This Utah State offense is going to struggle to move the ball, and Robert Morris will keep it within a few touchdowns. Back Robert Morris against the +31.5 (-110) spread. 

Southeast Missouri State vs New Mexico State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Southeast Missouri State at New Mexico State at 9 PM ET

Southeast Missouri State played a game during Week 0 and they were able to pick up a victory over the North Alabama Lions. At halftime, it was a close battle, but in the second half, Southeast Missouri State pulled away and they ended up winning 37-15. They played two quarterbacks and both had success. Paxton DeLaurent completed 14 of his 17 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. Carter Hensley completed 10 of his 14 passes for 100 yards. 

New Mexico State found a ton of success last season, but a whole lot of changes are incoming including a coach. Jerry Kill is gone and in comes former UNLC coach Tony Sanchez. The quarterback last season was Diego Pavia but he has left for Vanderbilt and in comes Kentucky transfer Deuce Hogan. He isn’t as dynamic with his legs but he is a good passer and he should be able to find success through the air. The good news for Hogan is he has an elite offensive line to protect him up front. 

The Pick:

The offensive line for Southeast Missouri State opened up some big holes in the first game, it’s going to be much of the same here. New Mexico State’s defense is going to really struggle here, and it will be the Redhawks that are going to get the job done here. Back Southeast Missouri State against the +6.5 spread at -110. 

New Mexico vs Arizona Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

New Mexico at Arizona at 10:30 PM ET

The New Mexico Lobos went 4-8 (2-6) last year and they finished tied for last in the Mountain West with Nevada and San Diego State. New Mexico opened their 2024 season with a 35-31 loss against Montana State in week 0, and they blew a great chance to start the campaign with a win. New Mexico led for almost the entire game and led by a score of 31-14 in the fourth quarter, but they allowed 14 points in the final 4:35 for the loss. New Mexico was outgained by a total of 567-324 and they were only 1-8 on third downs in the game. Devon Dampier threw for 172 yards and one touchdown.  

The Arizona Wildcats went 10-3 (7-2) last year and they finished third in the PAC-12 standings behind Oregon and Washington. Arizona does return Noah Fifita at quarterback and one of the best receivers in the country, Tetairo McMillan, is also back. The Wildcats had a great offensive attack in 2023 and I expect similar results this season. The Arizona defense lost a ton of players from last year, so they are counting on the transfer portal to save them, which is never a sure thing.  

The Pick:

New Mexico lost their first game against Montana State and it will be interesting to see how they respond after blowing a 17-point lead in the fourth. The Lobos are going to really struggle to get stops in this game, but I do think New Mexico can put a few scoring drives together to push this game over the total. Take the Over 58.5 points here at -110. 

Wyoming vs Arizona State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Wyoming at Arizona State at 10:30 PM ET

Wyoming had a pretty solid overall season in 2023. The Cowboys managed a 9-4 overall record with a 5-3 run in a tough Mountain West. The Jay Sawvel era begins at Wyoming in 2024, and he’ll bring with him a pair of new coordinators in Jay Johnson (offense) and Aaron Bohl (defense). They’ll have a novice quarterback in Evan Svoboda this year, but lead RB Harrison Waylee has returned after 947 yards and five touchdowns last season.

Over on the Arizona State side, they had a pretty tough schedule against some tricky teams in 2023 and finished just 3-9 overall. New offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo joins second-year head coach Kenny Dillingham on the sideline this season. Provided the roster can stay healthy this year, the team’s fortunes should improve. The good news is that a couple of key guys on the O-line (Ben Coleman and Emmit Bohle) are back from injury.

The Pick:

Defensively Arizona State should have a strong secondary which should be able to contain any big plays by (most) opposing offenses. Overall I think the Sun Devils will improve their fortunes by a few games this year and may even earn a bowl berth. This is a tricky opener, though. Should be a fun one to check out. Go with the Sun Devils at -6.5 (-110).

Weber State vs Washington Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Weber State at Washington at 11 PM ET

The Weber State Wildcats won 6 games last season and entered the second year under coach Mickey Mental as a head coach and the third as an offensive coordinator. Richie Munoz returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Damon Bankston should slide into the starting running back role after averaging 6.1 yards per carry as a backup. Jacob Sharp and Jayleen Record is a receiving duo that combined for more than 500 yards and 7 touchdowns. With more experience at quarterback and an explosive running back, this Weber State offense could do some damage this season.

The Washington Huskies made the national championship last year but now begins the Jedd Fisch era. Fisch comes over from Arizona, where he won 16 games in three seasons. There’s a lot of change in this Washington offense, as it lost all five of its starting linemen. Mississippi State transfer Will Rogers is at quarterback, and he has over 12,000 yards and 94 touchdown passes to his name. Running back Jonah Coleman comes over from Arizona where he had 1,243 yards and 9 touchdowns in two seasons and wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter comes from Cal where he had 2,056 yards and 13 touchdowns in three seasons. So many new faces, but there are accomplished offensive guys on this squad. If only things can come together…

The Pick:

The Weber State Wildcats don't have the talent Washington has, but there are fewer questions in terms of filling out the roster, and the Wildcats are a ranked FCS team. This isn't your usual FCS - FBS matchup where one team is just showing up for a check. They play the ball out in Weber State. Nearly four free touchdowns? I'll nibble with Weber State at +26.5 (-110) late Saturday night.

USC vs LSU Prediction College Football Picks 9/1/24

USC at LSU at 7:30 PM ET

USC had some high expectations in the 2023 season and failed to meet most of them with a relatively tepid 8-5 overall record. Head coach Lincoln Riley will try to meet the hefty preseason expectations in 2024 during his third season at the helm. He’ll have a couple of new defensive coordinators along with returning OC Josh Henson (third season). The surroundings will be fresh this year—and as competitive as ever—since USC has now officially moved to the Big Ten Conference.

Over on the Tigers’ side, they had quite a few successes in 2023 mixed in with some letdowns. LSU managed a 10-3 overall run with a 6-2 SEC record. The Tigers have some turnover among their coordinators in 2024, but head coach Brian Kelly is back for his third season at the helm. The expectation is that LSU will be a pretty elite team this year, with the defense taking a step forward and the offense remaining strong. Looking past this difficult USC opener matchup, the schedule looks pretty favorable (on paper, at least).

The Pick:

The Tigers have given up over 2,000 rushing yards in each of the last two seasons, which isn’t going to cut it for LSU’s lofty ambitions. The good news is that the team has the size and talent to stop that trend in 2024. They’ll have a tough test right out of the gate, but I think the Tigers can power out a cover. Should be a fun one to watch regardless. Go with LSU at -4.5 (-110).

Boston College vs Florida State Prediction College Football Picks 9/2/24

Boston College at Florida State at 7:30 PM ET

The Boston College Eagles were 7-6 (3-5) last season and they finished tied for ninth in the ACC standings with Miami. Boston College does return Thomas Castellanos at quarterback, who did have some turnover issues, but is a very exciting dual-threat QB. The offensive line should be very good this season and there are a few excellent options at running back. The BC defense wasn’t great in 2023, but they did bring in some players from the portal to fill some holes.  

The Florida State Seminoles went 13-1 (9-0) last year and they finished first in the ACC. Florida State lost their first game of this season in week 0 by a score of 24-21 against Georgia Tech. Florida State opened the game with a great scoring drive to take an 8-0 lead and their kicker hit a pair of 50+ yard field goals to take the game into the half tied at 14, but the FSU offense only managed seven points in the second half for the loss. Florida State was outgained by a total of 336-291 and allowed Georgia Tech to go 5-9 on third down in the loss. DJ Uiagalelei threw for 193 yards in the game.  

The Pick:

Boston College should have a very solid offensive attack this season with Castellanos back under center, but their defense is a concern. I don’t want to overreact to that first performance by Florida State, but I also don’t like their quarterback and think they are going to struggle to score points this year. Take Boston College at +15.5 (-110)