College Football Week 1 Expert Picks, Predictions And Odds, Including LSU-Clemson

Will LSU and Lane Kiffin shut out the noise and defeat Clemson? Will we see a Week 1 upset or a jaw-dropping performance that changes early perceptions of conference and national title projections? Boise State is one of the top Group of Six schools, but can it take down Oregon? Will UCLA or Cal prevail in an old-school “Pac-12 After Dark” rivalry? College football is officially back in full swing, and we’ve got some picks of the week, along with answers to those questions and more. We’re breaking down our straight-up picks for Week 1, from LSU-Clemson to Notre Dame-Wisconsin. Let’s get into it. When: Friday, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)Where: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CaliforniaLine: Miami -24.5 RJ Young: Miami Darian Mensah doesn’t just have Cooper Barkate to throw to any longer, but sophomore wide receiver Malachi Toney should have an even bigger role for the Hurricanes this season. Michael Cohen: Miami There’s plenty of buzz around Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, but how about Hurricanes’ dynamo Malachi Toney? He should come out flying against Stanford after catching more than 100 passes as a true freshman last season. Laken Litman: Miami Darian Mensah starts his Heisman Trophy campaign off with a rout of Stanford. Ben Portnoy: Miami Not overthinking this one. The ‘Canes start off their campaign with a West Coast rout and Darian Mensah becomes an early Heisman darling. When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaLine: Auburn -7.5 Young: Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown threw for 3,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 yards as the starter at South Florida last season. I expect his game to translate to SEC football. Cohen: Auburn Not enough credit is given to Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown, a USF transfer who followed head coach Alex Golesh, one of the most productive signal-callers in the country. In addition to his considerable arm talent, Brown could be a 1,000-yard rusher for the second straight year. Litman: Baylor Coach Dave Aranda enters his seventh season at Baylor with a strong non-conference win behind Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway looking sharp. Portnoy: BaylorGive me Baylor and the beginning of the DJ Lagway reclamation project. I like Dave Aranda to cool his seat a touch with a big non-conference victory. When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OregonLine: Oregon -24.5 Young: OregonA statement needs to be made. The Ducks are a top-5 team in my top 25 as well as the AP Top 25. This is their first chance to act like it. Cohen: OregonThe Ducks’ offense will always be a high-flying attraction, but that defensive line might be the best in college football. It could be a long day for Broncos’ quarterback Maddux Madsen. Litman: OregonWhile Boise State looks like a College Football Playoff contender, Dante Moore and the Ducks have more talent. Portnoy: Oregon Oregon is going to win this game, but I like Boise to stay competitive. It’s only two years ago that the Broncos took the Ducks down to the wire. It might not be that close, but it’ll be competitive. When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LouisianaLine: LSU -10.5 Young: LSUThe Bayou Bengals have the better roster — possibly with former NFL players! — and Tiger Stadium at night is one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the sport. Cohen: LSU The off-field storylines surrounding Lane Kiffin will always scream louder than the action between the hashes. This weekend will be no exception given the eligibility fiasco with the Tigers. But once the ball is actually kicked, people will see just how talented LSU’s roster really is. Litman: LSULane Kiffin’s tenure at LSU begins with a bang by taking down the other Tigers at home. Portnoy: LSU LSU gets the win in the fight over who plays at the real “Death Valley,” and Clemson’s consternation over the Dabo Swinney era only grows. When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MichiganLine: Michigan -27.5 Young: Michigan Bryce Underwood is the starting quarterback at Michigan, he is the most talented player on the field and he is why the Wolverines win this one. Cohen: Michigan All eyes will be on quarterback Bryce Underwood, but expect the Michigan rushing attack to carry the Wolverines. By season’s end, there might not be a better one-two running back punch than Jordan Marshall and five-star freshman Savion Hiter. Litman: Michigan Kyle Whittingham gets his first win on the Michigan sideline, and quarterback Bryce Underwood looks more like we thought he would when he came out of high school. Portnoy: Michigan Kyle Wittingham gets his first victory in Ann Arbor, but don’t be surprised if returning MAC Offensive Player of the Year Broc Lowry makes a few plays for the Broncos. When: Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)Where: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CaliforniaLine: UCLA -1.5 Young: UCLA Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is my sleeper pick for ACC Offensive Player of the Year. But UCLA is a more complete football roster, and new head coach Bob Chesney has shown he can do more with less. Cohen: Cal A sneaky contender for best game of Week 1 between two programs on the upswing. The Bears have won the offseason, hiring new head coach Tosh Lupoi, and will ride that momentum to a win. Litman: UCLA New coach Bob Chesney starts off with a win as quarterback Nico Iamaleava seems to finally be hitting his stride this season. Portnoy: CalI’m incredibly high on what’s happening in Berkeley, and I like the Golden Bears to be a dark-horse ACC contender. Tosh Lupoi gets braggin’ rights in Year 1 over Bob Chesney. When: Sunday, 4 p.m. ET (NBC)Where: Husky Stadium, Seattle, WashingtonLine: Washington -23.5 Young: Washington Demond Williams Jr. is the closest quarterback to Kyler Murray the sport has seen since the 2018 Heisman winner’s exit. Cohen: Washington Head coach Jedd Fisch continues to build one of the more impressive programs in the country. The Huskies are recruiting at an exceptional level from the high school ranks and have an excellent coaching staff with a proven track record of developing players into pros. Litman: Washington Despite a tumultuous offseason when Demond Williams Jr. entered the transfer portal, the quarterback returns to lead the Huskies to a season-opening win over their in-state rival. Portnoy: Washington  I’m bullish on Jedd Fisch and the Huskies. They get a nice Apple Cup victory to open the campaign and put a stormy offseason behind them. When: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WisconsinLine: Notre Dame: -20.5 Young: Notre DameThe talent deficit looks too large for Wisconsin to overcome. Cohen: Notre Dame This one could get ugly in a hurry. The Fighting Irish have one of the most talented rosters in college football and are still fueled by last year’s perceived CFP snub. Litman: Notre Dame We know coach Marcus Freeman hates to lose, and this will begin the Fighting Irish revenge tour after missing the CFP last season. Portnoy: Notre Dame Marcus Freeman’s season starts off with a bang as the Fighting Irish march toward a CFP-or-bust season. I also like quarterback CJ Carr to get his Heisman campaign started early. When: Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TennesseeLine: Ole Miss -6.5 Young: Ole Miss Trinidad Chambliss’ Heisman campaign began on Sunday with his helmet featured on the Vegas sphere. This season, 4,000/1,000/40/10 is within his reach. He should lead the Rebels past Louisville. Cohen: Ole Miss Even if the Rebels struggle to regain last season’s form, quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ veteran presence should be enough to push Ole Miss to an opening win. He’s a Heisman Trophy candidate for a reason. Litman: Louisville The Cardinals pull out an upset with new Ohio State transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, giving Ole Miss and Pete Golding an early loss with Lane Kiffin and LSU looming in Week 3. Portnoy: Louisville I’m incredibly skeptical of Ole Miss returning to the form it showed under Lane Kiffin, while Jeff Brohm has been a model of consistency at his alma mater. I’m picking a big win for the ACC. When: Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FloridaLine: SMU -3.5 Young: SMU The Mustangs are who Florida State used to be in the ACC. Cohen: SMUThis could be the beginning of the end for Florida State head coach Mike Norvell. Shocking to think that SMU has surpassed Florida State in the college football hierarchy, but here we are. Litman: SMUThe Mustangs begin their journey to the CFP by toppling Florida State as Mike Norvell’s tenure continues to go sideways. Portnoy: SMU Kevin Jennings eases into his third year as starting quarterback in Dallas, and the red flags we saw in Week 0 prove too much for Mike Norvell’s squad.