After an active Week 0 warmup, Week 1 of the college football season is underway with dozens of games, including some intriguing matchups, taking place from Thursday through Monday.
Highlights include No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 14 Clemson in Atlanta, No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 20 Texas A&M, No. 8 Penn State vs. West Virginia, No. 19 Miami vs. Florida and No. 13 LSU vs. No. 23 University of Southern California on Sunday night in Las Vegas.
There is also a lot of filler in this slate.
There will be a total of 59 FBS-FCS games this weekend. Adding in two games from last week, there will be 61 FBS-FCS games to open the college football season, the most since 2010, according to SportRadar. The previous high was 47 games in 2017.
Why so many?
“It's just a coincidence,” said Dave Brown, founder of college football scheduling software company Gridiron.
These games will not all be byes for Bowl Subdivision schools.
Coach Deion Sanders and Colorado better be ready for Thursday night's game against North Dakota State, which will be in a similar situation on Saturday when No. 17 Oklahoma State hosts South Dakota State, the two-time defending FCS champion.
In fact, these could be some of the most intriguing matchups in Week 1. So let’s get started (taken from BetMGM college football odds).
#19 Miami (minus-2.5) vs. Florida
The Gators and Hurricanes resume their rivalry in the Mental Health Bowl in Week 1. Anxiety is growing among their respective fans about third-year coaches Billy Napier of Florida and Mario Cristobal of Miami. Saturday's loser may need therapy.
Prediction: Miami 31-21.
No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 20 Texas A&M (minus-3)
A season filled with high expectations for the Fighting Irish begins Saturday against a new Aggies coach in former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Mike Elko, a situation that will be a disadvantage for the Irish starting a nearly entirely new offensive line.
Prediction: Texas A&M 20-16.
No. 13 LSU (minus-4.5) vs. No. 23 USC (Las Vegas)
Ranking second on the worry list behind Miami-Florida, Trojans coach Lincoln Riley hasn't inspired confidence among USC fans lately, but LSU comes into Sunday's showcase after losing two straight highly-anticipated season-openers under head coach Brian Kelly, both to Florida State.
Prediction: LSU 35-27.
North Dakota State (plus 9 1/2) vs. Colorado
The Bisons are a few years removed from their dynasty heyday — they won nine FCS titles between 2011 and 2021 — but they certainly have the ability to test questionable teams at the line of scrimmage.
Prediction: Colorado 27-20.
No. 1 Georgia (minus-13 1/2) vs. No. 14 Clemson (Atlanta)
These teams opened the 2021 season in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the Bulldogs winning 10-3 to begin their path to national dominance. The Tigers came into that game with roughly a three-point advantage, which pretty much sums up the trajectory of these teams since coming into Saturday's game.
Prediction: Georgia 34-17.
Here are the best of the rest: I didn't predict most of the games between ranked teams and FCS opponents that would be close losses, but obviously these won't be the only unfavorable matchups. Maybe not even the biggest ones. Good luck, Akron.
Akron (plus-50 1/2) vs. No. 2 Ohio State
The Buckeyes haven't lost to an in-state school since 1921…Ohio State 49-7.
Colorado State vs. No. 4 Texas (minus-32 1/2)
The Longhorns' running back depth has been thinned by injuries…Texas 45-10.
Western Kentucky vs. No. 5 Alabama (minus-31 1/2)
The Cullen DeBoer era begins for the Crimson Tide…Alabama 49-14.
No. 8 Penn State (minus-4 1/2) vs. West Virginia
Mountaineers have a chance to win the Big 12 against the Big 10…Penn State wins 28-21.
Fresno State (plus 21 1/2) vs. No. 9 Michigan
Guess who will be quarterbacking last year's national champion team? Check it out…Michigan 24-6.
Boston College vs. No. 10 Florida State (minus-15 1/2)
The Seminoles will try to shake off the Dublin hangover on Monday in coach Bill O'Brien's first game as Eagles coach…Florida State 35-17.
Temple vs. No. 16 Oklahoma (minus-42 1/2)
The Sooners made a smooth transition to their new SEC schedule on Friday night with a manageable non-conference game…Oklahoma 52-7.
South Dakota State (plus 9 1/2) vs. No. 17 Oklahoma State
The Jackrabbits are the new FCS team you shouldn't mess with…Oklahoma State 24-20.
New Mexico vs. No. 21 Arizona (minus-31 1/2)
The Lobos started their first season under new coach Bronco Mendenhall by blowing a 17-point lead at home to Montana State…Arizona 52-14.
Social Media Requests
North Carolina vs. Minnesota (+1 1/2) @VegasAggie. The Gophers will be looking to tie the game after losing the first game of last year's home-and-home…Minnesota 23-20.
TCU (minus-9 1/2) vs. Stanford, @kimilynn. Welcome to ACC After Dark… TCU 42-31.
UNLV (plus 2 1/2) vs. Houston, @UHLawdog. New Cougars coach Willie Fritz plans major shakeup… UNLV 31-28.
Miami (OH) vs. Northwestern (minus-3), @BTF_POD. As you may have heard, the defending MAC champions needed to replace their star kicker…Northwestern 24-17.
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Follow Ralph D. Russo https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP
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