College Football Week 1 Must See Games

The appetizer is complete. Week Zero gave us just enough of a taste, but now it’s time to dive into the full course: Week 1.

The full start to the college football season does a lot more than dip the toe in, nope we are full sending it with this slate! So let’s take a look at what’s must-see and a good bet to keep you locked in.

Thursday:

Nebraska at Cincinnati 9pm at ESPN

Is this finally the year the Cornhuskers return to relevancy? A nice little road test to get things going, and a chance to see if QB Dylan Raiola (Mini Patty Mahomes) takes that leap into top QB talk.

This one’s weird, it could be a defensive struggle or a hell of a barn burner. Week 1 is always a coin flip with these matchups.

Best Bet: Over 52.5

Prediction:Nebraska 35, Cincinnati 20

Friday:

Quick one… Western Michigan vs Michigan State 7pm et on FS1

Just stop the "losing credibility" talk. You gotta check this one out for Spartans guard Gavin Broscious, the dude is aDAWG.

Georgia Tech at Colorado 8pm et on ESPN

SHOOTOUT ALERT!!! QB Haynes King brings his Yellow Jackets west, and I’m expecting lots of fireworks. You've got a GT squad that people are quietly confident in, and then there's a whole new Colorado team with QB Kaidon Salter driving the bus now.

Again, I expect po points. Watch this during your Friday night out at the bars.

Best Bet: Haynes King Over 43.5 rushing yards

Prediction:Georgia Tech 45, Colorado 35

Saturday:

Texas at Ohio State 12pm et on FOX

#1 vs #3 at noon on Week 1… are you kidding me?!? This is like a damn eclipse or something, people. Get your snacks and glue yourself to the couch.

Two young QBs (Arch Manning & Julian Sayin) with sky-high expectations lead their loaded rosters in what could be a national championship preview.

Best Bet: Under 48.5

Prediction:Ohio State 24, Texas 21

Quick one… Temple vs UMass 3:30pm et on ESPN+

Shut up! Mid-major football rules and I’ve got my former player C Ben Roy Jr. starting for the Minutemen, you know I’m watching this one on my laptop.

LSU at Clemson 7:30pm et on ABC

TIGERS vs TIGERS! I’m just gonna start this one off by saying how much I freaking love QB Cade Klubnik. His game is fun and smooth to watch.

I think this game is so tight that you have to go with the home team.

Best Bet: Clemson ML

Prediction:Clemson 31, LSU 30 (OT)

Utah at UCLA 11pm et on FOX

PAC-12 After Dark is back?? Well… kind of. But I will say, I’mhighon QB Devon Dampier. Saw this dude shred the high school I covered, firsthand. Twice. I think with good players around him, he’ll begin to shine consistently for the Utes.

Best Bet: Devon Dampier Anytime TD

Prediction:Utah 31, UCLA 14

Players to check… trust me:

• Demond Williams Jr., Washington QB vs CSU – 11:00 PM

• Sam Leavitt, Arizona State QB vs NAU – 10:30 PM

• Bryce Underwood, Michigan QB vs NMU – 7:30 PM

• DJ Warner, SMU DE vs ETAMU – 9:30 PM

Sunday:

Notre Dame vs Miami 7:30pm et on ABC

Catholics vs Convicts back in the day, and it’s still a bitter rivalry in many ways. Notre Dame is looking to change its fortunes against the Hurricanes (0–6 in their last six), but they do have the most recent win in Hard Rock Stadium (Orange Bowl vs Penn State).

The trenches will be the deciding factor, if Notre Dame finds a running game, Miami could be in trouble.

Best Bet: Mark Fletcher Jr. Under 60.5 rushing yards

Prediction:Miami 24, Notre Dame 20

Monday:

TCU at North Carolina 8pm et on ESPN

Yeah, it’s the only game of the day, but that doesn’t make it any less must-see! We got Coach Belichick’s debut in Carolina Blue, people!

Also, the gunslinger (and possible furry) Josh Hoover for TCU on the other side. This is how you end a magical Week 1 of college football.

Best Bet: Over 56.5

Prediction:TCU 42, UNC 24

Of course, there are so many more games to tune into. And if you’re a degenerate like myself, you’ll be just as pumped for Northwestern vs Tulane as you are for Texas vs Ohio State. It’s just who we are, the need for college football, no matter the teams, is ever strong.

This one though? It’s a Week 1 for the ages.

So get the spread of bets, drinks, and food ready, sit back & enjoy.