EasySportz College Football Week 1 Expert Predictions

Thursday’s action begins in Tampa, where Boise State visits USF at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN. The Broncos are favored by 5.5 points, with a moneyline of -220 and an over/under of 62.5. Boise State returns a veteran offense, including quarterback Maddux Madsen, who threw for over 2,500 yards in limited action last season, while USF boasts a revamped defense under new coordinator additions from the transfer portal. Analytics models project a close contest, with some experts favoring the Bulls to cover or upset. Lee picks USF and Over. Jackson selects USF and Over. James chooses USF and Under. The consensus is USF and Over.

Later Thursday, Nebraska faces Cincinnati at 9 p.m. on ESPN. The Huskers are 6.5-point favorites with a -245 moneyline and a 52.5 total. Nebraska’s defense ranks among the top in the Big Ten for returning production, led by edge rusher Nash Hutmacher, while Cincinnati integrates new quarterback Brendan Sorsby from Indiana amid roster turnover. Betting trends show sharp money on the Huskers to cover early. Lee goes with Nebraska* and Under. Jackson picks Nebraska* and Under. James selects Cincinnati and Under. Consensus: Nebraska* and Under.

Friday features Georgia Tech at Colorado at 8 p.m. on ESPN. The Yellow Jackets are 4.5-point favorites with a -205 moneyline and a 52.5 over/under. Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King, a senior with dual-threat ability, leads a unit that returns key receivers, facing a Colorado squad bolstered by transfers but dealing with offensive line questions. Proven models highlight the Buffaloes’ potential to keep it close at home. Lee picks Georgia Tech and Under. Jackson chooses Georgia Tech and Over. James selects Georgia Tech and Over. Consensus: Georgia Tech and Over.

Also Friday, Auburn travels to Baylor at 8 p.m. on FOX. The Tigers are favored by 2.5 points with a -134 moneyline and a 57.5 total. Auburn’s offense features new quarterback additions via the portal, while Baylor relies on returning starter Sawyer Robertson and a defense ranked high in Big 12 pressure rates. Expert analysis leans toward the Bears in a potential upset scenario. Lee selects Baylor and Under. Jackson picks Baylor and Under. James chooses Baylor and Over. Consensus: Baylor and Over.

Saturday’s early window spotlights Texas at Ohio State at noon on FOX. The Buckeyes are 2.5-point favorites with a -126 moneyline and a 47.5 over/under. Texas quarterback Arch Manning, a preseason Heisman frontrunner, directs an explosive attack against Ohio State’s elite defense, featuring stars like wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and edge rushers Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau. Computer simulations give Texas a slight edge to win outright in 53.3% of projections. Lee picks Ohio State and Over. Jackson selects Ohio State and Over. James chooses Texas and Under. Consensus: Ohio State and Over.

Next, Alabama visits Florida State at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. The Crimson Tide are 13.5-point favorites with a -550 moneyline and a 50.5 total. Alabama, ranked No. 8 nationally, integrates new coach Kalen DeBoer’s system with quarterback Jalen Milroe leading the charge, while FSU rebuilds after heavy portal losses. Proven models back Alabama to cover comfortably. Lee picks Bama and Under. Jackson selects Bama and Under. James chooses Bama* and Under. Consensus: Bama and Under.

Saturday late brings LSU at Clemson at 7:30 p.m. on ABC. The Tigers (Clemson) are 3.5-point favorites with a -166 moneyline and a 57.5 over/under. Clemson returns the most experience nationally, including quarterback Cade Klubnik, but went 1-4 against ranked foes last year. LSU counters with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and a reloaded secondary. Betting lines have moved toward Clemson, reflecting sharp action. Lee picks Clemson and Over. Jackson selects Clemson and Over. James chooses LSU and Over. Consensus: Clemson and Over.

Sunday’s games start with South Carolina versus Virginia Tech at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN. The Gamecocks are 7.5-point favorites with a -310 moneyline and a 52.5 total. South Carolina’s defense leads the SEC in returning snaps, anchored by edge rusher Kyle Kennard, facing a Virginia Tech team with quarterback Kyron Drones but offensive line concerns. Early plays from insiders favor the Gamecocks but question the cover. Lee picks South Carolina* and Under. Jackson selects South Carolina* and Under. James chooses Virginia Tech and Under. Consensus: South Carolina* and Under.

Later Sunday, Notre Dame visits Miami at 7:30 p.m. on ABC. The Fighting Irish are 2.5-point favorites with a -137 moneyline and a 49.5 over/under. Notre Dame’s defense ranks top-five in efficiency, led by cornerback Benjamin Morrison, against Miami’s potent offense featuring quarterback Cam Ward. Straight-up picks from experts favor Notre Dame in ranked clashes. Lee picks ND and Over. Jackson selects Miami and Over. James chooses Miami and Under. Consensus: Miami and Over.

The week wraps Monday with TCU at UNC, lines showing TCU as 3.5-point favorites with a -152 moneyline and a 56.5 total. TCU’s high-tempo offense, directed by quarterback Josh Hoover, matches up against UNC’s rebuilt defense under new coordinator Geoff Collins. Insider picks lean toward the Horned Frogs in a high-scoring affair. Lee selects UNC and Over. Jackson picks TCU and Over. James chooses TCU and Under. Consensus: TCU and Over.

These picks draw from current analytics, with power ratings and projections indicating tight contests in several games. As the season unfolds, EasySportz will monitor performance against the spread and totals, providing insights into emerging trends.

For our full game week picks, you can view them below!

Lee, Jackson, James Staff Picks + Composite 

(Follow sample method below. If you think a team is going to win and cover, for example, Boise State covers -5.5 at USF, then write in Boise State. If you think Boise State wins, but does not cover, Boise State*. If you think USF wins, put USF.)

Favorite wins and covers, write their name. Favorite wins, but does not cover, use *. Underdog wins, write their name. Example: Boise State by 6+ is Boise State. Boise State by <5.5, Boise State*. USF wins, USF. 

*(All lines are from FanDuel as of the morning on Wednesday, August 27th)*

For Over / Under, follow the same method. If you think the total in the game is going Over, put Over. If you think the total is going Under, put Under.

We’ll track these throughout the season, but everyone starts out a fresh 0-0 when toe meets leather in Tampa. 

Scroll to the next page for Thursday games and so on. 

Before viewing our picks, catch up on offseason team previews here!

Week 1 SEC Power rankings can be viewed here!

Now, for the college football expert picks!

Thursday: 

Boise State @ USF: 5:30 PM, ESPN

Spread: Boise State -5.5

Winner: Boise State -220 ML 

Over / Under: 62.5

Lee: USF, Over

Jackson: USF, Over

James:  USF, Under

Consensus Pick: USF, Over

Nebraska vs. Cincinnati: 9 PM, ESPN

Spread: NEB -6.5

Winner: NEB -245 ML

Over / Under: 52.5

Lee: Nebraska*, Under

Jackson: Nebraska*, Under

James: Cincinnati, Under

Consensus Pick: Nebraska,* Under

Friday:

Georgia Tech @ Colorado: 8 PM, ESPN

Spread: GT -4.5

Winner: GT -205 ML

Over / Under: 52.5

Lee: Georgia Tech, Under

Jackson: Georgia Tech, Over

James: Georgia Tech, Over

Consensus Pick: Georgia Tech, Over

Auburn @ Baylor: 8:00 PM, FOX

Spread: AUB -2.5

Winner: AUB -134 ML

Over / Under: 57.5

Lee: Baylor, Under

Jackson: Baylor, Under

James: Baylor, Over

Consensus Pick: Baylor, Over

Saturday Early:

Texas @ Ohio State: 12 PM, FOX

Spread: OSU -2.5 

Winner: OSU -126

Over / Under: 47.5

Lee: Ohio State, Over

Jackson: Ohio State, Over

James: Texas, Under

Consensus Pick: Ohio State, Over

Bama @ FSU: 3:30 PM, ABC

Spread: BAMA -13.5

Winner: BAMA -550

Over / Under: 50.5

Lee: Bama, Under

Jackson: Bama, Under

James: Bama*, Under

Consensus Pick: Bama, Under

Saturday College Football Late: 

LSU @ Clemson: 7:30 PM, ABC

Spread: CLEM -3.5

Winner: CLEM -166

Over / Under: 57.5

Lee: Clemson, Over

Jackson: Clemson, Over

James: LSU, Over

Consensus Pick: Clemson, Over

Sunday:

South Carolina vs Va Tech: 3:30 PM, ESPN

Spread: SC -7.5

Winner: SC -310

Over / Under: 52.5

Lee: South Carolina*, Under

Jackson: South Carolina*, Under

James: Virginia Tech, Under

Consensus Pick: South Carolina*, Under

Notre Dame @ Miami: 7:30 PM, ABC

Spread: ND -2.5

Winner: ND -137

Over / Under: 49.5

Lee: ND, Over

Jackson: Miami, Over

James: Miami, Under

Consensus Pick: Miami, Over

Monday College Football:

TCU @ UNC:

Spread: TCU -3.5

Winner: TCU -152

Over / Under: 56.5

Lee: UNC, Over

Jackson: TCU, Over

James: TCU, Under

Consensus Pick: TCU, Over