College football picks against the spread: Bruce Feldman’s Week 1 predictions (2024)

After an entertaining but light slate of games in Week 0, we have a pretty loaded schedule this weekend, with several games where two preseason Top 25 teams square off. Without further ado, here are my guesses for Week 1.

(All point spreads come from BetMGM,click herefor live odds, all kickoff times Eastern.)

North Carolina (-1.5) at Minnesota, Thursday, 8 p.m. (Fox)

The Gophers keep cranking out productive running backs and have another good one in sophom*ore Darius Taylor, but he’s been battling a sore hamstring. Transfer quarterback Max Brosmer from New Hampshire should be an upgrade from what the Gophers had at the position last year, but I think the Tar Heels have enough athleticism to contain Minnesota and open with a win.

North Carolina 20, Minnesota 13
Pick: North Carolina -1.5

North Dakota State at Colorado (-10), Thursday, 8 p.m., ESPN

The Bison are physical and tough and won’t be an easy opener for Colorado, but I think the Buffs will be much better on defense this fall and have enough playmakers to pull away in the second half.

Colorado 34, North Dakota State 17
Pick: Colorado -10

Clemson vs. Georgia (-13.5), Saturday, noon, ABC

This is the pick I feel the most uncertain about. I was tempted to go with the Bulldogs getting the cover in a game that isn’t competitive by the fourth quarter, but I think Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik will be much improved in his second season in coordinator Garrett Riley’s offense and will rally the Tigers to keep it inside two touchdowns.

Georgia 27, Clemson 17
Pick: Clemson +13.5

Penn State (-8.5) at West Virginia, noon, Fox

It’ll be fascinating to see what the Nittany Lions offense looks like under new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. Even though quarterback Drew Allar isn’t Jalon Daniels or Jason Bean, he can still run some version of the option and do enough to keep defenses guessing. Quarterback Garrett Greene will keep the Mountaineers in this one throughout with his wheels and playmaking skills.

Penn State 20, West Virginia 17
Pick: West Virginia +8.5

Miami (-2.5) at Florida, 3:30 p.m., ABC

This is the most talented team the Canes have had in two decades, but opening in the Swamp will be a real test. I think quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez can handle it, but expect some rocky moments in the first half. Florida’s Graham Mertz is a good enough passer to attack Miami’s biggest question mark: its secondary.

Miami 28, Florida 17
Pick: Miami -2.5

Notre Dame at Texas A&M (-3), 7:30 p.m., ABC

Marcus Freeman will have one of the best defenses in the country, possibly the most athletic Notre Dame has had in the past 30 years, but it’s the offensive line — which will start three sophom*ores and two freshmen, including a true freshman left tackle in Anthonie Knapp — that gives me a lot of concern. Mike Elko’s defense will have a big, athletic front four. I also buy that Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman has the pocket presence to hold up well against the Notre Dame D.

Texas A&M 17, Notre Dame 10
Pick: Texas A&M -3

Fresno State at Michigan (-21), 7:30 p.m., NBC

The defending champs begin with a new coach, a new quarterback and an entirely rebuilt offensive line. The Wolverines will have some issues on offense, but I don’t think it’ll be a concern in Week 1, where their loaded defense will dominate.

Michigan 35, Fresno State 3
Pick: Michigan -21

LSU (-4.5) vs. USC, Sunday, 7:30 p.m., ABC

The Tigers have lost four season openers in a row, but they’ll snap that streak against the Caleb Williams-less Trojans. These teams were awful on defense last year; expect both to be a little better on that side of the ball. They also both have to replace Heisman-winning quarterbacks. The Tigers have the much better O-line, so I’m picking them here.

LSU 28, USC 20
Pick: LSU -4.5

Boston College at Florida State (-16.5)

The Seminoles did not look good on either side of the ball last week against Georgia Tech. I’m betting on Mike Norvell getting some of those issues sorted out, but I think BC’s speedy quarterback Thomas Castellanos will do some damage. He gave the Noles fits last year and almost led the Eagles to a big upset.

Florida State 31, Boston College 20
Pick: Boston College +16.5

Upset Special: UNLV at Houston (-2.5), Saturday, 7 p.m., FS1

I almost picked Miami (Ohio) over Northwestern (-3), but I like this one even more. Willie Fritz is a good coach, but he’s got a sizable rebuild on his hands, while UNLV’s Barry Odom has good momentum coming off a terrific debut season.

UNLV 24, Houston 17
Pick: UNLV +2.5

(Photo: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)

Bruce Feldman is the National College Football Insider for The Athletic. One of the sport’s leading voices, he also is a sideline reporter for FOX College Football. Bruce has covered college football nationally for more than 20 years and is the author of numerous books on the topic, including "Swing Your Sword: Leading The Charge in Football and Life" with Mike Leach and most recently "The QB: The Making of Modern Quarterbacks." Follow Bruce on Twitter @BruceFeldmanCFB