Will there be any sort of offense in this game?

Can Louisville exact some revenge for last year's SMU dismantling?

Is a five touchdown spread appropriate for my Wildcats?

Will points be at a premium in Lincoln on Saturday night?

Is another FCS over FBS upset brewing?

In nine August/September non-conference home games under Lincoln Riley, USC has averaged approximately 55 points per game. USC opponents have averaged 15 PPG in those contests (despite two shutouts). I know that my over trend failed last week but I also didn’t expect Fresno State’s offense to be flat out incompetent against the Trojans. In this late start on Saturday, the biggest question I have is which number will be greater – the number of times Louisiana scores or the number of times they stop USC? It will be close. USC 49, Louisiana 20.

We’re looking at a matchup between a team who was one point away from an FCS National Championship (Illinois State) vs. one of the worst teams in FBS (Northern Illinois) this season. The Redbirds opened with 76-0 and 41-10 wins over lesser competition, so despite only having nine returning starters, they averaged nearly 550 yards per game over the first two weeks. Illinois State is ranked 4th in the FCS Coaches Poll so there are plenty of expectations here for 2026. There is no hope for the Huskies this season playing for an interim coach and with no returning starters on defense. They were lifeless on the road at Iowa last week. I think Illinois State wins this FCS vs. FBS contest by 10+ points.

Yes, I'm biased with this pick as I'm a UofA diehard and season ticket holder. But I'm not risking my record simply making a homer pick. I talked to Arizona's coaches multiple times this offseason and they've circled this game since blowing a ten point lead in the final 4:08 last October. The Wildcats have allowed only ONE offensive touchdown in their last six games dating back to November 2025 and I was very impressed with their front seven against Northern Arizona in Week 1. Also, Arizona senior quarterback Noah Fifita won't be intimidated by the hostile Cougars crowd. This one will be close either way and 7.5 points is too big a spread. BYU 24, Arizona 20.

Do you understand how painful it is for me to make this pick? I can't stand ASU. They are literally my arch nemesis. But this line is just too high and business is business. Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley was sensational in Week 1 against Morgan State and might be the franchise QB the Sun Devils are looking for to replace Sam Leavitt. Texas A&M is very good and a playoff contender led by QB Marcel Reed, but they aren't more than two touchdowns better than Kenny Dillingham's team, especially this early in the season. Texas A&M 31, Arizona State 24.

I'm having a hard time seeing how this game at Lambeau Field is actually close. While Wisconsin should be improved, Notre Dame is elite. I believe the Badgers will be a bowl team this season but Sunday night will be rough. I’m not sure how Wisconsin slows down Notre Dame's balanced attack led by preseason top Heisman contender, quarterback C.J. Carr. And on offense, I don’t see the Badgers doing much against one of the best defenses in the country. Notre Dame 34, Wisconsin 7.

Overall, this is a really tough spot for Clemson considering the atmosphere. Night games in Baton Rouge are always tough for the LSU opponents, not to mention it's Lane Kiffin's debut and Clemson is breaking in a new quarterback. Expect Blake Baker's defense to dominate Dabo Swinney's offense. On the other side, I'm not expecting LSU to be a well-oiled machine offensively just yet. In another low-scoring affair between these two teams, I like LSU to win at home. LSU 23, Clemson 10.

This is way too many points for Vanderbilt to be laying against the FCS #14 ranked team, Austin Peay. The Governors have a dynamic dual threat QB in Chris Parson and enter off a 35-17 win over Gardner-Webb in Week 0. With the Commodores breaking in a new QB as Diego Pavia's eligibility finally expired, look for this one to be interesting well into the second half. Vanderbilt 30, Austin Peay 14.

I'm playing the early-season Trojans Over trend once again. Including the Week Zero 42-26 win over San Jose State, Lincoln Riley has coached eight games at home against non-conference opponents in August / September. In those games, the average score has been USC 57, Opponents 17. USC has never scored less than 42 points in any of those contests. I was less than impressed with the Trojans' defense on Saturday, while their offense was crisp and in midseason form led by quarterback Jayden Maiava. Expect points galore once again in the L.A. Coliseum on Friday night. USC 44, Fresno State 21.

To me, this game has backdoor cover written all over it. The Seminoles should roll in the first half before putting in backups in the second half and cruising to an easy win. After all, they play #19 SMU at home on Labor Day and want to be rested and healthy for that crucial early-season game. I think a couple of late Aggies scores give us a semi-comfortable Week Zero cover. Florida State 41, New Mexico State 17.

This is my first college football pick of hopefully hundreds this season. So glad my favorite sport is officially back! But picking Week 0 / 1 games is SO hard without much data to go on. Virginia is #1 in the conference in experience per Phil Steele's magazine and they boast a strong defense that surrendered less than 20 points per game last season. At the same time, I'm not sure I'm expecting fireworks from the Cavaliers' offense with new QB Beau Pribula. While NC State's offense might be potent as the season goes along, I don't expect to see a 35-31 game like last year. Give me the home team in a bit of a dogfight. Virginia 23, NC State 17.