Labor Day Weekend is here, which means most college football teams will start their season this weekend. There are many exciting games to watch this weekend, including the most anticipated matchup of the year: Clemson vs. Georgia, taking place in Charlotte, NC. There are other terrific matchups that can shake up college football, and it’s Week 1. So, without further ado, let’s jump into these predictions:
#9 Notre Dame (0-0) (-7) at Florida State (0-0)
Florida State may lead this series 6-4, but Florida State has not shown that they can compete with a top-10 team like Notre Dame in quite a while. I think it helps the Seminoles that they’re at home, and Notre Dame lost players like quarterback Ian Book and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. However, they have to watch out for star running back Kyren Williams, who is among some of the best in the country at his position. Notre Dame takes the win by 10.
Tune into Notre Dame at Florida State tomorrow at 7:30 PM ET on ABC.
Louisville (0-0) vs. Ole Miss (0-0) (-10)
To wrap up Week 1, we have a Power 5 matchup in Atlanta on Labor Day. Ole Miss might have the most hype they’ve had in quite a while. That’s thanks to quarterback Matt Corral, who could be the best in the SEC. Ole Miss will have their weakest receiving group in a while, though. Elijah Moore, the last of the deadly trio of wide receivers (DK Metcalf and AJ Brown too), just got drafted to the NFL in April. That’s what I’m worried about: who will show out on offense other than Corral.
Tune into Louisville vs. Ole Miss on Monday at 8 PM ET on ESPN.
BYU (0-0) (-12.5) vs. Arizona (0-0)
With BYU as such a heavy favorite in their first game without Zach Wilson and Brady Christiansen, I think the Cougars are overrated. Arizona may be supposed to be one of the worst teams in the Pac-12, but that is just fuel to the flame. The Wildcats will have to watch out for Tyler Allgeier, who is on the Maxwell Award Watch List. If they can gain momentum early and set the stage, they could run away with a win in the Vegas Kickoff Classic.
Tune into BYU vs. Arizona at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Marshall (0-0) (-2.5) at Navy (0-0)
I’m going with the upset because with these two teams not playing each other up until now, Marshall won’t be used to defending Navy’s triple-option. Under head coach Ken Niumatalolo, the Midshipmen are 5-1 in home season openers. Marshall may be the favorite, but I think you will see many upsets this weekend, including this one.
Tune into Marshall at Navy at 3:30 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.
Texas Tech (0-0) vs. Houston (0-0) (-1.5)
Houston may be the favorite because the game is being played at NRG Stadium in Houston, however, the Red Raiders should win this game. I’m excited to see how Tyler Shough looks in this game. You’d expect Houston to win, especially when they lead the all-time series against the Red Raiders. However, you should expect the unexpected in this edition of the Texas Kickoff.
Tune into Texas Tech vs. Houston at 7 PM ET on ESPN.
Stanford (0-0) vs. Kansas State (0-0) (-3)
Stanford will be missing quarterback Davis Mills as he got drafted into the NFL. The game is a neutral site game, played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas is known to be Big 12 country, which is why I think the Wildcats start the season 1-0. With a win, they become 3-0 in neutral sites to begin the season. Since 1990, Kansas State is 28-4 in season openers, but the history isn’t what makes me pick Kansas State. The Wildcats are back with quarterback Skylar Thompson leading the charge. I’m excited to see what he’s able to do this season. Don’t sleep on him when he passed for over 2300 yards in 2019.
Tune into Stanford vs. Kansas State at 12 PM ET on Fox Sports 1.
Nevada (0-0) at California (0-0) (-3)
I know that I shouldn’t get excited about quarterbacks as we go into opening weekend, but I like Carson Strong. He passed for over 2800 yards and 27 touchdowns. I’m excited to see how he leads this Wolf Pack team. Nevada is on a two-game win streak against the Golden Bears, and I like underdogs. Give me Nevada.
Tune into Nevada at California at 10:30 PM ET on Fox Sports 1.
West Virginia (0-0) (-2.5) at Maryland (0-0)
Even though West Virginia has success against Maryland (even in College Park), I think the Terrapins will upset West Virginia. Taulia Tagovailoa is still the starting quarterback for the Terps, who can bring the offense to a high level, something they did back in 2019.
Tune into West Virginia at Maryland at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN.
San Jose State (1-0) at #15 USC (0-0) (-14)
San Jose State looked great in their win over Southern Utah. However, that was an easy win, and now they have to face USC, one of the top teams in the Pac-12. I’d take the +14, however. The Spartans aren’t bad; they’re the defending Mountain West Champions. Don’t underestimate them because USC needs to be careful in their first game of the season. USC has won the last 13 season openers at home (since 1997). I think after today, USC will make it 14. I’m eager to see what Kedon Slovis does this season, with passes to WR Drake London.
Tune into San Jose State at USC at 5 PM ET on Pac-12 Network.
#23 Louisiana (0-0) at #21 Texas (0-0) (-9)
Texas is starting their season against a ranked opponent at home, and it doesn’t get much better than that. With new head coach Steve Sarkisian, DKR will be rocking. If the hype wasn’t already enough, running back Bijan Robinson is supposed to be one of the best running backs in the country as well. I’m eager to see quarterback Casey Thompson as he fills in Sam Ehlinger’s shoes.
Tune into Louisiana at Texas at 4:30 PM ET on FOX.
#16 LSU (0-0) (-2.5) at UCLA (1-0)
Did you know this is the first time these two schools have ever met in football? It seems unreal that they haven’t already. All eyes are on LSU’s star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who aims to make himself the best defensive player in the country. LSU is 18-3 in season openers dating back to 2000. The last true road season-opener for the Tigers was back in 2009, where they took a trip to Seattle to beat Washington. UCLA’s player to watch is running back Zach Charbonnet, who had a terrific game against Hawaii last week. I’ll take LSU, real close game, however.
Tune into LSU at UCLA at 8:30 PM ET on FOX.
#17 Indiana (0-0) at #18 Iowa (0-0) (-4)
With star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. back, the Hoosiers look to make a statement to begin the 2021 season, where they travel to Kinnick Stadium to play the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa has won the last four games between the two schools. Iowa is on fire in Big Ten games, winning their last six conference games. At the end of the day, not only will Iowa fans be waving to the kids in the hospital (which is one of my favorite traditions), but they will be waving goodbye to Indiana, as Iowa should come out victorious. I’m interested to get a glimpse of Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras, who is on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List.
Tune into Indiana at Iowa at 3:30 PM ET on Big Ten Network.
#19 Penn State (0-0) at #12 Wisconsin (0-0) (-5.5)
Penn State has won the last four games against the Badgers, but I think their streak ends today in Madison. Camp Randall Stadium will be jumping around once again, something college football fans missed last year. Penn State needs to get back on track after last season. But with Graham Mertz and the Badgers at home, I don’t think the Nittany Lions start on the right foot.
Tune into Penn State at Wisconsin at 12 PM ET on FOX.
#1 Alabama (0-0) (-19.5) vs. #14 Miami (0-0)
The defending national champions will start their 2021 season with a test in the Miami Hurricanes. It will be a battle of two quarterbacks: Alabama’s new QB1 Bryce Young and Miami’s experienced D’Eriq King. Miami will take advantage of all of Alabama’s talent lost, but an unproven Alabama team to start the season shouldn’t be messed around with, especially when you’re up against Nick Saban. John Metchie III is my favorite wide receiver in the country, and I would watch out for him on offense. The Tide lead the all-time series 14-3 against Miami, and they also maintain a perfect opening day record under Saban.. Alabama shouldn’t underestimate the Hurricanes, however. Miami returns 19 of their 22 starters from the season before. I’m interested to see who will be the standout defensive player for Alabama because there seems to be at least one every year. Anyways, I’m taking Alabama because of their dominance.
Tune into Alabama vs. Miami (FL) at 3:30 PM ET on ABC.
#5 Georgia (0-0) vs. #3 Clemson (0-0) (-3)
I love both teams, especially at the quarterback position. We have two early Heisman candidates playing each other in Charlotte: Georgia’s JT Daniels and Clemson’s DJ Uiagalelei. I love this game, and I’m so excited to watch this tonight with my friends. What I like most about Clemson is the QB-WR duo of Uiagalelei and Justyn Ross. Georgia would have that if it weren’t for George Pickens injured. Georgia has dominated this series so far, but Clemson will slowly catch up. I got Clemson by a field goal.
Tune into Georgia vs. Clemson at 7:30 PM ET on ABC.
Calhoun's Corner 