Georgia Tech -6.5 over Colorado
Thursday, Sept. 3 8:00 P.M.
The Yellow Jackets open the season against former Atlanta star Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. Alberto Mendoza, the brother of Fernando Mendoza, will be playing in his first game for Tech after transferring in from Indiana. After a 3-9 season last year, Colorado is going with former Carrollton High School quarterback Julian Lewis as QB1 to start the season. Georgia Tech seems to be headed in the right direction under Coach Key, while Coach Sanders’ program is yet to really take off. Tech wins this game by 10+ and looks ahead to a huge home matchup against Tennessee.
Kentucky -23.5 over Youngstown State
Saturday, Sept. 5 1:00 P.M.
Will Stein was hired to replace Mark Stoops this offseason as the head coach of the Wildcats. Quarterback Kenny Minchey will start the season as QB1 after transferring in from Notre Dame. Youngstown State’s 2025-26 season ended with a heartbreaking loss to Yale in the first round of FCS playoffs. Openers with a new coaching staff and players can be tricky, but Coach Stein will direct Kentucky towards a blowout win against the Penguins.
Baylor +7 over Auburn
Saturday, Sept. 5 3:30 P.M.
Coach Dave Aranda’s Bears ended last year on a three-game losing streak to end the season at 5-7. Former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway landed at Baylor after entering the transfer portal. After parting ways with Hugh Freeze last year, Auburn hired Alex Golesh from South Florida to try and revive one of the most frustrated fanbases in college football. A chance of scenery will be great for Lagway and his offense will do enough to keep this one within a couple points to cover the touchdown spread.
Clemson +10.5 over LSU
Saturday, Sept. 5 7:30 P.M.
The Clemson Tigers travel to Baton Rouge for Lane Kiffin’s first game as LSU’s head coach. Sam Leavitt was one of LSU’s most notable transfer portal grabs and will be the starting quarterback in Kiffin’s explosive offensive scheme. Coaches like Dabo Swinney are hard to find in today’s world of college football, but don’t bury him just yet. Tiger Stadium’s atmosphere poses a tough environment for an upset, but Dabo is going to have his team mentally prepared for the challenge. LSU might sneak away with a win, but Clemson isn’t going down without a fight.
Ole Miss -6.5 over Louisville
Sunday, Sept. 6 7:30 P.M.
The Rebels begin the true Pete Golding era against one of the ACC’s top contenders. Trinidad Chambliss was granted another year of eligibility this offseason and will be looking to bring Ole Miss back to the College Football Playoff. The Cardinals are starting Lincoln Keinholz under center after he transferred in from Ohio State this offseason. Even though Louisville is one of the favorites to win the ACC Championship, Ole Miss is more talented and cannot afford to start their season 0-1 with a difficult schedule looming. Chambliss leads the Rebels to a double-digit win in Nashville on Labor Day Eve.
SMU -2.5 over Florida State
Monday, Sept. 7 7:30 P.M.
There might not be a head coach with a hotter seat than Florida State’s Mike Norvell. Since the Seminoles won the 2023 ACC Championship, they have failed to win over five games in a season. They did get things started in the right direction with 34-17 a win over New Mexico State last week. . As for No. 19 SMU, they are bringing back starting quarterback Kevin Jennings and look to be a College Football Playoff contender. These programs are going in opposite directions, and though Coach Norvell is fighting for his life in Tallahassee, the Mustangs get a critical road win to cap off an amazing weekend of college football.
