After a four-game slate to kick off another NCAA football campaign last Saturday, the FBS season begins in earnest this weekend.
The pregame narrative: There's an overwhelming volume of action in Week 1, so let's just keep it simple with three picks. I'm taking Miami to cover, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard to score and Alabama to put up a big pile of points.
Check out the best college football Week 1 picks for the action on Aug. 31.
College football Week 1 picks
Click linked odds to add selection to betslip. Note: Lines have changed/market no longer available if grey.
| NCAAF Week 1 picks | Odds | Bet now ⬇️ |
| Miami (FL) -2.5 | -122 | Add to betslip |
| Riley Leonard anytime TD | +165 | Add to betslip |
| Alabama over 45.5 points | -108 | Add to betslip |
Go to full college football betting markets.
Best Bet: Miami (FL) -2.5 (-122)
Cam Ward did a lot with a little at Washington State, throwing for 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions while averaging more than 300 yards per game. Now he comes to a No. 19 Hurricanes squad that offers better resources in every facet.
Playing at Florida's Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — known more commonly as "The Swamp" — is a legitimate hurdle. But an in-state team like Miami should make a dent in the gate sales and lessen that hostility.
Pro Football Focus ranks Miami's offensive line as the No. 7 unit in the country, so don't expect that group to get pushed around. And as a nationally ranked program, it makes sense that the Hurricanes are favoured in this matchup.
Miami's upgrades at quarterback and running back (where it added Damien Martinez, who posted two 1,000-scrimmage-yard seasons at Oregon State) give it an edge to keep the pressure on against Florida.
The Gators, meanwhile, are looking for their first winning season since 2020. As the Billy Napier era enters its third year, results against ranked opponents are severely underwhelming.
Under Napier, Florida is 2-10 against ranked schools. And nine of those losses came by at least five points.
Key stat: Florida was just 2-4 ATS at home last season and 4-8 ATS overall.
Quick picks
Leonard anytime TD (+165): Saturday marks Leonard's first game under centre for No. 7 Notre Dame, and it's unclear how much the Fighting Irish will use their dual-threat quarterback in the run game.
But Leonard, who is fully healthy after missing time last season with foot injuries, has proven he can change the game with his legs.
From 2022-23, he rushed for 5.8 yards per carry and 17 TDs in 20 games.
Notre Dame's new offensive coordinator, Mike Denbrock, comes over from LSU, where he coached dual-threat QB Jayden Daniels to a Heisman Trophy last season. So he knows how to scheme with a mobile quarterback.
Alabama over 45.5 points (-108): Kalen DeBoer's tenure at Alabama should get off to a great start on Saturday at home against Western Kentucky.
DeBoer, whose Washington Huskies had the 12th-ranked total offence a season ago, now gets to work with Heisman candidate Jalen Milroe in Tuscaloosa.
The Tide also have the No. 1 offensive line in college football, per PFF.
Western Kentucky isn't accustomed to giving up this many points, but it's also not accustomed to this calibre of opponent. Last year, the Hilltoppers allowed 63 points against Ohio State — their only ranked opponent.
No. 5 Alabama cleared the 50-point mark in its cupcake season openers in 2022 and '23.
Pick made at 1:50 p.m. on 08/28/2024.
