College football picks against the spread Week 1: Colorado’s moment of truth and more

Everyone knock all their rust off? Good.

Week 0 was an amuse bouche and it’s time to lock in for the first true marathon Saturday of the year. A Saturday so long it actually begins on Thursday and ends Sunday night.

Welcome back, College football. For real.

Minnesota vs. North Carolina, Thursday, 8 p.m. ET on FOX

Opening Line: Minnesota -1

Blake Schuster: Minnesota +1.5

I may ultimately regret this, but I simply refuse to pick against the Golden Gophers while the Minnesota State Fair is being held just down the street. The vibes are too immaculate. This win is powered by bacon on a stick and Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar.

Mitchell Northam: UNC -1.5

It’s unclear who is going to playing quarterback for both of these teams, but it doesn’t matter. One team has Omarion Hampton and the other does not.

Christian D’Andrea: Minnesota +1.5

Take the points at home, even if both these teams are a little iffy right now.

Michelle Martinelli: Minnesota +1.5

Zero confidence in either of these teams going into the season, so let’s go with the Gophers’ home-field advantage in the season opener.

Tyler Nettuno: UNC -1.5

This game being in Minneapolis almost swayed me, but I still think North Carolina is good enough to win this game to kick off the post-Drake Maye era.

Colorado vs. North Dakota State, Thursday, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN

Opening Line: Colorado -7

Blake Schuster: Colorado -10

NDSU is no pushover, but after the last few weeks of headlines created by Deion Sanders, this is a Sabrina Carpenter game for the Buffs. As in, “I beg you don’t embarrass me, mother [expletive].”

Mitchell Northam: North Dakota State +10

Other than complain and be extremely petty and annoying, I’m not sure what Colorado has done to earn this type of line against the best team in FCS that has a track record of playing really well against FBS opponents. Bet on the Fighting Deions at your own peril.

Christian D’Andrea: North Dakota State +10

The only team Colorado beat by more than 10 points last season was Nebraska, which doesn’t count.

Michelle Martinelli: North Dakota State +10

Not a chance am I picking against a powerhouse like the Bison, especially when Colorado ended last season on a six-game losing streak. NDSU to cover all the way, if not win outright.

Tyler Nettuno: North Dakota State +10

In all likelihood, Colorado ultimately wins this game. But am I confident enough to pick the Buffaloes to win by two scores with a heavily portaled offensive line against the No. 2 team in the FCS? No, I am not.

No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 14 Clemson, Saturday, Noon ET on ABC (in Atlanta)

Opening Line: Georgia -13.5

Blake Schuster: Clemson +13.5

Georgia is super good this year and this is a de facto home game, but sheesh, Dabo’s team should win the ACC. They can’t be getting two touchdowns.

Mitchell Northam: Georgia -13.5

The Georgia revenge tour begins with Kirby Smart showing Dabo Swinney the finer points of NIL and portal recruiting.

Christian D’Andrea: Georgia -13.5

Dabo Swinney stopped taking live calls on his radio show for a reason.

Michelle Martinelli: Clemson +13.5

I’m in no way saying the Tigers win; definitely don’t think they will. But I’m leaning more toward a 10- or 12-point game rather than a Georgia win by two touchdowns. Though, how funny would Clemson getting demolished be…

Tyler Nettuno: Georgia -13.5

Only time will tell if Clemson has improved since its worst season under Dabo Swinney in 15 years last fall. Either way, I doubt it’s enough to stay close against what could be the best team in the country.

West Virginia vs. No. 8 Penn State, Saturday, Noon ET on FOX

Opening Line: Penn State -10

Blake Schuster: West Virginia +8.5

Yeah, sure, I’ll take a home underdog in a stadium that’s absolute hell for visitors. I still think Penn State wins, but this will be a one possession game.

Mitchell Northam: West Virginia +8.5

This is one of those rivalries where one side thinks about the other team a whole lot more than the other (Penn State seems to have a lot of those). This is all to say, WVU is going to motivated at home to start the season off on the right foot. Country Roads, take me to a cover.

Christian D’Andrea: West Virginia +8.5

I liked this line a lot more at 10, but Morgantown is gonna be a hostile environment. Can the Nittany Lions operate in an atmosphere rich with couch smoke?

Michelle Martinelli: Penn State -8.5

Penn State loves to drop big games, but as James Franklin and the Nittany Lions continue trying to contend for a Big Ten title — especially with way more competition now — they’ll want to start their 2024 campaign off on a high, high note.

Tyler Nettuno: West Virginia +8.5

There’s a lot of excitement around Penn State’s new-look offense, but if the Nittany Lions are anemic again on that side of the ball, they could quickly fall behind against a quietly talented Mountaineers offense.

Florida vs. No. 19 Miami (FL), Saturday, 3: 30 p.m. ET on ABC

Opening Line: Miami -2

Blake Schuster: Miami -2.5

Two extremely movable objects just barrelling at each other. I’m putting my faith in Cam Ward, even if that means rolling with Mario Cristobal.

Mitchell Northam: Florida +2.5

Miami as a road favorite? This has Mario Cristobal clock mismanagement written all over it.

Christian D’Andrea: Florida +2.5

In a showdown between fraudulent coaches, I’m taking the home team getting points.

Michelle Martinelli: Florida +2.5

I want to have confidence in Mario Cristobal, Cam Ward and the Hurricanes as a whole. I really do. But a season opener in Gainesville is dripping with upset potential.

Tyler Nettuno: Florida +2.5

This game feels so pivotal for both teams, and while Miami’s roster is probably better on paper, it’s relying a lot more on transfers than the Gators, who return a ton of production. Give me Florida at home in a minor upset.

No. 2 Ohio State vs. Akron, Saturday, 3: 30 p.m. ET on CBS

Opening Line: Ohio State -50.5

Blake Schuster: Akron +48.5

I want to see how this new offense gels before I’m ready to give up nearly 50 points. The talent is there, but it might take a minute to get everyone rolling.

Mitchell Northam: Akron +48.5

It won’t happen here, obviously, but maybe this is the season that Joe Moorhead finally wins more than two games.

Christian D’Andrea: Ohio State -48.5

This is Akron’s enduring punishment for letting the Rubber Bowl decay.

Michelle Martinelli: Akron +48.5

Wayyyy too big of a spread, regardless of the matchup. The Buckeyes will comfortably win, but I don’t know about hanging almost 50 points on Akron.

Tyler Nettuno: Akron +48.5

Why are we picking this game? Regardless, I’m not sure I’d take the favorite in a 50-point spread against a high school team.

No. 20 Texas A&M vs. No. 7 Notre Dame, Saturday, 7: 30 p.m. ET on ABC

Opening Line: Texas A&M -1

Blake Schuster: Texas A&M -3

Oh no. I kinda like the Aggies this year. Mike Elko taking over? Connor Weigman Dark Horse Heisman Campaign? Yeah, I’m in. But I also need to know the Irish can consistently count to 11 before I bet on them again.

Mitchell Northam: North Dame +3

Riley Leonard and Mike Elko made a lot of magic at Duke and each is attempting to replicate that in new places this season. I think Leonard has the better team though.

Christian D’Andrea: Notre Dame +3

The Aggies are a bold “DON’T BET” until Mike Elko proves otherwise.

Michelle Martinelli: Notre Dame +3

Way more confidence in Marcus Freeman, Riley Leonard and the Fighting Irish as a whole in this matchup over the mess of a team Mike Elko is now tasked with improving. Both teams are working with major program changes this season, so both might be a little discombobulated. But that’s why I’m taking ND to at least cover.

Tyler Nettuno: Notre Dame +3

I know this game is in College Station, but I honestly can’t believe the Fighting Irish are underdogs in this one. I think this will be a battle, but I think Notre Dame wins this one straight up.

Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech, Saturday, Noon ET on ESPN

Opening Line: Virginia Tech -10.5

Blake Schuster: Vanderbilt +13.5

I just don’t understand the VT hype. The Commodores will muddy this game up and while Tech probably wins, I don’t think anyone comes away too thrilled from this one.

Mitchell Northam: Virginia Tech -13.5

I think the Hokies started to figure out some things toward the end of last season and found some identity in their defense and running the ball with quarterback Kyron Drones. I think they’ll be 4-0 heading into a meeting with Miami on Sept. 27.

Christian D’Andrea: Vanderbilt +13.5

Clark Lea is taking over a defense with some talent instead of letting someone else call his plays. Jerry Kill is here. The Commodores may not be a good team, but they should be an entertaining one.

Michelle Martinelli: Vanderbilt +13.5

This game has chaos written all over it. Virginia Tech should be better than it has been in recent years, but I’m not willing to overlook Vanderbilt just yet. I say this game is a lot closer than two touchd