CFB: Week 1 preview, predictions

The college football season officially kicked off last week as Illinois took down Nebraska 30-22 on Saturday, August 28 in the Big Ten opener. A week later, we get a handful of other must-see matchups like Georgia at Clemson, Miami at Alabama, Penn State at Wisconsin, Louisiana at Texas, and more. According to Vegas Insider, Alabama (+260) and Clemson (+450) remain favorites to win the national championship. The updated Heisman race include quarterbacks Spencer Rattler, DJ Uiagalelei, Bryce Young, and Sam Howell, and other elite prospects Chris Olave, Breece Hall, Isaiah Spiller, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Also make sure to check out New Year's Six projections, which will be released weekly during the regular season.

Top-25 Teams:

1. Alabama (0-0)

2. Georgia (0-0)

3. Oklahoma (0-0)

4. Ohio State (0-0)

5. Clemson (0-0)

6. Iowa State (0-0)

7. North Carolina (0-0)

8. USC (0-0)

9. Miami (0-0)

10. Cincinnati (0-0)

11. Texas A&M (0-0)

12. Oregon (0-0)

13. Wisconsin (0-0)

14. Notre Dame (0-0)

15. LSU (0-0)

16. Indiana (0-0)

17. Utah (0-0)

18. Florida (0-0)

19. Iowa (0-0)A

20. Arizona State (0-0)

21. Coastal Carolina (0-0)

22. TCU (0-0)

23. Washington (0-0)

24. Ole Miss (0-0)

25. Texas (0-0)

Next Up:

26. Louisiana (0-0)

27. Penn State (0-0)

28. Liberty (0-0)

29. Oklahoma State (0-0)

30. Northwestern (0-0)

Wisconsin and Penn State face off on Saturday at noon in their own Big Ten opener. The winner will take a big step in competing for a division title. Alabama takes on Miami in the first meeting of top-10 teams at 3:30. Bryce Young and D'Eriq King should be able to put on a show in Atlanta. Indiana and Iowa also play at 3:30 as the Hawkeyes are 3.5-point favorites. Louisiana is a team to watch as an underdog at Texas (-9.0) in Steve Sarkisian's debut. In the game of the week, Georgia meets Clemson at 7:30 in what should be a thriller. Both teams have their eyes set on reaching the College Football Playoff in 2021. I'm picking Penn State, Alabama, Iowa, Texas, and Georgia to cover the spread.

Week 1 Picks:

- Penn State at Wisconsin (-4.5)

- Miami at Alabama (-19.0)

- Indiana at Iowa (-3.5)

- Louisiana at Texas (-9.0)

- Georgia at Clemson (-3.0)

Overall Record: 0-0

Heisman Contenders:

1. Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma)

2. DJ Uiagalelei (Clemson)

3. Bryce Young (Alabama)

4. Chris Olave (Ohio State)

5. Breece Hall (Iowa State)

CFP Odds:

1. Alabama (+260)

2. Clemson (+450)

3. Ohio State (+600)

4. Georgia (+600)

Photo Credit: 247 Sports.