NCAA Football Week 1 Parlay Picks for Saturday

We’re focusing in on some of the hot action under the lights, and at least two of the teams featured (Clemson and Georgia) are among the tops in the country. The loser will still have time to get back into the playoff mix.

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Then there’s LSU and UCLA, both of whom would like to be involved in the conversation for the “final four,” although they are a long way off from that.

It’s five games. So here is ours…

College Football Parlay Predictions for Week 1

LSU Tigers at UCLA Bruins Picks

Time: Saturday, September 4th at 8:30 PM ET

ATS Odds: LSU Tigers -2.5 (-120) vs. UCLA Bruins +2.5 (+100)

The Play: LSU -2.5 (-120)

To be honest, we’re not sure if Ed Orgeron is going to have any chance to produce an explosive offense in Baton Rouge that even remotely rivals that of the Joe Burrow-Joe Brady combo that stormed to the national title. Last season saw a 16 point-per-game dropoff in scoring. But maybe there’s a chance to get some of that feeling back as Jake Peetz arrives as the new offensive coordinator. Peetz was on the staff of the Carolina Panthers last year, which means some of Brady’s philosophy rubbed off on him.

The Tigers will be able to run; they have the whole offensive line back, and there’s plenty of depth in the backfield. The stop unit was porous in 2020 (allowing 7.3 yards per play!), but bringing back nine starters, in addition to prize freshman recruit Eli Ricks (a corner), should count for something.

UCLA will go fast; we know that. Zac Charbonnet was a big hit against Hawaii last week, with three TD runs. But we do wonder if Dorian Thompson-Robinson can carve up a defense with athletes like these. If LSU plays the run first, they’ll force DTR to throw it into what could be a top-notch secondary.

CFB Week 1 Odds

Utah State Aggies at Washington State Cougars Preview

Time: Saturday, September 4th at 11 PM ET

ATS Odds: Utah State Aggies +17 vs. Washington State Cougars -17

The Play: UTAH STATE +17

Utah State is the school that sent Jordan Love – who thought he might become QB of the Green Bay Packers – to the NFL. Last year there was only a win over New Mexico, but we’re not sure this is a long rebuilding job. Head coach Blake Anderson arrives from Arkansas State, which he took to six bowl games. And he’s got a familiar face at quarterback, as Logan has extended a warm welcome to its namesake, Logan Bonner, who was with Anderson for the past three seasons. There are 19 returning starters, plus some high-grade transfers. So this team does not lack for experience.

There has been a quarterback battle at Washington State. Jayden de Laura has four starts under his belt, and Jarrett Guarantano transferred from Tennessee. Maybe both will see action. Either way, Nick Rolovich’s run-and-shoot offense does not work as well as Mike Leach’s Air Raid before him. And Rolovich’s whole “I don’t wanna get vaccinated” drama this week was not a welcome distraction. And defense is largely a rumor for Wazzu.

Georgia Bulldogs vs. Clemson Tigers Picks

Time: Saturday, September 4th at 7:30 PM ET

ATS Odds: Georgia Bulldogs +3 vs. Clemson Tigers -3

The Play: CLEMSON -3

It is true that Clemson lost to Notre Dame last season, but in that game, while Trevor Lawrence sat out, D.J. Uiagalelei topped 400 passing yards.That wasn’t a fluke, as Uiagalelei, like Lawrence, was a #1 national recruit. Now he’s a Heisman contender, as Clemson is expected to go a long way.

Understand that Dabo Swinney is beginning to build a revolving door of blue-chip talent that reloads whenever the Tigers lose some people; an example of that could be Will Shipley, who has been looking like a very worthy successor to Trevor Etienne in the backfield.

Georgia’s Kirby Smart hasn’t necessarily developed the same bottomless pool of talent; at least not yet. The defense allowed just 2.4 ypc last year, but the Bulldogs had trouble stopping better teams like Alabama and Florida. Ultimately this could be a referendum on JT Daniels, the USC transfer QB who is a frontline Heisman candidate. We’re not voting for him at the moment.

CFB Week 1 Picks

Syracuse Orange at Ohio Bobcats Picks

Time: Saturday, September 4th at 7 PM ET

ATS Odds: Syracuse Orange -1.5 vs.Ohio Bobcats +1.5

The Play: OHIO +1.5

We have come to the end of the Frank Solich era at Ohio, But at least there is some continuity as his offensive coordinator, Tim Albin, was named as his successor. So they’ll be run-heavy once again, which means that Armani Rogers, the UNLV transfer, could play a prominent role.

While Albin may be using Kurtis Rourke behind center on most plays (better passer), Syracuse coach Dino Babers apparently set aside his plan for Garrett Shrader, the Mississippi State transfer, to share snaps with Tommy DeVito at quarterback. The problem is that even though the Orange OL has brought back three starters, it’s a line that allowed 38 sacks, and DeVito does not “scamper” well.

Texas Tech Red Raiders at Houston Cougars Picks

Time: Saturday, September 4th at 7 PM ET

ATS Odds: Texas Tech Red Raiders -1 vs. Houston Cougars

The Play: HOUSTON +1

A nice, tight matchup, set for NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans. Matt Wells has not had the easiest of times, going 8-14 straight-up in Lubbock after coming over from Utah State. He’s bringing in former T-Tech QB Sonny Cumbie as the offensive coordinator and Oregon transfer Tyler Shough as the quarterback,and it’s going to take them a while to get on the same page.

Would rather move with Dana Holgorsen’s Cougars, who have a quarterback in Clayton Tune who can improvise a lot if necessary, and a defense that has ten members who are seniors or juniors.