Week 1 is finally here and we have picks and college football predictions for the top games being played from Sept. 1 through Sept. 5.
While we had a few games to tide us over in Week 0, we finally get full force with the official kickoff of the 2022 season. We’ve got all your picks and college football predictions for Week 1.
There are dozens and dozens of games to choose from, and luckily for us fans, we’ll have games being played every day from Sept. 1 through Sept. 5.
I’ve cobbled together picks for the best games being played during Week 1. I’ll offer up some predictions, make some betting picks and give you some background on what to expect in these matchups. Let’s dive into my Week 1 college football predictions and picks.
Note: All odds are brought to you by our odds partner, WynnBET.
West Virginia at No. 17 Pittsburgh
Line: Pittsburgh -7.5
The Backyard Brawl is back after an 11-year hiatus. West Virginia and Pitt will be facing off for the first time since the 2011 season, reigniting one of the great rivalries in college football.
USC transfer QB Kedon Slovis appears to have won the starting job for Pittsburgh, replacing Kenny Pickett, who departed for the NFL. He’ll be facing Georgia transfer QB JT Daniels, who’s won the starting job for the Mountaineers.
WVU had a solid passing defense in 2021, giving up just 211 yards per game through the air. Pitt gave up 264 yards per game threw the air, which put them towards the bottom of the college football barrel. Look for WVU to exploit that by passing early and often. A few quick strikes will also help open up the running game for WVU.
Slovis has been uneven in the two seasons since throwing 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions. While Daniels has developed into a good game manager that takes care of the ball and doesn’t take many risks.
Both teams have most of their starting offensive lineman returning, so it will largely depend on how well these two quarterbacks play and are able to get their playmakers involved.
Prediction
I’m counting on the experience and careful play of Daniels to propel WVU in this one. I’m not sure if they’ll be able to get the road win, but I believe they’ll cover at +7.5.
This is a Thursday night (Sept. 1) matchup between WVU and Pitt, set for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN.
Western Michigan at No. 15 Michigan State
Line: Michigan State -22.5
The best Friday night matchup (Sept. 2) will be Michigan State hosting in-state foes Western Michigan from the MAC at 7 PM ET on ESPN.
The Spartans lost workhorse running back Kenneth Walker III to the draft, but they bring back QB Payton Thorne. The Naperville, Ill. native had a great sophomore season, recording 3,240 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions in the stringent Big Ten Conference last season.
Western Michigan relied on its solid run game last season (214.1 yards per game), powered behind Sean Tyler and his 1,150 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. However, Michigan State’s defense excelled at stopping the run last season, giving up just 117 yards on the ground.
I think Michigan State, at home, with a really strong defense, will be able to take away what Western Michigan likes to do and make life difficult.
Prediction
Michigan State covers this one and wins big under the Friday night lights by 23 or more points.