College football predictions 2022: Picks for top games of Week 1

Florida State at LSU

Line: LSU -3

The highly anticipated debut of new LSU head coach Brian Kelly will be nationally televised with no other college football games being aired on Sunday.

Kelly experienced a lot of roster churn since he took over as head coach in the offseason, even losing would-be-starter Myles Brennan to retirement.

This Week 1 matchup vs Florida State is going to be a tough one. Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell is on the hot seat and is looking to quiet his critics with a big win over an SEC powerhouse like LSU.

The game, although listed as a neutral site, is being played at the Superdome in New Orleans, just a short 80 or so miles from campus. The Tiger fans are going to be electric and juiced up to see Kelly and what sort of product he produces in game one.

Prediction

LSU, even with question marks at quarterback, will have more speed and talent on the field than FSU. The home crowd will help make things difficult for the Florida State offense. I’m taking LSU and the points.

LSU and FSU kick off Sunday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

No. 4 Clemson at Georgia Tech

Clemson -21.5

The final game of Week 1 of the college football season is an ACC clash between Clemson and Georgia Tech in Atlanta at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Oddsmakers are predicting a big win for Clemson, who enters 2022 stocked with returning talent. Running back Will Shipley, who ended 2021 with 739 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Defense has always been a strong point for Clemson, but that was all under the tutelage of Brent Venables, who this offseason decided to go back to his alma mater to become the head coach at Oklahoma. Will this defense be as electric as they have been in years past — they allowed just 15.0 ppg in 2021.

Georgia Tech is not too intimidating for Clemson, having amassed just nine wins in the past three seasons under head coach Geoff Collins.

Prediction

After winning 12-plus games from 2015-2019, they’ve won just 10 games apiece in 2020 and 2021. Clemson wants to make a statement that they’re back. They’re going to be firing on all cylinders in this first game. Expect Clemson to win in a blowout.

Clemson and Georgia Tech will kick off the final Week 1 game at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.