The final season of college football, in its current form, commenced with a thrilling day of games on Saturday, marking the start of Week 1 of the 2023 campaign. This week is action-packed and spans five days, with games continuing into Sunday and Monday. The most anticipated matchup of the week occurs on Sunday night, as No. 5 LSU faces off against No. 8 Florida State in the Camping World Kickoff, a rematch from last year. LSU, coached by Brian Kelly in his second year, seeks vengeance against the Seminoles, who have high hopes of contending for a conference and national title in their fourth year under Mike Norvell.
Stay tuned to CBS Sports for comprehensive coverage of college football on Saturday, starting from the opening kickoff. Now, let’s dive into our expert picks for the best games in Week 1.
No. 5 LSU vs. No. 8 Florida State (Orlando, Sunday):
The 2022 season opener between these two teams was an extraordinary contest that ultimately saw Florida State narrowly defeat LSU 24-23 by blocking a potentially game-tying extra point. While this year’s game may not be as eventful, I expect it to be a close battle once again. However, I believe LSU will come out on top. Both teams have strong prospects and are likely to contend for their conference titles and potential College Football Playoff berths. Nevertheless, I have some concerns about Florida State’s offseason transfers and their ability to integrate new players effectively. On the other hand, LSU has more roster consistencies from last year, providing them with an advantage. Although LSU’s secondary may present some challenges, they match up well against Florida State in other areas. Hence, the Bayou Bengals will seek their revenge in this thrilling matchup. Prediction: LSU -2.5
No. 12 Tennessee vs. Virginia:
Virginia aims to establish a foundation under Tony Elliott after a disappointing three-win season in 2022. However, their opening matchup against Tennessee is a daunting challenge. Tennessee, under the leadership of Josh Heupel, has consistently dominated weaker opponents, and this game should be no exception. Even if Tennessee doesn’t start firing on all cylinders immediately, their explosive offense has the capability to put up significant numbers and secure a comfortable lead by early in the third quarter, if not sooner. Prediction: Tennessee -28
No. 3 Ohio State at Indiana:
Due to the uncertainty surrounding Ohio State’s quarterback battle, it’s difficult to form a strong opinion about this matchup. Nonetheless, if it truly is a competition with equal opportunities for both quarterbacks, I anticipate a high-scoring game. With the backups coming in only if Ohio State builds a sizeable lead, the starters will likely remain on the field for as long as possible, allowing both quarterbacks to showcase their skills. Ohio State has the potential to score at least 50 points by themselves. Prediction: Over 59
No. 7 Penn State vs. West Virginia:
Penn State enters this game loaded with talent, making it highly unlikely that West Virginia will be able to slow down their offense. With Drew Allar at the helm, Penn State’s formidable offense will overwhelm the porous West Virginia secondary and establish a substantial lead by the end of the third quarter. Considering the line, a 21-point victory for Penn State will be sufficient for bettors to capitalize. Prediction: Penn State -21.5
No. 21 North Carolina at South Carolina:
Both North Carolina and South Carolina had weak defenses last year, which may tempt some to wager on the over. However, I prefer another approach. Personally, I’m not entirely convinced of North Carolina’s strength this season. Although they have an incredible player in Drake Maye, there are several question marks surrounding the rest of the roster. On the other hand, South Carolina is a solid team with talent on both sides of the ball. In recent years, South Carolina has had the upper hand in this rivalry. Betting on the SEC team against the ACC team often proves profitable in the long run. Prediction: South Carolina +2.5
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