College Football Week 1 Top 25 Picks, Odds, Box Score Predictions, Rankings, Schedule

The Division I-FBS college football season started last Saturday, when Bill Belichick's UNC squad defeated TCU 15-10 in Dublin, Ireland.

Week 0 had some interesting moments, like Virginia (and new quarterback Beau Pribula) rolling over NC State 34-8 and USC quarterback Jayden Maiava authoring a great game (25-of-29, 286 yards, two scores) to lead the No. 14 Trojans to a 42-26 home win over San Jose State.

USC was the only ranked team to take the field, but college football really gets going in earnest this week, though, as the rest of the Top 25 squads (and the remaining CFB teams that didn't start yet) get going.

Here's a look at this week's schedule, odds and some picks for this week.

All odds are via FanDuel Sportsbook, and all rankings are via the Associated Press' preseason poll.

Schedule

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All times ET.

Thursday, Sept. 3

Arkansas Pine Bluff at No. 25 Missouri (-54.5), 8 p.m., SEC Network

Idaho at No. 21 Utah (-34.5), 9 p.m., ESPNU

Friday, Sept. 4

UTEP at No. 10 Oklahoma (-41.5), SEC Network

No. 7 Miami (-24.5) at Stanford, ESPN

Fresno State at No. 14 USC (-21.5), FOX

Saturday, Sept. 5

North Texas at No. 6 Indiana (-40.5), 12 p.m., FOX

East Carolina at No. 13 Alabama (-27.5), 12 p.m., ABC

Oregon State at No. 23 Houston (-20.5), 12 p.m., ESPN

Ball State at No. 1 Ohio State (-50.5), 12:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

Tennessee State at No. 3 Georgia (-47.5), 2 p.m., SEC Network

Furman at No. 20 Tennessee (-48.5), 3:30 p.m., SEC Network

Marshall at No. 18 Penn State (-24.5), 3:30 p.m., FS1

Texas State at No. 5 Texas (-29.5), 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Boise State at No. 2 Oregon (-24.5), 3:30 p.m., CBS

Northern Illinois at No. 22 Iowa (-31.5), 4:15 p.m., Big Ten Network

Missouri State at No. 8 Texas A&M (-40.5), 7 p.m., ESPN

Abilene Christian at No. 12 Texas Tech (-42.5), 7 p.m., FS1

Western Michigan at No. 16 Michigan (-27.5), 7:30 p.m., NBC

Clemson at No. 11 LSU (-10.5), 7:30 p.m., ABC

Utah Tech at No. 14 BYU (-51.5), 8 p.m., ESPN+

Sunday, Sept. 6

Washington State at No. 17 Washington (-23.5), 4 p.m., NBC

Wisconsin at No. 4 Notre Dame (-20.5) in Green Bay, 7:30 p.m., NBC

No. 24 Louisville vs. No. 9 Ole Miss (-6.5) in Nashville, 7:30 p.m., ABC

Monday, Sept. 7

No. 19 SMU (-3.5) at Florida State, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

No. 19 SMU (-3.5) over Florida State

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SMU returns quarterback Kevin Jennings, who is entering his third season as the Mustangs' starter. During his time in Dallas, Jennings has completed 65.0 percent of his passes for 7,709 yards (8.0 yards per attempt), 55 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. He's also rushed for 559 yards and 10 scores.

SMU has gone 20-7 under Jennings' watch, and he has the benefit of playing behind a veteran-laden offensive line. Three starters are returning in center Joshua Bates, tackle P.J. Williams and guard Addison Nichols.

Although SMU has to replace a lot of rushing and receiving production, an experienced quarterback and offensive line should go a long way toward another good season for the Mustangs.

Florida State already started its season last week, defeating New Mexico State 34-17. This wasn't the easiest game for the Seminoles, which entered the contest as a 31.5-point favorite against an Aggies team that is listed at 133rd overall on the latest Sagarin Ratings.

NMSU found success through the air (272 passing yards and two touchdowns from quarterback Trey Hedden), and FSU was only up 10 (27-17) midway through the fourth quarter.

FSU bore down, scored late and got the 17-point win, but SMU presents a far greater challenge. The guess here is Jennings leads the Mustangs to a road win by at least one touchdown.

Score Pick: SMU 34, FSU 24

Box Score Projection for Kevin Jennings

Comp/Att	Passing Yards	TD	Rushing Yards
25/35	275	2 (+1 rushing)	20

No. 4 Notre Dame (-20.5) over Wisconsin

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Notre Dame returns 14 starters, including Heisman Trophy candidate and quarterback CJ Carr, four offensive linemen and wide receiver Jordan Faison, who led the team with 49 receptions and 640 yards.

They also bring back eight defensive starters, including cornerback Leonard Moore, who could be one of the 2027 NFL draft's top picks.

This team looks like a national championship contender on paper, and it goes up against a Wisconsin team that is headed in the wrong direction.

The 2025 Badgers went 4-8, the team's worst record since 1990. Wisconsin isn't predicted to make a leap this year and sits 12th in the Big Ten's preseason media poll.

Wisconsin just finished second-to-last in all of Division I FBS with 12.8 points per game. Although ODU transfer and dual-threat Colton Joseph brings excitement at the quarterback position, it's asking a lot of a new-look offense to excel right away against a tough Notre Dame D.

Score Pick: Notre Dame 38, Wisconsin 10

Box Score Projection for CJ Carr

Comp/Att	Passing Yards	TD	Rushing Yards
23/30	260	3	15

No. 9 Ole Miss (-6.5) over No. 24 Louisville

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Ole Miss is entering its first full season in the post-Lane Kiffin era under head coach Pete Golding, the former defensive coordinator who took over for the now-LSU head coach last November after he left for the Tigers.

Golding's Rebels showed great resolve and spirit despite the tremendous turmoil, defeating Tulane 41-10 and Georgia 39-34 in the College Football Playoff before falling just short to Miami, 31-27.

Now the Rebels enter the college football season with high expectations at No. 9 in the early polls. That makes sense considering the talent Ole Miss brings back, including quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy, who arguably make up the best offensive backfield in the country. Three offensive linemen are back as well.

Ole Miss' best player might be defensive tackle Will Echoles, who could very well be a top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL draft. He anchors a promising Rebels defense.

Echoles and the Rebels' greatest task might be stopping a potentially explosive Louisville rushing attack featuring Isaac Brown, who ran for 8.8 (yes, 8.8) yards per carry last year (884 yards, seven touchdowns on 101 carries). The Cardinals also welcome quarterback and Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz, who will bring his dual-threat abilities into the mix.

The issue is deciphering how the Cardinals will slow down the Ole Miss attack. That's less a commentary on Louisville, which could absolutely be competing for a CFP spot in the ACC title game this year, and more praise for Ole Miss, which could have one of the best offenses in college football this year.

Box Score Projections for Trinidad Chambliss

Comp/Att	Passing Yards	TD	Rushing Yards
27/40	300	3	35

Score Pick: Ole Miss 38, Louisville 24