NCAAF Week 1 games
These are the weeks plays. Do what you wish with them.
Thursday Night
NMST +21.5
QB Zack Annexstad, a true freshman walk-on who is starting for Minnesota. Golden Gophers will lean on Rodney Smith and the running game.
Friday Night
COLO -7.5
Colorado takes a three-game winning streak into the matchup after holding an impressive CSU offense to three points last season.
Saturday
Washington +2.5
Both defensive lines are good-to-great, so the razor-thin difference will be Washington's experience on the offensive side of the trenches.
NIU +10
Could the Huskies pull off another Power Five upset after defeating Nebraska last year? If they disrupt Nate Stanley, it's possible.
CMU +17
Maybet an upset in Lexington... CMU can handle a seasoned offensive line and shuts down running back Benny Snell Jr.
UNC CAL over 61
Between 11 suspended players for this game and a cross-country trip, North Carolina enters this nonconference tilt at a clear disadvantage. While there shouldn't be concern about the Tar Heels' competitiveness—a blowout is unlikely—Cal quarterback Ross Bowers ought to outduel UNC's backup, Nathan Elliott.
Michigan +1.5
The classic rivalry is going under the lights in South Bend, and the showdown also marks the much-anticipated Michigan debut of signal-caller Shea Patterson. Notre Dame presents a serious challenge, but the Irish's bigger concern should be how they'll score on Michigan's elite unit.
UNT -4.5
If you're looking for an under-the-radar program with a fun offense, keep an eye on North Texas. Junior quarterback Mason Fine has an opportunity to smash school records.
Oregon -31.5 (Final here 62-10)
To begin the most laughable nonconference schedule of 2018, Oregon hosts Bowling Green. But hey, the Ducks can only play who's on their schedule, and quarterback Justin Herbert will hang a couple of crooked numbers on the scoreboard.
ASU -18.5
The debut of Herm Edwards. Good, bad or indifferent, this is a fascinating story. Who knows what to expect, beyond Manny Wilkins throwing to N'Keal Harry? UTSA basically has to remake the offense, so a Pac-12 road trip won't be kind.
Navy Hawaii Over 62
Over over over
Sunday
Miami -3.5
Malik Rosier might need to quarterback-draw LSU into submission, because nothing will come easily opposite a Dave Aranda-coached defense. However, if Miami's defense lives up to its billing and breaks out the new-and-improved "Turnover Chain" a couple of times, the Hurricanes will steal a massive neutral-site victory.
Monday
FSU -7.5
Virginia Tech and Florida State are respected, but neither is favored to win its side of the division. And the advantage goes to the defensive unit that didn't implode during the offseason. Between NFL departures, injuries and eligibility concerns, the Hokies lost 10 contributors. That's too much to overcome on the road in Week 1.
GL ALL
Thursday Night
NMST +21.5
QB Zack Annexstad, a true freshman walk-on who is starting for Minnesota. Golden Gophers will lean on Rodney Smith and the running game.
Friday Night
COLO -7.5
Colorado takes a three-game winning streak into the matchup after holding an impressive CSU offense to three points last season.
Saturday
Washington +2.5
Both defensive lines are good-to-great, so the razor-thin difference will be Washington's experience on the offensive side of the trenches.
NIU +10
Could the Huskies pull off another Power Five upset after defeating Nebraska last year? If they disrupt Nate Stanley, it's possible.
CMU +17
Maybet an upset in Lexington... CMU can handle a seasoned offensive line and shuts down running back Benny Snell Jr.
UNC CAL over 61
Between 11 suspended players for this game and a cross-country trip, North Carolina enters this nonconference tilt at a clear disadvantage. While there shouldn't be concern about the Tar Heels' competitiveness—a blowout is unlikely—Cal quarterback Ross Bowers ought to outduel UNC's backup, Nathan Elliott.
Michigan +1.5
The classic rivalry is going under the lights in South Bend, and the showdown also marks the much-anticipated Michigan debut of signal-caller Shea Patterson. Notre Dame presents a serious challenge, but the Irish's bigger concern should be how they'll score on Michigan's elite unit.
UNT -4.5
If you're looking for an under-the-radar program with a fun offense, keep an eye on North Texas. Junior quarterback Mason Fine has an opportunity to smash school records.
Oregon -31.5 (Final here 62-10)
To begin the most laughable nonconference schedule of 2018, Oregon hosts Bowling Green. But hey, the Ducks can only play who's on their schedule, and quarterback Justin Herbert will hang a couple of crooked numbers on the scoreboard.
ASU -18.5
The debut of Herm Edwards. Good, bad or indifferent, this is a fascinating story. Who knows what to expect, beyond Manny Wilkins throwing to N'Keal Harry? UTSA basically has to remake the offense, so a Pac-12 road trip won't be kind.
Navy Hawaii Over 62
Over over over
Sunday
Miami -3.5
Malik Rosier might need to quarterback-draw LSU into submission, because nothing will come easily opposite a Dave Aranda-coached defense. However, if Miami's defense lives up to its billing and breaks out the new-and-improved "Turnover Chain" a couple of times, the Hurricanes will steal a massive neutral-site victory.
Monday
FSU -7.5
Virginia Tech and Florida State are respected, but neither is favored to win its side of the division. And the advantage goes to the defensive unit that didn't implode during the offseason. Between NFL departures, injuries and eligibility concerns, the Hokies lost 10 contributors. That's too much to overcome on the road in Week 1.
GL ALL
