College football picks, schedule: Odds for top Week 1 games, predictions against the spread, Thursday

Week 0 equipped an excellent probability to reintroduce ourselves to the heat college football waters, however now Week 1 provides lovers a possibility to take a complete dive into the motion as the 2023 season in point of fact will get going. Beginning Thursday and proceeding via Labor Day, there’s a close to consistent glide of video games to revel in. And with the arrival of any new yr, comes the promise of drama and surprises. 

Outside of Saturday’s wall-to-wall protection, Thursday’s slate is the maximum complete. In all, 11 video games spanning coast to coast will function a bit of little bit of the whole lot. The marquee matchups, alternatively, can be a couple of 8 p.m. kickoffs that includes energy convention techniques. 

One is a rematch of ultimate season’s exciting opener between Florida and Utah. After bobbing up simply brief against the Gators a yr in the past in The Swamp, the No. 14 Utes can be having a look for revenge. The number one query mark is the availability of Utah quarterback Cameron Rising, who continues to recuperate from a knee harm he suffered in ultimate January’s Rose Bowl. 

At the similar time, the Matt Rhule generation starts at Nebraska in a Big Ten opener against Minnesota. The Cornhuskers are determined for a go back to glory, and Rhule’s observe document as a program builder suggests a aggressive recreation against the Golden Gophers is on deck. 

Be certain to stay with CBS Sports right through the night for faculty football protection from the opening kickoff onward. Let’s check out our professional selections for the perfect video games on Thursday of Week 1. 

Odds by way of SportsLine consensus | All instances Eastern

Florida at No. 14 Utah

8 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Try for unfastened) — It does not in point of fact topic whether or not Rising performs for Utah as a result of its protection will stay the Gators offense in take a look at for a complete 4 quarters. Yes, Florida’s operating again duo of Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne is excellent, however the Utes protection center of attention on them and power quarterback Graham Mertz to overcome them together with his arm. He is not in a position to doing that. The Utes offense will do sufficient to keep watch over the recreation from the get started and draw back for a double-digit win in the fourth quarter. Prediction: Utah (-6.5) — Barrett Sallee

Nebraska at Minnesota

8 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV (Try for unfastened) — There wasn’t a lot related tape to be had for the defensive staffs to check forward of this recreation since each colleges have new coordinators and new beginning quarterbacks, together with some new talent skill. Thus, the good thing about wonder lies with the offensive coordinators for a recreation this is anticipated to be performed in nice climate. Minnesota, particularly, must be much less run-heavy this season after the departure of operating again Mohamed Ibrahim. The Gophers have quietly assembled certainly one of the Big Ten’s perfect pass-catching devices and must be keen to air it out sufficient to facilitate a recreation with some offensive motion. Prediction: Over 43 — David Cobb

Which faculty football selections are you able to make with self assurance in Week 1? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a confirmed pc style that has returned nearly $2,500 in benefit over the previous seven-plus seasons — and in finding out.