College football is back. Not the video game, the real thing.

The 2024-25 season kicks off Saturday with four games, most notably an ACC clash between Florida State and Georgia Tech, which will take place in Dublin, Ireland.

The Seminoles and Yellow Jackets aren’t the only ACC teams taking the field Saturday. SMU will play its first game since joining the conference when they hit travel to Nevada.

Throughout the college football season, ITS will pick each game against the spread and keep track of our record.

Here are the picks for Saturday’s slate:

10 Florida State (-10.5) vs. Georgia Tech

Florida State begins their quest to another ACC title with an overseas tilt against Georgia Tech. After losing key pieces on offense, the Noles hit the transfer portal hard in the offseason, bringing in Oregon State quarterback transfer DJ Uiagalelei as well as two Alabama transfers, Malik Benson and Roydell Williams. With Uiagalelei at the helm, expect the Seminoles to assert their dominance on the ground against the Yellow Jackets, who finished last season 117th in the FBS in yards allowed per game.

Georgia Tech has a dual threat veteran quarterback of their own in Haynes Kings, who threw for 27 touchdowns and rushed for 10 a season ago. The Jackets also finished 12th in the nation in rushing behind star running back Jamal Haynes.

With the O/U at 55.5, the under is the play here. I can see each team chewing clock with the potent rushing attacks. However, I believe Florida State’s defensive line and offensive firepower will propel them to a win.

Pick: Florida State -10.5

Montana State (-13.5) at New Mexico

This is a rare occasion where an FCS school is favored by double digits against an FBS program. In 2023, Montana State won eight games and qualified for the FCS playoffs, where they lost in the second round. Though their defense was problematic at times, the Bobcats were one of the best offensive teams in the FCS last season and they have similar expectations this year. They return their quarterback, leading receiver and leading rusher.

New Mexico, on the other hand, finished at the bottom of the Mountain West last season and will be trotting out Devon Dampier, last year’s backup, as their starting quarterback. Their defense was atrocious last season, and this year’s unit is littered with transfers.

Expect lots of points in this one. I’m picking the Lobos to keep it within two touchdowns.

Pick: New Mexico +13.5

SMU (-24.5) at Nevada

SMU finished the 2023 season with an 11-3 record, but they will face tougher tests this year in the ACC. Before they can get to conference play, though, the Mustangs need to go on the road and take care of Nevada.

Nevada has only won four total games in the last two seasons, but they hired Texas co-defensive coordinator Jeff Choate in the offseason in an attempt to right the ship. With a team heavily constructed by the transfer portal, Choate will try to keep his squad competitive against a Power Four opponent. That’s a tall order, but at least the Wolf Pack will have home-field advantage.

SMU is led by junior quarterback Preston Stone, who threw for over 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns a season ago. The Mustangs also return their leading rusher in Jaylan Knighton, who ran for 745 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.

Nevada is still rebuilding, and SMU needs to win this game to build up their record before conference play begins. I’ll roll with the Mustangs to cover here.

Pick: SMU -24.5

Delaware State at Hawaii (-39.5)

Hawaii opens up their season with an FCS opponent before they host UCLA in Week 2. The Rainbow Warriors went 5-8 last season and are looking to get off to a hot start and take a step towards bowl eligibility, something they haven’t accomplished since 2020.

Aside from being an FCS school, Delaware State seems to have everything going against them. They missed their flight on Tuesday, so they arrived in Honolulu a day late. The Hornets went 1-10 last season, losing to FBS opponents Army and Miami (OH) by 57 and 42 points, respectively.

With the information available, I’ll take the Rainbow Warriors to cover.

Pick: Hawaii -39.5