The first full Saturday slate of college football games have arrived with no shortage of entertaining matchups.

No. 10 Florida State was upset by Georgia Tech in Week 0, and with multiple ranked teams going head-to-head, we’re in for more chaos throughout Labor Day weekend.

Here’s how we see Week 1 playing out:

No. 14 Clemson vs. No. 1 Georgia (-12)

Georgia is the favorite to win the national championship this season, and for good reason. Despite losing stars Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey to the NFL, the Bulldogs return starting quarterback Carson Beck and most of their elite defense. In fact, 21 of their 22 projected starters were on last year’s roster, with the only addition being running back Trevor Etienne, who transferred from Florida.

Clemson, like Georgia, constructed their roster from what they had a season ago. All 22 projected starters were on the team in 2023. While this is refreshing to see in the transfer portal era, it may not bode well for the Tigers. They finished 9-4 last season and played down to the level of their competition.

A game at Mercedes-Benz stadium is practically a home game for Georgia and the Bulldogs have prior experience playing in the venue. I picked Clemson to win the ACC and make the inaugural 12-team playoff, but I believe the No. 1 team in the country will prove to be too much for Clemson. I don’t think they can score enough to stay in the game.

Pick: Georgia -12

No. 8 Penn State (-7.5) at West Virginia

The Nittany Lions beat the Mountaineers by 23 points in Happy Valley last season, but now it’s their turn to hit the road and travel to Morgantown. To the surprise of many, West Virginia rebounded from their loss to Penn State and finished with a 9-4 record. They’ll return dual threat quarterback Garrett Greene, who threw for 2,406 yards and rushed for 772 a season ago.

On the flipside, Penn State’s offense struggled after their win over West Virginia. They still managed to finish 10-3, but Drew Allar never cleared 300 yards passing after the game against West Virginia, and their offense could only produce 12 and 15 points in the two biggest games of the year, Ohio State and Michigan. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, the elite running back tandem of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen is back this season.

There has been a lot of hype around West Virginia in the last few weeks, and the spread shrunk by six and a half points. I’m not buying it, though. West Virginia isn’t Ohio State or Michigan, and Penn State knows this is a must-win if they want to make the playoff. It’ll be close early, but the Lions’ stifling defense and running game should carry them to a double-digit win.

Pick: Penn State -7.5

No. 19 Miami (-2.5) at Florida

Florida has won an NCAA-best 34 consecutive home openers, and they will put that streak on the line against a revamped Miami team that dominated the transfer portal in the offseason. Gators quarterback Graham Mertz is experienced, which is comforting. But Florda lost several key offensive pieces, namely receiver Ricky Pearsall and running back Trevor Etienne. Miami’s strong run defense could force lots of passing situations for Mertz with an inexperienced receiver group.

Miami is a popular pick to win the ACC this season after bringing quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez over from the West Coast. I wouldn’t go that far, but they certainly have the talent to compete with the best. Martinez is an absolute workhorse. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry and scored 16 rushing touchdowns for Oregon State last season. He and Ward will be operating behind a good offensive line and facing a Florida defense that gave up 6.4 yards per play in 2023.

Both Billy Napier and Mario Cristobal need to win this game, as each head coach is below .500 in their tenures after being hired with lofty expectations. This could be the beginning of a disastrous season for Florida, as 8 of their 12 games come against ranked opponents. It’s the toughest schedule in the nation, and I don’t see Napier surviving it. Perhaps they need to hit rock bottom in order to recapture the glory days of the early 2000s.

Pick: Miami -2.5

No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&M (-3)

Marcus Freeman enters his third season as Notre Dame’s head coach. He has compiled a 19-8 record and underachieved in both seasons, including two early-season losses to Ohio State that set the tone for the rest of the year. Freeman desperately needs to start this season with a win if he wants his team to make the 12-team playoff. The Irish brought in Duke transfer Riley Leonard at quarterback, giving them a dual threat option out of the backfield, something they didn’t have last season. Their defense is one of the best in the nation, but they’ll have their hands full with the Aggie offense.

Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman may be the most underrated player in the country at his position. In just eight career starts, he has thrown for 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Weigman isn’t a household name yet, but he may become one if he can pick apart Notre Dame’s defense. The Aggie defense is only returning four starters on defense, but they made key additions in the transfer portal that gave them depth on that side of the ball. One of those transfers is Nic Scourton, who led Purdue in sacks last season.

If this game were being played in South Bend, I’d be singing a different tune. But Notre Dame isn’t Notre Dame away from home, and Kyle Field is a raucous environment that has given top teams nightmares over the years. I’ll take the home team here.

Pick: Texas A&M -3

No. 23 USC vs. No. 13 LSU (-4)

Week 1 treats us to a Sunday showdown between ranked powerhouses. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has large shoes to fill as he replaces Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. However, Nussmeier showed that he is capable candidate against Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl, where he threw for 395 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Unfortunately for Nussmeier, he won’t have star wideouts Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas to throw to. But he will be operating behind a quality offensive line that returns four starters.

USC will also be replacing a former Heisman winner in Caleb Williams, who was drafted first overall by the Chicago Bears. The Trojans will start Miller Moss, who tossed six touchdowns in a Holiday Bowl win over Louisville. Lincoln Riley’s squads are virtually guaranteed to have an explosive offense, but the defensive side has proven to be an issue. USC hired D’Anton Lynn as the new defensive coordinator and added nine transfers, four of whom will start.

Until I see USC stop a quality opponent’s offense, I can’t pick them. LSU has flown under the radar and has a great chance to make the playoff if they can start the season with a win.

Pick: LSU -4

Other Notable Games:

Illinois State at No. 25 Iowa (-23.5)

Pick: Illinois State +23.5

Chattanooga at No. 15 Tennessee (-38)

Pick: Tennessee -38

South Dakota State at No. 17 Oklahoma State (-10)

Pick: Oklahoma State -10

Colorado State at No. 4 Texas (-34.5)

Pick: Colorado State +34.5

Akron at No. 2 Ohio State (-48.5)

Pick: Akron +48.5

Furman at No. 6 Ole Miss (-42.5)

Pick: Ole Miss -42.5

Western Kentucky at No. 5 Alabama (-32)

Pick: Alabama -32

Fresno State at No. 9 Michigan (-21)

Pick: Michigan -21

Idaho at No. 3 Oregon (-44)

Pick: Oregon -44

New Mexico at No. 21 Arizona (-30)

Pick: Arizona -30

Boston College at No. 10 Florida State (-17)

Pick: Boston College +17