AL.com college football staff picks for Week 1
AL.com’s college football staff picks is back for 2023 after a one-year layoff.
Alabama and Auburn begin their seasons with out-of-conference matchups against Group of 5 opponents, but there are a few big games around the country that include teams from inside the state and region. Games run Thursday-Monday due to the long Labor Day weekend, so there should be something for everyone.
Scroll along below to find out how various AL.com sports staffers see this week’s games playing out. We’ve also given predicted scores for this week’s Alabama and Auburn games.
A reminder that these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means that each person’s selection doesn’t necessarily mean he or she thinks that team will win outright, just that it will cover the point spread.
On with this week’s picks (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):
Swoop, a red-tailed hawk, the mascot of the Utah Utes poses during an NCAA football game against Florida on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated Utah 29-26. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)AP
Florida (+6.5) at Utah, 7 p.m. Thursday, ESPN
Patrick Bird: Florida
Michael Casagrande: Utah
Matt Cohen: Florida
Evan Dudley: Utah
Ben Flanagan: Florida
Patrick Greenfield: Utah
Andrew Hammond: Utah
Mark Inabinett: Utah
Ainslee Lee: Florida
Creg Stephenson: Utah
FILE – Washington cheerleaders and Harry, the Husky mascot, set off smoke effects as they lead the team out of the tunnel at Husky Stadium for Washington’s home opener, an NCAA college football game against Montana, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)AP
Boise State (+14.5) at Washington, 2:30 p.m., ABC
Patrick Bird: Washington
Michael Casagrande: Washington
Matt Cohen: Boise State
Evan Dudley: Washington
Ben Flanagan: Washington
Patrick Greenfield: Boise State
Andrew Hammond: Boise State
Mark Inabinett: Washington
Ainslee Lee: Washington
Creg Stephenson: Washington
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye looks to pass during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Oregon, Dec. 28, 2022, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)AP
North Carolina (-2.5) vs. South Carolina (at Charlotte), 6:30 p.m., ABC
Patrick Bird: South Carolina
Michael Casagrande: South Carolina
Matt Cohen: South Carolina
Evan Dudley: South Carolina
Ben Flanagan: North Carolina
Patrick Greenfield: North Carolina
Andrew Hammond: South Carolina
Mark Inabinett: North Carolina
Ainslee Lee: South Carolina
Creg Stephenson: North Carolina
Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton (10) celebrates his touchdown during the second half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)AP
West Virginia (+20.5) at Penn State, 6:30 p.m., NBC
Patrick Bird: West Virginia
Michael Casagrande: Penn State
Matt Cohen: West Virginia
Evan Dudley: West Virginia
Ben Flanagan: West Virginia
Patrick Greenfield: Penn State
Andrew Hammond: West Virginia
Mark Inabinett: Penn State
Ainslee Lee: West Virginia
Creg Stephenson: Penn State
South Alabama quarterback Carter Bradley (2) leaps on fourth down but comes up short against Western Kentucky defensive tackle Darius Shipp (97) during the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)AP
South Alabama (+6.5) at Tulane, 7 p.m., ESPNU
Patrick Bird: Tulane
Michael Casagrande: Tulane
Matt Cohen: Tulane
Evan Dudley: South Alabama
Ben Flanagan: Tulane
Patrick Greenfield: Tulane
Andrew Hammond: South Alabama
Mark Inabinett: Tulane
Ainslee Lee: Tulane
Creg Stephenson: South Alabama
Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith, right, slaps hands with Oregon State wide receiver Silas Bolden (7) after an Oregon State score against Arizona State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Tempe, Ariz., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Oregon State won 31-7. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)AP
Oregon State (-17) at San Jose State, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, CBS
Patrick Bird: San Jose State
Michael Casagrande: Oregon State
Matt Cohen: Oregon State
Evan Dudley: Oregon State
Ben Flanagan: San Jose State
Patrick Greenfield: Oregon State
Andrew Hammond: Oregon State
Mark Inabinett: Oregon State
Ainslee Lee: Oregon State
Creg Stephenson: Oregon State
Florida State coach Mike Norvell points to the sky before the team’s NCAA college football game against Clemson on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)AP
Florida State (+2.5) vs. LSU (at Orlando), 6:30 p.m. Sunday, ABC
Patrick Bird: LSU
Michael Casagrande: LSU
Matt Cohen: LSU
Evan Dudley: LSU
Ben Flanagan: LSU
Patrick Greenfield: LSU
Andrew Hammond: Florida State
Mark Inabinett: Florida State
Ainslee Lee: Florida State
Creg Stephenson: LSU
Clemson running back Will Shipley (1) runs for a touchdown while pursued by South Carolina defensive back Cam Smith (9) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)AP
Clemson (-13) at Duke, 7 p.m. Monday, ESPN
Patrick Bird: Clemson
Michael Casagrande: Clemson
Matt Cohen: Clemson
Evan Dudley: Clemson
Ben Flanagan: Clemson
Patrick Greenfield: Clemson
Andrew Hammond: Duke
Mark Inabinett: Duke
Ainslee Lee: Duke
Creg Stephenson: Duke
Auburn’s D.J. James (4) scores a touchdown on an interception return vs. Western Kentucky in 2022 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. (Todd Van Emst / AU Athletics)Todd Van Emst / AU Athletics
UMass (+37.5) at Auburn, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Patrick Bird: Auburn 48, UMass 3
Michael Casagrande: Auburn 42, UMass 3
Matt Cohen: Auburn 38, UMass 7
Evan Dudley: Auburn 45, UMass 20
Ben Flanagan: Auburn 37, UMass 17
Patrick Greenfield: Auburn 31, UMass 10
Andrew Hammond: Auburn 42, UMass 10
Mark Inabinett: Auburn 48, UMass 9
Ainslee Lee: Auburn 45, UMass 10
Creg Stephenson: Auburn 41, UMass 10
Alabama running back Jase McClellan (2) carries the ball in for a touchdown as Auburn linebacker Cam Riley (13) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)AP
Middle Tennessee (+39.5) at Alabama, 6:30 p.m., SEC Network
Patrick Bird: Alabama 55, Middle Tennessee 10
Michael Casagrande: Alabama 39, Middle Tennessee 7
Matt Cohen: Alabama 35, Middle Tennessee 3
Evan Dudley: Alabama 48, Middle Tennessee 13
Ben Flanagan: Alabama 41, Middle Tennessee 13
Patrick Greenfield: Alabama 38, Middle Tennessee 13
Andrew Hammond: Alabama 35, Middle Tennessee 0
Mark Inabinett: Alabama 49, Middle Tennessee 7
Ainslee Lee: Alabama 52, Middle Tennessee 13
Creg Stephenson: Alabama 37, Middle Tennessee 3