CFB Week 1 Picks - August 29

"Week 0” of the 2024 college football season did not disappoint. Headlined by an ACC showdown in Ireland between Florida State and Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets upset the 10th-ranked Seminoles 24-21 on a last-second field goal. 

Now we have a full slate of action to see what Week 1 can do for an encore. There are games from Thursday all the way to Monday night, with a whole host of intriguing matchups throughout the country. Today we’re targeting Thursday’s matchups, which features the highly popular Colorado Buffaloes and Coach Prime taking on one of the top FCS schools in North Dakota State. Meanwhile, UNC begins life after Drake Maye with a battle against Minnesota. Let’s break down our college football Week 1 picks for Thursday, August 29.

Predictions 

Pick #1: Rutgers Scarlet Knights -35.5 over Howard Bison (-110)

Pick #2: North Carolina Tar Heels -2 over Minnesota Golden Gophers (-110)

Pick #3: North Dakota State Bison +10 over Colorado Buffaloes (-110)

PICK #1: Rutgers -35.5 over Howard (-110) 

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights officially get college football Week 1 underway at SHI Stadium when they host the Howard Bison, and they should be able to make a statement to the rest of the Big Ten. Rutgers has dominated FCS schools since coach Greg Schiano arrived in 2020, having won their last three games against such schools by a combined score of 163-23. Schiano typically employs a vicious rushing attack early in the season, highlighted by the fact that they put up 260 rushing yards and five touchdowns in their 2022 and 2023 games against the FCS’ Wagner, and with a new quarterback in Athan Kaliakmanis, expect Rutgers to go with the ground game in this one as their new signal-caller gets bedded in.

However, it isn’t all about the offense as to why Rutgers is expected to dominate. The Scarlet Knights will also have plenty of defensive production returning and they should be able to cause plenty of problems for Howard’s new quarterback, while the Bison will also have multiple new starters on the offensive line. On the road in this packed stadium should be a situation that Howard struggles to adapt to and as a result, we can expect Rutgers to shut them down on both sides of the ball. Expect the Scarlet Knights to cover.

PICK #2: North Carolina -2 over Minnesota (-110)

As mentioned already, UNC begins life without star quarterback Drake Maye since his departure to the NFL, but the Tar Heels should still be able to pull off the road win against the Golden Gophers. Word is that North Carolina will go with a dual-quarterback system with Conner Harrell and Max Johnson. Harrell played in five games and started once in 2023 and can make plays both through the air and on the ground, and should have some success against this Minnesota team.

As for the Golden Gophers, they will be starting FCS transfer Max Brosmer under center, who performed well at New Hampshire but has his work cut out in trying to turn around the fortunes of this ailing offense. They do return four starting offensive linemen, but it awaits to be seen whether the experience will be a benefit or a hindrance for them following their sub-par efforts in 2023. North Carolina crushed Minnesota 31-13 last season and the Tar Heels should be able to pull off yet another victory and cover in this one.

PICK #3: North Dakota State +10 over Colorado (-110)

Arguably the game of the night happens in Boulder, as the Colorado Buffaloes welcome the North Dakota State Bison to town. There is plenty of fanfare around Colorado and Coach Prime, but the pressure is on them to deliver this season after going 4-8 in 2023. While they do have the benefit of playing an FCS team to start their 2024 campaign, they are coming up against one of its best in North Dakota State, a program that has won nine of the last 13 FCS national championships. The Bison have actually won its last six games against FBS opponents and should be able to at least keep things close with the Buffaloes.

Colorado will be led by Heisman candidate Shedeur Sanders under center, and even with the hype around their loaded offense, North Dakota State will have three all-conference defensive players returning and should give their vulnerable offensive line plenty to think about. Given the Buffaloes’ struggles on defense last season, NDSU should have plenty of opportunities to put points on the board and keep this game close.