Week 0 made it feel like football is back. With Week 1, football is really back. Ari Wasserman returns with his college football predictions, breaking down the slate's biggest matchups against the numbers from Polymarket. The nonconference schedule may be light on marquee stakes this week, but that hasn't stopped compelling storylines from taking shape as the season kicks into gear.
Colorado at Georgia Tech (-6.5) Total: 50.5
Deion Sanders' program doesn't carry quite the same buzz it did a couple years ago, but Colorado still brings intrigue with quarterback Julian "JuJu" Lewis stepping in as the full-time starter and a defense that got a full overhaul this offseason. Georgia Tech counters with its own change under center, turning to Alberto Mendoza, while leaning on RB Justice Haynes to carry the load. Turnovers were the difference when these two met a year ago, and that's a factor Ari is watching closely heading into Thursday.
Ari's Position: Georgia Tech -6.5
Clemson at LSU (-10.5) Total: 51.5
Dabo Swinney's Tigers enter the year under more skepticism than usual, while Lane Kiffin's LSU squad has sky-high expectations after restocking through the transfer portal. Both programs share the same expectations this fall, conference title contention and a spot in the Playoff picture, but Ari isn't convinced the gap between them is as wide as the number suggests.
Ari's position: Clemson +10.5
Ari also breaks down seven more Week 1 matchups, from marquee nonconference tests to renewed rivalry games. See his full slate of predictions below.
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