The Journal Star's picks for Week 1 college football games

Jun 03, 2024

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks during a news conference on Tuesday at Memorial Stadium. Rhule said Arik Gilbert's arrest for his alleged role in a break-in at a vape and liquor shop was "really sad for him." Read the full story.

Week 1 is bringing the heat. Does the Slim Pickings crew give Deion Sanders and Colorado any chance in a stout season opener? How about the Sunday night banger between LSU and Florida State? Oh, yes, and there's a Thursday night game in Minnesota, too.

Nebraska at Minnesota

Amie Just, columnist: Minnesota, 28-21

Luke Mullin, beat reporter: Minnesota, 28-21

Colton Stone, digital sports editor: Nebraska, 27-20

Nate Head, sports editor: Nebraska, 21-16

Andrew Wegley, guest picker: Minnesota, 30-24

Florida at Utah

Just: Utah, 35-28

Mullin: Utah, 31-24

Stone: Utah, 33-28

Head: Utah, 28-21

Wegley: Utah, 24-17

North Carolina at South Carolina

Just: South Carolina, 35-34

Mullin: North Carolina, 35-31

Stone: North Carolina, 44-38

Head: South Carolina, 41-34

Wegley: South Carolina, 38-24

Boise State at Washington

Just: Washington, 37-21

Mullin: Washington, 42-27

Stone: Washington, 55-31

Head: Washington, 34-21

Wegley: Washington, 41-13

Colorado at TCU

Just: TCU, 35-14

Mullin: TCU, 35-17

Stone: TCU, 41-17

Head: TCU, 31-17

Wegley: TCU, 38-27

UTSA at Houston

Just: UTSA, 31-28

Mullin: UTSA, 35-28

Stone: UTSA, 40-32

Head: Houston, 28-27

Wegley: Houston, 30-17

Fresno State at Purdue

Just: Purdue, 27-23

Mullin: Purdue, 24-21

Stone: Fresno State, 24-16

Head: Fresno State, 28-14

Wegley: Fresno State, 27-24

West Virginia at Penn State

Just: Penn State, 35-14

Mullin: Penn State, 38-17

Stone: Penn State, 36-23

Head: Penn State, 38-17

Wegley: Penn State, 41-10

LSU at Florida State

Just: LSU, 27-24

Mullin: LSU, 31-28

Stone: Florida State, 25-24

Head: Florida State, 27-24

Wegley: Florida State, 33-30

Coastal Carolina at UCLA

Just: UCLA, 35-21

Mullin: UCLA, 33-17

Stone: Coastal Carolina, 38-35

Head: UCLA, 31-27

Wegley: UCLA, 42-31

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule watches practice next to player Mikai Gbayor, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska's Braden Klover (left) and Barret Liebentritt practice on Aug. 15 at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska's Malachi Coleman catches a pass during practice on Tuesday at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska's Javier Morton picks up a pass during a practice on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska's John Bullock (left) and Nick Henrich practice on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule (right) talks with special teams coordinator Ed Foley during a team practice on Aug. 15 at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska's Ethan Nation runs with the ball during a team practice on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska's Brian Buschini practices kickoff return, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska's Tristan Alvano gets ready to kick during practice on Aug. 15 at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska's Billy Kemp (right) is pressured by teammate DeShon Singleton during a football practice on Aug. 15, 2023, at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska assistant coach Garret McGuire talks to the team during a team practice on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska's Jeff Sims hands the ball during a football practice on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska's Jeff Sims hands the ball to Gabe Ervin during a football practice on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at Hawks Championship Center.

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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks during a news conference on Tuesday at Memorial Stadium. Rhule said Arik Gilbert's arrest for his allege…