Predictions for the biggest games in Week 1 of the 2024 college football season

Throughout the college football season, the Maroon and White Nation team will be giving their predictions for the biggest games each week. We'll pick the headlining national games, the top games in the SEC, and of course give our predictions for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Here's our picks for Week 1...

National Games

North Dakota State at Colorado

Chase Brumfield: Deion Sanders will have his hands full with North Dakota State, but as the game inches closer to the finish line, the Buffaloes will find a way to win behind Shedur Sanders. Colorado wins

Reed Green: Ten years ago, I would have picked NDSU to win this game, but the Bison aren’t quite the juggernaut that they once were. I think Hunter makes a few big plays for the Buffaloes, as they will escape with a close victory. Colorado wins

Andrew Miller: If this game is tight, look out because NDSU has the advantage in the trenches. But overall I expect Colorado's skill talent to be too much. I hope I'm wrong though because it would be hilarious for the Buffs to fall. Colorado wins

North Carolina at Minnesota

Chase: Mack Brown knows a thing or two about preparing his team to play. I expect the Tar Heels to keep their composure and not let Minnesota’s fan base rattle them. North Carolina wins

Reed: In a game I can see being a coin flip, I think the Golden Gophers pull out a close one since it's at home. Minnesota wins

Andrew: We truly don't know which team is better here, but Minnesota is going through a transition on defense. And while UNC doesn't know it's QB, they've still got a lot of talent there. I'll take the Heels. North Carolina wins

8 Penn State at West Virginia

Chase: James Franklin has shown in the past he can work magic in tough environments. I trust Penn State to manage this game and leave Morgantown with the victory. Penn State wins

Reed: There is no argument that Penn State is more talented on paper, but Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions struggled at times last season. Milan Puskar Stadium is one of the most underrated venues to play in college football, and I think they help their beloved Mountaineers pull off the upset. West Virginia wins

Andrew: I don't feel great about it because Morgantown is a tough place to play. But Penn State should be strong defensively again, and I'm trusting their offensive changes to pay off even against a good WVU team on the road. Penn State wins

SEC Games

14 Clemson vs 1 Georgia in Atlanta

Chase: Georgia’s discipline and level of talent out matches Clemson. Kirby Smart is on a mission so a loss Week 1 is not likely to happen in Atlanta this weekend. Georgia wins

Reed: Clemson still has one of the most talented rosters in the country, but Dabo’s reluctance to hit the transfer portal has harmed Clemson to a degree. Georgia on the other hand has been running like a well-oiled machine since 2017, and I believe they will keep rolling with a comfortable win over Clemson. Clemson’s starters can go toe-to-toe with UGA, but I believe by the second half, Georgia’s depth will start to make the difference. Georgia wins

Andrew: I think Clemson is in for a bounce-back season and will contend for the playoff, but Georgia is still the far better team at the moment. Both defenses are great, but I trust the Dawgs to make more plays on offense. Georgia wins

Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt

Chase: Virginia Tech will handle business as they travel to Nashville. Vanderbilt is a disaster and will continue their struggles this season. Virginia Tech wins

Reed: After a disappointing year in 2022, Virginia Tech bounced back to make
a bowl and finished with a 7-win season last year. I think they ride that momentum as they start off with a win over the 'Dores. Virginia Tech wins

Andrew: Virginia Tech has one of the most experienced rosters in the nation and is a dark horse contender in the ACC. They'll roll against Vandy. Virginia Tech wins

19 Miami at Florida

Chase: Billy Napier is on the hot seat this season but he will find a way to edge a nail bitter against Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes. Florida wins

Reed: I believe Florida will win for two reasons as Miami takes the trip north to Gainesville for the first time since 2008. The first reason is Graham Mertz who was one of the few bright spots for the Gators last season. The second reason is “The Swamp” being the toughest atmosphere to play in college football for the visiting team. Florida wins

Andrew: I'm all aboard the Miami hype train. I've got the Canes winning the ACC. And yet, I've got them falling here. I think UF will better than most realize, and the Swamp is a very difficult place to play. Despite Miami's talent, I think their transfers will need some time to gel. Don't forget a mediocre Gators team took down eventual Pac-12 champ Utah in the Swamp to open the season two years ago. Florida wins

Southern Miss at Kentucky

Chase: This game could get out a hand quickly in Lexington but I will go with a safe bet. Mark Stoops understands this game needs to be handled accordingly so they can be prepared for SEC play later in the season. Kentucky wins

Reed: USM did beat UK in Lexington a few years back, but I do not see the Golden
Eagles pulling the upset off again. Kentucky is breaking in Brock Vandagriff at
quarterback, and they will have one of the better defensive lines in the SEC. Overall, the Wildcats will be too much for USM in this game. Kentucky wins

Andrew: Kentucky looks to have a pretty complete roster on paper, and the Will Hall-era hasn't gone to plan in Hattiesburg. The Cats always look unimpressive in these games, so I don't think it'll be a total blowout. But they'll handle business. Kentucky wins

7 Notre Dame at 20 Texas A&M

Chase: Notre Dame is an interesting team this season but the experience and grit the Fighting Irish have will prevail them as they due battle in College Station. Notre Dame wins

Reed: I have the Irish winning this one on the road. Even though A&M could possibly be more talented, this is an extremely tough first game for Mike Elko. I think they fall short late in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame wins

Andrew: The Irish are banged-up along the offensive line, and that spells trouble on the road agaisnt an elite A&M defensive line. This will be a slugfest, but that edge in the trenches will be the difference for the Aggies. Texas A&M wins

23 USC vs 13 LSU in Las Vegas

Chase:  LSU lost a lot of talent from last year’s team. USC is looking to shock some critics with the departure of Caleb Williams. Brian Kelly arguably is on the hot seat and this game in Las Vegas won’t help him. USC wins

Reed: Lincoln Riley’s defenses have struggled dating back to when he was the head coach at Oklahoma. I think those defensive
woes continue in this game, as LSU dominates up front and wins this game going away. LSU wins

Andrew: I feel like there's a lot of assuming LSU will simply reload from all they lost last year offensively and that their defense will automatically get better with a new DC. Well Lincoln Riley has repeatedly shown the ability to reload on offense, and his defense should in theory improve simply from a DC change as well. I think the Trojans are being somewhat overlooked, and I trust their offense more in what's likely to be shootout. USC wins

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Eastern Kentucky Predictions

Chase: Jeff Lebby will have his team prepared with the first home game of the season. You will see a different style of play from the Bulldogs and because of that, they will come out with a win. Mississippi State wins

Reed: We all remember State’s struggles versus Southeastern Louisiana last season, but I believe State is better coached where they should handle Eastern Kentucky. There might be two or three lackluster drives, but I believe once State gets the early season jitters off, they win this one comfortably. Mississippi State wins 52-13

Andrew: EKU fielded on of the worst FCS defenses last season and doesn't appear better on paper. That sounds promising for the debut of Jeff Lebby's offense. Last year's EKU team had enough offensive firepower that they may have challenged the Bulldog defense, but that shouldn't be the case this season. This should be a dominant victory for MSU. Mississippi State wins 51-16