5 Best College Football Predictions Against the Spread: Week 1 Thursday

Gearing up for the monster Saturday in a great Week 1 of games - the 10 Best Picks Against the Spread are coming later - there's a huge Thursday night of fun to be had.

Don't mock all the FBS vs FCS games - there's no way it can be worse than the Chicago Bears Hard Knocks or whatever the heck that Michigan thing is on Netflix.

There's nothing all that fun about four of these five Thursday night college football picks. The goal is to win them. It doesn't mean you need to watch these games - you'll get the theme in a hurry.

But there's a payoff at the end.

Picks So Far: 3-2

- Week 1 Thursday Schedule, Predictions, Previews

5 Best College Football Predictions Against the Spread: Week 1 Thursday

5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Arkansas

Point Total: 57
Pick: Over

Here's the general theme for this whole thing - at least until the very end. Assume the FBS team is going to roll the FCS version.

For those of you new to the program, I have an unwavering belief when it comes to point totals - if one side has an honest shot of hitting the number by itself, go over.

Arkansas should be able to hang 56 on the Golden Lions. After a rough season, and with a great running game to get going, putting up a ton of points won't be a problem. Anything from UAPB should be enough to put the total over the top.
- UAPB vs Arkansas Preview, Prediction

4. Eastern Illinois at Illinois

Line: Illinois -27.5
Pick: Illinois

Sorry in advance for being so boring and basic for the next three picks, but again, the FBS sides should do a whole bunch of tap dancing over the FCS teams.

There's another belief here - the FBS sides coming off a mediocre season should dominate even more, mainly because the coaching staffs will try to erase the stains from the previous year.

Eastern Illinois isn't bad and will make you sweat early, but the Illini will settle in on both sides in the second half - especially on the defensive front - and start to pull away.
- Eastern Illinois vs Illinois Preview, Prediction

3. Southern Utah at Utah

Line: Utah -38.5
Pick: Utah

73-7. That's what a fully functional Utah did to Southern Utah early in 2022. Obviously these are new teams in a new season, but with QB Cam Rising back along with a few other key parts missing from the end of last year, this will look like the Ute team everyone expects.

Yeah, 38.5 is a big number, but it might be a 39-0 win. Utah will look fantastic.
- Southern Utah at Utah Preview, Prediction

2. Western Carolina at NC State

Line: NC State -32.5
Pick: NC State

You ready? Deep breath ...

2023: NC State 45, VMI 7
2022: NC State 55, Charleston Southern 3
2021: NC State 45, Furman 7
2019: NC State 41, Western Carolina 0

There was a tight 24-13 battle with James Madison in 2018, but in 2017 NC State would've covered the 32.5 with a 49-16 win over Furman. It goes on from there.

This program, especially lately under Dave Doeren, is fantastic at wiping out FCS teams. We don't buck trends around here. If the ride stops, tip your cap and move on.
- Western Carolina vs NC State Preview, Prediction

1. North Dakota State at Colorado

Line: Colorado -10
Pick: North Dakota State

Has this Colorado offseason inspired you with a whole lot of confidence? You don't think the pressure on Coach Prime and this bunch is off the charts?

This is North Dakota State, people. It might be the best team in the FCS - at least it's a top five team - and it has the talent and parts in place to keep this close against the Buffaloes, if not win it outright.

The Bison have a pass rush. Do you trust that Colorado fixed the glitch this offseason?

They don't screw up, they'll run the ball well, and they're about to bring a whole bunch of adversity to Boulder. Making this even better, the public - who's in love with Deion Sanders and this whole story - are cranking it up on Colorado to raise the number that much higher.

Personally, I think this will all be more fun if Colorado rolls and the show goes on, but ...

(I can't get there with NDSU at +290 on the moneyline, but ...)

- NDSU vs Colorado Preview, Prediction
- NDSU vs Colorado Expert Picks