Week 1 College Football Picks: Oregon, LSU, Notre Dame to Win

The first full weekend of the college football season features several marquee matchups, including Boise State at Oregon and Clemson at LSU. Predictions favor Oregon, LSU, and Notre Dame in their respective games, with LSU's new coach Lane Kiffin expected to make an immediate impact. The article also notes that many top teams face buy games against smaller opponents.

The weekend's marquee games carry significant early-season weight. Oregon hosts Boise State in a test of the Broncos' Group of Six credentials, while LSU debuts Lane Kiffin against Clemson, with the Tigers' defense expected to anchor the win. Notre Dame faces Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, where Badgers quarterback Colton Joseph could test the Irish. Louisville and Ole Miss meet in Nashville as second-tier conference contenders seeking a résumé boost, and SMU visits Florida State in an ACC clash.

Beyond the headlines, several storylines emerge. Missouri's Austin Simmons gets a fresh start after losing his Ole Miss job to injury, while Utah's Morgan Scalley debuts as head coach. Many top-25 teams scheduled buy games against smaller opponents, providing revenue for those programs. Transfer-heavy rosters and new coaching staffs make early evaluations particularly uncertain.