No. 1 Alabama vs Virginia Tech (+21, 45.5)
The Crimson Tide begins its drive for a third straight championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta against the unranked Hokies in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game. It will mark the second time Alabama and Virginia Tech have clashed in the national season opener (Bama defeated the Hokies 34-24 in 2009).
Why Alabama will cover: Despite all of its success and national respect, the Tide just continues to routinely cover point spreads. Alabama is 42-26 ATS in the past five years, even after going 7-7 against the number last season. Tide has a history of making a statement in season openers, including 41-14 pounding of No. 8 Michigan last year.
Why Virginia Tech will cover: Virginia Tech is an awfully good program to be catching this many points on a neutral field, even against a powerhouse like Alabama. The Hokies may be coming off a disappointing 7-6 campaign last year, but Virginia Tech hasn’t finished below .500 since 1992. The Hokies have played plenty of games on national TV, so don’t expect the deer in the headlights look in the opener.
OUR PICK: Alabama
Buffalo at No. 2 Ohio State (-36.5, 55.5)
The Buckeyes are back from NCAA football purgatory, once again eligible for post-season play after a one-year ban. Ohio State went 12-0 in Urban Meyer’s first year in Columbus. Buffalo is coming off a disappointing 4-8 campaign that included a six-game losing streak.
Why Buffalo will cover: This is more why the Buckeyes won’t cover than why the Bulls will, but Ohio State is coming off a very difficult offseason. Meyer was under fire as the former coach of Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots tight end currently involved in a murder investigation. Junior running back Carlos Hyde was suspended for the first few games afer an incident at a Columbus night club, and All-Big-Ten cornerback Bradley Roby faced misdemeanour charges following an incident at a bar in Indiana. Distractions don’t help teams play at their best.
Why Ohio State will cover: Meyer is a point spread-covering machine, going 83-48-3 against the number during his career, and he might be interested in making a statement in the opener. If the Buckeyes are motivated to run up the score, they certainly have the ability to do it.
OUR PICK: Buffalo
No. 5 Georgia at No. 8 Clemson (+2, 72)
The marquee matchup of opening week takes place in Clemson as the Tigers host the Georgia Bulldogs in a clash of two top-10 teams. Georgia was 12-2 last year in the SEC, splitting four games against top-25 opponents. Clemson went 11-2 in the ACC, both its losses coming against ranked programs.
Why Georgia will cover: Bulldogs return QB Aaron Murray and other key players from team that was a couple plays away from upsetting Alabama in last year’s SEC title game and playing for the BCS championship. Georgia is 41-17-4 versus Clemson all-time.
Why Clemson will cover: Tigers QB Tajh Boyd set single-season school records last year in yards and touchdowns, and he’ll be going up against a Georgia secondary that has just one returning starter.
OUR PICK: Georgia
Nicholls State at No. 3 Oregon (-59)
Why Nicholls State will cover: 59 points is a TON. With a nationally-televised game at Virginia on deck next week, Oregon might pull its starters once the game gets out of hand.
Why Oregon will cover: First game for new coach Mark Helfrich, who replaces Chip Kelly. Helfrich might be intent on proving the Ducks won’t be taking a step back this year.
OUR PICK: Nicholls State
Rice at No. 7 Texas A&M (-27, O/U 66.5)
Why Rice will cover: Unless you live under a rock, you know that Texas A&M QB and Heisman hopeful Johnny Manziel will sit out the first half because he allegedly accepted money for autographs during the offseason.
Why Texas A&M will cover: When Manziel comes out for the second half, he’ll no doubt be motivated to put on a good show. Aggies could also be out to prove that they’re not a one-man team.
OUR PICK: Texas A&M
Toledo at No. 10 Florida (-23.5, O/U 56)
Why Toledo will cover: Gators will be without at least five starters due to injuries, illness and suspensions. Rockets capable of upsetting ranked teams, beating then-No. 21 Cincinnati last year.
Why Florida will cover: Gators have history of success in season openers, winning their last 23.
OUR PICK: Toledo
No. 12 Louisiana State at No. 20 Texas Christian (+4, O/U 50)
Why LSU will cover: Tigers return many of their skill players on offence, including starting QB, three receivers and three running backs.
Why TCU will cover: QB Casey Pachall returns for TCU after undergoing a treatment program last season following a drunk driving arrest. Pachall is 15-2 as the Horned Frogs starter.
OUR PICK: LSU
Mississippi State at No. 13 Oaklahoma State (-13, O/U 62)
Why Mississippi State will cover: Oklahoma State’s defence isn’t exactly a Rubik’s Cube, allowing an average of 47.2 points in its five losses last year.
Why Oklahoma State will cover: That Cowboys defence can take advantage of the fact that Mississippi State has several new starters at receiver and on the offensive line.
OUR PICK: Oklahoma State
Temple at No. 14 Notre Dame (-29.5, O/U 53)
Why Temple will cover: First game for new Owls head coach Matt Rhule, who is overhauling an offence that averaged the fifth-fewest passing yards in the FBS last year. Irish lost LB Manti Te’o and two starting tight ends from last year’s national finalist squad.
Why Notre Dame will cover: Irish ranked seventh in the country in total defence a year ago and has eight starters back from that unit. Notre Dame is motivated to show that last year’s embarrassing loss in the national final is behind them.
OUR PICK: Under
New Mexico State at No. 15 Texas (-43, O/U 58)
Why New Mexico State will cover: Longhorns are at BYU next week on ESPN 2 and might not be interested in playing their starters longer than they have to.
Why Texas will cover: There’s excitement in Austin once again this year. Coach Mack Brown says this is his best Texas squad in several seasons. Oh, and New Mexico State is awful.
OUR PICK: Texas
UL Monroe at No. 16 Oklahoma (-21.5, O/U 61)
Why UL Monroe will cover: Warhawks have the abilities to exploit suspect Oklahoma defence that allowed an average of 37.8 points in the final five games of last season. Sooners lost star QB Landry Jones to the NFL.
Why Oklahoma will cover: Coming off a disappointing year that included a 41-13 loss to Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, Oklahoma should be motivated to put on a good show in the opener.
OUR PICK: UL Monroe
Central Michigan at No. 17 Michigan (-31.5, O/U 52)
Why CMU will cover: Michigan is playing its first game without former star QB Denard Robinson. Michigan is also inexperienced at receiver.
Why Michigan will cover: Wolverines have rocked CMU by combined score of 113-24 in previous three meetings.
OUR PICK: Central Michigan
Wyoming at No. 18 Nebraska (-30, O/U 67)
Why Wyoming will cover: Third-year QB Brett Smith is one of the better returning passers in NCAA football, throwing 27 touchdowns and just six interceptions a year ago.
Why Nebraska will cover: A school-record crowd of 92,000 is expected to attend the game after the stadium expanded its seating capacity during the offseason.
OUR PICK: Wyoming
No. 19 Boise State at Washington (-3.5, O/U 53)
Why Boise State will cover: Broncos won last year’s meeting between the clubs, 28-26 in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Why Washington will cover: Revenge from the bowl game. And when a non-ranked team is favoured over a ranked team, the linemakers are suggesting something.
OUR PICK: Washington
Nevada at No. 21 UCLA (-21, O/U 66.5)
Why Nevada will cover: First game for new head coach Brian Polian, who inherits a Wolfpack team that has appeared in eight straight bowl games.
Why UCLA will cover: Line has risen from an opener of 14 points. When there’s that much line movement on a game involving a Nevada team, it’s worth paying attention to.
OUR PICK: UCLA
No. 22 Northwestern at California (+6, O/U 60)
Why Northwestern will cover: Wildcats are ranked in the preseason for the first time since 2001 and have their sights set on a Big Ten championship, not just playing in a bowl game.
Why Cal will cover: Golden Bears have explosive RB Brendan Bigelow back from last year. New coach Sonny Dykes led Louisiana Tech to 51.5 points per game last season.
OUR PICK: Cal
Massachusetts at No. 23 Wisconsin (-44.5, O/U 53.5)
Why UMass will cover: Wisky offence could struggle in first game without star tailback Montee Ball, who holds NCAA career record for touchdowns.
Why Wisconsin will cover: First game for new coach Gary Andersen, whose Utah State defence allowed just 15.4 points per game last year.
OUR PICK: Under
Eastern Washington at No. 25 Oregon State (-27)
Why EWU will cover: Eagles were competitive against Pac-12 teams the last two years, falling by three to Washington in 2011 and by four to Washington State a season ago.
Why Oregon State will cover: Last time Eastern Washington played a ranked opponent, it lost 59-7 to California in 2009.
OUR PICK: Eastern Washington