Clear your calendar, make sure that refrigerator is stocked and plan out a little stretching time, my friends, because we are ready to embrace a full slate of college football. Oh, it's good to be back. Georgia Tech kicked off the 2024 season in style with an upset of Florida State.
The opening Saturday, however, was simply a precursor to the long-awaited arrival of Week 1. There are several Top 25 showdowns, rivalries and even a conference game on the slate. And there will be upsets.
Enough talking, more picks. Enjoy the weekend. Illinois State at No.
25 Iowa, Noon ET As usual, defense will be the strength of Iowa's roster and should minimize any concerns of an upset alert against Illinois State. But, uh, I'm a little concerned about the Hawkeyes' quarterback situation—which I know is preaching to the choir for much of the fanbase. Prediction : Iowa 27, Illinois State 10 Western Carolina at No.
24 North Carolina State, Thursday, 7 p.m. ET Western Carolina had a quality 7-4 team in 2023, but a bad Arkansas team wrecked the Catamounts 56-13.
Given that North Carolina State may contend for an ACC crown, this result should be straightforward. Prediction : NC State 41, Western Carolina 14 No. 23 USC vs.
No. 13 LSU, Sunday, 7:30 p.m.
ET For prediction, see No. 13 LSU. Lindenwood at No.
22 Kansas, 8 p.m. ET In the program's third year as a Division I team, Lindenwood isn't expected to challenge Kansas.
The bigger story is the return of KU's extremely talented, oft-injured quarter.