College football picks, schedule: Predictions against the spread, odds for top 25 games Friday in Week 1
A closer look at the top games on the slate as the 2021 college football season kicks off
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2 min read
The first full week of the 2021 college football season is officially underway, and while games were played in Week 0 and there have been a few games already this week, it really gets going on Friday. Before we get another Big Ten battle Friday , we'll get the second showdown involving a top 10 program. No. 10 North Carolina travels to face Virginia Tech in the first ACC league game of the season as the Tar Heels eye a takeover of the conference despite Clemson dominating in the College Football Playoff era.
North Carolina has one of the top quarterbacks in the country in Sam Howell, who is entering his third year as the team's starter after amassing 68 touchdowns and more than 7,000 passing yards across his freshman and sophomore seasons. He's tasked with leading the way for an offense that is replacing a pair of 1,000-yard rushers and a 1,000-yard receiver from last year's 8-4 team. If North Carolina is going to win the Coastal, those new contributors need to be ready early here in a tough spot at Virginia Tech under the lights in Lane Stadium.
In the night cap for Friday's action, Michigan State travels to Northwestern as the reigning Big Ten West champion Wildcats look to defend homefield and avenge their only regular-season loss of 2020. The Spartans only won two games in Year 1 with Mel Tucker, but since they came against Northwestern and rival Michigan, there's a notion that the Spartans' ceiling is being competitive with anyone in the conference.
While winning is all that matters for the standings, we care about whether these teams will cover their spreads. Be sure to stick with CBS Sports throughout the day for college football coverage from the opening kickoff on Friday to the final whistle. Let's take a look at our expert picks for the second big game day of the season.
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook | All times Eastern
No. 10 North Carolina at Virginia Tech
6 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Try for free) -- Playing a season-opening conference road game in front a hostile crowd for the first time since 2019 is a tough ask for the Tar Heels, especially with Howell still gaining comfort with new running backs and receivers. The Virginia Tech defense will be motivated to prove last year's issues were the product of learning a new system amid the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hokies are 2-0 in season openers against ranked opponents under Justin Fuente, and the bet here is they make it 3-0. Prediction: Virginia Tech (+5.5) -- David Cobb
Michigan State at Northwestern
9 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Try for free) -- If I'm betting anything in this game, the under would be my first choice. I think we'll see a situation in which the defenses are further along than the offenses. When it comes to the spread, this same line of thinking pushes me towards Michigan State. Points will be at a premium in a low-scoring game and that field goal could prove valuable. Plus, Pat Fitzgerald teams always perform better against the spread as an underdog, not as a favorite. Prediction: Michigan State (+3) -- Tom Fornelli
Which college football picks can you make with confidence in Week 1, and which national title contender will go down hard? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread -- all from a proven computer model that has returned over $3,600 in profit over the past five-plus seasons -- and find out.
