No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 2 Ohio State highlights this week's slate.
A dandy matchup of traditional powers expected to contend for the national championship highlights college football Week 1.
The fifth-ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame travel to the Horseshoe to face No. 2 Ohio State in a colossal contest with huge implications for both squads.
FrontPageBets looks at the battle in Columbus, Ohio, as well as a full slate starting Thursday that includes No. 11 Oregon against defending national champion No. 3 Georgia.Â
In this week's FPBcast, Gerry Ahern and Mike Szvetitz break down the top FBS matchups, including No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Ohio State.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings and are subject to change)
Notre Dame outlook
Former Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman replaces Brian Kelly as the head coach of the Irish and has the talent to compete for a College Football Playoff bid. He'll have a new quarterback in the versatile Tyler Buchner running an offense with big-time weapons.
Tight end Michael Mayer puts pressure on defenses. Running back Chris Tyree can open things up for Buchner by sustaining possessions.
The defense, led by new coordinator Al Golden, will look to turn up the heat with players such as defensive end Isaiah Foskey (11 sacks, six forced fumbles in 2021). Middle linebacker JD Bertrand is back after leading the team with 101 tackles last season.
Ohio State outlook
Coach Ryan Day is feeling some discomfort after the Buckeyes let a Big Ten title and playoff bid slip away with a loss to rival Michigan. He returns QB C.J. Stroud, the Heisman Trophy favorite and much more.
Running back TreyVeyon Henderson and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba can take over games and may frustrate Notre Dame.
New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is focused on more effectively stopping the run. That starts with a deep linebacking corps led by Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers.Â
No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Ohio State
- When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ABC
- Spread: Ohio State -17.5 (-110); Notre Dame +17.5 (-110)
- Money line: Ohio State -850; Notre Dame +600
- O/U: 58.5 (-110)
- The pick: Ohio State, 35-21
With the season right around the corner, FrontPageBets takes a look at the odds for each of the AP’s top 25 to win the national championship.
Other Top 25 games
Central Michigan vs. No. 12 Oklahoma State
- When: Thursday, 7 p.m., FS1
- Spread: Oklahoma State -21 (-110); Central Michigan +21 (-110)
- Money line: Oklahoma State -1800; Central Michigan +1000
- O/U: (59 (-110)
- The pick: Oklahoma State, 48-13
West Virginia vs. No. 17 Pittsburgh
- When: Thursday, 7 p.m., ESPN
- Spread: Pittsburgh -7 (-110); West Virginia +7 (-105)
- Money line: Pittsburgh -275; West Virginia +230
- O/U: 51 (-110)
- The pick: Pittsburgh, 27-17
Virginia Military Institute vs. No. 22Â Wake Forest
- When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m., ACCN
- Spread: No line
- Money line: No line
- O/U: No line
Western Michigan vs. No. 15 Michigan State
- When: Friday, 7 p.m., ESPN
- Spread: Michigan State -22 (-110); Western Michigan +22 (-110)
- Money line: Michigan State -2100; Western Michigan +1100
- O/U: 54.5 (-110)
- The pick: Michigan State, 35-17
Sam Houston vs. No. 6 Texas A&M
- When: Saturday, noon, SECN
- Spread: No line
- Money line: No line
- O/U: No line
Colorado State vs. No. 8 Michigan
- When: Saturday, noon, ABC
- Spread: Michigan -28 (-110); Colorado State +28 (-110)
- Money line: Michigan -8000; Colorado State +2000
- O/U: 58.5 (-110)
- The pick: Michigan, 48-10
No. 13 N.C. State vs. East Carolina
- When: Saturday, noon, ESPN
- Spread: N.C. State -11 (-110); East Carolina +11 (-110)
- Money line: N.C. State -390; East Carolina +320
- O/U: 55 (-110)
- The pick: N.C. State, 49-10
No. 11 Oregon vs. No. 3 Georgia
- When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC
- Spread: Georgia -17 (-110); Oregon +17 (-110)
- Money line: Georgia -850; Oregon +600
- O/U: 52 (-110)
- The pick: Georgia, 45-17
UTEP vs. No. 9 Oklahoma
- When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Fox
- Spread: Oklahoma -32 (-110); UTEP +32 (-110)
- Money line: No line
- O/U: 56.5 (-110)
- The pick: Oklahoma, 51-7Â
Bethune-Cookman vs. No. 16 Miami
- When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ACCN
- Spread: No line
- Money line: No line
- O/U: No line
No. 23 Cincinnati vs. No. 19 Arkansas
- When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
- Spread: Arkansas -6 (-110); Cincinnati +6 (-110)
- Money line: Arkansas -230; Cincinnati +195
- O/U: 52 (-110)
- The pick: Arkansas 35-21
No. 24 Houston vs. UTSA
- When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBSSN
- Spread: Houston -4 (-110); UTSA +4 (-110)
- Money line:- Houston -180; UTSA +155
- O/U:Â 61.5 (-110)
- The pick: Houston, 38-28
- When: Saturday, 4 p.m., SECN
- Spread: Ole Miss -22 (-110); Troy +22 (-110)
- Money line:Â Ole Miss -1800; Troy +1000
- O/U: 58 (-110)
- The pick: Ole Miss, 38-17
No. 25 BYUÂ vs. South Florida
- When: Saturday, 4 p.m., ESPNU
- Spread:Â BYU -11.5 (-110); South Florida +11.5 (-110)
- Money line:Â BYU -450; South Florida +330
- O/U:Â 57.5 (-110)
- The pick:Â BYU, 31-21
- When: Saturday, 6 p.m., PAC12
- Spread: USC -34.5 (-110); Rice +34.5 (0-110)
- Money line: No line
- O/U: 63.5 (-110)
- The pick: USC, 63-3
- When: Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN
- Spread: Utah -2.5 (-110); Florida +2.5 (-110)
- Money line: Utah -145; Florida +125
- O/U: 51 (-110)
- The pick: Florida, 31-28
Albany vs. No. 10 Baylor
- When: Saturday, 7 p.m., BIG12
- Spread: No line
- Money line: No line
- O/U: No line
Illinois State vs. No. 18 Wisconsin
- When: Saturday, 7 p.m., FS1
- Spread: No line
- Money line: No line
- O/U: No line
Miami (Ohio) vs. No. 20 Kentucky
- When: Saturday, 7 p.m., SECN
- Spread: Kentucky -17.5 (-110); Miami (Ohio) +17.5 (-110)
- Money line: Kentucky -1050; Miami (Ohio) +700
- O/U: 52 (-110)
- The pick: Kentucky, 35-17
Utah State vs. No. 1 Alabama
- When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., SECN
- Spread: Alabama -41 (-110); Utah State +41 (-110)Â
- Money line: No line
- O/U: 62.5 (-110)
- The pick: Alabama, 63-10
No. 4 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
- When: Monday, 8 p.m., ESPN
- Spread: Clemson -21.5; (-110); Georgia Tech +21.5 (-110)Â
- Money line: Clemson -2100; Georgia Tech +1100
- O/U: 49 (-110)
- The pick: Clemson, 42-6
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Gerry Ahern is senior content editor for FrontPageBets. A 35-year veteran sports editor and digital media executive, he has led coverage of the biggest events in sports, from Super Bowls, to Final Fours, to Olympics, to the Masters.
