The college football season has officially begun this week, even though it started last week. Thursday kicked off Week 1 with a few entertaining matchups, but a full day of gridiron action is on tap for Saturday! As I stated in my Thursday CFB best bets, with all the changes in college football ala the transfer portal, it’s hard to predict how teams will perform each year to start. 

 

 

 

Just look at the North Carolina State Wolfpack. They entered as huge favorites on Thursday against the Western Carolina Catamounts but were actually trailing entering the 4th quarter before eventually pulling away. That’s why we love college football!

CFB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: Saturday, 8/31

Now that the time has come, it’s time to share our Week 1 CFB best bets! For this first Saturday article on CFB predictions, I’m focusing on the games happening on August 31st. While Thursday led us off with some intriguing matchups, college football is all about Saturdays.

A few games stand out, so how about we look at my Clemson vs. Georgia prediction, Miami (OH) vs. Northwestern prediction and Georgia State vs. Georgia Tech prediction? Let’s jump right into my CFB picks for Saturday!

  • Season Record: 3-2
  • Units W/L: +0.6 Units

*All CFB best bets to be placed at 1 Unit unless otherwise specified. Be sure to follow me on X/Twitter @stevenw_hall!

 

 

 

Clemson vs. Georgia Prediction: Saturday, August 31st

In what could be the game of the week, we have a stellar matchup awaiting us between the Tigers and Bulldogs, which will lead off my CFB predictions. 

Everyone knows about this Georgia team – they seem to be, unanimously, the best team in college football at this point. They’re favored to win the national championship for a reason. 

But we can’t sleep on Clemson, either. Dabo Swinney is looking to bring this program back into the CFP mix and he’s got all the pieces to do so. Two veterans in Cade Klubnik and Phil Mafah will line up in the backfield together and lead the offense. 

It’s tough because this is a team that REFUSES to use the transfer portal (zero additions this offseason) and will need to have players step up on the defensive side of the ball to hold Carson Beck in check. Not an easy task to do, but between coaching, talent and pedigree, Clemson should be able to at least put up a solid fight. 

And that’s all we’re asking for here with such a large spread. I do think Georgia wins this game, but by this many points, in Week 1? I would love it if this line were +13.5 or more, but I still like the Tigers’ chances to play a respectable game and cover here. Just two of their regular season losses from the past two regular seasons came by double digits.

 

 

 

Miami (OH) vs. Northwestern Prediction: Saturday, August 31st

This next portion of CFB best bets is certainly more of an under-the-radar type of game compared to the one above. But it’s still one that I want to attack. 

Northwestern isn’t going to blow you away with any numbers, or even players, on paper, but this is simply a team that fought for first-year head coach David Braun so hard last season, easily exceeding their 2023 expectations coming in. They didn’t really lose all that much, and now, the players they did have, have an extra offseason in this system. 

On the other side, this is definitely a solid Miami (OH) team that should once again be in the running for the MAC title. Brett Gabbert is probably the best QB in the conference, but their star RB from a season ago now plays for Ole Miss. 

The sheer difference between MAC-level competition and Big Ten-level competition should also play a factor here, plus the fact that this will be the Wildcats’ home opener to start the season. It should be a good game throughout, but I like NU to wind up pulling off the victory. This seems like a 27-21 sort of outcome. 

 

 

 

Georgia State vs. Georgia Tech Prediction: Saturday, August 31st

Rounding out my CFB best bets for Week 1 will be another matchup featuring teams from The Peach State. No, I don’t live in Georgia, and no, this wasn’t done on purpose; it’s just how things wound up shaking out.

As for the game itself, it’s really hard for me to fade Georgia Tech after seeing what they did a week ago. Whether that’s more GT playing well or Florida State not being as good as we anticipated is yet to be seen, but for now, why not ride the hot team? QB Haynes King might not have put up the most gaudy numbers, but it’s clear he has some sort of “it” and is just a winner. 

Jamal Haynes at RB did put up some healthy numbers, and he should continue to be a focal point of this offense moving forward. Where the Yellow Jackets really impressed though was on defense. They held the Seminole to a measly 291 total yards on just 5 yards per play. They came up big time after time and their confidence has to be through the roof at this point.

There are two sides to every football game however, so what about Georgia State? Well, they have a brand-new head coach this season after going just 7-6 in 2023. Last season’s team also looks much different than this year’s from a personnel standpoint, including four QBs battling for the starting spot. 

Add all these things up and that sounds like a Georgia Tech thumping to me. I’d be quite surprised if they don't control this game from start to finish.

 

 

 

Best CFB Prop Bets & Other Picks - Saturday, 8/31