College Football Betting Preview: Week 1 picks

Each week during the college football season, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap the board and offer up a pack of picks.

Last year's record

Gold/Silver/Bronze: 24-19-2
Other: 46-33
Twitter picks: 11-5
Overall: 81-57-2

Wyoming (+13) at Iowa

We can dissect this contest from many angles but there's really only one thing to know: Josh Allen will be the quarterback for Wyoming. The ultra-talented junior is likely bound for the NFL after this season, but can leave a lasting impression on the folks in Iowa with a strong performance in the opener. Just last year, the Hawkeyes fell at home to North Dakota State as a massive favorite, and with veteran quarterback C.J. Beathard now in the NFL, expect a very tight game. Wyoming 28, Iowa 24

BYU vs. LSU (-16)

Ed Orgeron's first full season as LSU head coach begins with a non-conference showdown against BYU at the Superdome in New Orleans. The Tigers return preseason All-American running back Derrius Guice, and it's a safe bet that new offensive coordinator Matt Canada uses him extensively against the Cougars. BYU's rush defense was stout last season, but at Pitt, Canada showed he's among the most creative coordinators in the country. LSU's dominant defense should hold BYU and Guice will do enough to cover the 13-point spread. LSU 34, BYU 14

Purdue (+25.5) vs. Louisville

In Jeff Brohm we trust. The new Purdue coach comes from Western Kentucky and Boilermaker fans are hoping he brings his explosive offense with him. The Hilltoppers led the country in scoring last season at 45.5 points per contest, well above the 101st-ranked Boilermakers at 24.6. Purdue will likely need a bunch of points to keep this one with Louisville close, as Lamar Jackson returns to wreak havoc on the college football world again. The reigning Heisman winner is set for another explosive season, but will have to get it done despite some significant losses on the offensive side of the football at receiver and on the offensive line. Jackson will shine and the Cardinals will get the win, but the new-look Purdue outfit keeps it close enough to cover. Louisville 48, Purdue 30

Other games of note

Appalachian State at Georgia (-13)

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Most of the college football world is familiar with Appalachian State thanks to its epic opening-week upset of Michigan in 2007. The Mountaineers have been a strong program since joining the FBS, but Georgia is out to prove something in Kirby Smart's second year with the program and won't take its opponent lightly. Nick Chubb and Sony Michel run wild and the Bulldogs get a big home win to kick off the season. Georgia 34, Appalachian State 10

Cal at North Carolina (-11)

Justin Wilcox begins his career as Cal head coach with a cross-country road trip to play North Carolina in non-conference action. It's not exactly the ideal debut, even with Mitchell Trubisky now in the NFL. Larry Fedora has shown he can produce a successful offense with a number of different quarterbacks, and the Tar Heels should be able to find the end zone plenty against Wilcox's retooled defense. North Carolina 38, Cal 20

West Virginia (+4) vs. Virginia Tech

The Will Grier era begins for West Virginia with a huge non-conference matchup against Virginia Tech. While the Mountaineers lost a number of key players from last year's team, they gained the explosive former Florida quarterback. His addition, alongside the hire of prolific offensive coordinator Jake Spavital, should allow the Big 12 outfit to put up some points versus the Hokies. Whether the Virginia Tech offense can match that after losing standout quarterback Jerod Evans to the NFL remains to be seen. It doesn't appear likely in Week 1. West Virginia 28, Virginia Tech 24

(Odds courtesy: Pinnacle)