College Football Sunday Best Bets: Three More Picks for Week 1

Drew Thirion|published: Sat 5th September, 20:15 2026 The Washington Huskies take the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Husky Stadium in Seattle on Sept. 27, 2025.

After a long, arduous offseason, we’ve finally made it to college football season. Well, we’ve made it back to college football season, but it’s certainly a light slate of games in week one. Actually, most of the best games take place on a Sunday, and that’s the day I’m giving out picks for!

Washington St @ #17 Washington -23.5 Total: 51.5

In the wake of the original Pac-12, Washington State has been left in the rubble. Last season’s Apple Cup was pretty ugly for the Cougars, and while they were able to add Caden Pinnick out of the portal, I have a feeling this one might be ugly again. Most people know how talented Washington’s Demond Williams Jr. is, but what might make them a potential playoff team will be their defense.

The Husky defense, especially at Husky Stadium, was one of the best in the Big 10 last season. Jedd Fisch got 10 defensive starters back in Seattle, and that defense allowed only 18.5 points per game at home last season. They never allowed more than 26 points at home, either, despite tough tests against Oregon and Ohio State. I love Washington in this one, and would lean toward the under as well.

Pick: Washington -23.5

Lean: u51.5

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Wisconsin vs #4 Notre Dame -20.5 Total: 46.5

After a 2-6 start to last season, Wisconsin could’ve rolled over in the back half of their schedule and given up. Instead, they snuck out impressive wins over Washington and Illinois and did enough to keep Luke Fickell employed for at least one more season. It’s been a tenuous period of Wisconsin football, but to give Fickell some grace, no team has been unluckier with injuries than the Badgers.

Unfortunately for Wisconsin, this Notre Dame team is a national title contender. If Wisconsin were back in their golden era, Lambeau Field would feel like a home game, but I doubt that to be the case on Sunday. The Irish had their season ended by week two of last year, and that won’t be the case this time around. Replacing Jeremiyah Love is no simple task, but quarterback C.J. Carr has all the ability in the world to carry this offense on his back. Don’t overthink this one; Notre Dame might hit the over on their own.

Pick: Notre Dame -20.5 and o46.5

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#24 Louisville vs #9 Ole Miss -6.5 Total: 54.5

The only ranked game of the weekend takes place in Nashville, and I’m not sure I understand why the line is set so low. I get it, Lane Kiffin completely reshaped Ole Miss as a program, but the bones he left in place are certainly still there. I think the Rebels will be the best offense in the country, and I’m concerned Louisville might get boat-raced in this one.

Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown will be one of the better backfields in the country, but I don’t have much faith in Ohio State transfer Lincoln Keinholz to replace Miller Moss at quarterback. In a normal situation, I wouldn’t have a ton of belief in Keinholz, but he’s playing behind an entirely new offensive line and throwing to four transfer receivers as well. Louisville is the trendy ACC playoff pick, while Ole Miss is the trendy pick to underperform this year. I couldn’t disagree with either much more and love Ole Miss and the over to finish up the Sunday Slate.

Pick: Ole Miss -6.5 and o54.5

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