The 2025 college football season begins for real this weekend, with a five-day buffet of games beginning Thursday night and continuing right through Monday.
AL.com’s college football staff picks are also back for another round. Scroll along below to find out how various AL.com sports staffers see this week’s big games playing out, along with predicted scores for the Alabama and Auburn games.
A reminder that these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means that each person’s selection doesn’t necessarily mean he or she thinks that team will win outright, just that it will cover the point spread.
(If you’re wondering where UAB, South Alabama and Troy are, they open the season with FCS opponents, so they’re not included this week. They will be part of the picks beginning with Week 2.)
On with this week’s picks (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):
Jacksonville State opens the 2025 season on Thursday night at Central Florida. Brandon Phillips, Jax State PhotoJacksonville State (+18.5) at Central Florida, 6 p.m. Thursday, ESPN+
Thomas Ashworth: Jacksonville State
Michael Casagrande: Central Florida
Ben Flanagan: Jacksonville State
Izzy Gould: Jacksonville State
Patrick Greenfield: Central Florida
Andrew Hammond: Jacksonville State
Jerry Humphrey: Central Florida
Mark Inabinett: Central Florida
Nick Kelly: Central Florida
Peter Rauterkus: Central Florida
Creg Stephenson: Jacksonville State
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders directs his team against Cincinnati in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)APGeorgia Tech (-4.5) at Colorado, 7 p.m. Friday, ESPN
Thomas Ashworth: Georgia Tech
Michael Casagrande: Georgia Tech
Ben Flanagan: Georgia Tech
Izzy Gould: Colorado
Patrick Greenfield: Georgia Tech
Andrew Hammond: Georgia Tech
Jerry Humphrey: Colorado
Mark Inabinett: Colorado
Nick Kelly: Georgia Tech
Peter Rauterkus: Georgia Tech
Creg Stephenson: Georgia Tech
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) catches an interception in the end zone during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)APSyracuse (+14) vs. Tennessee (Atlanta), 11 a.m., ABC
Thomas Ashworth: Syracuse
Michael Casagrande: Tennessee
Ben Flanagan: Tennessee
Izzy Gould: Syracuse
Patrick Greenfield: Tennessee
Andrew Hammond: Syracuse
Jerry Humphrey: Tennessee
Mark Inabinett: Syracuse
Nick Kelly: Syracuse
Peter Rauterkus: Syracuse
Creg Stephenson: Syracuse
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs against Ohio State during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)APTexas (+2.5) at Ohio State, 11 a.m., Fox
Thomas Ashworth: Ohio State
Michael Casagrande: Ohio State
Ben Flanagan: Texas
Izzy Gould: Texas
Patrick Greenfield: Ohio State
Andrew Hammond: Ohio State
Jerry Humphrey: Ohio State
Mark Inabinett: Texas
Nick Kelly: Texas
Peter Rauterkus: Ohio State
Creg Stephenson: Texas
Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen (2) prepares to pass against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. Florida won 45-28. (AP Photo/James Pugh)APMississippi State (-13.5) at Southern Miss, 11 a.m., ESPN
Thomas Ashworth: Southern Miss
Michael Casagrande: Mississippi State
Ben Flanagan: Southern Miss
Izzy Gould: Mississippi State
Patrick Greenfield: Mississippi State
Andrew Hammond: Southern Miss
Jerry Humphrey: Mississippi State
Mark Inabinett: Southern Miss
Nick Kelly: Mississippi State
Peter Rauterkus: Southern Miss
Creg Stephenson: Southern Miss
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney guides the No. 17 Tigers against the No. 8 SMU Mustangs in the ACC Championship game today. This game is available on multiple streaming services. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)APLSU (+3.5) at Clemson, 6:30 p.m., ABC
Thomas Ashworth: Clemson
Michael Casagrande: Clemson
Ben Flanagan: Clemson
Izzy Gould: LSU
Patrick Greenfield: Clemson
Andrew Hammond: Clemson
Jerry Humphrey: Clemson
Mark Inabinett: LSU
Nick Kelly: Clemson
Peter Rauterkus: Clemson
Creg Stephenson: Clemson
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman walks on the field before the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff against Georgia, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)APNotre Dame (-2.5) at Miami, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, ABC
Thomas Ashworth: Notre Dame
Michael Casagrande: Notre Dame
Ben Flanagan: Notre Dame
Izzy Gould: Notre Dame
Patrick Greenfield: Notre Dame
Andrew Hammond: Miami
Jerry Humphrey: Miami
Mark Inabinett: Miami
Nick Kelly: Miami
Peter Rauterkus: Miami
Creg Stephenson: Notre Dame
North Carolina coach Bill Belichick. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)APTCU (-3.5) at North Carolina, 7 p.m., Monday, ESPN
Thomas Ashworth: TCU
Michael Casagrande: TCU
Ben Flanagan: North Carolina
Izzy Gould: TCU
Patrick Greenfield: North Carolina
Andrew Hammond: North Carolina
Jerry Humphrey: North Carolina
Mark Inabinett: North Carolina
Nick Kelly: North Carolina
Peter Rauterkus: North Carolina
Creg Stephenson: North Carolina
Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman (8) celebrates with his teammates after his touchdown catch against Alabama during the second half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)APAuburn (-2.5) at Baylor, 7 p.m. Friday, Fox
Thomas Ashworth: Auburn 31, Baylor 24
Michael Casagrande: Auburn 28, Baylor 21
Ben Flanagan: Baylor 24, Auburn 20
Izzy Gould: Auburn 31, Baylor 27
Patrick Greenfield: Baylor 21, Auburn 17
Andrew Hammond: Baylor 28, Auburn 20
Jerry Humphrey: Auburn 24, Baylor 21
Mark Inabinett: Auburn 29, Baylor 28
Nick Kelly: Auburn 24, Baylor 20
Peter Rauterkus: Baylor 24, Auburn 21
Creg Stephenson: Baylor 23, Auburn 20
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 28: Deontae Lawson #0 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after his sack against the Georgia Bulldogs during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Getty ImagesAlabama (-13.5) at Florida State, 2:30 p.m., ABC
Thomas Ashworth: Alabama 35, Florida State 17
Michael Casagrande: Alabama 34, Florida State 28
Ben Flanagan: Alabama 33, Florida State 24
Izzy Gould: Alabama 38, Florida State 20
Patrick Greenfield: Alabama 28, Florida State 14
Andrew Hammond: Alabama 26, Florida State 17
Jerry Humphrey: Alabama 31, Florida State 17
Mark Inabinett: Alabama 31, Florida State 18
Nick Kelly: Alabama 34, Florida State 17
Peter Rauterkus: Alabama 28, Florida State 17
Creg Stephenson: Alabama 41, Florida State 21
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