College Football Week 1 Picks: Who Will Open With a Victory?

SI staff predictions for Clemson vs Georgia, Alabama vs Miami, Penn State vs Wisconsin and more key clashes.

Week 1 of the 2021 college football season is finally here, and it's a good one— anchored by a marquee Saturday night showdown between No. 3 Clemson and No. 5 Georgia that already carries playoff implications.

After getting a taste of action in Week 0, Week 1 consists of five straight days of matchups. In addition to the usual Thursday, Friday and Saturday games, the FBS slate will see Florida State host No. 9 Notre Dame on Sunday night and Louisville and Ole Miss meet in Atlanta on Labor Day. In addition, Alabama–Miami, Penn State–Wisconsin, Indiana–Iowa and Louisiana–Texas round out the opening top-25 battles, and a host of other intriguing clashes await.

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Who will prevail in Week 1? Five Sports Illustrated writers and editors—Pat Forde, Ross Dellenger, Richard Johnson, John Garcia and Molly Geary—make their predictions for 16 key games.

MORE: Week 1 Best Bets: Composite System Picks Favorites, Underdogs

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