Rock M Pick ‘Em: Week 1

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Happy Week 1 of the College Football season. The Missouri Tigers start Year 7 of the Eli Drinkwitz era tonight vs Arkansas Pine-Bluff — continuing their Thursday night opening tradition. Elsewhere, Baylor vs Auburn in Atlanta and Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut vs Clemson highlight the Saturday slate. On Sunday, No. 24 Louisville vs No. 9 Ole Miss in Nashville is the only ranked matchup of the weekend.

Let’s make some Week 1 picks! (Odds provided by our partners over at FanDuel Sportsbook)

But first, a standings recap after the Week 0 action:

Stava: 2-2 SU (2-2 ATS)

Gustafson: 1-3 SU (1-3 ATS)

Matejka: 2-2 SU (2-2 ATS)

Lewis: 2-2 SU (2-2 ATS)

Hurst: 2-2 SU (2-2 ATS)

Thursday: No. 25 Missouri Tigers (-54.5) vs Arkansas Pine-Bluff(7:00 p.m. CST on SEC Network) — Will Mizzou cover the spread?

Sammy Stava: I don’t think there’s any chance Mizzou covers this big spread rolling in a new-look offense. Tigers still win comfortably, of course. 45-3, Missouri.

Matthew Gustafson: With a new quarterback, new coaches and plenty of new faces elsewhere, I think this game will resemble the UMass game last year more than the Central Arkansas game. I’ll call it… 48-7, Mizzou.

Josh Matejka: I generally don’t like to pick Mizzou to cover ridiculous spreads like this. They’ll burn me every once in a while, but with so many new receivers, a new QB and missing their top RB and OL, I think Drinkwitz will be content to roll the clock out after taking a few touchdown lead into the half. Let’s say 42-6, Mizzou.

Jaden Lewis: I’m really excited to see how all the new elements on offense look for Mizzou on Thursday night. I think they get things rolling offensively. Mizzou 58-13.

Nathan Hurst:

Baylor Bears vs Auburn Tigers (-7.5) in Atlanta (2:30 p.m. CST on ABC)

Sammy Stava: I like the Alex Golesh hire for Auburn, and bringing in USF transfer Byrum Brown was a huge addition at quarterback. Auburn should have the home-field advantage in the ATL. Tigers over Bears, 31-20.

Matthew Gustafson: In just about any matchup between a mediocre to supbar Big 12 squad and a mediocre to supbar SEC team, I’ll take the team from the SEC. And Auburn might be better than mediocre under Alex Golesh and Byrum Brown, especially with a crowd that should be more than friendly for the Tigers in Atlanta. Give me Auburn in a 34-24 final.

Josh Matejka: Auburn is… back? Maybe not, but they’re talented enough to beat Baylor. And that’s before you count the new coach bump. Tigers win 34-17.

Jaden Lewis: Alex Golesh is an up and coming coach looking to revive Auburn football with Byrum Brown, while DJ Lagway is trying to help Baylor bounce back from a down year in 2025. In Atlanta, I think its the Tigers that pull away 30-20.

Nathan Hurst:

Clemson Tigers at No. 11 LSU Tigers (-10.5) (6:30 p.m. CST on ABC)

Sammy Stava: I just can’t see LSU losing Lane Kiffin’s debut, especially on a night home game. Big debut from Sam Leavitt as well. 35-23, LSU.

Matthew Gustafson: An ultra-talented LSU team in Lane Kiffin’s debut facing the crumbling ruins of Dabo Swinney’s former dynasty? On a Saturday night in Baton Rouge? Yeah, give me LSU in this one, 34-21.

Josh Matejka: Lane Kiffin may be pissing a lot of people of these days (and these years), but he’s still a damn good coach who can put together a damn good team. I think they’ll roll Clemson on his home debut. Lane Train wins big, 37-21.

Jaden Lewis: It’s hard to think that LSU will lose its home opener with Lane Kiffin. It surely won’t happen, right? Baton Rouge is such a tough place to play, LSU 16-10.

Nathan Hurst:

UCLA Bruins (-1.5) at Cal Bears (9:30 p.m. CST on ESPN)

Sammy Stava: Cal sophomore quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is coming off a freshman All-American season, and the Bears brought in Ohio transfer wide receiver Chase Hendricks — who Mizzou targeted in the offseason. Cal should win this one at home, 24-20.

Matthew Gustafson: Cal’s been a fun program to watch over the last few years, and they should get better under Tosh Lupoi. Bob Chesney was also a great hire for UCLA, but I’ll take the Golden Bears in a nationally televised night game at home, 27-24.

Josh Matejka: Chase Hendricks is going to make me sad all season, I can feel it. I think he catches a touchdown in his Golden Bears debut, a 27-21 win over UCLA.

Jaden Lewis: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is one of the game’s young stars, while Nico Iameleava is heading into his second year after departing from Tennessee. It’s a fun quarterback matchup with two first-year head coaches. UCLA 28-21.

Nathan Hurst:

Sunday: No. 24 Louisville Cardinals vs No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels (-6.5) in Nashville (6:30 p.m. CST on ABC)

Sammy Stava: I don’t think Louisville’s defense will be able to handle the prolific Rebel offense led by Chambliss and Lacy. 31-20, Ole Miss.

Matthew Gustafson: Anyone else remember Lincoln Kienholz from the Cotton Bowl in 2023? Well, he’s transferred to Louisville since then and is now the starting QB for the Cardinals. He’s also going to be outmatched trying to outgun Trinidad Chambliss in his debut. Ole Miss wins this one, 35-21.

Josh Matejka: Trinidad Chambliss has a lot to prove in his final – well, who’s to say on that front – season, and he won’t let a Top 25 match up at home mess that up. Rebels run, 33-20.

Jaden Lewis: Mississippi has a lot of motivation for this season. Trinidad Chambliss returns, and the team aspires to get back to the playoffs after a year when their head coach left them during the season. Louisville has been a respectable program as well, but give me Mississippi 31-19.

Nathan Hurst:

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