Balls in Your Court Week 1 2022 CFB Picks

Week 1 is FINALLY HERE!! The all-caps was necessary and although we love Week 0 football, nothing quite feels like official week 1. Games every night from Thursday to Sunday is truly a blessing and we will make sure to cover games all throughout. A new edition to our picks this year, GAME OF THE WEEK. We will choose one game each week to take a deeper dive on and truly give our thoughts past score predictions. With all of that being said, lets get right into it as there are plenty of tough matchups for week 1.

Jon's 2021 Record: 108-66, (.620)

Zach's 2021 Record: 105-69, (.603)

Thursday, September 1st, 2022:

West Virginia @ Pittsburgh (-7.5)

Jon's Pick: Pitt 27-14

Zach's Pick: Pitt 24-17

Penn State (-3.5) @ Purdue

Jon's Pick: Penn State 34-31

Zach's Pick: Purdue 33-30

Friday, September 2nd, 2022:

Illinois @ Indiana (-3)

Jon's Pick: Illinois 28-17

Zach's Pick: Illinois 21-17

Saturday, September 3rd, 2022:

North Carolina @ App State (Pick 'em)

Jon's Pick: UNC 23-21

Zach's Pick: UNC 21-20

Houston (-4.5) @ UTSA

Jon's Pick: Houston 33-25

Zach's Pick: Houston 34-20

Cincinnati @ Arkansas (-6)

Jon's Pick: Arkansas 28-17

Zach's Pick: Arkansas 17-10

Oregon @ Georgia (-17.5)

Jon's Pick: Georgia 31-15

Zach's Pick: Georgia 20-10

Utah (-2.5) @ Florida

Jon's Pick: Utah 35-27

Zach's Pick: Utah 38-24

Louisville (-4.5) @ Syracuse

Jon's Pick: Louisville 31-10

Zach's Pick: Louisville 26-20

Boise State @ Oregon State (-2.5)

Jon's Pick: Oregon State 24-20

Zach's Pick: Oregon State 23-13

Sunday, September 4th, 2022:

Florida State @ LSU (-3.5)

Jon's Pick: LSU 17-14

Zach's Pick: LSU 14-10

---

Balls In Your Court Game Of the Week: Ohio State (-17) vs Notre Dame

While it was relatively easy to choose the GOW in week 1, we still have a few unknowns with these teams, Notre Dame in particular. With news of up to 4 or 5 offensive lineman sidelined in the leadup, the Fighting Irish and freshly named starting QB Tyler Buchner have a tough challenge ahead of them week 1. Marcus Freeman has eaten up all the billboard material, but Ryan Day appears to be on a mission this year following the loss to arch rival Michigan to end the regular season. We understand how stacked Ohio State is on offense - namely Stroud, Henderson, Smith Njigba, and Harrison Jr to name a few - but I expect Knowles to get the best of this defense as well. The talent is evident and that front 7 will be ready day one for the aggressive nature of the Jim Knowles defense. Notre Dame OC Tommy Rees is a rather conservative play-caller based off last year so a matchup with an offensive juggernaut, coupled with a new starting QB and offensive line injuries, I struggle to see where the points come from with the Irish.

Jon's Game of the Week Pick: Ohio State 45-17

Zach's Game of the Week Pick: Ohio State 42-17

*All bets and lines via DraftKings