CBS Sports publishes Week 1 picks for top-25 college football games
CBS Sports experts have released against-the-spread selections for major 2026 opening-week match-ups, including Clemson–LSU and Notre Dame–Wisconsin.
CBS Sports has published expert against-the-spread selections for prominent top-25 college football games in Week 1 of the 2026 season, with Clemson’s visit to No. 11 LSU positioned as the opening weekend’s headline fixture.
The experts selected the under at 50 points for Clemson–LSU, citing changes on both offences and the expectation that the two defences will limit scoring. They also favoured the under at 51.5 points for Oregon–Boise State.
Other reported selections included Ole Miss -6.5 against Louisville, Washington State +23.5 against Washington, Wisconsin +20.5 against Notre Dame and SMU -3 against Florida State.
CBS Sports framed Clemson–LSU as a contrast between Dabo Swinney’s limited use of the transfer portal and Lane Kiffin’s portal-focused recruitment approach. The report also noted that LSU decided not to list two former NFL players on its official roster after a dispute involving the SEC.
The opening week also features Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio State, Indiana, Houston, Oklahoma, Miami and USC. The selections are expert opinions and betting analysis, rather than confirmed results or guarantees, while lines, rankings and schedules may change.
