Picks for College Football: Schedule, Predictions Against the Spread, Odds for Key Games Today in Week 0

Most of the FBS teams will start their 2022 seasons within seven days. However, for 17 percent of college football’s top Division, play begins in Week 0. Games are scattered from Hawaii to Ireland, as well as Honolulu and Hawaii. There will be six different time zones with these contests so you can watch them all day and into the night.

The highlight of Saturday’s action is Nebraska vs. Northwestern. This matchup, which was played in Ireland, is not only between Power Five foes but also conference rivals. The Cornhuskers are seeking a big start to the season with Scott Frost as coach. Meanwhile, the Wildcats are hoping for a rebound season after disappointing Northwestern fans in 2021’s 3-9 finish.

Although winning is the only thing that matters in the standings, we are concerned about how these games will play out from an overall perspective. CBS Sports will provide college football coverage throughout the day, starting with the first kickoff. Let’s take you through our expert picks to see the best 11 games of Week 0.

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook | All times Eastern

Nebraska vs. Northwestern (Ireland)

Featured game | Northwestern Wildcats vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

12:30 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV You can try it free of charge If I am betting on the spread, Northwestern and the points are my choices — but not because of my faith in the Wildcats. It’s not that there won’t be many points scored in this match. The offensive side of Nebraska has seen a lot of improvements, so there is a good chance that the Cornhuskers will play a limited gameplan in the opening game. Because it is part of the program’s DNA, I expect Northwestern’s defense to improve. We can still trust that Northwestern’s offense will not do too much damage, even if it hasn’t. The best play is to under. Choose: Below 49.5 — Tom Fornelli

Featured game | Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wyoming Cowboys

4 p.m. | Big Ten Network, fuboTV You can try it free of charge The Cowboys were decimated when Isaiah Neyor, a stud wide receiver, left. The entire offensive line’s left side must be rebuilt. The Illini on the other side have Tommy DeVito as their transfer quarterback, and he isn’t going be surprised by what the Cowboys throw at them. The combination of DeVito and established offensive skill players will force Wyoming into a shootout … and it isn’t built for that. Pick: Illinois -10 — Barrett Sallee

Featured game | Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Charlotte 49ers

7 p.m. | CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App — In an effort to boost units that were ranked in the second half of Conference USA’s scoring defense, both the 49ers and Owls bring new defensive personnels to campus. FAU scored 38 points in ease against Charlotte the last time they met. However, Charlotte needs to step up under Chris Reynolds senior quarterback and reach the 30 point per game mark that the team achieved back in 2020. Expect this one to be a shootout, especially Week 0. Choose: More than 59.0 — Shehan Jeyarajah

Featured game | Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. Vanderbilt Commanderes

10:30 p.m. | CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App — Mike Wright, the Vanderbilt quarterback, is one to watch. The problem is? He won’t get much help at Vanderbilt. Timmy Chang has assumed control of the Rainbow Warriors. He’ll announce his arrival with a bang — an offensive performance that will be reminiscent of the time he played for Hawaii as a quarterback. This will force the Commodores to enter a shootout. Wright and Co. will win the shootout due to the dual-threat abilities of the signal caller. Pick: Hawaii +6.5 — Barrett Sallee

You can make college football picks with confidence for Week 0. And which favorite will be a big surprise? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a proven computer model that has returned almost $3,600 in profit over the past six seasons — and find out.