CBS Sports Makes Way-Too-Early Picks for Week 1 Of College Football

by Staff Reporter

March 31, 20261 Comments

Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Brad Crawford and CBS Sports recently made some "way too early" picks for Week 1 College Football games in 2026, including three matchups featuring SEC teams.

quote:
Baylor vs. Auburn (Atlanta)
When: Saturday, Sept. 5 | Early line: Auburn -7.5

Dave Aranda has one more season to prove he's the long-term solution for the Bears, given their fall from grace since winning the Big 12 in 2021 to cap his second campaign. They're just 22-28 since, failing in countless marquee matchups -- like last season's opener to these Tigers and then-coach Hugh Freeze. Auburn is one of several SEC programs with a new coach in 2026 after South Florida's Alex Golesh left Tampa for the Plains and brought many of his top players with him. This should be an Auburn-heavy crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and that will help the Tigers. Prediction: Auburn 30, Baylor 24

Ole Miss vs. Louisville (Nashville)
When: Saturday, Sept. 5 | Early line: Ole Miss -8.5

Ole Miss paid up this offseason to keep running back Kewan Lacy from leaving, along with assisting with the legal team for quarterback Trinidad Chambliss against the NCAA for eligibility purposes. The Rebels may hold the SEC's most potent 1-2 punch offensively, but it's the other side of the football that must prove its worth for Pete Golding. This is a dangerous game for the favorites considering Louisville's confidence level. The Cardinals have managed three consecutive finishes with nine or more wins under Jeff Brohm and love the Lincoln Kienholz (Ohio State transfer)-Isaac Brown combination they'll have in the backfield. Prediction: Ole Miss 38, Louisville 35

Clemson at LSU
When: Saturday, Sept. 5 | Early line: LSU -11.5

One of these teams signed the nation's top-ranked transfer class, while the other is slotted at No. 66 overall. You can probably guess which one owned the portal. Lane Kiffin is out for blood in Year 1 with the Tigers with a new-look roster and coaching staff in Baton Rouge. Dabo Swinney made necessary personnel changes at his program as well but is running out of opportunities to get back to the top. Clemson hasn't won a College Football Playoff game since 2019 and has lost three straight season openers. Spoiling Kiffin's debut at Tiger Stadium is going to be a challenge as a double-digit underdog, the largest spread against Clemson since Georgia (12.5 points) to open the 2024 campaign. Prediction: LSU 31, Clemson 17