College Football PrizePicks Week 1 Player Predictions (2023)
The bulk of the Week 1 schedule is set for Saturday, but thankfully, we don’t have to wait that long. College Football is back on Thursday night with 11 games on the slate. That’ll be more than enough opportunities to put together a PrizePicks slip.
Here are three selections to include on PrizePicks before we head into the weekend.
Best Week 1 College Football PrizePicks Player Predictions
Brennan Armstrong Over 248.5 Pass Yards
NC State heads to East Hartford, Conn., on Thursday night to square off against UConn. A Season ago, the Wolfpack offense was electric, but QB Devin Leary has left for Kentucky. Virginia transfer Brennan Armstrong takes his place under center for the wolfpack, and I expect him to pick up right where Leary left off.
Armstrong threw for over 50 touchdowns and 9,000 yards while at Virginia, which is even more relevant considering his offensive coordinator Robert Anae joins him in the move to Raleigh. Meanwhile, the UConn secondary returns just one starter and is made up primarily of freshmen and transfers.
A season ago, the Wolfpack torched the Huskies for nearly 500 yards. The players might differ, but I expect the outcome to be similar. Back Armstrong to have a field day against this Huskies defense at 260 passing yards or better.
John Rhys Plumlee Over 265.5 Pass + Rush Yards.
The Bounce House is back on Thursday night as Gus Malzahn and the Knights welcome in Kent State. Quarterback John Rhys Plumless is back for the Knights, but he’ll be without Isaiah Bowser, UCF’s lead back from a season ago. The Bigger reason to back Plumlee, though, is the Kent State secondary.
The Flashes’ defense saw 10 defensive players leave the team via the portal, and playing their first game of the season in the Bounce House is less than ideal for such a young team. Plumlee has proven his ability to throw and run the ball. Against this defense, I expect him to find success in both. Back Plumlee to make a big statement in the Knights’ first game as a member of the Big 12 at over 270 pass+rush yards or better.
Graham Mertz Under 179.5 Pass Yards
Florida will travel to play their first non-conference away game outside the state of Florida since 1989, and transfer Graham Mertz will lead the way. Utah may not be as productive as some previously expected, as they’ll be without Cam Rising, but their defense will still be as stout as ever. Utah ranks 10th in the FBS in defensive returning production, and I fully expect their defense to pick up the slack with Rising being out. Back the Utah defense to make it a tough start to the season for Mertz and the Gators at under 175 passing yards.
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