College football picks, Week 1: LSU vs. Florida State prediction, odds, spread, game preview, more

The No. 5 LSU Tigers take on the No. 8 Florida State Seminoles in the only top-10 matchup of Week 1. The two teams will face off on Sunday, September 3 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be available to watch on ABC.

Florida State won last year’s matchup, the first of a two-game series, by blocking an LSU extra point that would have sent the game to overtime. LSU enters as the favorite this year, favored by just two points. LSU ended up beating Alabama and reaching the SEC Championship game, where they fell to Georgia. Florida State had a rough October that saw them drop three conference games in a row last year, and they were cut out of the ACC finals.

Jayden Daniels returns at quarterback for LSU this season, and their biggest issue in the offseason was improving their offensive line — the Tigers allowed the second-most sacks in the SEC last season. FSU hit the transfer portal hard this offseason, and they will be led by veteran QB Jordan travis, entering his sixth season in college.

Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup and a pick for the game.

SP+ Rankings

LSU: 5 overall, 10 offense, 14 defense
FSU: 12 overall, 23 offense, 18 defense

Injury update

LSU

RB Armoni Goodwin - Out (injury)John Emery - Out (undisclosed)DL Maason Smith - Out (suspension)OL Kimo Makane’ole - Probable

RB Josh Williams - Probable

FSU

WR Ja’khi Douglas - Out (undisclosed)

ATS/Total

Against The Spread in 2022 (check here)

LSU: 8-6 ATS
FSU: 8-5 ATS

Total in 2022 (check here)

LSU: Over 8-6
FSU: Over 7-6

Current lines at DraftKings Sportsbook

Spread: LSU -2
Total: 56.5
Moneyline: LSU -135, FSU +114

Weather

The Pick

FSU +2

It was a one-point game last year, and it certainly could be again this weekend. The Noles bring one of the most experienced teams in the country to the field this season, and Mike Norvell’s team has quickly risen in the ranks from year to year. FSU was dominating the game heading into the fourth quarter last year, and as both teams return plenty of starters, this should be a close rematch with some excellent offensive play from both teams.