The 2026-27 college football season is officially underway! We have a full Friday night of Week 1 matchups on tap. It’s time to lock in our CFB Best Bets before the games get underway. Check out these CFB Picks for Friday’s Week 1 slate. Without further ado, let’s jump into the top CFB Predictions for the week. 

CFB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: Friday, 9/4

Our CFB Best Bets kick off with Friday night’s matchup between San Jose State and Eastern Michigan. Plus, we’ll dish out CFB predictions for UTEP vs. Oklahoma. Be sure to check out more CFB picks below, including some college football player props. Good luck!  

 

 

 

San Jose State vs. Eastern Michigan Prediction: Friday, September 4th

This is an interesting non-conference matchup between Mountain West and MAC programs. Both teams already have a game under their belts after beginning their seasons last week. Eastern Michigan earned a 28-17 victory at home over Sacramento State, while San Jose State suffered a 42-26 loss at USC. 

Despite the result, San Jose State’s offense showed some encouraging signs in the loss to Southern Cal. Transfer quarterback Luke Weaver found a rhythm with his receivers in the second half as the Spartans put up 23 fourth-quarter points. Yes, it came against some USC backup defenders, but Weaver and the passing attack can carry that momentum into this matchup. 

San Jose State also didn’t use its run game as much after trailing big early on. The Spartans still averaged 4.3 yards per carry, though. The rushing attack should be more of a factor this week against an Eastern Michigan run defense that ranked dead last among all 136 FBS teams last year. 

EMU’s defense looked fine against Sacramento State, but it was also an easy matchup. San Jose State presents a tougher test this time around. If the run game gets going, the Spartans can string together productive drives. Plus, Weaver has the talent to find his receivers downfield – just as he did in last week’s second-half surge.

On the other side, Eastern Michigan’s offense had some encouraging drives and production in the opener. Still, though, it came against a subpar Sacramento State defense that could end up being one of the worst in the country. San Jose State isn’t much better, admittedly, but it comes in battle-tested after having to face the potent USC attack last week. 

There’s value in backing San Jose State to keep this one close. The Spartans are live to pull the outright upset in a toss-up game. Let’s at least count on the road underdogs to cover the spread. 

UTEP vs. Oklahoma Prediction: Friday, September 4th

Oklahoma begins its season with an easy opponent at home. The No. 10 Sooners should win comfortably as massive favorites over UTEP. Instead of worrying about the spread, though, let’s focus on the total for our CFB best bets. 

Points will be very hard to come by for UTEP in this matchup. Oklahoma’s defense is projected to be among the best in the country. The Sooners return many key pieces and starters from last year’s unit that ranked 6th nationally in total defense while allowing just 15.5 points per game (7th in FBS). They could very well shut out UTEP, or hold it to only one score.

In 3 games against non-power conference opponents last year, Oklahoma allowed only 6 combined points. Illinois State and Temple both mustered just a field goal, while Kent State suffered a 44-0 defeat. UTEP’s offense will be severely overmatched, especially along the line. The Miners will start multiple junior college transfers on the offensive line, which is trouble against OU’s elite defensive front.

The only question is how much Oklahoma scores. The Sooners’ offense has tons of talent at the skill positions while returning QB John Mateer. UTEP’s defense won’t put up much of a fight. However, the situational spot means we shouldn’t expect an offensive outburst from OU. 

Oklahoma will take on No. 16 Michigan next week on the road. So, the Sooners will likely use this opener against UTEP as a tune-up of sorts. Expect them to take a big lead by halftime and then take their foot off the gas. Brent Venables should be content to run out the clock in the second half and rest starters with Michigan on deck. 

We actually saw OU take a similar approach in each of its aforementioned easy matchups last year. The under cashed in all 3 games as the Sooners averaged 35.7 points over the first three quarters and then just 4.7 points in the final quarter. They got out to comfortable leads and rolled to easy wins with tougher opponents up next. 

 

 

 

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