Top 5 Must-Win Games in College Football’s Week 1: Pressure is on LSU

5. Alabama at Wisconsin - September 14

The Kalen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa begins on August 31 with a home game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Being the head coach after Nick Saban is a pressure-packed endeavor, but DeBoer seems well-suited for the job. His first real test will come on September 14 as the Badgers hit the road for a rare trip North against Big Ten foe Wisconsin. This game will be the primary tune-up for the Crimson Tide before they meet the Georgia Bulldogs in Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28. Still, Wisconsin could give them trouble if they are looking ahead or are not sharp in the new system.

Alabama 2024 Win Total: 9.5

2. Miami at Florida - August 31

Perhaps no week one game (technically occurring on August 31 but considered September for this list) features more pressure for both teams than the in-state clash in The Swamp between the University of Florida and the Miami Hurricanes. Florida head coach Billy Napier is in one of the hottest seats in the nation, and the Florida Gators face a true gauntlet of a schedule in 2024, which is easily the nation’s most challenging slate. Having so many likely losses places a heightened sense of importance on any winnable home game, and if the Gators are going to exceed expectations, they’ll need to grab this win. Mario Cristobal’s job is likely not on the line this season, but he is under a lot of pressure to produce on the field after another stellar recruiting cycle. The Hurricanes loaded up in the transfer portal and added quarterback Cam Ward. They may have the most talented roster in the ACC, but a loss in week one to a team with a win total of 4.5 would quickly dampen hopes for “The U.”

Miami (-2.5) at Florida

3. Clemson at North Carolina State - September 21

The Clemson Tigers enter the 2024 season needing to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season. The Tigers began that season 4-4 before rattling off five straight wins to finish 9-4. That is fine, but it’s short of expectations for the proud program, and returning to the top of the ACC is priority No. 1 for Dabo Swinney’s program. Part of the 4-4 start included a loss to North Carolina State in Raleigh, and the Tigers are hosting NC State on September 21. This game will come after matchups with Georgia and Appalachian State, so a 1-1 record seems likely for Clemson, while North Carolina State will be coming off a clash with Tennessee and could also be at 1-1. The winner will have a leg-up in the race to get to the ACC Championship Game, while the loser will be staring at a losing record.

Odds to Win ACC: Clemson (+350)/NC State (+650)

4. Illinois at Nebraska - September 20

There were two Nebraska games in September that could have been placed on this list: the September 7 clash against Colorado is the first option, but let’s go with a Friday Night Lights meeting with the Illinois Fighting Illini. Nebraska has not been to a bowl game in nearly a decade. That is a remarkable statement, but things have been rotten in Lincoln since firing Bo Pelini. The hope is very high that this is the season the Huskers will return to the postseason. Five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola will be making his Big Ten debut in this primetime meeting, and Nebraska’s schedule is very backloaded, so they have to get off to a hot start. This game will be critical for their bowl hopes.

Nebraska 2024 Win Total: 7.5

5. Alabama at Wisconsin - September 14

The Kalen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa begins on August 31 with a home game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Being the head coach after Nick Saban is a pressure-packed endeavor, but DeBoer seems well-suited for the job. His first real test will come on September 14 as the Badgers hit the road for a rare trip North against Big Ten foe Wisconsin. This game will be the primary tune-up for the Crimson Tide before they meet the Georgia Bulldogs in Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28. Still, Wisconsin could give them trouble if they are looking ahead or are not sharp in the new system.

Alabama 2024 Win Total: 9.5