In Week 0, we got a little sample of college football. But now, it is time to unleash the beast with Week 1, as most teams will be in action. With the NFL still a week away, college football has free reign, starting with the Thursday slate.
Tonight, there are 17 college football games on tap, including Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola going against Cincinnati, and Boise State vs. USF kicking off the slate at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Below, we'll break down the top CFB DFS picks for Thursday, August 28, on PrizePicks for Week 1 games tonight.
Thursday CFB DFS Picks & PrizePicks Plays
Here are six of the top Thursday CFB DFS picks for Week 1 of college football. Make your CFB picks on PrizePicks by picking More or Less and win real money if your picks are correct!
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Boise State QB Maddux Madsen Projection: 232.5 Passing Yards
Boise State vs. USF Prediction – 5:30 p.m. ET
- In 2024, Boise State QB Maddux Madsen led the Mountain West in passing yards (3,018) and passing TDs (23).
- Madsen had over 227 passing yards in 5-of-14 games last season.
- Madsen is on the Manning and Davey O’Brien Award Watchlist for best collegiate quarterback.
- Boise State’s passing play percentage was 43% (99th) last season. This was due to Heisman Trophy runner-up RB Ashton Jeanty having a FBS-leading 374 carries. He is no longer on the team after being drafted by the Raiders.
- USF allowed the second-most (133rd) passing yards per game last season (291.8).
Find more Boise St. vs USF picks and predictions here
USF WR Keshaun Singleton Projection: 56.5 Receiving Yards
Boise State vs. USF Prediction – 5:30 p.m. ET
- USF WR Keshaun Singleton finished second on the team in receiving yards (408) and third in catches (26) in six games played.
- Singleton is poised to grab the WR1 role with last year’s leader in receiving yards, WR Sean Atkins, no longer with the team.
- Singleton had at least 90 receiving yards in three of six games last season.
- Boise State was 107th last season in passing yards allowed per game.
- USF will get back starting QB Byrum Brown, who played only five games due to injury in 2024.
East Carolina WR Anthony Smith: 58.5 Receiving Yards
East Carolina vs. North Carolina State Prediction – 7 p.m. ET
- East Carolina WR Anthony Smith led the team with 799 receiving yards and was second with 19.5 yards per reception.
- Former ECU WR Chase Sowell and WR Winston Wright, who finished second and third in receiving yards, are no longer on the team.
- Smith is listed as the top wide receiver on East Carolina’s depth chart.
- Smith was named to the Preseason Biletnikoff Award Watchlist for most outstanding wide receiver in the country.
- NC State was 82nd last season in passing yards allowed per game.
NC State RB Hollywood Smothers Projection: 87.5 Rush Yards
East Carolina vs. North Carolina State Prediction – 7 p.m. ET
- North Carolina State RB Hollywood Smothers led the team in rushing yards (571) and rushing touchdowns (6) last season
- Smothers could get a bigger role due to NC State’s next leading rushers from 2024: RB Jordan Waters (470) and RB Kendrick Raphael (425) no longer being with the team.
- Smothers is on the Paul Hornung Award Watchlist for most versatile player and the Doak Walker Award Watchlist for best running back in the country.
- East Carolina was 99th in rushing yards allowed per game (180.8).
- Smoothers went off against East Carolina in last year’s Go Bowling Military Bowl with 15 carries for 139 yards.
Minnesota RB Darius Taylor Projection: 98.5 Rushing Yards
Buffalo vs. Minnesota Prediction – 8 p.m. ET
- Minnesota RB Darius Taylor led the Gophers last season in carries (205), rushing yards (986), and rushing touchdowns (10).
- Taylor ended the 2024 season strong by averaging 128 rushing yards in his final two games.
- The Gophers were a heavier passing team last season with a pass play percentage of 52.47 (32nd).
- However, that could have to due to having QB Max Brosmer, who transferred from New Hampshire with three years of starting experience.
- QB Drake Lindsey was named the starter for Week 1. The redshirt freshman doesn’t have much experience, with only 5 passing attempts.
- Buffalo was 68th in rushing yards allowed per game (155.3) in 2024.
- Buffalo’s run defense struggled at the end of the season by allowing over 200 rushing yards in three of the final four games.
Find more Buffalo vs. Minnesota picks and predictions here
Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola: 21.5 Pass Completions
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Prediction – 9 p.m. ET
- Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola finished third in the Big Ten and 17th in the FBS last season with 275 pass completions.
- Raiola had more than 21 pass completions in 8 of 13 games in 2024.
- Raiola is on the Maxwell Award Watchlist for the most outstanding player.
- Raiola often compared to Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes due to a close resemblance in looks, size, and playing style, though he does tend to lean into that comparison. Tonight at Arrowhead Stadium, he'll be playing in front of him.
- Cincinnati was 41st in pass completions allowed last season (17.5).
- The Bearcats lost several key defensive backs, including DB Jordan Young and DB Derrick Canteen, who each led the team with 5 passes defended.
Play CFB DFS on PrizePicks
College football is in full swing and this weekend features games for four straight days, kicking it off with a loaded Thursday slate.
There's no better time to get into college football and lock in your picks on PrizePicks' real money CFB fantasy football game.
Just pick More or Less on 2-6 player stat projections, including Dylan Raiola and Hollywood Smothers, and have a shot to win up to 2000x payouts if your hit your picks.
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Check out the Playbook for more CFB DFS picks and analysis throughout the season, including key games.
