SVP’s ‘Winners’ for Week 1 in college football

• Scott Van Pelt, Host, SportsCenter with SVPSep 1, 2023, 10:00 AM ET Close Scott Van Pelt signed up with ESPN in Spring 2001 as the network’s lead professional golf reporter. He has since become a SportsCenter anchor, mainly hosting the 11 p.m. ET edition while remaining the lead reporter and host of the network’s coverage of golf’s grand slam events. In April 2008 he was called co-host of ESPN Radio’s Tirico & Van Pelt weekday show (2-4 p.m. ET on weekdays). A native of Brookville, Md., Van Pelt graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in radio/television and film.Ladies and gentleman …

the long wait is over. We have withstood the barren wasteland and the sweet sounds of Trombone Shorty ring in our ears. Who wants Winners? You do. Can I continue the year-long heating system from last season? Mayyyybe. When you get this accounting– I don’t expect you to like it, but at this point in our relationship, you know I just do not care. Play ’em or do not. I’m great in either case. Remember, you are NOT bound to have action on every game with a posted line– pace yourselves– manage your bankroll, and if these picks draw– they were free.Saturday’s picks N. Illinois Huskies at Boston College Eagles(-8.5, 50.5)Midday ET, Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Mass.Van Pelt’s choice: Northern Illinois +8.5 Let’s begin with MACtion– as the Lord planned.

Whenever you can back the boys from Dekalb off a 3-9 project opening on the road at Chestnut Hill, you kinda have to. So we are.SVP: 3-1 all-time when choosing Northern Illinois

Fresno State Bulldogs at Purdue Boilermakers (-3.5, 47.5)
Twelve Noon ET, Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind.Van Pelt’s choice: Fresno State +3.5

Fresno State is difficult as nails. They’re capturing a little piece of candy in West Lafayette. We’ll take that munch– for the Valley.SVP: 5-2-1 all-timewhen choosing against Purdue UTSA Roadrunners (-2, 60) at Houston Cougars
7 p.m. ET, TDECU Stadium, Houston

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Van Pelt’s pick: UTSA -2

Meep Meep. Triangle of Durability. Jeff Traylor has a program– some might state progrum– they are laying indicate Houston. Do not understand if I have actually ever had a Week 1 favorite– but I do now.SVP: 4-0

all-time
when selecting UTSA

Toledo Rockets at Illinois Combating Illini(-9.5, 46 )7:30 p.m. ET, Memorial Arena

, Champaign, Ill.Van Pelt’s choice: Toledo +9.5

More MACtion? Why wouldn’t I? Toledo and QB Dequan Finn to make it intriguing with an excellent Illinois team. They’re getting 9.5 points.SVP: 1-6 all-time when selecting a MAC team vs. a Big Ten team

South Alabama Jaguars at 24. Tulane Green Wave(-6.5, 52) 8 p.m. ET

on ESPNU, Yulman Stadium, New Orleans Van Pelt’s pick: South Alabama +6.5 Play the No. 1 dream game

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At this moment I ask a question … Steve, who was America’s premier Sun Belt promote last season? That’s right, me. Boasting– and I do suggest BOASTING– an unbelievable 14-2 mark on games involving Sun Belt groups. We have several selections Week 1. Do you remember when Tulane played last? I do. it was against USC and the Heisman Prize winner. The Green Wave, with Early Cuyler on the helmet, won that game. They now play USA and are offering less than a TD? C’mon. Make it harder than this. This is SVP Winners 101. God Bless the U.S.A. in this one. This is a ranked and very good Tulane team– however the Jags have some dudes.SVP: 3-0 all-time when picking South Alabama Old Dominion Monarchs at Virginia Tech Hokies (-16, 47.5)
8 p.m. ET, Lane Stadium Blacksburg, Va.Van Pelt’s choice: Old Dominion +16

We are likewise on Old Dominion– too early for a GPG game. However the General Concept being applied here is I have to take this lots of till Virginia Tech proves it can win by this numerous. Yes, I know it’s a vengeance game– possibly the Hokies get it. We state not by rather this many.SVP: 4-2 all-timewhen selecting a Sun Belt group vs. an ACC group Jordan Travis and Florida State squeaked out a 1-point win over LSU last season. Image by Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire

Sunday’s pick

8. Florida State Seminoles vs. 5. LSU Tigers( -2.5, 56 )7:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN3, Camping World Arena

, Orlando, Fla.Editor’s Picks

1 Related Van Pelt’s choice: Florida State +2.5 Beauty of this Labor Day weekend is that there are games all weekend– we are pacing the Winners too. ACC’pets on both Sunday and Monday. Florida State plus the little number from LSU in the best game of the weekend, which won’t destroy either team’s big picture hopes with a stumble.SVP: 26-9 all-time when selecting top-10 matches Monday’s choice 9. Clemson Tigers (-13, 55.5) at Duke Blue Devils
8 p.m. ET on ESPN, Wallace Wade Arena, Durham, N.C.Van Pelt’s pick: Duke +13

And we close it out with Duke in the house vs. Clemson. Duke’s got a bunch back off a 9-win team, and this is too many to provide in Durham.SVP: 3-3 all-time when picking Duke How many is that, Steve? Eight! Great. The slate is clean– the hopes are high and Trombone Shorty and Winners are back. Hallelujah.