I’ve got five observations from Week 1 in CFB, then we’ll focus on this Saturday’s games with the Crimson Tide in a major clash in T-town, and the Auburn Tigers on the left coast for a late one Saturday Night against a pretty quality team from the PAC-12. Some other solid matchups for SEC teams and some excellent national tilts. Will dive into those shortly.

First, five opinions on week 1. Good to have college football back. Here they are.

1. Coach Prime! Wow. CP was saying after the game that he was keeping receipts on those sportswriters who were doubting him and I’m in line. I am a believer now. Prime has assembled a group of 70 transfers, including several terrific players on this football team, and has combined that with some stellar coaching. Prime just knows how to recruit, motivate and is the perfect father figure to his players. I heard him give a speech to his players at Jackson State last year in their locker-room . It was spectacular. The players want to run through Fort Knox for him. He’s a superior leader and motivator. His offensive coordinator, Sean Lewis, was dialing up superior play call after superior play call against a TCU defense that had no clue how to stop’em. On defense, DC Charles Kelly, a crafty veteran who’s coached with S and Jimbo, couldn’t stop the Horned Frogs for the most part, but he stopped them at the end of the game when it mattered most and added a couple of key ints. You’re not going to stop TCU completely with Sonny Dykes and now OC Kendal Briles calling the shots. Dykes is outstanding on offense and Briles is a stud play-caller. But the Buffs found a way when they needed to get a stop at the end in their 45-42 victory. And how about those players? Travis Hunter, who was the No.1 player in the 2022 recruiting class as ranked by 247 sports, was phenomenal. Coach Prime got him to come to Jackson State in 2022 and then transfer to Boulder for this season. Hunter, the sophomore corner/wide receiver, played 144 snaps, 80 on defense and 64 on offense. That’s unheard of. He caught 11 passes for 119 yards and added 1 key int when TCU was on the Buffaloes 5 yard line in the first half. It was a diving pick and a beaut. Hunter is a phenom. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a junior and the younger Prime Time son, completed 38 of 47 passes for 510 with 4 TDs and 0 ints. He was unstoppable and the TCU d line couldn’t get to him. The Colorado O line was doing an excellent job and Sanders is so quick, he’s almost un-sackable. Older brother Shilo Sanders, a graduate player and a safety, led the defense in tackles with 10. Freshman wide receiver Dylan Edwards caught 5 passes for 135 yards and 3 TDs. What a freshman. This team is for real and Coach Prime is definitely the real deal. I like their future this season and the sky’s the limit for Colorado and CP. Love what I saw in Fort Worth. It was 100 degrees outside and probably 110 on the field at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Fox’s Jenny Taft asked Hunter after the game if he was tired, and he said, “No m’am. Ready to play another game.” This is a really dynamic phenomenon in Boulder. Excited to see what the Buffs do this week in Boulder against Nebraska and first year coach Matt Rhule. Rhule will turn around the Cornhuskers. He’s an amazing college coach. The Carolina Panthers didn’t work out for him, but that can happen to many good college coaches who try to make the leap to the NFL. They’re so used to the discipline of the college game that it can be tough dealing with NFL players who make big salaries and have the massive egos. There are certain coaches cut out for the college game and certain coaches cut out for the NFL. Andy Reid and John Harbaugh are classic NFL coaches who let their superstars play, but keep an even keel when there are problems. Guys like Rhule, Coach Saban and others don’t understand that lack of discipline. So, both duos of head coaches in the NFL, and in the college game are right where they need to be. Coach Prime is right where he needs to be right now and loving every second of it as are the Colorado faithful and many people throughout the country.

2. Florida State 45, LSU 24. Coach Mike Norvell, in his fourth year in Tallahassee, has assembled a juggernaut. Quarterback Jordan Travis is an absolute stud. He completed 23 of 31 for 342 yards, 4 TDs and one int. He also ran for another. And the Florida State defense was tough and physical. They just manhandled Brian Kelly and his LSU Tigers. Kelly is a fine coach, not a prolific coach. He can give you 10 to 11 win seasons, but when he plays the blue chips like Bama and Clemson, back when Clemson was worth a flip, he gets dominated. That’s what happened Sunday Night in Orlando. Just a spectacular performance by the ‘Noles. This season looks highly promising for Norvell and his team.

3. Duke 28, Clemson 7. Loved what I saw out of Mike Elko’s team. Elko was a terrific DC at A&M and Notre Dame previously, and he’s taken Duke to another level. They won 9 games last season and won their bowl game. This year looks even better. Riley Leonard, their 6’4”, 212 junior quarterback from Fairhope High School in this state, is another stellar player. The Duke defense was lockdown. It was so impressive. Coach Swinney really needs to get back to the drawing board. His sophomore quarterback, Cade Klubnik, was a five star in the 2022 class. He’s so far from playing like that. Swinney, and new OC Garrett Riley, who came over from TCU, need to figure it out quickly or it’s going to be a long season at Clemson. Interestingly, their 2020, 5 star QB who was much maligned in his three years at Clemson, DJ Uiagalelei, led his Oregon State team to a 42-17 victory in their opener @ San Jose State. DJ completed 20 of 25 passes for 239 and 3 TDs. He also rushed for 2 TDs. So, no problem for him at Corvallis. Jonathan Smith is a tremendous coach and his team is ranked No.16. Too bad they had to break up the PAC-12. It’s an awesome conference and deserves better. Oregon State and Wash State are the only two teams left. Hoping those two teams can find a good home conference and maybe even the PAC-12 can add teams like Boise State, San Diego State, Wyoming etc.. and keep the PAC-12 viable. Hope that’ll happen. They can find teams to make it a competitive conference and still a fixture in college football, which it should be. It’s been an institution in the game for so many years. The PAC-12 was 13-0 in its games last weekend. That’s a pretty strong statement in its final season.

4. Tennessee 49, Virginia 13. The Vols don’t like like they’ve missed a beat with Joe Milton III taking over at quarterback for now NFL QB Hendon Hooker (Lions). Milton III was awesome. He was 21 of 30 for 201 yards and 2 TDs. Running back Jaylen Wright is electric. He ran for 115 yards. Milton III ran for 2 TDs. Jabari Small is another stellar RB. He ran for 67 yards on 13 carries. And the defense was suffocating. So a complete football team that has a shot to dethrone Georgia in the East. Georgia comes to Knoxvegas on Saturday, Nov. 18th for a likely 2:30 PM kick on CBS. Better strap it on Dawgs and not keep tearing up the roadways. Wow, that’s a story in itself. A player and a staff member killed the night of the National Championship celebration in Athens and 12 other speeding violations. And we’re not talking 40 in a 25. We’re talking 100 in a 70, 80 in a 35. It’s out of control. Kirby Smart needs to figure how to handle that quickly or the three peat is a pipe dream.

5. North Carolina 31, South Carolina 17. The ACC had their way with a couple of SEC teams last weekend. Carolina sacked Gamecocks QB Spencer Rattler 9 times. Coach Gene Chiz and his defense are doin’ work. They have a complete football team. Shane Beamer and his team need to figure some things out quickly.

   On to week 2.

   Last week, Straight up, 22-4; overall 25-6, 81%

   ATS, 13-13; overall, 14-17, 45%. Need mullis ATS for week 1 games.

   All times Central

   No. 11 Texas @ No.3 Alabama

   Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa

   6 PM

   ESPN

   Chris, Kirk, Holly

   Bama by 7

   The Crimson Tide defense will have to deal with a pretty dynamic offense led by quarterback Quinn “J.R.”Ewers. Jalen Milroe had a really fine week one game against Middle Tennessee State. Is Milroe the answer at quarterback? Saturday Night will tell us a lot. He sure is explosive if he can dial in his accuracy and decision making. I thought it was an outstanding week 1 performance by Milroe. Such a class kid too. Texas is good this year, and Bama has some injuries in the secondary as Malachi Moore and Jaylen Key are battling injuries. They have practiced this week. I do like Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell to do some damage rushing Ewers, and I like Kool-Aid to make a big punt return and make his impact at corner. I also like Jalen to have a solid game and lead his team to victory as he tries to establish himself as the number one guy under center in T-town.

   Bama 34, Texas 24

Auburn @ Cal

California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley

9:30 PM

ESPN

Dave Flemming, Brock Osweiler, Kayla Burton

Tigers by 6 1/2

The Tigers lost starting linebacker Austin Keys for “awhile” according to Hugh as he will have surgery on his thumb. I don’t “like” what Robby Ashford is doing. As Darius Rucker says, “I Love it.” Payton Thorne is a good passer, but for explosives Ashford is Auburn’s guy. The running backs behind Jarquez Hunter, who is out for an undisclosed amount of time for disciplinary measures, did a solid job last Saturday in Auburn’s 59-14 victory over UMass. Like what I’m seeing out of Hugh’s first team. He’s a superb coach, there is no doubt about that. Cal is pretty solid this season after a 58-21 victory on the road @ North Texas. I like the Tigers, but I like it close.

Auburn 31, Cal 28

No. 23 Texas A&M @ Miami

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens

2:30 PM

ABC

Tess, Jess, Katie

A&M by 4

The ACC has had the SEC’s number in their first two matchups, but the Aggies get the job done here in a tight one.

A&M 31, Canes 26

Ball State @ No.1 Georgia

Sanford Stadium, Athens

11 AM

SEC Network

Taylor Zarzour, Stinch, Alyssa Lang

Georgia by 42

What a joke.

Georgia 55, Ball State 3

No.20 Ole Miss @ No.24 Tulane

Yulman Stadium, NOLA

2:30 PM

ESPN2

Rebels by 7 1/2

Tulane ain’t no joke. They defeated USC in the Cotton Bowl last season, 46-45, and stud quarterback Michael Pratt is back. I like Lane to win, he’s got a good team and an awesome running back in Quinshon Jenkins, but I’m seeing a heckuva contest in the Crescent City.

Ole Miss 34, Green Wave 30

Austin Peay # No.9 Tennessee

Neyland Stadium

4 PM

ESPN+

UT by 44

The Vols get a cake walk here and get ready for a big one @ Florida next Saturday, 9/16, at 6 PM on the SEC Network.

Vols 52, AP 6

Arizona @ Mississippi State

Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville

6:30 PM

SEC Network

Tom, JRodg, Cole

State by 9

I like this to be a pretty tough matchup for quarterback Will Rogers, first year coach Zach Arnett and the Bullies. ‘Zona defeated Northern Zona 38-3 in their first game, and I see them as a pretty good team. I’m a buyer in the PAC-12.

State 34, ‘Zona 30

Vandy @ Wake Forest

Allegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem

10 AM

ACC Network

Wake by 10

Early wakeup call for the Dores and the Demon Deacs. People ask me sometimes why I pick against my school. The answer is: I want to be right. Dores still finding themselves. I guess I like what Clark Lea is doing. Not sold yet. It’s tough at Vanderbilt.

Wake 31, Vanderbilt 17

Other SEC scores

LSU 52, Grambling 0

Tiger Stadium, Baaton Rouge

6:30 PM

ESPN+

LSU by 51 1/2

Arkansas 42, Kent State 3

Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

3 PM

SEC Network

Hogs by 38

Like what Sam, KJ Jefferson and Raheim Sanders are doing at Ark. Jefferson at quarterback and Sanders at running back are electric.

Kentucky 38, Eastern Ky. 7

Kroger Field, Lexingron

2 PM

SEC Net+/ESPN+

Kentucky by 35

Pretty sure I like what Mark Stoops is doing at KY this season. They play@ Akron next Saturday and a possible tough one @Vanderbilt the following Saturday. The Dores knocked them off last season at Kroger Field.

Florida 51, McNeese 0

The Swamp, Gainesville

6:30 PM

The U

Gators by 45

The Gators are upset after losing last Thursday Night at Utah, 24-11. They cruise and get ready for the Vols to come into town next Saturday, 9/16, at 6 PM on the Network.

South Carolina 45, Furman 7

Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia

6:30 PM

SEC+/ESPN+

SC by 17 1/2

Another team upset after losing to UNC last Saturday Night and really getting drummed on both sides of the ball. Shane Beamer needs to pick it up.

Missouri 40, Middle Tennessee 20

Faurot Field, Columbia, MO.

6 PM

ESPN+

Mezzo by 21

Not sure what I think about Eli Drinkwitz as a coach. Not overly impressed at this point.

National contests

No. 2 Michigan 45, UNLV 7

Michigan Stadium

2:30 PM CT

CBS

Michigan by 37 1/2

Nice job of non-conference scheduling, Michigan. I don’t know who’s worse, them or Georgia. It’s a toss up. Jim still out for two more games. Nice not to hear about him for a little while.

No.5 Ohio State 55, Youngstown State 3

Ohio Stadium, Columbus

11 AM

Big Ten Network

Ohio State by 41 1/2

Another clown show of a game.

No.4 Florida State 42, Southern Miss 7

Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee

7:30 PM

ACC Network

Noles by 31

Big believer in the ‘Noles. They get a break this week after dismantling what could be a pretty good LSU team. Maybe.

No.7 Penn State 49, Delaware 0

Beaver Stadium, Happy Valley

11 AM

Peacock

Nittany Lions by 41

The Nittany Lions were impressive in their 38-15 home opener victory against West Virginia and embattled coach Neal Brown. Next Saturday they’ll play @ Illinois and that could be a test. Should be really.

No. 6 USC 56, Stanford 24

Memorial Coliseum, L.A.

9:30 PM

FOX

SC by 29

Lincoln Riley and his Trojans have a shot to go deep this season. It all depends on their defense. Caleb Williams and the offense will excel. Like them to keep getting better on defense under Alex Grinch. I still like him a lot as a DC. But the PAC-12 is tough with Washington, Utah, Oregon State, Prime, UCLA. So they’ve got to run through a gauntlet to get to major postseason play.

No. 10 Notre Dame 35, NC State 31

Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, N.C.

11 AM

ABC

Fighting Irish by 7

I like the Wolfpack to give the Irish everything they want. I’m believing in what Marcus Freeman is doing in South Bend so far this season, but this will be a test.

Georgia Southern 31, UAB 23

Alfred E. Paulson Stadium, Statesboro “Blues” GA.

5 PM

ESPN+

Eagles by 7 1/2

The home team won last season at Protective Stadium. Like the home team here in Allman Brothers’ country.

No. 16 Kansas State 34, Troy 17

Bill Snyder Family Stadium, The Little Apple.

It’s hot in the Big Apple right now. Those tennis players are having a tough time at the U.S. Open. Mid to high 90’s in Gotham.

11 AM

Fox Sports 1

K State by 16 1/2

Troy’s always competitive and will be good this season under excellent head coach Jon Sumrall. I just like K State at home. They’re a quality team that can win the Big 12 Championship again.

No. 12 Utah 31, Baylor 21

McLane Stadum, Waco

11 AM

ESPN

Utes by 8

Baylor lost last Saturday to Texas State, 42-31. I read where Texas State is pretty good, but they’re not Utah. Tough place to play for the Utes, but I like what they did against Florida last Thursday Night in Salt Lake.

No. 22 Colorado 24, Nebraska 20

Folsom Field, Boulder

11 AM

FOX

Prime Time by 3

I like Prime to win, but it’s going to be a tough game. Matt Rhule is going to turn Nebraska around sooner rather than later.

No.8 Washington 42, Tulsa 7

Husky Stadium, Seattle

4 PM

PAC-12 Network

Huskies by 34

Believer in this team and their coach, Kalen DeBoer

No. 17 North Carolina 42, App State 31

Kenan Stadion, Chapel Hill

4:15 PM

ACC Network

Carolina by 18

I see a little bit of a letdown for the Tar Heels this Saturday. App State usually plays them tough. I’m still bullish on the Heels. Mack Brown has lost a lot of weight. He looks great.

No. 16 Oregon State 48, UC Davis 7

Reser Stadium, Corvallis

8 PM

PAC-12 Net

Oregon State by 23 1/2

Believer in this coach, Jonathan Smith, and this team.

Upset City

Texas Tech 34, No. 13 Oregon 31

Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX.

6 PM

FOX

Ducks by 6 1/2

Like the Red Raiders to pull it off at home.

No. 21 Duke 45, LaFayette 0

Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham

5 PM’

‘ACC Network

Duke by 40

Looks more like a “K” matchup than a football game. “Call a TO, K! Call a TO!” Thought I’d throw in a little Dickie V to “make” your day.

Upset City, Part 2

Washington State 38, No.19 Wisconsin 35

Martin Stadium, Pullman, Wash.

6:30 PM

ABC

Whisky by 6

I got a feeling about this one. The PAC-12 has me believing. Little Black Eyed Peas and Steve Perry in this pick.