College Football Week 1, Previews/Predictions
Auburn and Alabama are in key non-conference battles on Friday and Saturday, respectively, and Texas invades Ohio State. LSU travels to the other Death Valley to square off with Clemson. South Carolina plays VA Tech on Sunday on somewhat neutral turf in a pretty strong game among other SEC contests in Week 1 of College Football. Couple of key national games as well. Here’s a look at the action.
Last Week’s record in Week 0-SU-3-1, ATS-2-2, O/U-3-1
This Week, All times Central
No.8 Alabama @Florda State
Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, 67,277
2:30 P.M.
ABC
Tess, Jess, Katie
Crimson Tide by 13 1/2; Over/Under, 50 1/2
Florida State has attempted to reload with several transfers, which is the pattern under Mike Norvell. Can Ty get it done for the Tide in this one, that’s the question. The talent is around him. It will be interesting to see how Richard Young and company perform in the running game. Tommy Castellanos, FSU’s quarterback, made incendiary comments on Alabama during the summer saying there was no more Nick Saban, and that has certainly resonated in the Alabama locker room. Give me the Tide to have a strong showing in game one, particularity defensively, and for the receivers to make some explosive plays in the passing game led by the great Ryan Williams.
Bama 24, Florida State 10
Friday
Auburn @ Baylor
McLane Stadium, Waco, TX., 45,140
7 P.M.
FOX
Jason Benetti, RG III, Alexa Landestoy. Alexa is an outstanding studio moderator for my Washington Capitals.
AU by 2 1/2; O/U 59 1/2
The oddsmakers like the teams to score more in this contest, and while I like both teams to score some points, I like the under a little better. Give me Jackson Arnold and the Tigers to get out of Waco with a much needed opening game victory. Cam Coleman plays like Cam Coleman, which is superb.
Auburn 31, Baylor 28
Back to Saturday
No.1 Texas @ No.3 Ohio State
Ohio Stadium, Columbus, 102,780
11 A.M.
FOX
Gus, Joel, Jenny, Tom
Ohio State by 1 1/2; O/U, 47 1/2
Give me Arch and the Horns to get the job done as a slight underdog.
Texas 24, Buckeyes 21
No. 9 LSU @ No.4 Clemson
Memorial Stadium, Clemson, 81,500
6:30 P.M.
ABC
Chris, Kirk, Holly, Molly
Clemson by 4 1/2; O/U 57 1/2
Give me Dabo and the Clemson Tigers. Just don’t see Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers getting over
the hump at Clemson.
Clemson 28, LSU 24
Marshall @ No.5 Georgia
Sanford Stadium, Athens, 93,033
2:30 P.M.
ESPN
Mike Monaco, Kirk “Tupelo Honey” Morrison, Dawn Davenport
Dawgs by 38 1/2; 55 1/2
I like Kirby and his Dogs to gt the job done at home. Can’t ever discount Georgia. Ever. They’ve always got the dudes.
Georgia 42, Marshall 3
Syracuse @ No.24 Tennessee
AFLAC Kickoff
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 75,000
11 A.M.
ABC
Bob, Louis, Kris
UT by 13 1/2; 50 1/2
Give me Josh Huepel and his Vols, but Syracuse is pretty good, so I’m expecting a closer game than
anticipated.
Tennessee 24, Syracuse 17
Georgia State @ No. 21 Ole Miss
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxvegas, 64,038
6:45 P.M.
S-E-C Network
Tom, JRodg, Cole
Rebs by 34 1/2; 59 1/2
I like Lane and his new quarterback, Austin Simmons, to get off to a good start. Simmons
impressed me last year when he came in for Jaxson Dart in relief versus Georgia. He may well be
the real deal.
Ole Miss 49, Georgia State 12
Sunday
Virginia Tech @ No. 13 South Carolina
AFLAC Kickoff (Part 2)
Mercedes-Benz, ATL
2 P.M.
ESPN
SC by 7 1/2; 51 1/2
Give me Shane and LaNorris Sellers, but I like it close.
South Carolina 28, VA. Tech 24
Saturday; Other SEC Scores
No. 15 Florida 56, Long Island University 3
Are you kiddin’ me, Gators?
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
6 P.M.
ESPN+/SECN+
Gators by 46 1/2; 56 1/2
No. 19 Texas A&M 28, UTSA 7
Kyle Field, College Station, TX.
6 P.M.
ESPN
A&M by 23 1/2; 56 1/2
Mike Elko needs to think about the treadmill one of these days, right?
No. 18 Oklahoma 42, Illinois State 3
Memorial Stadium, Norman
5 P.M.
ESPN+/SECN+
Sooners by 37; 60 1/2
QB John Mateer’s transfer season starts in Norman. Maybe he can save Brent Venables’ job.
Vanderbilt 41, Charleson Southern 3
FirstBank Stadium, Nashvegas
6 P.M.
ESPN+/SECN+
Dores by 37 1/2; 48 1/2
Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt start their National Championship season? Are you kiddin’ me! Just concentrate on defeating the Buccaneers.
Mississippi State 34, Southern Miss 30
M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS.
11 A.M.
ESPN
State by 13 1/2; 61 1/2
Jeff Lebby and the Bullies survive a tough one.
Kentucky 24, Toledo 17
Kroger Field, Lexington
11:45 A.M.
SEC Network
Cats by 11 1/2; 47 1/2
Stoops survives. Does he even want to be in Lexington? Do they even want him there? That’s a no and no.
Arkansas 55, Alabama A&M 7
Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville
3:15 P.M.
SEC Network
Hogs by 46 1/2;61 1/2
Sam gets a kick-in to open up a highly important season for his current job prospects.
Tonight
Missouri 42, Central Arkansas 3
Memorial Stadium, Columbia, MO.
6:30
SEC Network
Mizzou by 36 1/2; 51 1/2
Eli Drinkwitz is an unusual guy.
Couple of National Contests
Sunday
No.6 Notre Dame 28, No. 10 Miami 24
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.
6:30 P.M.
ABC
Sean, Gregory, Molly, Taylor
Irish by 2 1/2; 50 1/2
Believer in Marcus Freeman. He and his team get it done on the road.
Monday
TCU 31, North Carolina 27
Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill
7 P.M.
ESPN
Rece, Kirk, Holly
TCU by 3 1/2; 55 1/2
Sonny Dykes and his quarterback, Josh Hoover, spoil Bill’s debut.