Predictions for 146th U.S. Open, Recap of Week 0 in College Football Recap
The great Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz, is back in New York for the 146th U.S. Open after a four month absence due to a wrist injury. Carlos goes for his eighth Grand Slam and third U.S. Open title after winning in 2022 and last season. Who can stop him?
Novak Djokovic, the 24 time Grand Slam winner, has a shot. German Alexander Zverev is the reigning French Open champion, and Americans Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, among others, have high aspirations in Flushing Meadows.
On the women’s side, as expected, Russian Aryna Sabalenka is the No.1 seed as she is the No.1 player in the world.
ESPN will televise along with ESPN 2 and ABC.
ESPN will broadcast the Women’s Final at 3 P.M. CT/4 ET on Saturday, September 12.
ESPN will carry the men’s final on Sunday, September 13th, at 1 P.M. CT/ 2 East.
Here are my Predictions:
Men’s Final
Ben Shelton over Taylor Fritz 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5
Should be an epic match. I like Shelton to emerge over Carlos in the quarters and over Novak in the semis. I’ve got Fritz over 19 year old Rafael Jodar in the semis.
Champion
Ben Shelton
Women’s Final
Coco Gauff over Sabalenka 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7)
Should be another classic with the 22 year old Gauff winning her third Grand Slam after capturing the 2023 U.S. and the 2025 French.
Champion
Coco Gauff
Recap of Week 0 Games in College Football
College Football was thrilling on Saturday. TCU couldn’t handle all of its own penalties, 11 for 89 yards, and fell to Bill Belichick and North Carolina, 15-10.
Not sure USC is totally back, it’s been a while. They won 42-26 over San Jose State, but looked a little questionable on defense once again.
Virginia was highly impressive with Missouri transfer Beau Pribula throwing for two touchdowns in a Cavaliers blasting of NC State, 34-8.
North Dakota State didn’t miss a beat moving up to FBS as they dominated Jax State, 33-7. The Bison play a hard-nosed physical brand of football. It’s impressive.
Stanford defeated Hawaii, 37-27 giving first year coach Tavita Pritchard a victory in his first game as head coach of the Cardinal.
FSU wasn’t overly impressive in its 34-17 victory over New Mexico State. New Mexico State was scrappy, but Mike Norvell’s team has a ton of improving to do if it wants to have any chance of having a decent season. He’s going to need at least eight victories, and that still may not be enough for the FSU faithful.
Finally, Charles Huff and his Memphis Tigers distinguished themselves as a contender for the Group of Six bid to make it to the 12-team Playoff going on the road to Allegiant Stadium and defeating UNLV, 27-21.
A nice Saturday to kick off the season.
Week 1 begins this Thursday Night.
The color and pageantry of College Football has arrived. Saturday was thrilling and it’s only going to get better as we matriculate into Week 1.
I’ll check in with you Thursday for Week 1 Previews and Predictions. Have a great Sunday.