The College Football season is a full go this weekend with some key games starting tonight and continuing all the way through Monday on this Labor Day weekend. So it’s time to kick back, turn on the tube, the computer, etc… and enjoy the most electric sport in existence. White’s World will guide you along this 2023-24 journey featuring the captivating games throughout the season and the riveting pursuit of the Playoff and the New Year’s Six games. This is the last year of the four team playoff, as there will be a 12 team playoff in 2024-25. Looking forward to that, but first things first. Let’s dive into week 1 of the 2023 season.

The No.4 Crimson Tide (Nick Saban should like this ranking) hosts Middle Tennessee on Saturday Night at Bryant-Denny. The key question is which quarterback will separate himself as the starter starting Saturday. The Tide will probably have the luxury to put Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner all out there and let them have at it. Milroe could very well be the best athlete on the team. The concern with him is how quickly he can process the pass rush and read coverages and find receivers and his accuracy throwing the ball. He does have a cannon for an arm, so if he can develop his touch, he’s a bona fide weapon. He can outrun about anybody in America. Buchner, the Notre Dame transfer, threw for three TDs and ran for two more in Notre Dame’s 35-28 victory over South Carolina in last season’s Gator Bowl. Simpson was rated a high four star. Freshman Dylan Lonergan is impressive as a four star freshman, and Eli Holstein was a high four star in the 2023 class along with Lonergan. So that’s the key question for Saban and the Crimson Tide, though there are new faces on defense who will need to learn on the job. Running back looks stellar, wide receiver is loaded, but there were some drops in the spring game and in the summer. The offensive line looks massive. So the Crimson Tide expects to be in the mix this season competing for a playoff position in December and a national championship in January.

For the Auburn Tigers under first year coach Hugh Freeze, it’s about generating chemistry quickly with a lot of new players. Payton Thorne, the Michigan State transfer, will take over under center. Robbie Ashford, last year’s starter, may have some plays designed for him according to Freeze. Jarquez Hunter is back at running back and looks for a big season to gain 1,000+ yards and 8-10 TDs. Hunter is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield. The O line is pretty new. The wide receiver room could be solid and electric at times. Defense will try to establish an identity, but the secondary, led by free safety Jaylin Simpson and corner Nehemiah Pritchett, should be stellar. Auburn hosts UMass Saturday afternoon at Jordan-Hare. More on that game below. The Tigers hope to surprise some people this season. With Freeze at the helm, despite some of his transgression in the past, it is possible to have a 6,7, 8 win season with a bowl game victory to boot and build from that through recruiting, the portal, which I don’t love but is the landscape now, and development.

The other SEC games are pretty compelling as well with No.5 LSU facing No.8 Florida State on Sunday at 6:30 PM CT on ABC. Could be the game of the weekend. Florida visits No. 14 Utah tonight at 7 on ESPN. That’s a stellar opener. South Carolina squares off with No.21 North Carolina on Saturday at 6:30 PM CT on ABC. UNC has Heisman hopeful Drake Maye back. He’s a stud. But so is South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler. Should be a terrific QB matchup. No.1 Georgia has a tap in game against UT Martin. No.12 Tennessee and new QB Joe Milton, though he’s played a lot of football at Michigan and UT, will host Virginia at 11 AM CT Saturday on ABC.

So a lot to be amped up for in college football this weekend. Another interesting contest will feature Coach Prime and Colorado visiting last year’s national championship runner-up, by a long shot, No. 17 TCU Saturday at 11 AM CT on FOX.

So here’s a look at the week 1 slate along with predictions.

2022 record, including bowls, 172-72, 70%, Against the Spread, 122-118, 51%

Last week: 3-2, 1-4

All times Central. All games Saturday unless otherwise noted.

Middle Tennessee @ No.4 Alabama

Bryant-Denny Stadium, T-town

6:30 PM

SEC Network

Tom Hart, JRodg, Cole

Bama by 38 1/2

Despite the quarterback conundrum the Crimson Tide finds itself in, one they’d like to get decided before next Saturday Night when Texas comes to town for a 6 CT ESPN kickoff, the talent around the quarterback is sensational. I like the deep running back rotation of Jace McClellan, Roydell Williams, Jam Miller, freshman Justice Haynes, who I really like, and the other high four star freshman, Richard Young. It’s an abundance of riches. The Crimson Tide will try to pound opponents with the running game more this season, and McClellan is certainly capable of house calls. I like Ja’Corey Brooks and Isaiah Bond on the perimeter, and if Jermaine Burton can hold onto the ball, he can be a weapon. There’s good depth in the wide receiver room. The O Line is led by big 6’6”, 335 pound right tackle JC Latham. Over on the left side, super five star freshman Kadyn Proctor, all 6’7”, 354 pounds of him, will handle left tackle. The O Line looks big and physical. So if Milroe, Buchner or Simpson can deliver and not make mistakes, this offense will be extremely potent. On defense, outside backers Dallas Turner, a preseason second team All American, who could be a first team selection by year’s end, and Chris Braswell, plan on wreaking havoc on opposing QBs. Kool-Aid McKinstry at corner along with Terrion Arnold and star Malachi Moore, another word for a safety who can line up like a linebacker at times, will headline the defense. I really liked what I saw out of Earl Little II in the spring game at a safety/star position. The redshirt freshman is very talented. There are some new players in the mix on defense, so their development by first year Defensive Coordinator Kevin Steele and his coaches will be critical. You can call Steele first year, but he’s been a veteran coach for many years with stops at Alabama, Clemson and Auburn among others. He’s a steady hand on defense. Tommy Reas, the former Notre Dame OC, will be the offensive coordinator. I heard Rees this summer before fall practice started and was really impressed. Just a solid guy. Like his approach to a power style running game/explosive play offense. Middle Tennessee is usually a competitive team, but I like the Tide to take care of business this Saturday and get set for the Longhorns in a week.

Alabama 48, Middle Tennessee 7

UMass (1-0) @ Auburn

Jordan-Hare Stadium

2:30 PM

ESPN

Beth Mowins, Kirk “Moondance” Morrison, Stormy Buonantony (mouthful)

Tigers by 35

I wish I knew more about this Tigers team, but what I know is that Payton Thorne can be an effective QB, throwing the ball and running the offense, and Jarquez Hunter, despite his indiscretions in the offseason with some inappropriate stuff, is an excellent running back. There is talent at several positions, particularly the secondary, but Coach Freeze really hit the portal hard and brought in a lot of new players. So this is a tough one to predict. I like the Tigers to win, of course, but maybe not cover. UMass defeated New Mexico State last Saturday, 41-30, so they’ve got some talent but give me the Tigers, though not as much as the spread indicates. It’ll be compelling to see how this team develops.

Auburn 38, UMass 13

UT Martin @ No.1 Georgia

Sanford Stadium, Athens

5 PM

ESPN+, SEC Network+

Clay Mattock, Aaron Murray, Ashley ShahAmadi

Dawgs by 51 1/2

How about that for a nail-biter opener, Georgia? Georgia has a favorable schedule this season and possibly the best talent in the country as they go for a three-peat. Carson Beck takes over at quarterback and he looked strong in relief of Stetson Bennett last season. But the non-conference games are a joke and they avoid Alabama and LSU unless they face one of them in the SEC Championship Game, which they probably will. But the X factor is always injuries and a three peat is almost never done. The last time it was done was in the 1930’s and Kirby Smart doesn’t think he can get his players to relate to that. Yes, you establish your own identity, win the day, take care of business on Saturdays and see where that leads you. It’s tough, but not out of the question.

Georgia 52, UT Martin 0

Sunday

No.5 LSU @ No.8 Florida State

Camping World Kickoff Game, Orlando

Camping World Stadium

6:30 PM

ABC

Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Holly Rowe

L-S-U by 2 1/2

Best game of the weekend. Should be terrific, and I like quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Bengal Tigers to prevail.

LSU 28, Noles 24

Virginia @ No.12 Tennessee

Nissan Stadium, Nashvegas

11 AM

ABC

Tess, Jesse Palmer, Katie George

Vols by 28

I like Joe Milton, who is taking over the reins from Hendon Hooker, to excel. He has a lot of experience from quarterbacking Michigan and playing at the end of last season and having a superb Orange Bowl performance along with dominating Vanderbilt. Like the Vols to start off the season impressively, and be in the hunt for the SEC East title with Georgia, and also in the national picture.

Tennessee 42, UVA 13

Tonight

Florida @ No. 14 Utah

Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City

7:00

ESPN

Chris, Kirk, Holly

Utah by 5

What a way to kickoff the season. The Gators won this duel last season at the Swamp, 29-26, but this one is at Rice-Eccles where the Utes hardly ever lose. Utah will be without quarterback Cam Rising, who is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in last year’s Rose Bowl Game versus Penn State. So that’s a major factor. Florida will not have third pick in the NFL draft overall, Anthony Richardson, under center tonight. He’s with the dysfunctional Colts. Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz, who never really clicked in Madison, will take over for the Gators. Should be a battle, but I like Coach Kyle Whittingham and his Utes to win at home.

Utah 24, Florida 17

No. 21 North Carolina @South Carolina

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

6:30 PM

ABC

Sean McDonough, Gregory McElroy, Molly McGrath

Heels by 2 1/2

I love this QB matchup with Maye versus Rattler. Give me Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks to pull off the slight upset. Not really a home field advantage for either team since the game is in Charlotte, though SC is listed as the home team. I’ll take Beamer Ball.

South Carolina 28, UNC 27

Mercer @ Ole Miss

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford

12 PM

ESPN+

Justin Kutcher, Jordan Reid

Ole Miss by 34

Mercer, Lane? Please. I guess I could say that for a lot of other athletic directors and coaches with some of these games they scheduled this weekend. You gotta do better than that. Lane is trying to figure out which quarterback will be his starter this season, either Jaxson Dart, Spencer Sanders or Walker Howard. So that’s the only interesting facet of this game.

Ole Miss 48, Mercer 13

New Mexico @ No. 23 Texas A&M

Kyle Field, College Station, TX.

6 PM

ESPN

Mark Jones, Louis Riddick, Quint Kessenich

A&M by 38

This Jimbo-Bobby Petrino dynamic is one of the most entertaining stories in college football this season. How will these two hard-headed, egomaniacs click this season. There is talent there, but Fisher has been a consistent under-achiever. I do like sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman and the talent he has around him and the talent on defense. The 2022 recruiting class was the highest rated class ever in the recruiting rankings until Coach Saban and the Crimson Tide broke that record in the 2023 cycle. So there’s no excuse this year for Fisher. But he and Petrino may be on a collision course.

A&M 35, New Mexico 3

Ball State @ Kentucky

Kroger Field, Lexington

11 AM

SEC Network

Dave Neal, Derek Mason?, Taylor Davis

UK by 26 1/2

Devin Leary, an NC State transfer, takes over for the Wildcats at QB. I like Kentucky to have a good year again. Mark Stoops has his teams getting closer and closer every year to reaching the upper echelon of the SEC. He hasn’t gotten there yet, but this could be a year that Kentucky ascends there.

Kentucky 38, Ball State 10

Arkansas 44, Western Carolina 0

War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock

12 PM

ESPN+ SEC Net+

Eric Frede, Jordan Reid

Hogs by 34 1/2

Star quarterback KJ Jefferson and star running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders return for their senior and junior seasons respectively, so I expect Sam to have a highly competitive team that can make some noise in the SEC West.

Mississippi State 38, SE Louisiana 10

Davis Wade Stadium, Starkvegas

3 PM

SEC Network

Taylor Zarzour, Stinch, Alyssa Lang

State by 31

It’ll be different without the late Mike Leach on the sideline for the Bullies. He’ll be missed. Zach Arnett, last year’s defensive coordinator, takes over. He’s young at 36 and will be thrown into the fire. He’s got Will Rogers back art quarterback and that’s a good start.

Tonight

South Dakota @ Missouri

Memorial Stadium/ Faurot Field, Columbia, MO.

7:00

SEC Network

Clay, Aaron, Ashley

Mizzou by 27

Missouri Coach Eli Drinkwitz needs to step it up a notch. It’s tough in the SEC, but he needs to take care of business in games he could win like Vandy, Florida, and maybe Kentucky or South Carolina.

Mizzou 35, South Dakota 7

Alabama A&M @Vanderbilt

FirstBank Stadium, Nashville

6 PM

ESPN+ SEC Net+

Richard Cross, Barrett Brooks

Dores by 36 1/2

Will anybody be watching this game besides me and a couple of others? I’ll have it on my phone with the Crimson Tide on the big screen and UNC-SC on the computer.

Vanderbilt 35, AL A&M 3

National games

East Carolina @ No.2 Michigan

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

11 AM

Peacock? Jim?

Tirico, Chris Simms, Lewis Johnson

Wolverines by 36

Jim is taking a 3 game hiatus for cheating in recruiting in 2020. He’ll be on the road paying recruits and calling it “Revenue Sharing.” Michigan returns quarterback J.J.McCarthy and a couple of stud running backs in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Should be an excellent team wtih a joke non-conference schedule like Georgia and others have.

Michigan 45, ECU 7

No.3 Ohio State 35, Indiana 14

Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN.

2 PM

CBS

Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, Jenny Dell

Buckeyes by 30

Ryan Day will start Kyle McCord at quarterback in Bloomington. The Buckeyes are loaded with talent, but might have a little tougher time in a Big Ten opener on the road.

Monday Night

No.8 Clemson @ Duke

Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, N.C.

7:00

ESPN

Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek, Lugues

Clemson by 13

Coach Swinney has a new offensive coordinator in Garrett Riley, Lincoln’s younger brother, who did a terrific job as OC at TCU last season. Can Clemson become relevant again? That’s the question I’m pondering. Monday’s game could give us a clearer picture. I like Duke to make it pretty tough on Clemson. Former Notre Dame and A&M Defensive Coordinator Mike Elko has his team and the Duke people believing in his coaching ability.

Clemson 31, Duke 27

Nevada @No.6 USC (1-0)

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

5:30 PM

PAC-12 Network. For those of you wondering, the PAC 12 Network is on Spectrum, channels 383-389. For those with DirecTV, you’ll have to get it on your computer and pay for it.

Ted Robinson, Yogi Roth

USC by 38

This looks like a Lincoln Riley coached team. An excptional offense and a Swiss cheese defense. He’ll have to have defensive coordinator Alex Grinch figure out how to stop people if he and his Trojans want to get into the playoff this season. Quarterback Caleb Williams looks locked in though.

USC 52, Nevada 24

Tonight

North Carolina A&T @UAB

Protective Stadium, B’ham

7:00

ESPN+

Richard Cross, Taylor McHargue

UAB by 22 1/2

The Trent Dilfer era kicks off tonight at plush Protective Stadium. I know Derrick is pumped. Dilfer has a pretty experienced quarterback in redshirt senior Jacob Zeno and an excellent running back in senior Jermaine Brown. Brown rushed for 948 yards and 8 TDs last season. Zeno was 58 off 102, 57%, for 721 yards, 5 TDs against 3 ints. His play will be critical to Dilfer’s success in 2023. I like the Blazers to play well tonight.

UAB 38, NC A&T 7

Colorado @ No. 17 TCU

Amon Carter Stadium, Fort Worth

11 AM

FOX

Gus, Joel, Jenny

Frogs by 20 1/2

Prime Time rolls into a late morning/early afternoon Matinee at Fort Worth. He’s going to get a rude awakening. The Horned Frogs now have 3 former Crimson Tide players on their depth chart. Wide receiver JoJo Earle, offensive right tackle Tommy Brockermeyer and running back Trey Sanders are playing for the Horned Frogs. These are good players. They are listed as backups presently, but they’ve got high four star and five star credentials.

TCU 44, Prime Time 14

No.11 Texas 45, Rice 3

DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin

2:30 PM

FOX

Jason Benetti, Brock Huard, Allison Williams

Horns by 35

Sark gets off to a good start with redshirt sophomore Quinn Ewers at QB. Ewers is talented, but if things go south for him, will an all world freshman named Manning get a shot? He’s listed as a third teamer presently. The Horns tune up for a visit to Tuscaloosa next Saturday Night.

No. 13 Notre Dame 55, Tennessee State 0

Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend

2:30 PM

NBC

Paul Burmeister, Jason Garrett, Zora Stephenson

Fighting Irish by 48 1/2

The Fighting Irish whipped up on Navy last Saturday in Dublin, Ireland, 42-3. They looked very good doing it, but was it due to the competition or are quarterback Sam Hartman and that stable full of running backs the real deal in Marcus Freeman’s second season? I don’t think we’ll learn a lot more in this game. I do think they are a pretty strong team. Next Saturday @NC State will tell us a lot more. That’ll be at 11 AM CT on ABC.

Other scores

No. 10 Washington 28, Boise State 10

Husky Stadium, Seattle

2:30 PM

ABC

Bob Wischusen, RGIII, Kris Budden

Wash by 14

I like what Coach Kalen DeBoer is doing in Seattle. The Huskies were 11-2 in his first season in 2022 and 7-2 in the PAC-12. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is a stud.

No. 18 Wisconsin 34, Buffalo 3

Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Whisky

2:30 PM

Fox Sports 1

Eric Collins, Devin Gardner

Badgers by 28

I like what first year coach Luke Fickell can accomplish in Madison. He has an excellent offensive coordinator in Phil Longo and a stud transfer quarterback from SMU, Tanner Mordecai. Fickell had major success at Cincy taking them to the playoff in 2021, so this has the makings of a team that can eventually win the Big Ten and make the playoff. Maybe not this year, though the cupboard is not bare and it’s not out of the question to be a major player in the Big Ten, but sometime in the nearer future.

No.7 Penn State 31, West Virginia 21

Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.

6:30 PM

NBC

Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge, Kathryn Tappen

PSU by 20 1/2

I like Neil Brown and his Mountaineers to give James Franklin and his Nittany Lions a good game.

No. 24 Tulane 28, South Alabama 21

Yulman Stadium, N’Awlins

7 PM

ESPNU

John Schriften, Rocky Boiman, Dawn Davenport

Green Wave by 6 1/2

Give me the great Willie Fritz and his Green Wave to keep the momentum they gained from last year’ 12-2 team that team that won the American Conference at 8-1 and defeated Caleb Williams and the USC Trojans in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, 46-45. Quarterback Michael Pratt is terrific.

Some more Morgan Wallen

The guy’s so good, I thought I’d give you some more this week.