The Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers had very impressive game 1 performances. The Tide looked once again like the best team in the country after one week. A lot of season left, but Bryce Young picked up where Mac Jones left off and led his team to a convincing 44-13 victory over Miami.

Young completed 27-of-38 passes for 344 yards and 4 TDs with TD strikes of 37 yards to John Metchie, 9 yards and 25 yards to emerging superstar tight end Cameron Latu. And another emerging superstar, Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams, caught a perfectly thrown spiral from Young and took it 94 yards to the house. The defense was terrific even though it took a blow losing All American outside linebacker Christopher Allen most likely for the season with a severe foot injury. But, overall, no Mac, Najee or DeVonta, no problem. The machine that is the Crimson Tide keeps cookin. There are 13 or 14 more weeks left and a lot to be decided, but the early prognosis is stellar for the No.1 ranked team in college football in 2021.

The Auburn Tigers played well albeit against one of the worst teams in FBS, the Akron Zips, in a 60-10 blowout victory. Bo Nix looked poised and confident completing 20-of-22 passes for 276 yards with 2 touchdowns. Tank Bigsby, one of the 2 awesome names on the Tigers to go along with stellar safety Smoke Monday, raced for 119 yards and 2 TDs, a 32 yarder and a 1 yard score. Shaun Shivers was excellent in his backup tailback role as he took a pass from Nix and ran 19 yards for a TD. He added a 26 yard TD run in the third quarter. Jarquez Hunter, a freshman running back, added 110 yards on 9 carries, so he looks capable.

The Auburn defense was swarming the field. But with all that said, it was Akron, so not a very strong barometer on the Tigers.

This week the Tide hosts Mercer and the Tigers host Alabama State. Both teams look to hone their skills for next Saturday, 9-18, as the Crimson Tide makes a major road trip to Gainesville to face the Gators at 2:30 PM CT on CBS, and the Tigers trek up to Happy Valley to face the Nittany Lions of Penn State at 6:30 PM CT on ABC. Penn State defeated Wisconsin at Wisconsin last Saturday in an impressive defensive effort along with some explosive offensive plays in the second half. They face Ball State at home in a tune up game as they await the Tigers next Saturday. The Gators defeated Florida Atlantic 35-14 last Saturday and didn’t look overly impressive doing it. Quarterback Emory Jones Jr. has a lot to improve on in the passing game. The Gators play at South Florida this week in what will be a tune up for the Crimson Tide.

Goats of the Week, and I don’t mean Greatest of All Time. Brady, Saban, Belichick, John Wooden barely over Coach K, MJ, not Lebrick, Hank Aaron, barely over Wille Mays, Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth and Pete Rose, and Jack Nicklaus over Tiger Woods due to the complete Nicklaus package of winning 18 majors to Woods 15 with inferior equipment, tougher competition, and high character compared to low character. Not that type of GOAT. I mean worst coaching jobs last week and maybe all season.

1. Mack Brown, North Carolina, Had 3 timeouts and a minute and a half to tie Virginia Tech. Down 17-10, he didn’t use one of his timeouts during the drive, even on fourth down. With the clock at 45 seconds and winding down on fourth and 10, Brown just let it go and his quarterback, Sam Howell, was about to be sacked and winged the ball about 8 yards with no hope. The ball was intercepted and the game was over. Not bad coaching, pathetic coaching on Brown’s part. Always been a good recruiter, but looked like a pretty substandard coach last Friday Night.

2. Mike Norvell, Florida State Just as bad maybe worse. He started the wrong quarterback, Jordan Travis, a redshirt sophomore, who had a few moments, but threw 3 interceptions and put his team in a 38-20 hole in the second half against Notre Dame. His helmet came off on a play, so Norvell inserted McKenzie Milton, the former Central Florida great, who showed in the spring game that he’s still got it. He brought the team back tying the game at 38 and taking it into overtime. FSU got the ball first and failed to get a first down with what looked like a third down sack of Milton, which made the field goal attempt a 51 yarder for redshirt freshman Ryan Fitzgerald. Just as Fitzgerald was kicking the ball, Norvell called timeout to challenge the call of a sack on Milton. The kick went through the uprights, but was meaningless as Norvell took the timeout to stop play. The replay ref reversed the call and put the ball back at the 24 making the kick a 41 yarder. Fitzgerald missed to the left. Norvell iced his own kicker. Wow, was that some spectacularly bad coaching. I can see him reviewing it, but not right as his kicker is kicking the ball. Bryan Kelly survived 41-38 and said he wanted to “execute” his players afterwards. He was trying to imitate former USC Coach John McKay, who said back in the 70’s when asked about his team’s execution in the game, he said, “I’m in favor of it.” It was funny when McKay said it, I have read the quote, but Kelly is just not a funny guy and it didn’t come off well. Of course, he was telling everybody to lighten up, but it was kind of like Phil MIckelson telling golf fans to “get over it” when he hit the ball with his putter as it was rolling off the green in the U.S, Open a few years back. That didn’t come across well either. So even though Kelly won the game against malfunctioning coaching, I’d make him a goat for his comments.

Here are this week’s previews and predictions.

Last week, 21-8, 75%

****Please keep your thoughts on our fallen countrymen and women on Saturday. It’ll be 20 years since 9/11 when the senseless Al Qaeda attack on American soil tragically killed 2,977 Americans. We should never forget this day and our fellow Americans who lost their lives on this sad day in American history. And we should always take a strong stand against people who threaten our values and democracy.****

Mercer @ No.1 Alabama

Bryant-Denny Stadium

3 PM CT

SEC Network

Tom Hart, JRodg, Cole

Bama by 54 1/2

Well, what do you say about this matchup. Just that it’s a tuneup for Gainesville and a lot of players will get to play. Mercer sounds like more of a Citadel like team that likes to run it a lot. Just a chance for Bryce Young, his wide receivers, Brian Robinson and the running backs, and Evan Neal and the offensive line to get better. Same for the defense. Henry To’o To’o looks like a stellar addition to the Crimson Tide defense. The transfer from Tennessee fits right in and could be a dominating player as the season keeps progressing. A lot of players will play. Good chance for Paul Tyson and freshman Jalen Milroe to get reps under center and plenty of backups to get reps. But it’s an important game for the Crimson Tide to keep improving as they matriculate to week 3 @ the Gators.

Bama 55, Mercer 3

Alabama State @ No.25 Auburn

Jordan-Hare Stadium

11 AM CT

SEC Network

Dave Neal, Deuce McCallister, love the ex Saint, Andraya Carter

Auburn by 51 1/2

Same thing for Auburn as Alabama, improving. Bo Nix might just play one half, same with Tank and other starters. Need to keep developing at wide receiver and O line. Major challenge next week, so both sides of the ball will need to perform well to get ready for Happy Valley.

Auburn 59, Alabama State 3

UAB @No.2 Georgia

Sanford Stadium, Athens

2:30 PM CT

ESPN2

Mark Jones, Robert Griffin III, (RG3? interesting), Quint Kessenich

Dawgs by 24 1/2

Now this game has gotten very interesting with the Blazers winning impressively over Jax State last Wednesday, 31-0, and the Dawgs showing elite defense, but substandard offense against Clemson in a 10-3 victory in Charlotte. More problems for Georgia are injuries at wide receiver and also COVID issues on the team that could sideline 3 or 4 players this Saturday. So, the Blazers have a shot to make this very interesting. I’ll take Georgia, but I expect UAB to give them everything they want.

Just in: UAB defensive lineman Tylen Kiere Jones was just booked on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. Looks like there could some character and discipline issues on the UAB team.

Georgia 42, UAB 17

No.5 Texas A&M @ Colorado

Empower Field at Mile High, Denver

2:30 PM CT

FOX

A&M by 17

A&M quarterback Haynes King threw 3 interceptions against Kent State last week in a 41-10 Aggies victory. It wasn’t an overly impressive performance. King will have to improve markedly for A&M to be a serious contender in the SEC. I see him getting a little better this week, but A&M still trying to find their identity, particularly at quarterback.

A&M 35, Colorado 20

No.15 Texas @ Arkansas

Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

6 PM CT

ESPN

Tess, Gregory, Katie George

Texas by 6 1/2

Sark has a chance to be very successful in Austin even though he faces the frustrations of dealing with the Texas multimillionaire boosters, who are like Jerry Jones on performance enhancers. Ignoring the meddlers is a big part of the job, but Sark looks like he could be the man there. Arkansas defeated Rice last Saturday, 38-17, at home, but I like Texas to have their way Saturday Night.

Texas 31, Arkansas 21

Missouri @ Kentucky

Kroger Field, Lexington

6:30 PM CT

SEC Network

Taylor Zarzour, Stinch, Alyssa Lang

KY by 5 1/2

I believe in Kentucky. Can they dethrone Georgia or Florida? I like them to have a shot if Georgia keeps up their offensive ineptness and Florida quarterback Emory Jones III doesn’t improve dramatically. I like them to take care of business over an overconfident Eli Drinkwitz and his Missouri Tigers.

Kentucky 35, Mizzou 28

Austin Peay @ No. 20 Ole Miss

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford

6:30 PM CT

SEC Network+

Ole Miss by 33 1/2

Despite a couple of targeting penalties, there were 5 in the game and all were accurate calls, the Rebels and quarterback Matt Corrall were sensational in game 1 versus Louisville in Atlanta in a 43-24 victory. If their defense can keep this up, who knows, the Rebels could be looking at a double digit victory season under Lane in his second year. He’ll be on the sideline this Saturday, but they didn’t miss a beat without him. I’m sure they will welcome him back though.

Ole Miss 55, Austin Peay 10

No. 13 Florida @ South Florida

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

12 PM CT

ABC

Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky, Kris Budden

Florida by 28

I like Emory Jones III and the Gators to improve this week, though it may not be enough to put up a strong fight with the Crimson Tide next Saturday. They’ll have to make major strides this week.

Florida 45, South Florida 14

Pittsburgh @ Tennessee

Neyland Stadium, Knoxville

11 AM CT

ESPN

Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek, Lugues

Pitt by 3 1/2

Josh Huepel has his work cut out for him at Rocky Top. He gets a rude awakening by Pat Narduzzi and his Panthers.

Pittsburgh 31, Tennessee 27

N.C. State @ Mississippi State

Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville

6 PM CT

ESPN2

Anish Shroff, Mike Golic Jr. Taylor McGregor

Wolfpack by 2

The Wolfpack has a very good running game with 2 backs running for over 100 yards last week in a 45-0 victory over South Florida. Mississippi State just survived LA Tech at home, 35-34. I’ll take the Wolfpack in what is not considered an upset, but seems like it would be.

N.C. State 31, MS. State 28

McNeese @ LSU

Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge

7 PM CT

ESPN+

LSU by 34 1/2

Ed Orgeron’s job security is getting shakier and shakier by the game. His team got embarrassed by a UCLA team that looks for real last Saturday. But they were outplayed, out-physicaled, out-everythinged and looked poorly coached. Orgeron needs to get it together quickly or it could be curtains for him at the end of the season. Maybe even before that.

LSU 42, McNeese 6

South Carolina @ East Carolina

Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, N.C.

11 AM CT

ESPN 2

Brian “Little Bighorn” Custer, Kelly Stouffer, Lauren Sisler

SC by 2

Shane Beamer may be getting an education in SEC football this fall. I see the teaching starting Saturday Night in Greenville.

East Carolina 27, South Carolina 24

Vanderbilt @ Colorado State

Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, Colorado

9 PM CT

CBS Sports Network

CSU by 7

Clark Lea could be another failed experiment at Vanderbilt. A man who went to Vanderbilt told me several years ago that he had become a Tennessee fan and that Vandy was a “graveyard for coaches.” I hope he’s not right, but it’s looking that way. Clark Lea failed abysmally last Saturday Night in a 23-3 loss to East Tennessee State. East Tennessee State? Are you kiddin me? it’ll be another long night for the Commodores in Fort Collins.

Colorado State 31, Vandy 23

National Games

Ohio State 44, Oregon 28

Ohio Stadium, Columbus

11 AM CT

FOX

Gus, Joel, Jenny Taft

OSU by 14 1/2

I want to think that Oregon can keep up with Ohio State, but just not seeing it. The Buckeyes look prolific on offense, but questionable on defense. Benefited from a pathetic missed targeting call by the Reggie Smith- led Big Ten officiating crew in a critical play @ Minnesota last Thursday Night. Really won the game for the Buckeyes and was robbery for Minnesota. The Smith crew should have been called out more for it. Really terrible job of officiating.

Iowa 21, Iowa State 20

Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa

3:30 PM CT

ABC

Rece, Kirk, Holly, Chris Fowler still calling U.S. Open tennis. Rece is a more than capable substitute.

Iowa State by 4 1/2

Give me the Hawkeyes in a road upset. Going for their 6th in a row over Iowa State and Kirk Ferentz aiming to improve his record against Matt Campbell to 6-0.

No. 4 Oklahoma 52, Western Carolina 3

Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK.

6 PM CT

Pay per view

Oklahoma by 46 1/2

The Sooners were almost embarrassed by a very solid Tulane team last Saturday that was recovering from Hurricane Ida and had to play on the road instead of at home. The Sooners survived 40-35, but still show signs of questionable defense and the jury is still out on if Spencer Rattler is a championship caliber quarterback.

No.21 Utah 31, BYU 28

LaVell Edwards Stadium, Prove, Utah

9:15 PM CT

ESPN

Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore, Alex Chappell

Utah by 7

This game is always a knock down drag-out major battle. I see that happening again. Should be a super game if you can stay up for it.

No. 14 USC 35, Stanford 17

Memorial Coliseum, L.A.

9:30 PM CT

FOX

SC by 17 1/2

Not sure the Trojans have arrived yet, but they’ve got a shot to be good this year.

No.6 Clemson 49, South Carolina State 0

4 PM CT

ACC Network

Clemson by 45 1/2

Clemson and their quarterback have a long way to go if they expect to be in the playoff conversation in November-December. It’s not looking too swift right now.

No.7 Cincinnati 45, Murray State 3

2:30 PM CT

ESPN+

Cncy by 35 1/2

Starting to become a believer in Cincy though they have to go to Indiana in a pretty tough game next Saturday and they’re @ Notre Dame on Oct. 2nd, so we’ll see if they’re as for real then as they seem to be now. Kind of bullish on them.

Notre Dame 35, Toledo 10

1:30 PM CT

Peacock

Notre Dame by 17

Bryan Kelly embarrassed himself last Sunday Night and almost lost after taking a 38-20 lead late into the third quarter. Not convinced he’s anything special as a coach. Jack Coan looked good at quarterback, but we’ll learn more about the Irish in the upcoming weeks with Wisconsin coming to South Bend Sept. 25th and Cincinnati the following week in South Bend.

No. 11 Penn State 45, Ball State 10

Beaver Stadium, State College, PA.

2:30 PM CT

FOX

Penn State by 22 1/2

Seems like the oddsmakers are undervaluing Penn State. I like the Nittany Lions to take care of business and get ready for the Auburn Tigers. Will it be great to be next week?

Friday

No. 17 Coastal Carolina 38, Kansas 24

Brooks Stadium, Conway, South Carolina

6:30 PM CT

ESPN2

Coastal by 26 1/2

Coastal looks like a very good team, but they’re winning all their big games at home, and haven’t played a real major power, though BYU was a very good team last year, but it was at Coastal and they escaped when they tackled the BYU wide receiver on their 1 yard line as time ran out. So, I want to reserve judgment on this team until I see more. Tomorrow night could be a pretty good gauge of this Chanticleers team.

Saturday

TCU 31, California 23

Amon G. Carter, Fort Worth, TX.

2:30 PM CT

ESPNU

TCU by 11 1/2

Picking one for the Gipper. In this case, it’s my daughter.

NFL Predictions

With the season starting tonight at 7:20 on NBC as the defending Super Bowl Champs the Tampa Bay Bucs host the Dallas Cowboys, here are my predictions for the 102nd season in the National Football League.

NFC Championship Game

Bucs 35, 49ers 31

Brady gets it done over ARodg again.

AFC Championship Game

Chiefs 31, Bills 30

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs survive a really stout Buffalo Bills team.

Super Bowl 56, LVI

SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, just outside of L.A.

Sunday, February 13th, 2022

5:30 PM CT

NBC

The Bucs return an astounding 22 out of 22 starters from last year’s Lombardi Trophy winning team. All 22 starters re-signed with the Bucs. Mahomes and the Chiefs are hungry to avenge last season’s lopsided defeat in Super Bowl LV to Tampa at Raymond James Stadium, but Brady captures Super Bowl number 8 and enhances his remarkable legacy.

Bucs 34, Chiefs 31

Tonight

Cowboys @ Bucs

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

7:20 CT

NBC

Al, Cris, Michelle

Bucs by 9

I like Brady and the Bucs to ring in the new season with an impressive victory over Dak and the Cowboys.

Bucs, 34, Cowboys 24