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College Football National Championship Game

Bama-Georgia in a Premier contest, other SEC matchups look riveting. National slate is strong as well. Week 6 College Football Unplugged. Updated White’s World Playoff Projections

October 8, 2026

Nate Frazier is an elite and key player for Georgia Saturday Night. (Photo courtesy of Fox Sports).

The weather has been questionable all week for the game with a possibly serious situation taking place in Mobile, Pensacola and the Florida Panhandle this weekend with Hurricane Isaias aiming at the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast. But the two elite voices of meteorology, Jim Cantore of the Weather Channel, and Jimmy Spanno of ABC 33/40, are predicting better outcomes with wind shear of 80 MPH working against Isaias, which could hopefully dissipate the strength of this storm.

Very hopeful and prayerful that Mobile and the Florida Panhandle get spared from a potentially serious situation.

As for the games this weekend, weather could be a factor, but not likely as serious as it looked earlier this week, especially for the No.6 Crimson Tide and the No.2 Georgia Bulldogs.

The Crimson Tide/Georgia game is the obvious headliner. Nick Saban called Georgia “the most complete team in the country” a couple of weeks ago on GameDay, but Kirby Smart is not buying that, calling it a bait and switch move by the former Crimson Tide coach.

He thinks Saban was pulling a little gamesmanship as Saban is still an employee at Alabama making almost $50K a month. Could be some real truth to that, though Georgia was looking pretty strong a couple of weeks ago. They’ll have running back Nate Frazier back, which will really help their cause. However, second stringer Chauncey Bowens is out. The Crimson Tide looks somewhat healthy, but there are some injuries on defense, though none that made a difference against Mississippi State last Saturday in a spectacular effort on both sides of the ball.

So here’s a look at this clash of the Titans and who I like to emerge along with the other key SEC games including the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl featuring the No.1 Texas Longhorns and the struggling Oklahoma Sooners.

Those games, the other SEC matchups, and some quality national competition are on the docket in an action packed Saturday in college football. The weather will need to cooperate at places including B’ham.

Here are my previews and predictions along with my playoff predictions below this week’s game capsules.

All game times Central and all games Saturday.

Last Week’s Record/Overall

Straight Up: 10-2, 75-19, 80%

ATS: 5-7, 49-45, 52%

Over/Under: 8-4, 55-39, 59%

No.2 Georgia (5-0, 3-0 SEC) @ No.6 Alabama (5-0, 3-0)

Bryant-Denny, T-town

6:30 P.M.

ABC

Bama by 1 1/2, 51 1/2

It’s a battle with tremendous SEC and National implications. The loser of this game is not falling out of the playoff picture by any stretch. These are both excellent football teams, but right now I think the Crimson Tide is the most complete team in the country. And I like Kalen DeBoar, Ryan Grubb and Kane Wommack over Kirby Smart, Mike Bobo and Glenn Schumann.

Alabama 27, Georgia 24

No.1 Texas (4-0, 1-0) vs. Oklahoma (2-2, 0-1)

Cotton Bowl, Big D

2:30 P.M.

ABC

Longhorns by 7 1/2, 39 1/2

Oklahoma’s defense might keep them in it for a little while, but I like the Longhorns to play terrific defense as well, and stymie a dormant Sooner offense and “taking care of business” in the Red River Rivalry.

Texas 28, Oklahoma 10

No.10 LSU (4-1, 1-1) @ Kentucky (4-1,2-1)

Kroger Field, Lexington

6 P.M.

E-S-P-N

Bengal Tigers by 8 1/2, 52 1/2

Kentucky should be ranked by now. That’s a travesty. But I like Lane and company to get the job done on the road.

LSU 31, Kentucky 21

No.9 Ole Miss (3-1, 1-1) @ Vandy (3-2, 0-2)

FirstBank Stadium, Nashville

2:30 P.M.

ESPN

Ole Miss by 9 1/2, 54 1/2

Give me the Rebels to handle business in the Music City. Trinidad and company bounce back from the Florida debacle.

Ole Miss 31, Vanderbilt 17

South Carolina (2-3, 0-3) @ No.16 Florida (4-1, 2-1)

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

11:45 A.M.

S-E-C Network

Gators by 10 1/2, 59 1/2

Jon Sumrall and Florida got it handed to’em in Columbia, Missouri last Saturday, so they’re still “feeling the effects,” as Ken Cobb used to say after a night out on the town. I’ll take Florida, but Shane Beamer makes a more believable bid at keeping his job, though it’s in major jeopardy.

Florida 31, South Carolina 28

Texas A&M (3-2, 1-2) @ No.14 Missouri (4-1, 1-1)

Memorial Stadium, Columbia, MO.

11 A.M.

ABC

Missouri Tigers by 3 1/2, 48 1/2

A&M is the other most disappointing team in the SEC along with South Carolina. Mike Elko needs to get it together. I like how Missouri is trending.

Missouri 24, Texas A&M 20

No. 15 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1) @ Arkansas (2-3, 0-2)

Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

3:15 P.M.

SEC Network

UT-Knoxville by 13 1/2, 51 1/2

George McIntyre is expected to start at QB for the Vols as starter Faizon Brandon is questionable with a shoulder injury. They might be better off with McIntyre as Brandon really struggled against Auburn last Saturday and was benched in favor of McIntyre.

Vols running back DeSean Bishop was a beast last Saturday against the Tigers as he rushed for 220 on 34 totes with 3 TDs. He’s rushed for 540 yards this season on 88 carries, 6.1 per carry, with 7 TDs and he averages 108 per rushing yards per game. That’s impressive for a three-star out of high school in 2023 who came to Knoxville as a preferred walk-on.

Tennessee 31, Arkansas 14

Off this week: Auburn, a lot to work on, Mississippi State, still feeling the Ken Cobb effects.

Key National Games

No.21 UCLA (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) @ No. 13 Oregon (3-1,1-0)

Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR.

2:30 P.M.

CBS

Oregon by 11 1/2, 59 1/2

The Bruins look like they could be back after many years of being away from the meaningful national landscape. Bob Chesney has come out to the left coast from James Madison, where he took his team last season to the Playoff last season and has posted a 132-52 career record, and toughened the Bruins up. I like for Chesney and his team to give Oregon everything it wants. I’ll take the upset.

UCLA 35, Oregon 31

No. 7 Indiana (5-0, 2-0, Big Ten) @ Nebraska (5-0, 2-0)

Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE.

11 A.M.

FOX

Hoosiers by 7 1/2, 47 1/2

I’ve watched a pretty good bit of IU, and still think they’re for real, though they haven’t won as handily as they did last season. New QB Josh Hoover has completed 76 of 107 passes, 71%, for 1,101 yards, 15 TDs against 0 interceptions. Still bullish on Cignetti and the Hoosiers, and still don’t believe in Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers that much.

Indiana 28, Nebraska 17

Maryland (2-3, 0-2) @ No.5 Ohio State (4-1, 2-0)

Ohio Stadium, Columbus

3:15 P.M.

Big Ten Network

Ohio State by 34 1/2, 56 1/2

I’m really sick and tired of Jeremiah Smith and some other players striking the Heisman pose after scoring touchdowns against inferior teams. That kid and a couple of others are showing a lot of arrogance, and after Texas shut him down in the second half in Austin and he dropped a couple of passes, Smith might think twice before acting so arrogantly against lesser competition. He hasn’t proven it against a real team yet this season, that’s for sure.

Ohio State 45, Maryland 14

Stanford (2-3) @ No.3 Notre Dame (5-0)

Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN.

2:30 P.M.

NBC

Fighting Irish by 38 1/2, 54 1/2

I like the Fighting Irish to win, but that’s a few too many points for me. There’s always that question of how good are they really? Miami plays at Notre Dame later this season, so we’ll find out then.

Notre Dame 42, Stanford 10

No. 19 USC (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) @ Penn State (3-2, 0-2)

Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.

6:30 P.M.

NBC

Penn State by 1 1/2, 54 1/2

I’ll take the slight upset here. Lincoln Riley sure needs it.

USC 27, Penn State 24

North Carolina (2-2, 0-1 ACC) @ No.25 Pitt (5-0, 2-0)

Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.

11 A.M.

ESPN

Pittsburgh by 3 1/2, 47 1/2

Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi looks like he came straight out of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, but his team is good. They did lose starting quarterback Mason Heintschel for the season to an injury last Friday Night at Virginia Tech in a wild 35-33 Panthers win in which a last second field goal by VA Tech was ruled no good by the refs under the crossbars. Man, it was close. But Pittsburgh moved on. Former Auburn quarterback Holden Geriner is the starter for Pitt now, and he looked pretty good to me last Friday Night. He was a four-star out of high school in Georgia when Auburn signed him in 2022.

Pittsburgh 28, North Carolina 24

UCF (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) @ No. 18 Oklahoma State (3-1, 1-0)

Boone Pickens Stadium. Gotta love that. Sounds like a successful Southwestern oil businessman, which he was. Stillwater, OK.

11 A.M.

ESPN2

OK. State by 10 1/2, 53 1/2

I’m buying first year coach Eric Morris and the Pokes.

Oklahoma State 35, UCF 23

College Football Playoff as it stands today

1. Alabama, 2. Miami, 3. Georgia, 4. Notre Dame 5. Texas, 6. Indiana, 7. Ohio State, 8. LSU, 9. UCLA, 10. Oklahoma State, 11. Utah, 12. North Dakota State

First Round, played at home stadiums of higher seeded teams

Friday, 12/18/26

No.5 Texas over No.12 North Dakota State, 7 P.M., ESPN

Saturday, 12/19/26

No.6 Indiana over No.11 Utah, 11 A.M., ESPN

No.10 Oklahoma State over No. 7 Ohio State, 2:30 P.M. TNT/truTV

No.8 LSU over No. 9 UCLA, 6:30 P.M., TNT/truTV

Quarterfinals

Wednesday, 12/30/26,

VRBO Fiesta Bowl, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ.

6:30 P.M., TNT/truTV

No. 3 Georgia over No. 8 LSU

Friday, 1/1/27

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

7 P.M., ESPN

No.1 Alabama over No.10 Oklahoma State

Goodyear Cotton Bowl, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.

11 A.M.

No.6 Indiana over No.2 Miami

Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA.

3 P.M., ESPN

No.5 Texas over No.4 Notre Dame

Semifinals

Thursday, 1/14/27

Capital One Orange Bowl, Miami Gardens

6:30 P.M., TNT/truTV

No.6 Indiana over No. 3 Georgia

Friday, 1/15/27

Allstate Sugar Bowl, N’Awlins

6:30 P.M., ABC/ESPN

No.1 Alabama over No.5 Texas

National Championship Game

Monday, January 25, 2027

Allegiant Stadium, Vegas

6:30 P.M. ESPN/ABC

No.1 Alabama 27, No.6 Indiana 24

The Crimson Tide extracts revenge from last season’s Rose Bowl.

National Champion: Alabama

MVP, Keelon Russell

College Football Week 4 with some Classics. Here are Predictions

September 25, 2026

Kalen is hoping his team can improve even more against a tough SEC opponent. (Photo courtesy of Facebook).

I was going to be out of town this weekend in New York, so I was not writing, but with a Nor’Eastern blowing through the City this weekend, it gives me a chance to predict the games.

I was hopeful I would be spending the weekend with my daughters and son-in-law and doing some fun stuff including going to the Giants-Titans game on Sunday. But such is life. And there is a lot of stellar college football this weekend, so I’ll post the scores without much elaboration as I wasn’t expecting to be writing this. I’ll have a lot more elaboration in week 5 and going forward.

Here are this weekend’s predictions.

Last Week: SU: 13-5, Overall, 52-12, 81%. ATS: 12-6, 33-31, 52%. O/U: 7-11, 35-29, 55%.

All times Central and all games Saturday.

South Carolina (2-1) @ No.8 Alabama (3-0)

Bryant-Denny, 6 P. M. ESPN

Bama by 12 1/2, 54 1/2

Crimson Tide 38, South Carolina 28

Vanderbilt (3-0) @ Auburn (2-1)

Jordan-Hare

3:15 P.M., SEC Network

AU by 9 1/2, 55 1/2

Vanderbilt 28, Auburn 27

No.1 Texas (3-0) @ No. 14 Tennessee (3-0)

Neyland Stadium, Knoxville

11 A.M., ABC

Texas by 4 1/2, 54 1/2

Texas 31, Tennessee 27

No.4 Ole Miss (4-0) @ No.21 Florida (3-0)

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

2:30 P.M., ABC

Florida by 3 1/2, 59 1/2

Ole Miss 34, Florida 30

Oklahoma (2-1) @ No. 2 Georgia (3-0)

Sanford Stadium, Athens

2:30 P.M., ESPN

Dawgs by 13 1/2, 44 1/2

Georgia 31, Oklahoma 14

No.23 Texas A&M (2-1) @ No. 10 LSU (2-1)

Tiger Stadium, Baaton Rouge

6:30 P.M., ABC

L-S-U by 8 1/2, 52 1/2

LSU 31, A&M 21

No.19 Missouri (3-0) @ No.24 Mississippi State (3-0)

Davis Wade Stadium, Starkvegas

6:45 P.M. S-E-C Network

Mississippi State by 6 1/2, 58 1/2

Mississippi State 31, Mizzou 28

South Alabama (2-1) @ Kentucky (2-1)

Kroger Field, Lexington

11:45 A.M., SEC Network

KY by 20 1/2, 54 1/2

Kentucky 34, South AL. 17

Tulsa (3-0) @ Arkansas (1-2)

Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

7 P.M., SECN+

Hogs by 6 1/2, 50 1/2

Arkansas 27, Tulsa 23

Key National Game this week

No.20 Oregon (2-1) @ No.12 USC (3-0)

Los Angeles Memorial Stadium

6:30 P.M., NBC

Oregon by 3 1/2, 61 1/2

Oregon 35, USC 31

No.3 Notre Dame (3-0) @ Purdue (1-2)

Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana

1 P.M., Peacock

Fighting Irish by 27 1/2, 57 1/2

Notre Dame 42, Purdue 20

Tonight

Northwestern (2-0) @ No.5 Indiana (3-0)

Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN.

7, FOX

Indiana by 20 1/2, 49 1/2

Indiana 35, Northwestern 17

Saturday again for the rest of the games

Illinois (2-1) @ No.7 Ohio State

Ohio Stadium, Columbus

11 A.M. FOX

Ohio State by 27 1/2, 54 1/2

Ohio State 42, Illinois 17

No. 17 Iowa (3-0) @ No. 18 Michigan (3-0)

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

2:30 P.M., CBS

Michigan by 5 1/2, 38 1/2

Michigan 20, Iowa 17

Wake Forest (2-1) @ No. 16 Louisville (2-1)

L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, Louisville

11 A.M., ESPN

Louisville by 12 1/2, 57 1/2

Louisville 28, Wake 24

No.15 Utah (3-0) @ Iowa State (2-1)

Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa

2:30 P.M., FOX

Utah by 8 1/2, 47 1/2

Utah 27, Iowa State 24

Wisconsin (2-1) @ No.13 Penn State (3-0)

Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.

4 P.M., Peacock

Penn State by 9 1/2, 43 1/2

Penn State 28, Wisconsin 17

Central Michigan (2-1) @ No.6 Miami (3-0)

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.

5:30 P.M., CW Network

Miami by 41 1/2, 54 1/2

Miami 51, Central Michigan 7

Bama-FSU, Auburn-Florida and a Border War in Oxford headline Week 3 of College Football. College Football Playoff Projections

September 17, 2026

Virginia Tech transfer linebacker Caleb Woodson has made a huge difference at inside backer for the Crimson Tide. (Photo courtesy of Instagram).

The Crimson Tide is out for a little vengeance, and the Auburn Tigers are in a critical rivalry game as their two talented young coaches renew a rivalry of their own from the American Conference. Meanwhile, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium will be extremely raucous as a villain and his team enter the confines.

There will be several other meaningful SEC matchups, with all teams in action, along with some SEC versus non-conference games and a couple of key national matchups featuring heavyweights from the Big Ten, at least I thought so until last Saturday Night in Austin, competing against lighter-weight opponents.

Here’s a look at all of that, along with predictions and projections for the fluid landscape of the 12-team College Football Playoff, on White’s World Sports Confidential.

Last Week’s Record/Overall Record

Straight Up: 15-3, 39-7, 85%. ATS: 8-10, 21-25, 46%. O/U: 13-5, 28-18, 61%.

All game times are Central. All games on Saturday unless otherwise noted.

Florida State (1-1) @ No.10 Alabama (2-0)

Bryant-Denny Stadium, 2:30 P.M., ABC.

Bama by 18 1/2, 48 1/2

After a rough first half, I thought the Tide settled down, played superb defense and got the offense started cookin’. Running back Daniel Hill rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries, 5.8 attempt, with a long run of 31 yards and a TD in a 31-7 road victory over Kentucky. I liked what I saw in the second half.

I like the Tide to exact revenge on FSU on Saturday. I think this team believes that what happened last season at Doak Campbell was unacceptable.

Alabama 35, Florida State 10

I like Keelon Russell and the Crimson Tide to be solid on Saturday as they matriculate this season. (Photo courtesy of *Yahoo Sports*).

Omar Mabson and the Tigers ran the … “heck” out of the ball last Saturday Night in Jordan-Hare. (Photo courtesy of Facebook).

Florida (2-0) @ Auburn (2-0)

Jordan-Hare, 6 P.M., ESPN

Florida by 1 1/2, 53 1/2

I loved the Tigers running game last Saturday, even though Alex was pretty upset about the effort against Southern Miss.

The Tigers rushed for 350 yards last Saturday night in a 43-8 victory over Southern Miss. They were led by Omar Mabson II’s 108 yards, Byrum Brown’s 88 and Jeremiah Cobb’s 85.

Florida has a solid team under first year coach Jon Sumrall, who renews a rivalry with Coach Golesh. Sumrall coached at Tulane and Golesh at South Florida the past several seasons. Sumrall and Tulane defeated Golesh and the Bulls 45-10 in New Orleans in 2024.

The Tigers special teams will have to be solid to corral Florida punt return man Vernell Brown III, who already taken two punts back to the house this season.

With that said, I always like the home crowd at Jordan-Hare and I love the DJ Durkin defense and the running game. Give me the Tigers in a slight upset.

Auburn 27, Florida 24

Are KIffin and LSU doing what they always do? Lie? (Photo courtesy of Instagram).

No. 7 LSU (2-0) @ No.8 Ole Miss (2-0)

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, 6:30 P.M. ABC

LSU by 1 1/2, 57 1/2

What a blockbuster, with massive storylines. Kiffin returns to the place where he’s public enemy number one. The LSU availability report on the SEC website lists quarterback Sam Leavitt as doubtful, meaning there is a 25 percent chance he’ll play. But do you really trust that? It looks like more deception and sandbagging from Kiffin and the Bayou subterfuge machine.

Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacey are still in Oxford, so even if Leavitt starts, I like Chambliss, Lacey and the Rebels to get the better of LSU.

Ole Miss 31, LSU 27

UTSA (2-0) @ No. 1 Texas (2-0)

DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, 7 P.M. SEC Network+

Texas by 29, 58 1/2

Texas couldn’t even get it right after they defeated then-No.1 Ohio State in Austin last Saturday night. After a colossal choke job by Ryan Day, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, quarterback Julian “Just” Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Texas completed an impressive comeback from a 23-3 second half deficit to win 24-23.

While Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian look like heroes, Sarkisian blew off ABC’s Holly Rowe after the game without giving her the courtesy of an interview. Sarkisian just ran off and said “Hook’em” or something like that looking for his big buddy Matthew McConaughey, who wants to believe he’s a coach despite the fact that he’s all fiction.

Then, on Monday, Manning laughed at and called some sort of spoof of Sarkisian slapping Rowe, “hilarious.” Real classy, Arch.

I’m still not a complete believer in Texas. I still doubt the team’s toughness. Ohio State is never tough under Ryan Day, so Texas defeating the Buckeyes wasn’t really about toughness.

The jury is still out on Texas, in my opinion. The Longhorns have purchased a lot of talent, but can Sarkisian and Manning really get it done when it matters? That’s still my biggest question about them.

Texas 42, UTSA 14

No.2 Georgia (2-0) @ Arkansas (1-1)

Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, 11 A.M. ABC

Georgia by 24 1/2, 54 1/2

Georgia is for real, but can Kirby Smart get it done when it really counts? Gunner Stockton and all that talent sure give him a shot. Smart is known for making questionable decisions in the clutch that can cost his teams crucial games, but the Dawgs are highly talented and physical. Arkansas, under first year coach Ryan Silverfield, has a ways to go before it is competitive in the SEC.

Georgia 45, Arkansas 14

Kentucky (1-1) @ No. 9 Texas A&M (2-0)

Kyle Field, College Station, 2:30 P.M. ESPN

A&M by 17 1/2, 50 1/2

Kentucky Coach Will Stein may want to rethink his arrogant comments at SEC Media Days that he’s the reason the Wildcats will excel. It was kind of shocking when he was asked why he thought Kentucky would be successful, and said, “Because of me.” Though Mike Elko’s shown a propensity to collapse in the postseason, he and his Aggies will teach Stein another lesson in life in the SEC. The former Oregon offensive coordinator will get it handed to him again.

A&M 35, Kentucky 14

Mississippi State (2-0) @ South Carolina (2-0)

Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, 3:15 P.M. SEC Network

Gamecocks by 3 1/2, 58 1/2

I like LaNorris Sellers and Shane Beamer to just barely get by a much-improved Mississippi State team that went to Minnesota last Saturday and blasted the Golden Gophers, 38-13. I almost want to pick the Bullies and Jeff Lebby, but I’ll take the home-field advantage here.

South Carolina 31, Mississippi State 28

Kennesaw State (1-1) @ No. 15 Tennessee (2-0)

Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, 6:45 P.M. SEC Network

Tennessee by 35 1/2, 59 1/2

Vols freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon has been good so far, but the competition, Furman and a down Georgia Tech team, hasn’t been too strong.

Tennessee 49, Kennesaw State 14

Troy (2-0) @ No.20 Missouri (2-0)

Memorial Stadium, Columbia, Missouri, 6 P.M. SEC Net+

Missouri by 26 1/2, 50 1/2

I like Missouri to win but not cover.

Missouri 34, Troy 10

New Mexico (2-0) @ No.24 Oklahoma (1-1)

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, 6:30 P.M. ESPN

Oklahoma by 20 1/2, 46 1/2

Another SEC team I like to win, but not cover. Brent Venables, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterback John Mateer were a disaster in 17-10 loss to Michigan at Ann Arbor. All three look like they’re out of their league right now.

Oklahoma 31, New Mexico 14

NC State (1-1) @ Vanderbilt (2-0)

FirstBank Stadium, Nashville. 11:45 A.M., SEC Network

Commodores by 3 1/2, 50 1/2

Five-star freshman Jared Curtis finally gets the start and bails Clark Lea out. This move could definitely change the trajectory of the Commodores program this season. Maybe Curtis can get Lea to six wins and a bowl game victory and more momentum with Curtis the centerpiece of the future.

This is a tough game for the Commodores on Saturday, however. They need to win these out of conference games because the conference ia a beast starting @ Auburn a week from Saturday, 9/26.

Vanderbilt 27, NC State 23

Good games Nationally

No. 16 SMU (2-0) @ No. 23 Louisville (1-1)

L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, Louisville, 2:30 P.M., ESPN2

Louisville by 1 1/2, 59 1/2

I’m looking at a really solid game here, with SMU almost pulling it off. But the home-field advantage gets the job done. Two good teams.

Louisville 31, SMU 30

Friday

No. 22 Houston (2-0) @ No.13 Texas Tech (2-0)

Galaxy Stadium? Lubbock, Texas, 7 P.M., FOX

Texas Tech by 7 1/2, 51 1/2

Lubbock, we’ll have a problem. Taking the upset.

Houston 34, Texas Tech 31

Friday

No. 5 Miami (2-0) @ Wake Forest (2-0)

Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, Winston-Salem, 6:30 P.M., ESPN

Miami by 20 1/2, 55 1/2

Miami looks good, like a top-three team in the country, but the competition has been pretty light. I like’em to win and cover here, though.

Miami 42, Wake 17

Back to Saturday

Michigan State (2-0) @ No.3 Notre Dame (2-0)

Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana, 6:30 P.M., NBC

Notre Dame by 29 1/2, 52 1/2

Notre Dame, who knows yet? I like’em to win at home but not cover.

Notre Dame 42, Michigan State 17

West Virginia (2-0) @ No.25 Virginia

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina, 6:30 P.M., ACC Network

UVA by 9 1/2, 53 1/2

I love UVA, but I think this’ll be a tough game because Rich Rod is good at West Virginia.

Virginia 28, West VA. 24

Joke National Games

Western Kentucky (0-2) @ No. 4 Indiana (2-0)

Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, 3 P.M., Peacock

Indiana by 44 1/2, 60 1/2

Indiana with its typical joke of a non-conference schedule. Come on, Cignetti!

Indiana 49, Western Kentucky 10

Kent State (1-1) @ No.6 Ohio State (1-1)

Ohio Stadium. 11 A.M. Big Ten Network

Ohio State by 52 1/2, 59 1/2

Ryan Day can win the cupcake games, but he hasn’t historically proven that he can defeat the better teams. I’m never sold on Day, even though he won it all two years ago. They spend more than anybody in college football.

Ohio State 58, Kent State 7

One more thing: Dan Lanning may be the most overrated coach in college football. He just can’t ever get it done when it matters. Oregon lost to Oklahoma State 39-31 last Saturday at Stillwater. Oklahoma State has a good new coach in Eric Morris from North Texas, but nearly all of his players are transfers. So, there is no excuse for that. Lanning proved again that he gags in the clutch.

Playoff as of today. It’ll change.

1. Miami 2. Georgia 3. Texas 4. Alabama 5. Notre Dame 6.Ole Miss 7. Texas A&M 8. Indiana 9. Ohio State 10. Houston 11. Virginia 12. Boise State

First Round. All games at the Higher-Seeded Team’s Home Stadium

Friday, December 18, 2026

No.5 Notre Dame over No.12 Boise State, 7 P.M. ESPN

Saturday, 12/19/26

No.6 Ole Miss over No.11 Virginia, 11 A.M. ESPN

No.10 Houston over No.7 Texas A&M, 2:30 P.M. TNT/truTV

No.8 Indiana over No.9 Ohio State, 6:30 P.M. TNT/truTV

Quarterfinals

Wednesday, 12/30/26, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona, 6:30 P.M., TNT/truTV

Ole Miss over No.3 Texas

Friday, 1/1/27. All Three Other Quarterfinal Games

Goodyear Cotton Bowl, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, 11 A.M., TNT/truTV

No.4 Alabama over Notre Dame

Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, 3 P.M., ESPN

No.2 Georgia over Houston

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 7 P.M., ESPN

No.1 Miami over Indiana

Semifinals

Thursday, 1/14/27

Capital One Orange Bowl, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, 6:30 P.M., TNT/truTV

Alabama over Miami

Friday, 1/15/27

Allstate Sugar Bowl, Caesars Superdome, N’Awlins, 6:30 P.M., TNT/truTV

Georgia over Ole Miss

National Championship Game

Monday, 1/25/27, Allegiant Stadium, Vegas, 6:30 P.M., ESPN/ABC

Alabama 24, Georgia 23

National Champion

The Alabama Crimson Tide

Most Valuable Player

Keelon Russell

Week 2 College Football features massive game in Austin, Bama on the Road in the SEC, Tigers at home, Riley Green music video

September 10, 2026

Auburn’s Eric Winters with the defensive play of the season so far for the Tigers last Saturday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Photo courtesy of *Tik Tok*).

Alabama and Auburn emerged victorious last Saturday with the Crimson Tide having a relatively easy time of it despite some hiccups, and the Tigers surviving a strong Baylor effort with one of the best form tackles you’ll ever see to save the game.

This weekend, the headliner is in Austin where the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes and their prolific wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who sure looks like the Heisman leader right now though Miami’s Malachi Toney can give him a run, will square off with Arch Manning and the No.4 Longhorns for a primetime Saturday night game.

The Crimson Tide travels to Kentucky in what will be a good first test for Keelon Russell and the Crimson Tide offense and Yhonzae Pierre and the defense.

The Auburn Tigers after barely getting by Baylor in what turned out to be a riveting final quarter of football, get a home game versus Southern Miss.

There are some other nice matchups with SEC teams playing key national opponents and all the best teams in action.

Last Week- Straight Up-21-0, Overall-24-4, 86%, ATS, 9-12, 13-15, 46%. O/U-11-10, 15-13, 54%.

As usual, all games Saturday unless otherwise noted and all games Central time.

No. 12 Alabama (1-0) @ Kentucky (1-0)

Kroger Field, 2:30 P.M., ABC

Crimson Tide by 10 1/2, 49 1/2

Keelon Russell passed his first test last Saturday. It’ll get a little tougher in Lexington on Saturday. I like what I’m seeing out of freshman running back EJ Crowell. He looks like he’ll be stellar. I like Alabama to get a lot better from game one and have good success in Lexington.

Alabama 38, Kentucky 14

Southern Miss (1-0) @ Auburn (1-0)

Jordan-Hare

6:45 P.M. SEC Network

Tigers by 32 1/2, 56 1/2

Strong safety Eric Winters saved Auburn from a heartbreaker last Saturday with a game- saving tackle of Baylor tight end Matthew Klopfenstein on Baylor’s two point conversion attempt as the Tigers salvaged a victory, 17-16 after being outplayed by Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway and the Bears.

Coach Golesh was poised afterwards, but said the team has a lot of work ahead of it, if it wants to have a successful season.

I like the Tigers to get a little better in game two at home.

Auburn 35, Southern Miss 14

No. 1 Ohio State (1-0) @ No.4 Texas (1-0)

DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium

6:30 P.M. ABC

Texas by 1 1/2, 49 1/2

It’s going to be hot and windy in Austin with game time temperatures in the mid 90’s and wind gusting to 18. So this might be a lower scoring game than first thought. I’ll take the Buckeyes and Jeremiah Smith to survive this one. Smith caught 8 passes for a buck fifth one and 2 TDs last Saturday. I see him right now as the best player in college football. He’s the difference-maker for Ohio State.

Ohio State 20, Texas 17

No.11 Oklahoma (1-0) @ Michigan (1-0)

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

11 A.M. FOX

OU by 5 1/2, 43 1/2

Michigan is incredibly lucky to have won their game with Western Michigan. After a failed Hail Mary with the clock saying 0:00 left, the Big Ten refs somehow said there was a second left. It was a travesty. Western Michigan should have won that game. Bryce Underwood and Michigan are not impressive.

Michigan has a lot of work to do. I don’t know if new head coach Kyle Whittingham, who came up to Ann Arbor from Utah, is that great.

Oklahoma 23, Michigan 17

No. 18 Tennessee (1-0) @ Georgia Tech (0-1)

Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta

6 P.M. ESPN

Tennessee by 12 1/2, 55 1/2

The Vols have a pretty tough opponent, and the weather is a little questionable as of right now with a chance of t-storms and windy. Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon looks pretty sharp. Vols skate by.

Tennessee 20, Tech 14

Arizona State (1-0) @ No. 10 Texas A&M (1-0)

Kyle Field, College Station

11 A.M. ABC

Aggies by 14 1/2, 50 1/2

Arizona State is scrappy under Kenny Dillingham. They give Marcel Reed and the Aggies some trouble, but A&M survives.

Texas A&M 31, Arizona State 27

Western Kentucky (0-1) @ No.2 Georgia (1-0)

Sanford Stadium, Athens

11:45 A.M. SEC Network

Georgia by 40 1/2, 55 1/2

As Excedrin says, “Dawgs keep it rollin’.” Injuries are the main concern for Georgia in this game.

Georgia 56, Western Kentucky 10

Friday

No.23 Missouri (1-0) @ Kansas (1-0)

Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence

7 P.M. FOX

Missouri by 5 1/2, 50 1/2

I’m looking at a pretty tight game here, but I’ll take the Mizzou Tigers to emerge.

Missouri 30, Kansas 24

Louisiana Tech (1-0) @ No. 8 LSU (1-0)

Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA.

6:30 P.M. SEC Network+

LSU by 35 1/2, 56 1/2

I’m going to stop worrying about Kiffin. He’ll always be hateable, but the team looks good. They did kill a pretty terrible Clemson team last Saturday Night. Dabo looks clueless in this era of college football. I like the old school recruiting and development approach the best, but you’ve got to change things up when things are going south. I would think Clemson has the financial ability to attract good players. Don’t know for a fact, but South Carolina can, so Dabo either needs to accept this new era of college football or call it a career.

LSU 49, LA Tech 13

Mississippi State (1-0) @ Minnesota (1-0)

Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis

2:30 P.M. CBS

Minnesota by 1 1/2, 55 1/2

I’ll take the upset here. I like what I’m seeing in year 3 at Starkville with Coach Jeff Lebby and new quarterback Kamario Taylor, who completed 22 of 34 last Saturday for 354 yards and 4 TDs and 0 interceptions as State “bulldozed” LA. Monroe, 62-13.

Give me Coach Lebby, Taylor and the Bullies.

State 27, Minnesota 24

Arkansas (1-0) @ No.20 Utah (1-0)

Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake

9:15 P.M. ESPN

Utah by 12 1/2, 55 1/2

I’ll take the Utes.

Utah 31, Arkansas 21

No. 9 Ole Miss 55, Charlotte 7

Vaught-Hemingway, Oxford

6:45 P.M. ESPN

Ole Miss by 47 1/2, 59 1/2

Ole Miss is lucky to be 1-0. Their defense fell apart against Louisville and they barely survived. Louisville’s a pretty good offense, but Pete Golding was saying how great his defense was before the season and I’m not seeing it.

Other Scores from the SEC and Nationally

Florida 45, Campbell 14

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

4:30 P.M. SEC Network+

Gators by 51 1/2, 66 1/2

Florida hasn’t been challenged, so it’s hard to tell if they’re any good.

South Carolina 49, Towson 6

Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia

6 P.M. SEC Network+

Gamecocks by 42 1/2, 55 1/2

Even though they haven’t played anybody I’m getting pretty bullish on this team with OC Kendal Briles working with LaNorris Sellers.

Vanderbilt 34, Delaware 17

FirstBank Stadium, Nashville

3:15 P.M. SEC Network

Vandy by 21 1/2, 54 1/2

I don’t like at all what Clark Lea is doing with his two quarterback system. Play five-star freshman Jared Curtis and don’t play low three-star senior Blaze Berlowitz. He’s messing up the team and the momentum they created from last season.

No.6 Oregon 37, Oklahoma State 14

Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK.

11 A.M. ESPN

Oregon by 22 1/2, 56 1/2

I thought Oregon wouldn’t have major problems with Boise State, but they just got by, 34-27 at home. The question every year is do you trust Oregon? I never do trust them to go all the way, but we got a long way to go.

No. 5 Indiana 66, Howard 7

Memorial Stadium, Bloomington

11 A.M. Big Ten Network

Indiana by 56 1/2, 65 1/2

Total joke. You never know much about this team when they play these cupcakes. I do like quarterback Josh Hoover throwing a TD pass with blood all over his face.

Today

Miami 70, Florida A&M 3

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

7 P.M. ACC Network

Miami by 59 1/2, 65 1/2

Another joke game, but I do think the Canes are for real. Indiana is too for that matter. Malachi Toney caught 12 passes for 234 yards and 3 TDs for the Canes last Friday @ Stanford in a 45-6 victory. Quarterback Darian Mensah completed 27 of 30 passes for 401, 5 TDs and 0 interceptions. Certainly Heisman candidates on South Beach.

Here’s a nice music video from Jacksonville, Alabama native Riley Green.

Week 1 of College Football Has Arrived

September 3, 2026

Coach Golesh leads his Auburn Tigers into his and their maiden voyage as a football team in Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Photo courtesy of *Auburn Tigers*).

Good Thursday afternoon, and welcome to Week 1 of College Football. There has been so much controversy and upheaval in the game this summer and early into this season, that it’s mind-spinning every day to read about LSU and the SEC, and everything else going on.

The latest is that the SEC is suing LSU to disallow it from adding players who have signed NFL contracts to its roster. That saga is to be determined. Baton Rouge Judge William Jorden will decide today if the temporary restraining order allowing the professional players to play at LSU will be upheld, allowing them to play until at least September 11th.

It’s a cluster, and that’s all this Blog is going to talk about concerning that, as there is some terrific football going on this weekend around the Southeastern Conference and nationally.

The marquee game actually takes place in Baton Rouge, with Dabo Swinney and his Clemson Tigers visiting Tiger Stadium and Coach Kiffin and LSU. Ole Miss squares off with Louisville in Nissan Stadium in Nashville in another classic on Sunday Night.

Of course, around these parts, the Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers embark on important seasons for both programs, as Kalen DeBoer and new quarterback, the talented Keelon Russell, along with new offensive and defensive lines, take their first test in game 1 versus East Carolina.

And the Auburn Tigers really get challenged as Coach Alex Golesh comes to the Plains from South Florida, and he and his South Florida transfer quarterback Byrom Brown will face the Baylor Bears in an excellent non-conference matchup. It’s one of the marquee games of the weekend.

There are not a lot of blockbusters this first weekend, but all the big names are playing, and there are some key games that we’ll dive into.

Here’s a look at week 1 with previews and predictions.

Record last week, Week 0: SU, 3-4; ATS, 4-3; O/U, 4-3.

Games Saturday, Friday and Thursday. All games Saturday unless otherwise noted. All game times are Central.

Tier One games

East Carolina @ No.13 Alabama, Bryant-Denny Stadium 11 A.M., ABC. Bama by 28 1/2, 52 1/2

The highly talented Keelon Russell takes over the most important position in football at one of the places where it’s the most important job in state, if not the most important. (Photo courtesy of *TikTok*).

Keelon Russell is the highest-rated recruit ever signed by Alabama, according to 247 Sports, which started rating high school players in 2010. Keelon was a .9998 five-star. His senior season at Duncanville, Texas, he was named National Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing for 4,177 yards and 55 touchdowns against only 4 interceptions. His completion percentage was 69.4 as he connected on 238 of 343 passes. He averaged 298 passing yards per game.

It was a heated competition for starting quarterback on this year’s Crimson Tide team, with former four-star recruit from the University of Washington Austin Mack battling it out tooth and nail with Keelon. Russell had a nice spring game with Mack banged up.

Russell completed 21 of 33 passes for 240, 4 TDs and only 1 int. He’s a superb talent. Mack is a highly capable backup.

But he’s got to have protection and a lot of help from the running game. Michael Carroll at right guard and Jackson Lloyd at left tackle will be leaned on for leadership and physical toughnessas they try to clear running lanes for running backs Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley and five-star freshman EJ Crowell, who has battled some injuries in the spring and summer but has been declared ready to go by Coach DeBoer. The wide receivers, led by Ryan Coleman- Williams, whom Alabama fans hope is rejuvenated, will need to produce.

The defense is anchored by Bray Hubbard, Zabien Brown, Dijon Lee and a hyper-talented secondary. Outside linebacker/defensive end Yhonzee Pierre is expected to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks.

So what can this team get done this year? Is it a Playoff spot and a deep run? It’s possible if the line can block, Russell can develop quickly, the running backs deliver, the wideouts play high level football, and the defense shines.

I like this team. They should get off to a solid start against East Carolina.

Alabama 42, East Carolina 10

Byrom Brown takes the reins and homes in on making it great to be an Auburn Tiger once again. (Photo courtesy of Facebook).

Auburn vs. Baylor, Mercedes-Benz Stadium,Atlanta 2:30 P.M., ABC, Tigers by 7 1/2, 58 1/2

Alex Golesh and his new quarterback Byrom Brown, take center stage Saturday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium as they challenge themselves against the Baylor Bears.

In 2025 at South Florida, Brown completed 226 of 341, 66%, for 3,158 yards, 28 TDs against 7 interceptions, and also rushed for 1,008 yards and 14 TDs. Those are impressive numbers. Can it translate against SEC defenses in 2026? That’s the sixty-four-thousand- dollar question. He’ll be challenged out of the starting blocks against a pretty good Baylor team.

The Auburn rushing game, along with Brown, will need to help. Jeremiah Cobb headlines that group as the junior rushed for 969 yards and 5 TDs in 2025. Like the Crimson Tide, the Tigers will have to get good production out of their offensive line. The receivers, several of whom are from South Florida, will need to produce, and DJ Durkin’s defense, led by standout outside linebacker Xavier Atkins, will need to play solidly for the squad to make an improvement from the last several years, which Auburn fans are more than ready for.

I like the Tigers to win Saturday. They’ll be challenged by Dave Aranda’s Bears, but I’ll take the Tigers to persevere and start off with a solid out of conference victory.

Auburn 31, Baylor 27

Another marquee matchup features Kiffin versus Sweeney. (Photo courtesy of Facebook).

Clemson @ No.11 LSU, Tiger Stadium, 6:30 P.M. ABC, LSU by 10 1/2, 50 1/2

Quite a matchup of two complete opposite personalities running their respective sidelines.

Dabo Swinney is old guard, by the book: recruit’em, train’em, play hard-nosed football, respect the integrity of the game. Just play solid football.

Lane Kiffin pushes the envelope to the limit. He attacks the transfer portal, has a $50 million team payroll, and plays wide-open, go-for-it on every fourth down type football. He’s a risk taker and causes controversy wherever he is.

LSU first year quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 216 of 350 passes in 2024 for Arizona State, 62%, for 2,885 yards, 24 TDs and 6 interceptions. In an injury riddled 2025, Leavitt was 145 of 239, 61%, for 1,628 yards, 10 TDs and 3 interceptions. He brings a lot of talent, experience and leadership to the LSU Tigers football team.

On the opposite side, Coach Sweeney went with redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina of Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham and a nephew of Birmingham native Davy Bennett, whom several people know on this Blog.

Vizzina completed 45 of 71 passes last season for 406 yards, 4 TDs and 1 interception in more limited play as Cade Klubnik played most of the snaps. Klubnik is trying to make it in the pros now. So it’ll be an interesting quarterback and coaching matchup.

I like LSU only because they’re at home. There are a lot of new players down there, and it might take time for them to jell. Dabo and his team gives them a tussle.

LSU 28, Clemson 24

Sunday

Trinidad Chambliss leads his Rebels into what they hope is a spectacular season. (Photo courtesy of *Yahoo Sports*).

No. 24 Louisville vs. No.9 Ole Miss, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, 6:30 P.M. ABC, Ole Miss by 6 1/2, 55 1/2

Pete Golding takes over for his first full season after taking over the Rebels in the Playoff, and, along with his superstar quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, leading the team to the Semifinals of the Playoff before falling to Miami late in the game. But the team posted two solid playoff victories over Tulane and Georgia.

Chambliss completed 294 of 445 passes last season, 66%, for 3,937 yards, 22 TDs and only 3 interceptions. He also rushed for 537 yards and 8 more TDs. He’s a phenom, and so is running back Kewan Lacy, who rushed for 1,567 yards and 24 scores in 2025. Both these guys are Heisman Trophy candidates, along with several others. But these are two of the best players in the country.

I like Pete, Trinidad, Kewan, and what Golding says is the best defense he’s ever coached to get the job done in Nashville.

Ole Miss 31, Louisville 24

Tennessee State @ No.3 Georgia, Sanford Stadium, 2 P.M., SEC Network+, Georgia by 47 1/2, 54 1/2

Georgia should have no problem here. Gunner Stockton and his teammates commence on what they hope will be a special season in 2026. They always are special seasons at Georgia, but Stockton and his team want to take it to another level.

Georgia 49, Tennessee State 3

Arch Manning homes in on taking Texas to the highest level. (Photo courtesy of *Instagram*).

Texas State @ No.5 Texas, DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, 2:30 P.M. ESPN, Texas by 30, 59 1/2

The young man from the first family of football will try to lead his Longhorns to a higher level in 2026. Texas has knocked on the door with Steve Sarkisian at the helm, and there were high hopes for Arch last season. While those expectations weren’t met, he showed a lot of promise for what kind of quarterback he can become, as Texas was one of the teams that barely missed the Playoff.

Manning completed 248 of 404 passes, 61%, for 3,163 yards, 26 TDs and 7 interceptions. He rushed for 399 yards and 10 more TDs. He’ll lead a terrifically talented Texas team into 2026, a group that thinks it can win it all. He has the running backs and the wide receiving corps, with Cam Coleman from Auburn leading the way. The offensive line and defense will decide how far the Longhorns go this season.

Texas 52, Texas State 7

Tier 2 games

Friday

UTEP @ No.10 Oklahoma, Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, 7 P.M., SEC Network, OU by 41 1/2, 51 1/2

I like Brent Venables, John Mateer and the Sooners to have a solid start to the season. The OU defense will be stout. Mateer’s play is the key to the Sooners’ success this season.

Oklahoma 45, UTEP 3

If A&M’s Marcel Reed can take it to an even higher level, the talented Aggies will be highly dangerous. (Photo courtesy of *Instagram*).

Missouri State @ No.8 Texas A&M, Kyle Field, 6 P.M., ESPN, Aggies by 40 1/2, 53 1/2

For Mike Elko and his Aggies, it’s all about the play of quarterback Marcel Reed this season.

If Reed excels, so do the Aggies. If he’s inconsistent, they won’t reach their goals of making the Playoff and advancing there.

I like Reed. He seems like a great kid from Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville and has played a lot of good football. He completed 234 of 377, 62%, for 3,169 yards, 25 TDs and 12 interceptions in 2025. He also rushed for 493 yards and 6 more TDs. He’s got a lot of talent. He threw too many interceptions last season and had poor games against Texas in the final game of the season and against Miami in the Aggies first round playoff loss at home.

But he’s got a shot to do well, and so do the Aggies in the SEC and nationally.

Elko has the No.1 recruiting class in the country in 2027 right now.

A&M 45, Mizzou State 7

Florida Atlantic @ Florida, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, 6:45 P.M., Gators by 26 1/2, 59 1/2

Like many schools, Florida has a new coach and a new quarterback. Jon Sumrall comes over from Tulane, where he had good success, and before that at Troy. Aaron Philo, a Georgia Tech transfer, will be under center for Florida in game 1.

In limited play at Tech, Philo completed 21 of 28 passes, 75%, for 373 with a TD and one interception. He played behind established starter Haynes King at Tech.

But Sumrall and the Gators are high on Philo, and they’re ecstatic to have running back Jaden Baugh back. Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards and 8 TDs last season and has the potential, with his physicality and breakaway speed, to really enhance those numbers this season.

I like this Gators squad. They’l be heading in the right direction in 2026.

Florida 41, Florida Atlantic 14

Furman (1-0) @ No. 20 Tennessee, Neyland Stadium, 2:30 P.M., SEC Network+, Tennessee by 46 1/2, 66 1/2

Josh Heupel picked five-star freshman Faizon Brandon as his quarterback over four-star sophomore George McIntyre. Brandon is a specimen at 6’3 1/2″, 225 pounds. This will be interesting to watch. The kid’s got a ton of talent, so it might work out for Heupel and the Vols.

Tennessee 35, Furman 17

Tonight

Arkansas Pine Bluff (1-0) @ No.25 Missouri, Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field, 7 P.M., SEC Network, Mizzou by 55 1/2, 61 1/2

Missouri will start Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons, who got Wally Pipped by Trinidad Chambliss at Oxford last season. Starting running back Ahmad Hardy was shot this summer but is expected to be back in mid September. Gotta be careful out there.

Jamal Roberts will start at running back. Roberts rushed for 753 yards and 6 TDs last season, so he’s a strong replacement for Hardy while he keeps recovering.

Give me Eli Drinkwitz and his team to have a good night tonight.

Missouri 59, Arkansas Pine Bluff 3

Tier 3 games

Kent State @ South Carolina, Williams-Brice Stadium, 11:45 A.M., SEC Network, SC by 36 1/2, 54 1/2

Shane Beamer hired Kendal Briles from TCU as his offensive coordinator to try to turn his and his team’s fortunes around. I like the hire. If he can get LaNorris Sellers playing good football under center, the Gamecocks have a chance to win 8 or 9 games this season. There’s a lot of talent on this team.

South Carolina 48, Kent State 7

Austin Peay @ Vanderbilt, FirstBank Stadium, 6 P.M., SEC Network+, Vanderbilt by 29 1/2, 60 1/2

Clark Lea had really gained momentum from last season’s 10-3 season, though they did lose in the ReliaQuest Bowl to Iowa, 34-27. They looked like they had mailed it in after not getting in the playoff.

Still, things looked highly optimistic as the Dores signed five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, stealing him away from Georgia.

But Lea has gone with New Mexico State transfer Blaze Berlowitz as his starter versus Austin Peay, saying both quarterbacks will play. I believe in the axiom that if you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterback. And Curtis’ ceiling is so much higher than Berlowitz’s. I hope it works out for Lea. Seems like a mistake. There’s a lot of talent around the quarterback and on the other side of the ball, Lea has recruited the high schools and portal well, so maybe that can compensate for the two quarterback/no quarterback system.

Vanderbilt 30, Austin Peay 10

North Alabama (1-0) @ Arkansas, Razorback Stadium, 3:15 P.M., SEC Network, Arkansas by 40 1/2, 63 1/2

After a successful tenure at Memphis, Ryan Silverfield tests the hard-charging waters of the SEC. North Alabama’s already played and won a game, so the Hogs may be tested a little more than they think. Probably not, though. North Alabama defeated woeful Samford last Saturday, 22-10.

Arkansas 52, North Alabama 10

Kentucky 35, Youngstown State (1-0) 17

Kroger Field, Lexington, 12 P.M. SEC Network+, Kentucky by 23 1/2, 62 1/2

Mississippi State 35, LA Monroe 10

Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, State by 28 1/2, 54 1/2

National Outlook

No.6 Indiana 45, North Texas 3, Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, 11 A.M. FOX, IU by 40 1/2, 55 1/2

Curt Cignetti has a new quarterback after he and Fernando Mendoza led their team to the national championship in 2025. Mendoza is now waiting his turn behind Kirk Cousins in Las Vegas for the Raiders, and Cignetti has a new quarterback, TCU transfer Josh Hoover.

Hoover completed 272 of 413 passes last season, 66%, for 3,472 yards, 29 TDs, and 13 interceptions. I feel like Cignetti and his coaching staff will figure how to get Hoover to cut down on the interceptions and have a big season, with IU right in the thick of things in December/January.

The prolific Jeremiah Smith will try to be lifting a couple of trophies in 2026. (Photo courtesy of *FOX Sports*).

No.1 Ohio State 56, Ball State 3

Ohio Stadium, Columbus, 11:30 A.M., Big Ten Network

Buckeyes by 50 1/2, 56 1/2

As a freshman, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in a Buckeye national championship season. Last season, his sophomore year, he caught 87 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 TDs. He could be lifting the Heisman Trophy in December and the national championship trophy in January if his team pans out.

Dan Lanning tries to take the Oregon Ducks to a place they’ve never been before: on top of the college football landscape. (Photo courtesy of The Daily Emerald, Eugene, OR.)

No.2 Oregon 38, Boise State 10

Autzen Stadium, Eugene, 2:30 P.M., CBS

Oregon by 24 1/2, 51 1/2

Dan Lanning has recruited and developed Oregon into what should be the best team they’ve ever had in his five years at the helm. They have trouble with the final hurdles in the playoff, but this year’s team could be different.

Sunday

No.4 Notre Dame 31, Wisconsin 7

Lambeau Field, Green Bay. Gotta love that.

6:30 P.M. NBC

ND by 21, 46 1/2

The Fighting Irish under Marcus Freeman are playing with a mad on after being snubbed from the Playoff last season. They start their 2026 journey impressively at the Frozen Tundra.

Friday

No.7 Miami 24, Stanford 21

Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, CA.

8 P.M., ESPN

Miami by 24 1/2, 47 1/2

Miami has trouble with the rejuvenated Stanford team under coach Tavita Pritchard.

Davis Warren, the Stanford quarterback, is the son of Jeff Warren, who I was a Phi Delta Theta with at Vanderbilt. Jeff was a super guy and Davis seems like a great young guy too.

Predictions for 146th U.S. Open, Recap of Week 0 in College Football Recap

August 30, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz returns from four month layoff due to a broken wrist. (Photo courtesy of *The BBC*).

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.

Week 0 College Football features compelling matchups as teams try to catapult themselves into the national conversation

August 27, 2026

Jaden Craig “matriculates” football-wise, to TCU after a decorated career in the Ivy League. (Photo courtesy of *The Harvard Crimson*).

Week 0 in College Football kicks off Saturday, and after all the upheaval over the summer, it’s time to put the controversy aside and focus on what’s best about the sport: the games.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey took a hard stand against Lane Kiffin and the LSU contingency when he barred any SEC team from adding NFL players to their roster. Players who had already signed NFL contracts.

Sankey put a league-wide penalty on any team that violated this rule. The punishment is severe. If a team does try and take an NFL player, the head coach would be suspended for half the season, the SEC would cut half of the team’s operations budget, and the school would lose SEC voting privileges.

I greatly admire the Commissioner for his strong stand.

That’s a positive for college football.

Now, onto the Week 0 matchups. Teams will be trying to establish themselves in the national landscape right out of the starting blocks. There’s an excellent storyline in every game on the opening weekend slate.

Here’s a look at Week 0, along with White’s World’s Sports Confidential’s Predictions.

Record in 2025: SU-174-58, 75%. ATS: 108-124, 47%. Over/Under: 123-109, 53%. Playoff/Bowls SU:13-8. ATS: 12-9. O/U: 15-6.

Record in 2024: 169-64, 73%; ATS: 121-111, 52%; O/U: 13-13. O/U just for bowls/Playoff, when I started keeping Over/Under. 2024 includes regular season and Playoff/Bowls.

All games are Saturday, and all times are Central. Records from 2025 are in Parentheses.

North Carolina (4-8, 2-6 ACC) vs. TCU (9-4, 5-4 Big 12)

Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, 51,700

11 A.M.

ESPN

Mike Monaco, JRodg, Dana Boyle

TCU by 8 1/2, O/U 46 1/2

Bill Belichick tries to recover from a disastrous first year at the helm in Chapel Hill. He’s got a new quarterback in Billy Edwards Jr., who threw for 2,881 yards with 15 TDs and 9 interceptions in 2024 for Maryland, but only played in three games for Wisconsin last year.

As usual, Belichick’s squad is packed with transfers. A lot of baggage in this program under Belichick, which is typical. A coach, his son, Steve, left the team for a medical leave. Another coach, the General Manager Michael Lombardi, not a coach technically, was suspended after a personnel complaint.

And, with that said, in comes Easy Rider Bobby Petrino to rescue the offense. That’s some serious luggage. He does have success as an offensive mind on his resume, however.

The TCU defense, and particularly its secondary, will be tested by Petrino and Edwards Jr. After a solid 2025 season on offense, as usual under Sonny Dykes, the Horned Frogs needed to bring in a new signal caller as Josh Hoover took his talents to Bloomington and Curt Cignetti; the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers. Hoover had some good moments in Fort Worth, but he’s also a pretty high interception passer. He threw 29 TDs, but also 13 ints last season. We’ll see if Cignetti and company can do better in that department with Hoover.

Jaden Craig comes to Fort Worth from Harvard where he threw for 2,869 yards, 25 TDs and 7 ints in 2025, and 2,430 yards, 23 TDs and 3 ints in 2024. He’s not a big scrambler, but he’s a solid athlete. TCU returns two starting offensive linemen, and 12 more returners, which will help their quarterback stay upright.

Gordon Sammis came over from UConn to replace Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator as Briles took the OC job under Shane Beamer at South Carolina. In 2025, the UConn offense was 16th in the country in points per game at 36.9. They ranked 18th nationally in yards, averaging 456.7 per game. And they led the nation in ball security turning the ball over only once all season. Sammis played offensive line at Virginia. So a possible upgrade for the Horned Frogs.

Prediction

This game may not be as high scoring a game as predicted, due to it being the first game of the season. TCU walloped UNC 48-14 in Chapel Hill last season, but I expect a much more competitive game in Dublin. Belichick and Petrino should have the Tar Heels better prepared, while both teams are breaking in new quarterbacks. I’ll take TCU to win, but UNC to make it interesting.

TCU 24, UNC 20

San Jose State (3-9, 2-6 Mountain West) @ USC (9-4, 7-2 Big Ten)

Jayden Maiava is expected to have a big year for the Trojans. (Photo courtesy of the LA Times).

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 77,500

2 P.M.

NBC

Noah Eagle, Todd, Kathryn Tappen

USC by 38 1/2, 60 1/2

Lincoln Riley secured the No.1 high school recruiting class in 2026 (On3 Rankings), and has declared that USC is back. They had a good year in 2025, not great, but have aspirations of making the Playoff this season. If they don’t, Riley may start feeling some more heat. Riley is expecting big things from quarterback Jayden Maiava, who in 2025, completed 265 of 403 attempts for 3,711 yards, 66 percent, 24 TDs and 10 ints. Those are probably more interceptions than Riley is looking for, but Maiava is in his fourth season, and that’s not terrible. He rushed for 6 touchdowns in 2025.

USC is planning on a big season in LA, and they aren’t backing down from their belief that they’re one of the best teams in the country. Lincoln Riley has done it before at Oklahoma, so you have some trust in his comments that USC is ready to compete. He could very well be right.

This’ll be tough for the Spartans.

USC 49, San Jose State 7

North Carolina State (7-6, 4-4 ACC) @ Virginia (11-3, 7-1)

CJ Bailey is stellar under center for the Wolfpack. (Photo courtesy of *Queen City News, Charlotte N.C.*)

Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, 61,500

2:30 P.M.

ESPN

Wes Durham, Max Browne, Madison Fitzpatrick

UVA by 4, 52 1/2

The ‘Hoos had a terrific 2025 under Tony Elliott as they reached the ACC Championship Game, losing to Duke, unfortunately in that one, but winning the Gator Bowl over Missouri, 13-7. Missouri transfer Beau Pribula will take the snaps for the Cavaliers this season. For Eli Drinkwitz and Missouri last season, Pribula completed 68% of his passes with 11 TDs and 9 interceptions. He rushed for 6 TDs.

On the other side, CJ Bailey completed 69% of his passes with 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He also ran for 6 scores.

Prediction

Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren is 4-0 against Virginia, including last season’s 35-31 comeback victory over Virginia in Raleigh, and the Pack hasn’t lost @ C-Ville since 1996. I like CJ Bailey and company to keep that momentum going and propel the Wolfpack into the 2026 season with an upset victory at Scott Stadium.

NC State 28, Virginia 27

Jacksonville State (9-5, 7-1 C-USA) @ North Dakota State (12-1, 8-0 MVC)

Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome, 18,700

4:30 P.M.

CBS Sports Network

Rich Waltz, Adam Breneman, Brian Kelly? Are you kiddin’ me?

NDSU by 7, 46 1/2

After winning 10 national championships in FCS, which included five in a row from 2011-15, and the most recent one in 2024, the Bison left the Missouri Valley Conference and now begins their journey into FBS play as one of the now 138 teams in FBS this season. Jax State is solid, but I like the Bison at the Fargodome. Don’t know a ton about the Dome except that it is a definite home field advantage from what I’ve researched on it.

The Bison aims to make a statement in FBS this season. They had massive success in FCS ball and plan on the same at the FBS level. They play big, tough, physical football and that translates well to any level of the game. The home field will be an advantage at the end, too.

North Dakota State 24, Jacksonville State 16

Hawaii (9-4, 5-3 Mountain West) @ Stanford (4-8, 2-6 ACC)

Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, 50,424

6 P.M.

ACC Network

Jorge Sedano, Rodney McLeod, Kendra Douglas

Stanford by 4 1/2, 48 1/2

Stanford had a tough transition into the ACC last season, and have a new coach, Tavita Pritchard, who is a former quarterback at Stanford from 2006-09. But Hawaii is pretty tough and defeated the Cardinal last season. I like the upset.

Hawaii 27, Stanford 24

New Mexico State (4-8, 2-6 C-USA) @ Florida State (5-7, 2-6 ACC)

Former Auburn quarterback Ashton Daniels takes the reins in Tallahassee (Photo courtesy of x.com)

Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, 67,277

6 P.M.

CW Network

Thom Brennaman, Jason Cabinda, Wes Bryant

FSU by 32 1/2, 52 1/2

I really like former Auburn and Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels, who is now the new FSU starting quarterback . He completed 68 of 119 last season, 57 percent, for 797 yards, 3 TDs and 2 ints last year for the Tigers, playing at the end of the season, but gave Vanderbilt everything it wanted as he and Cam Coleman, now with Texas, wore out the Commodores secondary; though Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt prevailed in the end.

But Daniels and Coleman put on a clinic. I believe the ‘Noles will be improved with Daniels under center. Mike Norvell certainly needs him to be with Norvell’s job in jeopardy again with a bad season if Florida State can afford Norvell’s massive buyout.

FSU 34, New Mexico State 7

Memphis (8-5, 4-4 American) @ UNLV (10-4, 6-2 Mountain West)

Jackson Arnold, also from Auburn, will be under center for UNLV. (Photo courtesy of *Hudl*).

Allegiant Stadium, Vegas, 65,000

9 P.M.

FOX

Tim Brando, Devin Gardner, Josh Sims

UNLV by 4, 56 1/2

Charles Huff takes over at Memphis. Ryan Silverfield secured the Arkansas job after six solid seasons in the River City where he posted a 50-25 record and a 4-1 bowl record.

Memphis head coaches can have trouble with the transition from the Group of Five to Power 4 jobs. The Group of Five is now the Group of Six with the PAC-12 joining the American, the Sun Belt, the Mountain West, C-USA and the MAC.

Two examples of Memphis coaches struggling are Justin Fuente, who struggled at Virginia Tech before being fired, and now Norvell, who has been really slogging through the last couple of years at FSU, though he had good success in 2023, just missing the then four team playoff.

Both are good coaches. It’s just a tough row to hoe. Huff, a former running backs coach for Nick Saban in 2019 and 2020, has compiled a 39-25 overall head coaching record with a four year stint at Marshall, and last season at Southern Miss.

He’ll take on Dan Mullen and Jackson Arnold, a quarterback that has to be hungry to prove himself. Arnold completed 63 percent of his passes at Auburn last season with 6 TDs and 2 ints, but was benched later in the year. In 2024 at Oklahoma, he completed 63% of his passes for 1,421 yards with 12 TDs and 3 ints and led the Sooners to a victory over the Crimson Tide, 24-3. He rushed for 8 TDs at Auburn, and 3 for the Sooners.

Prediction

I like Huff to do a really good job at Memphis and for Memphis to keep this game close. But I like Mullen, Arnold and the Rebels to prevail.

UNLV 34, Memphis 30

Smart, Stockton home in on bigger things in 2026

August 18, 2026

All SEC Championship hopes run through Athens, but can Georgia and Gunner Stockton and Georgia do better than an SEC Championship? (Photo courtesy of *The New York Times*).

The Georgia Bulldogs won the SEC Championship in 2024 and 2025, but failed to get past the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff both seasons. Can Kirby Smart and Gunner Stockton shift the narrative to both SEC and national champions in 2026?

Smart, 50 years old and born in Montgomery, has amassed a 117-21 overall record in 10 seasons at Georgia (85%), and authored a 75-19 SEC record (80%). He has four SEC Championships on his resume, 2017, 2022, 2024 and 2025, and national championships in 2021 and 2022.

The resume is impeccable, but there seems to be some frustration with how the last two seasons have ended in Athens, as the Bulldogs have failed to advance beyond the quarterfinals of the 12-team playoff.

Smart has a team capable of running the table all the way to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Monday, January 25th, 2027. But some things have to fall into place for the Bulldogs. And the schedule, like all schedules in the SEC, is intensely demanding.

Here’s a look at the keys to Georgia’s success in 2026.

Quarterback Gunner Stockton

Gunner Stockton returns for his senior season. The 6’1″, 215 pounder from Tiger, Georgia,

completed 269 of 386 passes in 2025, 70%, for 2,894 yards, 24 TDs, and only five

interceptions.

He also rushed for 462 yards and 10 TDs.

If Stockton can throw the ball downfield even better this season, and keep progressing as

both a player and a leader, the sky’s the limit.

Running backs

Nate Frazier will anchor the running game this season. (Photo courtesy of *Instagram)*.

Nate Frazier will anchor the running game. The 5’10”, 205-pound junior, rushed for 947 yards and six touchdowns. He brings excellent running power between the tackles, solid speed, and an ability to break tackles and create explosive plays.

Sophomore Chauncey Bowens is a 5’11”, 225- pound powerful runner who may have even better take-it-the-house ability than Frazier. Bowens rushed for 546 yards and 6 TDs last season.

Dante Dowdell, a transfer from Kentucky who rushed for 560 yards and three touchdowns in 2025, was seriously injured in an ATV accident this summer, and his status for this season is uncertain.

He is out of the woods as far as any major repercussions to his health, but playing is not in the plans for the foreseeable future.

Dwight Phillips is a 5’10”, 185 junior who rushed for 210 yards and a touchdown, but Frazier and Bowens, if they remain healthy, will do the heavy lifting.

With four of five starters returning on the offensive line, led by center Drew Bobo, 6’5″, 305, the Dawgs will be formidable once again on the ground.

Through the air, there is talent, but not a lot of proven production.

The most experienced receiver is London Humphreys, who caught 18 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. Isiah Canion is a 6’4″, 205 junior transfer from Georgia Tech who caught 33 passes for 480 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2025 for the Yellow Jackets.

Sacovie White-Helton caught eight passes for 70 yards but no touchdowns last season as a Bulldog. He is 5’9″, 180.

There are several players behind those starters on the depth chart, but no proven players in that group.

It’s a talented room, but untested for the most part.

Defense

KJ Bolden will anchor the secondary at free safety. (Photo courtesy of X.com).

Last year’s defense had trouble getting to the quarterback, and it really cost the team in its loss to Ole Miss in the quarterfinal playoff game. Georgia simply could not stop Trinidad Chambliss.

The Bulldogs will have to be better in that area this season.

The defense is led by senior defensive end/OLB Gabe Harris Jr., a 6’4″, 260-pounder who is expected to have a tremendous season.

In his junior year, Harris Jr. finished with 6 1/2 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble, but is expected to take on a more dominating role this season.

Senior middle linebacker Raylen Wilson, 6’1″, 235, finished with 74 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks in 2025.

Free safety KJ Bolden leads the back end for Georgia.

The 6’0″, 195-pound senior finished with 76 tackles last year, added two ints and recovered a fumble. He’ll quarterback the secondary.

Key Games

The key games for Georgia include-all Saturdays- September 19 @ Arkansas (11 A.M. CT/noon ET, ABC), September 26 vs Oklahoma, October 10 @ Alabama, October 17 vs Auburn, the Deep South’s oldest rivalry going on its 131st meeting.

Georgia leads the series, 66-56-8, and has won the last nine dating back to 2017.

Smart and the Dogs have not had as much success against the Crimson Tide, as Alabama leads the series 45-27-4, with Smart going 1-5 against Nick Saban and 1-2 against Kalen DeBoar so far.

The October 10 game at Bryant-Denny Stadium is a major contest for both teams, and then the Auburn Tigers invade Sanford Stadium the following Saturday.

The Florida game in Jacksonville on October 31 will be tough as well, as people in Gainesville and pundits around the SEC like this Florida team that Jon Sumrall has taken over.

On Nov. 7, the Bulldogs travel to Oxford to face Pete and the Rebels.

Nov. 14 is Missouri at home. Nov. 21 is @ South Carolina, a challenge for sure. And Nov. 28 is Georgia Tech at Sanford Stadium.

This gauntlet would challenge anybody in this conference, but Smart and Georgia embrace it.

Prediction

I’m looking at a team that can go 11-1 overall and win the SEC Championship again.

A loss at Alabama is possible, and games against Oklahoma, Florida in Jacksonville, @ Ole Miss, Trinidad and Kewan Lacy again will severely test the Bulldog defense, are all difficult. And @ South Carolina ain’t no bargain.

Auburn at home will be demanding, as it’s always a tough game, though I like the Bulldogs to emerge victorious in that one.

The key is, if the Dogs can matriculate through the SEC and win the SEC Championship over Texas, can they finally break through in the Playoff?

It’s about Stockton becoming an even more proficient downfield passer, and having a receiving corps that can be more explosive, and doing a better job catching the football than it has the last couple of seasons.

The running game and the line look strong if both units can stay healthy, which is always a question mark. The defense will face some electric quarterbacks this season.

Can it get pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and get’em on the ground?

That will be critical to this team’s success.

Saban always talked about affecting the quarterback, so Georgia will need to do that. But with the likes of Trinidad Chambliss, John Mateer, LaNorris Sellers, Keelon Russell or Austin Mack, Byrum Brown and potentially Arch Manning, this defense will be pushed to the limit to contain those explosive players.

Georgia can certainly win the SEC, but there will be a grueling stretch of games it’ll need to survive and advance.

Then, in the playoff, the Bulldogs could see the likes of Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame, defending national champion Indiana, Miami, and teams like Texas, Texas A&M, and possibly Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU or Ole Miss.

The Dawgs can win it all if they can stay reasonably healthy and Stockton and company can be even better this season, while the defense, which is loaded once again, plays the way Kirby Smart’s defenses used to play.

I give Georgia a 55 percent chance to win the SEC and finish 12-1.

To win it all, they’ll have to get stellar play from Stockton, his supporting cast and the defense.

Georgia fans are ready to get over the top again.

But there are major obstacles along the way.

The talent is there to run the table, though.

Auburn Football aspires to change the narrative in 2026

August 11, 2026

Alex Golesh is now on the Plains with high goals for the future of Auburn Football. (Photo courtesy of Auburn Tigers).

The Auburn Tigers enter the 2026 season with high hopes for a turnaround from the last three disastrous years under Hugh Freeze, as Auburn hired Alex Golesh from South Florida, who brought in several players from the portal, and in recruiting, and retained some quality returners to try and turn Auburn Football’s fortunes around. Freeze is back on the golf course working on his handicap, where he spent most of his time instead of coaching football.

Golesh did retain stellar defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, which was a no doubter given the results Durkin has gotten out of the Auburn D in the last two years. In his third season on the Plains, Durkin will bring another aggressive, attacking NFL style of defense, which will go along with Golesh’s uptempo, spread’em out offense. It could possibly work well.

Here’s a look inside the Auburn Tigers and a prediction on how great it’ll be to be an Auburn Tiger in 2026 and beyond…

Auburn Offense

Golesh brought along several of his South Florida players with him to the Loveliest Village. He was 23-15 in four years at Tampa, and 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the American in 2025. The Bulls posted victories over Florida and Boise State last season, but lost in the Cure Bowl at Orlando to Old Dominion, 24-10, after Golesh had taken the Auburn job on November 30th.

The man under center in 2026 is Byrum Brown, who put together a stellar career at USF, completing 616 of 950 passes, 65%, for 7,690 yards, 61 TDs against 19 ints.

In 2025, Brown completed 226 of 341, 66%, for 3,158 yards, 28 TDs against 7 ints. He also rushed for 1,008 yards and 14 more TDs, so he was responsible for 42 TDs in 2025.

He’s promising, though he has an unusual side-arm throwing motion, which could still work. Arch Manning uses that throwing motion as well, and it’s worked out OK, not great, for him so far. But Arch has a year of starting under his belt and his talent is unquestionable. So is Brown’s, however not in the SEC. That’ll be something to watch. But the numbers are absolutely impressive. His size is also impressive at 6’3″, 235. He’s electric.

He’ll be working with a few veterans around him, and guys who’ve been through the wars, just not the SEC wars. But a few have. Jeremiah Cobb rushed for 969 yards and 5 TDs last season, his sophomore season as a Tiger. Cobb brings terrific, hard-nosed toughness running between the tackles at 5’11”, 205, and an ability to take it to the house. Bryson Washington, a 6’0″, 210 pound junior transfer from Baylor, brings power running the ball as well. The Tigers offensive staff is high on what USF transfer wide receiver Chas Nimrod can bring to the Tigers passing game. Nimrod is 6’2″, 200. Bryce Cain, a sophomore and returning player, is a guy whom Golesh and wide receivers coach/co-offensive coordinator Kodi Burns expect to bring it this season out wide. Those are just some of the potential weapons. There will be 5 transfers starting on the offensive front, so that’s a transition, though all have experience in FBS ball. Six-four, 322 pound center, and USF transfer Cole Best, looks like a leader up front. Golesh has recruited a lot of depth on the O Line, so it just depends on how these guys progress the rest of this month and early in the season. With Brown, Cobb, Washington and some others, the running game could be outstanding if the blocking can hold up.

Defense

Defensive Coordinator DJ Durkin is totally trustable for the Tigers. (Photo courtesy of The Auburn Observer).

The great Durkin will have his bell cow back, the 6’0″, 210 pound outside backer Xavier Atkins. All Atkins did in 2025 was lead the Tigers in tackles with 84, posting 17 for loss, 9 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and he took an interception back to the tune of 73 yards versus Texas A&M at College Station, which led to an Auburn TD on the next play, though the Tigers dropped that game, 16-10, in another frustrating close Freeze loss. Atkins will anchor the defense. He’ll be alongside some other stellar second level players in middle backer Elijah Melendez and Buck linebacker Jared Smith. The secondary will feature free safety Champ Anthony and corner Rayshawn Pleasant. They both have good ball skills and leadership ability. There are a lot of transfers up front on D for Durkin and the Tigers too. Cody Sigler is a 6’2″, 308 defensive tackle, who transferred from Arkansas State. He brings a big body to Durkin’s 3-3-5 D. There are some other big, but new players up front, just like at Alabama. There are question marks for both teams on both sides of the line of scrimmage. But if anybody can develop this defense and the d line, it’s Durkin.

Everybody at Auburn knows the stellar Xavier Atkins will anchor this defense. (Photo courtesy of *AL.com)*.

2026 Schedule

The schedule looks imposing in the SEC, but that’s rhetorical as every team has to survive this gauntlet. The Tigers open on September 5th versus Baylor at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Outside, in the city, it might be 95 degrees with 104 heat index, but it won’t be inside, which is good for both teams. Brutal right now in the South, maybe everywhere. This contest is a rematch from last season’s game at Waco, a game which the Tigers won 38-24 in what was a promising start, but one that didn’t last as the Tigers finished 5-7 and AD John Cohen dismissed Freeze with three games left in the season. Game time for the Tigers-Bears is 2:30 P.M. CT/3:30 ET on ABC. It’s one of the best games of week 1. There are some pretty good games the week before in week 0. I’ll cover and predict those when that time comes. TCU-UNC is the best game of week 0. It’s at 11 A.M. CT/12 East on ABC, and it’s being played @ Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.

Then Auburn faces Southern Miss at Jordan-Hare on Saturday, 9/12, at 6:45 P.M. CT/7:45 East on the S-E-C Network. In week 3, the Tigers square off with Florida and its new head coach, Jon Sumrall, at Jordan-Hare on Saturday, 9/19, at 6 P.M. CT/7 ET on ESPN. Some pundits are high on what Sumrall can do in his first year for the Gators after successful stints at Troy and Tulane, but we’ll see. Should be a highly competitive game. Vanderbilt comes to Jordan-Hare the next Saturday, 9/26, with the time and TV to be determined. Game 5 is Saturday, 10/3, @Knoxvegas versus the Vols. It’s either a 2:30/3:30 P.M. game or a 7/8 game with TV to be determined. Will know towards the latter part of September. The Tigers will have earned a nice off week on Saturday, 10/10, then they head to Athens to face “Dem Dawgs” on Saturday, 10/17. Looking at a 2:30/3:30 or 3:30/4:30 kick with TV TBD. The Tigers host Lame and his Bengal Tigers the next Saturday as LSU visits Jordan-Hare on 10/24, with an 11 A.M./12 P.M. kick preliminarily scheduled on ESPN. On Saturday, 10/31, Auburn’s @ Ole Miss with an 11 A.M./ 12 P.M kick likely. Arkansas at home on Saturday, 11/7 (11/12 kick), then the Tigers are @ Mississippi State on Saturday, 11/14, with an 11/12 kick possible. On Saturday, 11/21, the Tigers host Samford. And on Saturday, 11/28, they travel to Tuscaloosa to play for 365 days of bragging rights and a possible important showdown for both teams if things go better than predicted.

Prediction for the Auburn Tigers 2026 season

From what I’m reading and hearing from Golesh, things seem positive. He’s got some talent, a talented coaching staff, and an electric quarterback. Tiger fans should look for progress, not perfection. Games against Florida and LSU at home are toss ups, depending on the health of the teams.

There are some extremely difficult road games @ Oxford, @ Georgia and @ Tuscaloosa. Tennessee, like the East Course at BCC, is no bargain on the road either. Vanderbilt will put up a fight. They’re all tough in this conference. There are no Saturdays off in this conference.

A first game victory over Baylor in game one is critical for the Tigers to establish momentum and progress on a positive note moving into the rest of the season.

I’m looking at a ceiling of 8 wins if things go very well, an 8-4 season, and a floor of 5-7, if things don’t go as well and there are some critical injuries. I like what Golesh is saying and I love what Durkin does on defense.

Auburn’s got a shot to have a solid season and keep building for the future. The 2026 high school recruiting class was ranked 40th by Rivals/On3, but the 2027 class is already ranked 12th by Rivals/On3. The 2026 transfer class was ranked 47th.

But 2027 recruiting looks extremely promising.

Golesh just has to prove to the Tiger fans and recruits that he’s for real.

From Royal Birkdale to Tuscaloosa; a Packed summer of Electric Sports segues into College Football

August 6, 2026

The 39 year old New Zealander was iron at the 154th Open Championship. (Photo courtesy of NBC News).

Quite a summer of sports with the thrilling finish at the 154th Open Championship as a veteran New Zealander captured the Claret Jug with superbly clutch play, a young Auburn Tiger made his mark on the PGA Tour at age 21, the prolific World Cup extravaganza, an epic documentary on an all time superb athlete, and, looking to the fall, the Alabama Crimson Tide prepares to take on the competition, both out of conference and in the SEC, as this 2026 squad evolves in fall camp to become the best team it can be. Auburn’s got next with a profile of the Tigers early next week.

A look at all of this in today’s column.

The 39 year old Phenom

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox went 72, 68, 62, 68 (-10) to capture the 154th British Open by a shot over American Cam Young. Those four rounds included immaculate play on Saturday and Sunday, punctuated Sunday by his second shot on the difficult 508 yard, par-4, 18th at Royal Birkdale, a masterpiece of a hole. Fox faced a 175 yard approach shot and selected a nine iron. The pin was located on the back tier of the top shelf of the green. Tied with Young at 9 under, Fox caught his shot perfectly, drilling it to 11 feet 7 inches. From there, with the pressure ratcheted up, he calmly drained a left to righter and claimed the 154th edition. Young, waiting on the practice tee, was visibly distraught. But Young and Sam Burns, who finished third at -8, are both exciting late 20-early 30 something players and will have more opportunities to win majors. Superb effort by the 39 year old who has hung in there through challenging times and kept the faith.

This young, recent Auburn Tiger looks to light up the PGA Tour in the near future. (Photo courtesy of *Facebook*).

The week after the Open, on July 23rd-26th at TPC Twin Cities near Minneapolis, a young emerging star in the game, straight out of Auburn, Alabama, put on a clinic at the 3M Open. It seemed like a slow day in sports on Saturday, 7/25, so I was watching Quarterback, a Netflix Documentary on NFL Quarterbacks that was in its third season. The quarterbacks being featured were Cam Ward of the Titans, Joe “Flucco” Flacco of the Browns/Bengals, Jayden Daniels of the Commanders and Bake being Bake of the Bucs. Very good.

Brombey, a prolific golfer in his own right, sent me a text and said, “this makes the game bigger when a grinder like Fox wins!” He went on to say, “By the way, Koivun shot 28 on the second 9, -8 (at the 3M). A record for the tourney. A blast to watch.” I was definitely interested. The 21 year old Jackson Koivun, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina by way of Auburn University, shot 61 on Saturday, and backed it up with a 66 on Sunday to finish 25 under, three clear of Scottie Scheffler and a talented field. You never know how young stars will evolve, but this kid looks for real. No guarantee, but I really like what I’m seeing from this young guy. Know MB and EHS ’80 are amped about Koivun’s future.

Spain captures the World Cup

Rodri captures the Golden Ball for “La Roja.” (Photo courtesy of Instagram).

The great Espana team allowed one goal in 8 games of World Cup play and defeated defending champion Argentina (2022, Qatar) and Lionel Messi, 1-0, at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands (New Jersey) on Sunday, July 19th. Spain star midfielder Rodri earned the Golden Ball as the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He completed 692 of 720 passes, 94%. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, as dominant as they were, were completing 70+% of their passes, and that’s elite in the National Football League. So this was a remarkable performance. But also goalkeeper Unai Simo’n was just as worthy of an award as he claimed the Golden Glove Award awarded to the best goalkeeper of the World Cup for his phenomenal play in the goal for the Spaniards. It was Spain’s second World Cup as they also captured it in 2010 with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in Johannesburg.

Joseph “Bama Golf” texted Derrick and me that afternoon and said, “Defense wins in every sport.” In team sports, Joseph is exactly right. You need quarterback play in football, at least good quarterback play, and you need some offense in basketball and baseball. In golf and tennis you have to play aggressively sometimes to win. But Bama’s point on defense and team sports is right on the money.

Final Record in the World Cup

Straight Up: 6-1; ATS, 5-2; O/U: 4-3

Joseph was on Spain early. He’s a terrific predictor. I was bought in early, too. Nice spectacle in the U.S. Really made it an enjoyable sports viewing summer along with the Knicks, the Carolina Hurricanes, the PGA and Professional Tennis Majors, MLB , and several sports documentaries.

Unai Simo’n carried Spain in the goal. (Photo courtesy of *Instagram)*.

Rafa

The greatness was always on display from the phenomenon Nadal. (Photo courtesy of the *New York Times*)

Playing through a broken foot most of his career, Rafa Nadal still won 22 Majors, second only to Novak Djokovic’s 24. That, in itself, is rich. But the way he did it, his perseverance and his mental and physical toughness through the pain he was suffering from, and his intimidating way of playing the game had many of his opponents defeated before they started the match. There was Federer and Djoker as major competitors, but Nadal won 14 French Opens, 4 U.S. Opens, 2 Wimbledons and 2 Australians. He was a magnificent competitor and battled through injury after injury and never told anyone what he was going through. It was just revealed in the Netflix documentary, “Rafa,” that he played with a broken foot, which was actually a disease called Mueller-Weiss syndrome. It caused chronic foot pain, difficulty with weight bearing and running, and progressive damage to the foot. It started in 2005 after he won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. But the great Nadal fought through it, and became, what I would consider, the greatest tennis champion of all time. He played tennis like a linebacker plays football. He was the ultimate warrior.

He had unusual habits on the court; lining up his water bottles between every change of sides, pulling at his tennis pants, etc. But they were coping mechanisms for the anxiety he felt in trying to win Grand Slams. But he conquered those demons. In 2024, a hip injury was just too much for him to overcome at age 38. He still had the nagging foot condition that never went away.

But in the documentary, he told his wife that 14 French Opens is “going to be harder to break than 24 majors.” Novak is still playing, but Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are making it tough on him, so he could retire with 24. I agree with Nadal. Fourteen French Opens is astounding.

After his retirement, Netflix asked Mery, his wife, what he would do now. She said, “He’ll embrace his new life.” At the end of the documentary, Rafa is running around the house with 3 year old Rafa Jr., with Mery holding one year old son Miquel. Looks like a happy guy to me. He still has his Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, is passionate about playing golf and loves being a husband and a dad. He’s earned all the happiness he can get. What a career.

Alabama Football 2026

The Quarterback Battle heats up in Tuscaloosa (Photo courtesy of *Facebook*).

The Crimson Tide heads into its third season under Kalen DeBoar with question marks, but also reasons to be optimistic.

The main strength of this football team is its secondary. All-American senior strong safety Bray Hubbard (6’2″, 217), after posting 74 tackles in 2025, third on the team behind Deontae Lawson (80) and Justin Jefferson (79), is the Bell cow on D for the Tide. Lawson and Jefferson are both departed and trying to make NFL rosters, but Hubbard is back. Hubbard added 4 interceptions, which tied for the lead in the SEC. It seemed like when the Tide needed a big play on defense it was either Hubbard or corner Zabien Brown who made them. Brown returns after posting 39 tackles and 2 interceptions. He took both ints back to the house. One was a 99 yarder against Tennessee just before halftime that turned the game in the Tide’s favor, and the other was against Oklahoma before halftime, which turned the game around for the Crimson Tide in a first round playoff victory over the Sooners at Norman.

Also back are studs Dijon Lee Jr. at right corner, Keon Sann at free safety and Red Morgan at the Husky position. Walter was high on Lee Jr. last summer and he delivered as a freshman, as did the rest of the secondary. It’s a formidable group. In front of them there are question marks, but outside linebacker Yhonzae Pierre is not one of them. The 6’3″, 253 pounder recorded 52 tackles, eight sacks for -81 yards and 3 forced fumbles. Pierre looks like Will Anderson Jr. 2.0. He’ll need some help on the front seven. He and middle linebacker QB Reese (6’0″, 229) will need to lead an inexperienced group that shows promise, but needs repetition.

On offense, it’s about the quarterback room and the two guys competing in it, the O line, which needs to be better than last season if the Tide wants to reach its goals, and, also, of course, the running game and perimeter players. It’s a team game.

Keelon Russell is the 6’3″, 201 pound 5-star from the class of 2025. He was excellent in the spring game, completing 21-of-33 passes for 240 yards, 4 TDs and 1 Int. As a senior in Duncanville, Texas for Duncanville High School, Russell threw for over 3,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. Austin Mack, 6’6″, 232, and entering his fourth season, brings a little experience, and four-star talent. He followed DeBoar from Washington and waited patiently on the bench last season behind Ty Simpson. In 2025, in limited action, he was 24-of-32 passing for 228 yards, two TDs and 0 ints. In his final season at Folsom High School in Folsom, California in 2023, Mack threw for 3,498 yards and 40 TDs. So it’s a tough decision, but a good problem for DeBoar and oftensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to have.

The O Line is being rebuilt with new O Line Coach Adrian Klemm taking over that room. Sophomore Michael Carroll, 6’6″, 318, will play right tackle or right guard. He has experience. The DeBoar staff is also high on sophomore left tackle Jackson Lloyd, 6’7″, 317. Outside of those two, there are positions to be filled. Senior transfer Racin Delgatty, (6’3″, 301, Cal Poly) is a leading candidate at center. Junior William Sanders (6″3″, 315) looks like a starting guard. Ethan Fields, a 6’3″, 319, a senior transfer from Ole Miss, will be another candidate who could start. The Tide needs eight or so who can play to be an effective offense in 2026. Coach Klemm has experience coaching USC in 2025, and the o line of the New England Patriots, among other stops, so he will be tasked with making this an asset for team. The Tide has to have it.

There are four running backs who look pretty solid to me. Daniel Hill, 6’1″, 236, is a powerful runner who has trimmed down and gained quickness and speed. Kevin Riley showed flashes last season, both as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield. The 5’11”, 198 pound junior brings that pass catching element to the offense, which helps the quarterback immensely, taking pressure off of them to throw it downfield. AK Dear was a 95, four star in the class of 2025, so there is plenty of talent there. And 5-star freshman EJ Crowell, 5’11”, 221) is a player Alabama coaches and fans are ecstatic about. So the cupboard is solid.

On the outside, I like the potential of sophomore Lotzeir Brooks, 5’9″, 193. Brooks pulled in a lot of big receptions last season and has the ability to make explosives every game. Ryan Coleman-Williams is kind of on a redemption tour after having a tough sophomore season. He is graduating in 2 1/2 years, so that tells you he’s a solid kid. Just needs to be able to pull the ball in better. The talent should be there. Noah Rogers, a transfer from North Carolina State DeBoar and his coaches were counting on, was hurt in the spring and will be out for a while this fall. Freshman Cederian Morgan is a guy the Alabama coaching staff is high on. He’s 6’4″, 223, so the size and catch radius is there. Other players like Derek Meadows and Rico Scott will have to step up, but there is talent with those two. At tight end, the DeBoar and his staff are high on 6’6″, 268 pound Kaleb Edwards. Jay Lindsey and Marshall Pritchett are a couple of others who DeBoar and Grubb want to see have an impact.

Conor Talty and Lorcan Quinn are battling it out for kicking duties. Quinn has the lead at present. Adam Watford is the No.1 punter right now. Lee Jr. is the No.1 punt returner with Ryan Coleman-Williams also in the mix. And Brooks and Rico Scott are the kick returners.

2026 schedule

Saturday, September 5-vs East Carolina, 11 A.M. CT/12 ET, ABC

Sat. 9/12 @Kentucky, 2:30 P.M. CT/3:30 ET, ABC

Sat., 9/19, vs. FSU, 2:30 P.M. CT/3:30 ET, ABC

Sat., 9/26, vs. South Carolina, TBD on time and TV

Sat. 10/3, @Miss State, TBD

Sat. 10/10, vs. Georgia, TBD

Sat. 10/17, @ Tennessee, TBD

Sat., 10/24, vs. A&M TBD

Sat. 10/31, Off

Sat. 11/7, @ LSU

Sat. 11/14 @ Vandy

Sat. 11/21 vs. Chattanooga, 1 P.M. CT/2 ET SEC Net+

Sat. 11/28 vs Auburn TBD

A tough schedule with nine straight games without an off week. But that’s expected in the gauntlet that is the SEC. But this team has talent and DeBoar recruited well in 2025 with the No.3 class, and in 2026 with the No.6 class (Rivals/On3 rankings), and there is still good talent on the team from the Saban years.

This coaching staff will have to figure out which quarterback gives them the best chance of having success this year. With college football the way it is now, it’s a year to year scenario. Both guys have terrific talent, so it’s a good problem to have. Who can lead the best, make the best decisions and create the most efficient and explosive plays will be under center come the East Carolina game on September 5th. The line will have to be good, and the backs, to me, should be a hidden gem on this football team. There is talent on the perimeter and the defense has a chance to be highly successful. There’s no reason this 2026 Crimson Tide team shouldn’t be in the mix for the SEC Championship and Playoff “matriculation.” Looking forward to seeing how they can progress starting in game 1.