The waiting is finally over. The daily release of some sort of "list" about college football is done. The preseason All-American teams have been named. The predictions have been made. All of the talk is done.
It is time to get it on.
Welcome back to the Cobb Blog.
Week One has some amazing matchups. Gone are the days of paying to play four punching bags before entering conference play. The Big Five conferences know that strength of schedule means something. If you want to be in the talk for the College Football Playoff, you have to play quality non-conference opponents.
Locally, expectations at Clemson have never been higher. A dynamic offense, led by all-everything quarterback DeShaun Watson, should be the best in the country. The defense is going to need some time, but there is plenty of talent on the depth chart.
How good is Watson? There has been some chatter during the preseason that he is going to put it in cruise control to keep from getting hurt before the 2017 NFL Draft. Watson says that isn't going to happen. And I don't think that's Watson's style. He is going to give whatever he's got. As long as he is on the field, Clemson can beat anybody.
South Carolina is developing under first-year head coach Will Muschamp, who is getting a second chance to be a head coach in the SEC. Muschamp and his staff already have addressed one of the big issues in Columbia -- recruiting. But it is going to take some time to turn around the entire program that has declined the past two seasons.
This ranks as one of the most interesting opening weeks ever with five interesting neutral site games. Here are this week's selections. All picks are against the betting line. And as always, the picks are for entertainment purposes only:
Thursday Games
-- South Carolina at Vanderbilt -3.5. The Gamecocks have become a staple on the opening Thursday night of the season. This year, they take their act on the road to Nashville to face a Vandy team that has high expectations. But Vandy always has high expectations until the season starts. Both teams are a mystery, but I think the Muschamp era will get off to a good start. Pick -- South Carolina
-- Appalachian State at Tennessee -20.0. Many pundits say Tennessee is finally back. The Vols have been the most popular selection with take the SEC East title. The Mountaineers cannot be overlooked, but I don't think the Vols will have a problem. Pick -- Tennessee
Saturday Games
-- Georgia Tech vs. Boston College +3 at Dublin, Ireland. It took a lot of preparation to get both of these teams to Dublin -- passports for players and staff, counting equipment and compiling lists for security checks, shipping the equipment, etc. Last year was a total flop for both of these teams. Tech struggled to find offensive consistency, while BC just struggled for offense. The Eagles can play defense, so Tech's option attack better take care of the ball. The points are tempting, but I think the Yellow Jackets will find some way to cover the spread. Pick -- Georgia Tech
-- Georgia vs. North Carolina +3.5 at Atlanta. This one has interesting game written all over it. I am going to put Georgia on Upset Alert. Georgia fans finally managed to get rid of Mark Richt and get the man they have wanted for a long time -- former Bulldog player and former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. Georgia's offense got a boost when it was announced running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Tennessee game last season, is ready to go for the opener. North Carolina will have a new starting quarterback who is not brand new -- Mitch Trubisky, who played in nine games last season. The Heels also have a solid running back -- Elijah Hood. The Heels can score and their defensive unit should take another step forward this season. Pick -- North Carolina
-- Clemson at Auburn -7.5. Another Upset Alert. Auburn struggled last season and has had several scrapes with the law during the off season. There are murmurs on the Plains that head coach Gus Malzahn is in trouble. Clemson has gone from hunter to hunted. Clemson's offensive unit should be high flying and dynamic with Watson at the controls. The Clemson defensive unit is in the same situation it was last season -- reloading with talented but untested players. Can former Clemson defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, who was fired by Dabo Swinney after the Tigers gave up 70 to West Virginia, inspire his Auburn defense to rise up against Clemson? This looks like a tussle for three quarters. There is a lot working in Auburn's favor, but some how, some way, I think Clemson will find a way to cover. Pick -- Clemson
-- Alabama vs. Southern Cal +9 at Arlington, Texas. The Crimson Tide has won four of the last seven national championships. Southern Cal has been through some trials and tribulations in recent years, but the Trojans are still considered one of the Blue Bloods of college football. But on Saturday night at Jerry World, I think the stage will be too big for the Trojans and the Tide will roll. Pick -- Alabama
-- Oklahoma at Houston -11. "Big Game" Bob Stoops is stepping out in the opener with a dangerous trip to Houston. Houston head coach Tom Herman has built a power high-scoring offense since coming to southeast Texas from Ohio State. The Cougars showed they are a national factor at the end of last season by beating Florida State in the Peach Bowl. Oklahoma has most of its key players back from last year's team that reached the College Football Playoff. I think the Sooners will win, but I don't think they will cover. Take the points. Pick -- Houston
-- UCLA at Texas A&M -3. No school has had more quarterbacks transfer out of the program in the last two years than Texas A&M. Aggie fans hope former Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight can stabilize the position. People keep waiting for Jim Mora, Jr., to return to the NFL, but for the moment, he is still in Westwood. The Bruins have enough defense to hang with the Aggies. Pick -- UCLA
-- LSU vs. Wisconsin -10 at Green Bay, Wisconsin. This one will be played on the not-so-frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Saturday's forecast is 77 degrees and high humidity. LSU stud running back Leonard Fournette has been slowed by an ankle problem in the preseason. LSU head coach Les Miles is planning on reducing Fournette's workload in hopes of keeping him fresher later in the season. Wisconsin is all about a big offensive line and physical backs. Ten is a lot of points. I am going to take the points. Pick -- Wisconsin
Sunday
-- Notre Dame at Texas -2.5. The Irish humiliated the Longhorns last season in South Bend. The only thing Texas managed to do last year was upset Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly got a super dose of heart burn during the preseason when six Irish players decided to get themselves arrested. The Irish were a couple of plays away from being in the College Football Playoff last season. I just don't believe in Texas. Pick -- Notre Dame
Monday
-- Ole Miss vs. Florida State -5 at Orlando, Fla. Clemson reject Chad Kelly has become one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC. FSU's Dalvin Cook is one of the best running backs in the country, but the Seminoles have an issue at quarterback. After Sean Maguire was sidelined with a foot injury in the preseason, freshman dual threat Deondre Francois was named the starting quarterback. I think the difference in this one is defense. Florida State is really stout, and Kelly has a history of making bad decisions. Pick -- Florida State
