After an August filled with scandal and controversy in college football, it is finally time to get to games. Thank goodness.
Alabama and Clemson both are favorites to reach the College Football Playoff again. Others near the top of the list include Georgia, Ohio State, Washington, and Oklahoma. In other words, the usual suspects. Will there be a surprise this season to shake up the CFP?
In the new world of college football, we don't have to wait until late September until the schedule give us some interesting games. Week One has several awesome match ups.
So, let's get to it.
San Diego State at Stanford +14 -- Interesting California battle to get things started. Under head coach David Shaw, Stanford annually has one of the most physical teams in the Pac 12. The Cardinal are led by Heisman Trophy favorite Bryce Love, a native of North Carolina. How did he get all the way out to Palo Alto? I think Love will make the difference. But doesn't it always? Pick -- Stanford
Texas at Maryland +13.5 -- Maryland was one of the schools rocked by scandal in the off-season. In June, Maryland player Jordan McNair died from a heat stroke. Allegations of player mistreatment started to surface. Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin is on administrative leave while an investigation continues into his program. How will the Terps respond? The Terps surprised the Longhorns last season. Won't happen this time. Pick -- Texas
Oregon State at Ohio State -38.5 -- Speaking of scandal, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has been in the center of a storm for the past month. Weak apologies have not helped his cause. Meyer is serving a three-game suspension. But with three layups on the schedule, the Buckeyes will be 3-0 when he returns to the sideline. Pick -- Ohio State
Furman at Clemson No Line (+29.5) -- There is no line on this one. There are two interesting story lines. How much will the chosen one Trevor Lawrence play? Will Furman quarterback Harris Roberts, an engineering student at Clemson, be able to walk to class under his own power on Monday? I put up a line of +29.5. The Tigers will cover that spread before Dabo reels them in. Pick -- Clemson
Washington vs. Auburn -1.5 at Atlanta, Ga. -- This is a game both teams need for their playoff resumes. Even though this is a "neutral" site, it will be a home game for Auburn. This game features two experienced quarterbacks -- Jake Browning of Washington and Jarrett Stidham of Auburn -- and both teams have stout defenses. The line is based on the location of the game and doesn't mean a whole lot. I'm going to give the points and take the Tigers. Pick -- Auburn
Coastal Carolina at South Carolina -29.5 -- The sidebar to this game is the turf at Williams-Brice. A concert damaged the turf and the entire field was replaced this week. Carolina fans are excited about the return of Deebo Samuel, one of the most dynamic receivers in the country. The Gamecocks will not have a problem with their little brothers from Conway. Pick -- South Carolina
Michigan at Notre Dame -1.0 -- Another Week One slobber knocker. Jim Harbaugh is still trying to live up the hype and noise in Ann Arbor. The independent Irish really need this game for their resume. Two great defenses. Two questionable offenses. Give me the Irish at home. Pick -- Notre Dame
Louisville vs. Alabama -24.5 at Orlando, Fla. -- Looking at that line, somebody in the desert must know something. I know Lamar Jackson is gone, but the Cardinals didn't discontinue the program. Bama is Bama, but I'm going to give Louisville some credit. I think the Cardinals will stay within the spread. Pick -- Louisville
Miami (Fla.) vs. LSU +3.5 at Arlington, Texas -- There are rumblings LSU head coach Ed "Cookie Monster" Orgeron is sitting on a hot seat. Does anyone understand a word Orgeron says? Mark Richt has proven is great college football coach. He got the Hurricanes to 10-0 and a divisional title last season before they hit the wall. His rebuilding project in Coral Gables remains well ahead of schedule. Miami's defense lives off of turnovers. LSU's offense is questionable. Take the Canes. Pick -- Miami.
Virginia Tech at Florida State -7.5 -- The Willie Taggart era begins in Tallahassee with an interesting ACC game on Labor Day night. It was a rough off season in Blacksburg -- departures, suspensions, and dismissals thinned out and already thin roster. Tech head coach Justin Fuente challenged his team to be tougher and more committed. So he dialed it up in the off-season. After tearing up a knee is last season's opener against Alabama, Deondre Francois returns as FSU's starting quarterback. Taggart has brought tempo to the Seminoles' offense. I believe the pace will be too much for the Hokies. Pick -- Florida State
Last Week -- 0-0
For The Season -- 0-0
You want to play along and have some friendly competition? Send your picks before the first game of the week is played to cobbox@aol.com.
