Recap from my Week Zero picks:
Iowa State ML: W
Kansas -13: W
WKU -10: W
UNLV -29.5: L (awful pick)
Stanford ML: L
My picks went 3-2 in week zero which is all you can ask for to open the year. After watching Stanford blow that game in the end, they are certainly on my banned list. I mean they lost to a one footed QB and a kicker that learned how to kick on YouTube… come on now. Anyway lets look at some matchups in week one that should be a lot more exciting.
Texas at Ohio State (-1.5)
This should be a great matchup to open up week 1 and I am certainly looking forward to it. Ohio State has a redshirt freshman starting at QB against a Texas defense that may be the best in the country. Texas has Arch Manning getting his first start as the full time quarterback (started 2 games while Ewers was hurt) and expectations for him could not be higher. He has already been crowned the Heisman favorite as well as an eventual first overall pick – he better make a statement in this one. Give me the Longhorns to squeak by in a low scoring slugfest.
Pick: Texas ML
Alabama (-13.5) at Florida State
Florida State is coming off a brutal 2-10 season but should get back to form this year. They have brought in a lot of new pieces that should help put last year in the rear view mirror pretty quickly. Alabama heads to Tallahassee with a brand new QB of their own in Ty Simpson who may be a better fit for DeBoer’s offense than Milroe was. I think Florida State can keep it close enough to cover here, so I will roll with the Seminoles, pun intended.
Pick: FSU + 13.5
LSU at Clemson (-4/4.5)
Bias alert: I will alert you all that I grew up an LSU fan and still have some bias when it comes to the Tigers. BUT, how many season openers can LSU lose in a row. They have not won an opener since the magical 2019 season which feels like ages ago. Clemson is getting a lot of love as the ACC favorites and Klubnik is expected to be one of the best QBs in football this year. Not to mention LSU has to go into (the fake) Death Valley for this one which admittedly is a very tough place to play. Brian Kelly must get it done. LSU will keep it close and have a chance to win at the end – Will they do it?
Pick: LSU +4.5
Notre Dame (-2.5) at Miami
Another blockbuster matchup that will hopefully deliver on the hype. I have flip flopped a few times with this pick, but I am just not a believer in Carson Beck at this time. I get that Notre Dame is rolling out an unproven QB in CJ Carr, but they made the championship last year with some spotty QB play at times. Give me Notre Dame to win this one by a hair.
Pick: ND ML
TCU (-3) at North Carolina
A potentially sneaky game to finish off week 1 as TCU heads to Chapel Hill in Bill Belichick’s first game as head coach. TCU may potentially be in the mix to compete for a Big 12 Championship and this game will be a solid measuring stick to see where they are at. With a loss I think their ceiling may be lowered a bit. Although Belichick is one of the best coaches of all time in the NFL, I think he may struggle in the college ranks. I like TCU to win this one by a decent margin.
Pick: TCU -3
Written by Blake Mire @Blakemire on X. This is not financial advice, tail or fade at your own risk. I will be keeping a running tally of my record all season.