The week 0 appetizer was better than the fried pimento cheese balls you get at a fancy wedding. We had sloppy disgusting football in the Ireland College Football Kickoff between TCU and UNC, we had ACC beat downs (that apparently did count towards conference play, contrary to what I said last week), we had the G6 put on a show in the North Dakota and Las Vegas, and we had a classic between Stanford and Hawaii. Week 1 is here and you better be ready because it starts this Thursday!
Brief Recap of Last Week
– Bill Belichick and company held TCU to 0 points through quarters 2-4. Maybe TCU is bad, maybe Ireland brings bad juju, or maybe Chapel Bill has improved…time will tell.
– I thought Virginia would win, and they did. I thought NC State would cover and make it competitive…and they absolutely did not – but hey, at least they went for 2 and got it.
– North Dakota St. showed the college football world that they belonged at the FBS level. They also showed the patrons of that team in Pasadena how to show up for a home game.
– The game of week 0 happened in northern California as Hawaii led an immaculate comeback in the 4th quarter, only to blow the lead and the cover in the last minute of the game.
– We thought we were getting a potential G6 playoff contender matchup with Memphis and UNLV and we absolutely got that. If you were brave and tough enough to stay up for the 10:30pm EST kickoff, you earned a jewel on your CFB crown and you got a TREAT. Memphis and UNLV are legit.
– Overall week 0 was not kind to me, but it’s not my fault – I didn’t lose I just ran out of time. Stick with me as we dive into Week 1 with new life and vigor!
1. Colorado at Georgia Tech *Thursday
The Deion Sanders experience has been a roller coaster of a ride. Prime is approaching his 4th season, and we’ve seen 3-9 records, Heisman winners, sold out stadiums, and a ranked finish. 2026 brings a talented roster led by QB Julian Lewis and transfer wideout Danny Scudero (who led FBS in receiving last year). However, what Georgia Tech and Indiana transfer QB, Alberto Mendoza (not to be mistaken with older brother Frenando) and Michigan running back transfer Justice Haynes, returning tailback Malachi Hosley will bring a physicality that the Boulder boys aren’t built to beat. The Buffs will have success through the air, but the Yellow Jackets hand Prime a Week 1 loss at home.
Georgia Tech 34 Colorado 20
Georgia Tech -6.5
Over 50.5
2. Baylor vs Auburn *Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
One of these teams fired their coach and it’s not Baylor. Auburn dropped Hugh Freeze like a bad habit and went and got G6 darling and rising star, HC Alex Golesh (go read his story on how he got to America from Russia and you’ll be pulling for him to succeed). The former USF Bulls coach brings his QB with him, Byrum Brown, a strong runner who’s not afraid to stick his facemask in your chest when carrying the football, but don’t get it twisted, he can let it rip through the air too – he finished 2025 with 3000+ yards passing and 1000+ yards rushing. Baylor brings in Florida transfer QB DJ Lagway to try and mend the offensive woes the Bears have faced the last few years. HC Dave Aranda, who all thought would be gone multiple times last year, is a defensive minded coach who should have a defense to put a lot of pressure on Auburn’s offense…I don’t think it’s enough and I think the Tigers physicality in the running game and on defense is too much for Baylor to handle.
Auburn 27 Baylor 17
Auburn -7.5
Over 52.5
3. Clemson at 11 LSU
LSU handed former head coach a Thanksgiving turkey and a pink slip last November and promptly replaced him with Lane Kiffin, which brought a little bit of drama – more on that later. Clemson loses 9 NFL draftees, a few transfers, and some hair from 2025 as the uber talented team vastly under produced with 7 wins. Chris Vizzina looks to be the starting QB for the Tigers of Clemson in his first road start in Baton Rouge. LSU will trot out Arizona St. transfer QB Sam Leavitt who will ironically be making his first start in Baton Rouge as well. Now, contrary to the media circus that swirling the Bayou Bengals, there will be no former NFL players who get snaps against Clemson – this doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the future but due to acclimation rules, if the players join the roster they won’t have enough practice days to be ruled eligible. I think this game will be clunky, exciting, and has three possible outcomes; 1. LSU blows Clemson out 2. LSU wins close 3. Clemson wins close – I will take the last of the three in a finish like the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl – a fourth down conversion here, a big catch there, a game winning kick, and a ton of excitement.
Clemson 24 LSU 22
Clemson +10.5
Under 50.5
4. UCLA at Cal
Both Cali teams will be bringing in vastly different rosters, new head coaches, and a lot of promise. UCLA gets former Holy Cross and James Madison head coach, Bob Chesney. If you don’t know anything about Chesney, just know all he has done in his career is win (google him). Cal gets former Oregon DC, Tosh Lupoi who has been around some great coaches in his time (Nick Saban, Dan Lanning, and Kirby Smart to name a few). The Cal alum has already sparked a ton of excitement around Berkely as he kicked off his tenure by retaining 5-star QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele(JKS), by catching a red eye to Hawaii and sleeping on the beach…true story. I think the talent of JKS is what gives the edge to Cal in what be a late-night thriller.
Cal 36 UCLA 33
Cal +1.5
Over 53.5
5. 24 Louisville vs 9 Ole Miss *Sunday, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
This is one of the harder games to gage. Ole Miss returns key starters on offense in Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy, but they lose OC Charlie Weis Jr. and HC Lane Kiffin. Louisville returns both stud runningbacks in Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown plus Ohio St. transfer QB, Lincoln Keinholtz – who also brings a running edge to his game. Can defensive minded, new coach, Pete Golding keep the unit tough enough to stop the Cardinals running game? Will Louisivlle’s defensive challenges get exposed by the Heisman hopefuls in the Rebel backfield? I think Louisville punches Ole Miss in the mouth, but the Rebs get off the mat and have the last laugh.
Ole Miss 35 Louisville27
Ole Miss -6.5
Over 55.5
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