We just finished dessert for an appetizer with our week 0 slate, and now we’re jumping headfirst into a capital F, FULL slate of football. Week 1 brings us numerous potential playoff teams matching up, Lee Corso’s last Gameday (I’m not crying, you’re crying), the Battle of Death Valley, and the Battle of SB (South Beach vs South Bend). I can’t wait, I’m tired of talking about it, so let’s jump in.ALSO, YouTube TV and FOX – let’s get it together before Big Noon Kickoff please. Is it too much to ask to be able to freakin’ watch football on week 1? Handle your problems in a conference room and let the fans have their product that they PAY FOR. That’s it, now let’s jump in for real this time.
Also, I am adding an additional section to each week’s games to include the Squad Blitz tip of the game – if you haven’t already, please download the SquadBlitz app and put the “Walk-On Redshirts” as your referral!
Brief Recap of Last Week
1. Auburn at Baylor
Auburn and Baylor both step into week 1 as dark horses in their respective conferences. Auburn comes with new, former 5-star quarterback Jackson Arnold with Cam Coleman and an experienced defense Baylor steps into the ring with veteran quarterback Sawyer Robertson and up-and-comer running back Bryson Washington. I believe Auburn takes huge strides forward in their offense and I believe in what the Bears have already established to will be a major factor in this game, but something tells me I need to go with the Tigers.
Auburn 32 Baylor 27
Auburn -2.5
Over 57.5
Squad Blitz Start Em’ – Baylor’s passing offense. I think Auburn’s defensive backs will be very good this year, but I really like this Baylor passing attack to generate legitimate production this year.
Squad Blitz Sit Em’ – Baylor’s defense. I’m not 100% confident in this, but IF Jackson Arnold can take a step forward, this Auburn passing attack could be too scary for the Bears.
2. Georgia Tech at Colorado
The national media is bullish on this year’s Colorado team – most likely due to a steady improving defense, a plethora of former NFLers on the coaching staff, and a talented quarterback room with Kaidon Salter and Julian Lewis. However, I am bullish on Georgia Tech and the culture of this team. I believe with Haynes King, Jamal Haynes, Eric Rivers, and Malik Rutherford, this Yellow Jacket offense will be scary. The biggest question for the wrambling wreck will be the defense – can they improve enough to win some of the games that couldn’t last year. I think they do…and I think they do big.
Georgia Tech 31 Colorado 17
Georgia Tech -4.5
Under 53.5
Squad Blitz Start Em’ – Georgia Tech’s rushing offense. Haynes King, Jamal Haynes, and Wrambling Wreck’s Hogmollies will be difficult to stop.
Squad Blitz Sit Em’ – Colorado’s defense. Although I think the Buffaloes defense takes a step forward this year, that step won’t be enough to slow down the Yellow Jackets.
3. 1 Texas at 3 Ohio St.
The Arch Manning era will officially begin on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio and I can’t wait to see what he can do. He has been the talking point for just about every analyst since he’s stepped foot on campus, and despite his attempts to stay out of the spotlight, the headlines still found him. Julian Sayin will also be starting for the first time for the Buckeyes and they’ll be trying to follow up the team that won the national championship last year. With so many unknowns, both teams do bring something from last year – Texas’s hard-nosed defense and Ohio St.’s WR room, specifically Jeremiah Smith. I think with the losses to the roster and coaching staff at Ohio St., they will not be as ready as Texas will be in this game.
Texas 27 Ohio St. 20
Texas +2.5
Under 47.5
Squad Blitz Start Em’ – Texas’s rushing offense. With Arch Manning being mobile and returning Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter, the rushing attack could be deadly.
Squad Blitz Sit Em’ – Ohio St.’s rushing offense. This game is tough to pick a “squad” to sit, but if I was a betting man, I think Ohio St.’s rushing offense will take a step back this year.
4. 9 LSU at 4 Clemson
This game probably has the most hype for despite not being as high of a ranked matchup as Ohio St. and Texas. Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik, changes to Clemson’s defensive coaching staff and year 2 in LSU’s new defensive staff, great wide receivers, and playoff caliber rosters. It doesn’t get much better than this. I believe this will be a game where both teams give and take some big-time haymakers, but Clemson is able to pull away late due to their pass rush forcing a turnover from LSU.
Clemson 31 LSU 20
Clemson -3.5
Under 57.5
Squad Blitz Start Em’ – Clemson’s passing attack with Heisman hopeful Cade Klubnik and 7 legitimate pass catchers.
Squad Blitz Sit Em’ – LSU’s defense on the road against a potential top 5 offense in the country.
5. 6 Notre Dame at 10 Miami
Catholics vs Convicts returns on the first Sabbath Day of the college football season. Both schools are starting new Quarterbacks – CJ Carr for Notre Dame and Carson Beck for Miami. The Miami running game with Mark Fletcher and Jordan Lyle is an underrated group, but they don’t hold a candle to the three Clydesdales that Notre Dame will be running out in Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, and Aneyas Williams. Notre Dame will rely on these workhorses, and I think smack down Miami in the Battle of SB – South Bend vs South Beach.
Notre Dame 35 Miami 17
Notre Dame -2.5
Over 50.5
Squad Blitz Start Em’ – Notre Dame’s rush offense, with what I believe will be the best rushing attack that isn’t a service academy.
Squad Blitz Sit Em’ – Miami’s defense. If they can’t stop the run, Notre Dame can let CJ Carr take risks in the passing game which could make the game ugly.
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