After an almost eight month offseason we got week zero. It was cool to see a game played in Ireland and comforting to have Nebraska woes to talk about, but it didn’t quite fill that football shaped hole in our hearts. That’s where week 1 came in. When almost nothing in our world seems to live up to the hype anymore, college football does. Those of us who choose to fully immerse ourselves in it for twelve or more hours on a given Saturday got everything we could have hoped for and then some. Then, in the blink of an eye, it’s over. We move on to a new week with new rankings to discuss and new matchups to salivate over. Here are the games I’ll be watching closely this week.
#1 Alabama (1-0) at Texas (1-0)(+20) – 12pm ET
In their first matchup since the 09-10 National Championship game, Alabama and Texas square off Saturday in a preview of future SEC battles to come, as the Longhorns are scheduled to join the football super-conference in 2025. Alabama won that title fight 37-21 more than twelve years ago, but most Texas fans will tell you things would have gone much differently had their star quarterback Colt McCoy not gone down with an injury early in the first quarter. This time it shouldn’t even be that close. After dominating his former assistants for years, Jimbo Fisher of Texas A&M and Kirby Smart of Georgia finally broke through and beat their mentor Nick Saban last year. Steve Sarkisian notoriously had his career resurrected by Saban during his three years as an assistant, but don’t expect the king to show him any mercy.
Texas has some really nice skill position talent to go along with a young and exciting quarterback, but college football, especially in the SEC, is won in the trenches. The Tide will give their future conference-mate a taste of that brand of ball on Saturday, not only winning, but also covering the twenty point spread on the road.
#24 Tennessee (1-0) at #17 Pitt (1-0)(+6) – 3:30pm ET
Another home underdog and another game in which I see the road favorite getting the win. According to ESPN’s Bill Connelly’s SP+ projection system, Tennessee is one of the most underrated teams in the country and Pitt is one of the most overrated. Vegas tends to agree and so do I. Although Pitt took care of business in the renewal of the Backyard Brawl last Thursday, they didn’t do so in convincing fashion. Their offense lacked explosiveness and their typically stout defense struggled to slow down a West Virginia rushing attack that was led by a former tight end prospect. Tennessee, on the other hand, showed just how explosive their offense can be. Albeit against much lesser competition in Ball State, the Vols were clicking on all cylinders even on a night when their star quarterback Hendon Hooker wasn’t at his best.
I’m a bit biased as I’ve already referred to my love for Hooker, Heupel, and the Vols twice in previous posts. Regardless, I expect the SEC dominance to continue on Saturday as they pick up the road win and continue their rise up the rankings after being left off the preseason list. This one should be a bit closer, especially considering Pitt will have home field advantage. While I believe it’s very possible Tennessee could win and cover, I’d advise staying away from the spread.
*Update – After sleeping on it I’ve decided to show some conviction and go with Tennessee minus the points.
#20 Kentucky (1-0) at #12 Florida (1-0)(-6) – 7pm ET
After starting the season unranked, Florida leapfrogged its week 2 opponent Kentucky all the way up to #12 in this week’s AP poll following an epic upset victory in over Utah last week in The Swamp. Even though the already ranked Wildcats took care of business in week one, Florida enters the game as a six point favorite. It’s clear the the Gators have become the flavor of the week in college football, and rightfully so. Anthony Richardson captivated the nation on Saturday night and showed just how much impact a star quarterback can have when they are able to take over a game the way he did. Luckily for us, we don’t have to wait long for another marquee matchup to see if he is the real deal. This time they face off with another rising SEC East program and one with their own top QB prospect to boot. Will Levis is a physical freak in his own right and like Richardson, is viewed as a potential first round pick. The Wildcats will again be without their top running back Chris Rodriguez due to a suspension, so this game might come down to a true quarterback battle.
Kentucky will be much more accustomed to both the weather and the SEC competition than Utah was. While Florida’s win was impressive, the Utes had multiple opportunities to finish them off but couldn’t get the job done. Mark Stoops’ Kentucky team is tough, consistent, and on the rise. I have them winning outright in Gainesville on Saturday.
#9 Baylor (1-0) at #21 BYU (1-0)(-3) – 10:15pm ET
Well, I know what I’m doing Saturday night. Baylor travels to Provo to take on BYU in a future Big 12 matchup. The Cougars are a three point favorite despite the higher ranking for the Bears. Much like the previous game, I see the toughness and consistency of Dave Aranda’s team winning out in the end. Even if they are forced into a shootout, new Bears quarterback Blake Shapen has shown the ability to lead an explosive offense. In another upset, Baylor wins outright.
Other games to watch
Mizzou (1-0) at K-State (1-0)(-7.5) – 12pm ET – An old Big 12 rivalry, these teams now match up in non-conference play. Mizzou surprised me in week 1 behind a stellar first game from freshman receiver Luther Burden, but I am a believer in K-State and expect them to win and cover.
#23 Wake Forrest (1-0) at Vandy (2-0)(+12.5) – 12pm ET – The early season darling Commodores enter as a 12.5 home underdog. Wake Forrest gets its quarterback Sam Hartman back after missing time with a non-football medical issue. I actually like Vandy plus the points as the Wake quarterback shakes off the rust.
#25 Houston (1-0) at Texas Tech (1-0)(-3) (O/U 62.5) – 4pm ET – Houston is a trendy pick to be the Group of 5 representative in the New Years 6 bowls games, but barely squeaked by UTSA in triple OT last week. Tech rolled in its first game under offensive guru Joey McGuire. I don’t know who will win, but it could be fun to take the over in what should be an old school Texas shootout.
Upset Special
Washington State (1-0) at #19 Wisconsin (1-0)(-17.5) – 3:30pm ET – I’m doubling down on my love for this Wazzu team and my hate for every Wisconsin team. WSU coach Jake Dickert grew up wanting to be a Badger (why??) and Cam Ward is one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the country. The Cougars’ strength is its defensive front, which should match up well with Wisconsin’s run heavy approach. If they can slow down Braelon Allen and get Graham Mertz in some obvious passing situations, things could get interesting in Madison on Saturday.
Official picks:
Bama -20
K-State -7.5
Vandy +12.5
Tennessee -7
Houston at Texas Tech over 62.5
Washington State +17.5
Kentucky outright
Baylor outright
Superior CFB 