Where I will show love for the Steelers, Pirates, Thundering Herd, & Mountaineers and utter contempt for the Cowboys, Yankees, Jeff Gordon, & Notre Dame.
Greetings football fans. Hey, it’s my birthday!! Sadly, writing this lil ditty is about as exciting as my day will get, and that’s okay. At any rate, both of us had another mediocre week. I still can’t believe Georgia didn’t cover, and there are no words to explain what the hell happened to our Steelers. But, as Ferris Bueller once stated, life moves pretty fast. It’s time to focus on another weekend of gridiron action, and so we move forward.
My Season: 23-12
Zach’s Season: 20-15
Kansas State (-11.5) at Oklahoma State
We’re leaning heavily into the Big 12 this week, starting with a team I had high hopes for in the preseason. At 3-1, with only a close loss to Missouri blemishing their record, the Wildcats still have an opportunity to meet my lofty expectations. Conversely, the 2-2 Cowboys have lost two in a row and need to stop their downward spiral immediately. This is the prime time Saturday night game on ESPN, so someone somewhere must believe it’ll be fun to watch. The points concern me a little bit because I’m not sure the favorites are as elite as I’d hoped while the underdogs probably aren’t as terrible as the numbers might indicate. Having said that, anyone who has followed us here thru the years knows that I’m loyal to my preseason opinions until they’re proven wrong, so I’m riding with K-State to validate my prognostication with a statement victory. Zach isn’t impressed by either team but thinks the favorites have a more balanced attack that will lead to a comfortable win.
My Pick: Kansas St.
Zach’s Pick: Kansas St.
Texas Tech at Baylor (-1.5)
At 2-3 the Red Raiders look like fighting for bowl eligibility might be their ceiling. Ditto for the 2-3 Bears, who won 12 games & beat Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl just a couple of seasons ago. This feels like a pivotal game that could right the ship of the winner while tossing the loser deeper into the abyss. I have no idea what to expect and usually factor the home field rather heavily into these kinds of decisions, but The Vibes are gently nudging me toward Tech. Zach likes Baylor’s toughness to make the difference in a high scoring affair decided deep into the 4th quarter.
My Pick: Texas Tech
Zach’s Pick: Baylor
Oklahoma vs. Texas (-6.5)
I still call it the Red River Shootout even if the sports media has become too woke to do so. It’s the last time they’ll meet as Big 12 rivals, but unlike so many other great traditions that have been destroyed by conference realignment these teams will continue to battle annually as members of the SEC. After last season’s 6-7 abomination I had no expectations of the Sooners, but thus far they’re 5-0 & proving me wrong. I did have a reasonably high opinion of the Longhorns, but at 5-0 & ranked in the Top 5 they’ve outdone themselves. It’s a neutral site contest at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, with a Noon kickoff. It feels like Texas has much more at stake, with a possible playoff berth in their future if all goes well. Oklahoma looks to have too many obstacles in their path to work themselves into playoff contention, but ruining their opponent’s opportunity would be sweet. I’m looking forward to a real dandy, and think the favorites have enough firepower to win by a touchdown. Zach believes the total points may end up close to 100, with the underdogs scoring a mildly surprising upset.
My Pick: Texas
Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma
Jacksonville vs. Buffalo (-5.5)
I expected both teams to be playoff contenders, but so far I’ve been underwhelmed. I thought the 2-2 Jags would be the bandwagon everyone would jump on, but they lost a game & that spot to the Houston Texans. Similarly, the 3-1 Bills are atop their division, but share the lead with the Miami Dolphins, who have received a lot more buzz. This is a 9:30am kickoff in London on the NFL Network, the second consecutive week for Jacksonville in Merry Old England (they beat Atlanta last Sunday). That gives them a slight advantage in my mind, assuming they just stayed overseas instead of flying back & forth across the pond again. It would be an attention grabbing upset, and possible changing of the guard in the AFC. Zach thinks Buffalo has figured things out after a sluggish beginning to their season.
My Pick: Jacksonville
Zach’s Pick: Buffalo
New Orleans at New England (-1.5)
I feel like this is a must-win for both teams. The 2-2 Saints came out of the gate strong before dropping two straight. Injuries have been an issue. The 1-3 Patriots have folks questioning the perceived genius of allegedly one of the greatest coaches of all time. I could’ve told you years ago that was poppycock, but they kept winning Super Bowls by any means necessary. Witnessing New England’s implosion is delicious fun, and I wouldn’t mind seeing N’Awlins beat them by triple digits. Unfortunately the visitors aren’t that good. Are they good enough to squeak by in a close contest though?? I hope so. Conversely, Zach doesn’t thing Darth Belichick will lose two games in a row. He foresees them taking pressure off whoever starts at QB by establishing a strong running game.
At this point we’re starting to separate the contenders from the pretenders, especially in college. As conference games begin to dominate the schedule and divisional battles in the NFL heat up the bigger picture will come into focus. Having said that, it’s way too soon to get cocky if you’re favorite team(s) have gotten off to a hot start, and much too early to give up if they’ve stumbled a bit. Both of us were 5-2 last weekend, which is pretty great, but now the real fun begins.
My Season: 20-10
Zach’s Season: 18-12
Cincinnati at BYU (-2.5)
I had to double check to see if both teams had already joined the Big 12 or if that was happening next year. Conference realignment is such bullsquat. Anyway, both did join the conference this season, and right now the 3-1 Cougars have a slight edge over the 2-2 Bearcats. In general I feel like Cincy gets way too much credit for the one year they were really good and somehow snuck into the playoff before being owned by Alabama. Conversely, BYU has a much longer tradition of being a very solid high level program. This is a late Friday night kickoff on ESPN, and I think the home field holds serve, with the favorites covering in a tight contest. Zach foresees a high scoring affair with the home team scoring late to secure the victory.
My Pick: BYU
Zach’s Pick: BYU
Texas A&M (-6.5) vs. Arkansas
So far Jimbo Fisher’s team is on pace to vastly improve on last season’s horrific record, but the job is far from finished. This is a neutral site game at the Palace in Dallas, with a Noon kickoff on the SEC Network. The 2-2 Razorbacks have lost two consecutive games and would love to stop any potential free fall. They are the sort of team that wins 7-9 games in good years while never being in the conference title or CFP conversation, but seem to always play one really great game, upsetting an opponent they weren’t supposed to beat. Will that happen against A&M?? I don’t think so. Conversely, Zach believes Arkansas’ secret weapon is their strength & conditioning program and thinks that’ll be a factor in upsetting an A&M team that’s really not that good.
My Pick: Texas A&M
Zach’s Pick: Arkansas
Georgia (-14.5) at Auburn
Auburn hasn’t beaten Georgia since 2017 when the Bulldogs subsequently avenged that defeat by beating the Tigers in the SEC title game. The favorites are 4-0 and have scored 45+ points in three of those games. Meanwhile, the home team is 3-1 but just got shellacked at Texas A&M. I would love to see a really fun, competitive game Saturday afternoon, but I don’t think that’ll happen. Zach doesn’t believe Georgia is as dominant as they’ve been the last couple of years and thinks they’ll get off to a slow start. Ultimately though, he sees them pulling away late for a big win.
My Pick: Georgia
Zach’s Pick: Georgia
Pittsburgh (-3) at Houston
We normally don’t pick Steelers games because both Zach & I are honest about our bias. I’ve been cheering for the black & gold since the days of Terry Bradshaw & The Steel Curtain. Zach is much younger but grew up rooting for Hines Ward, Big Ben, & Troy Polamalu. We are well aware that our team is in a struggle phase at the moment and trust me…we have lots of opinions. Having said that, I’m confident the favorites will get the job done on the road. The Texans are trending upward and will be a legit playoff contender in a year or two, but I don’t believe they’re there quite yet. Rookie quarterback CJ Stroud looks like he’ll be good down the road, but this weekend I think the Steelers defense will eat him alive. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Pittsburgh
Zach’s Pick: Pittsburgh
Seattle at NY Giants (1.5)
I’m not sure what to make of this one. On one hand, it’s normal that the 1-2 Giants would get the home field bump, but it’s only half of what it would normally be, which is showing respect toward Seattle. However, the mere fact that the 2-1 Seahawks aren’t favored at all seems disrespectful to me. I’ve watched both teams play, and I think Seattle is flat out a better team. I believe they’ll win, and it won’t be particularly close. Zach has a very low opinion of the Giants and agrees that the visiting underdogs will win big on Monday night.
As a Steelers fan I’m still trying to wrap my head around what the hell I watched Monday night. Never has a win felt more like a loss. As a fantasy owner I am juggling a half dozen teams with various injuries & underperforming players who I can’t give away in trades. All of this while I just kicked Covid’s ass for the third time. It’s no fun, but even my healthcare provider said “it’s really not a big deal anymore”, so I thank God every day I didn’t bow to the pressure to receive a useless “vaccine” that is more dangerous than the disease it is supposed to treat. Anyway, Zach has drawn a little closer overall, and we’re both still above water. Hopefully doing a few bonus picks won’t turn out to be a bad idea.
My Season: 15-8
Zach’s Season: 13-10
Florida State (-2) at Clemson
My my how the turn tables. The Seminoles haven’t won this matchup since 2014, but now they visit Death Valley as slight road favorites. The Tigers are 2-1, though no one is putting much stock in two easy victories, instead choosing to dwell on the season opening loss at Duke. Florida St. is 3-0 and getting a lot of love for their season opening destruction of LSU. I’ve always liked Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, who seems like a genuinely decent man. Now we’re going to find out just how good of a coach he is, regardless of the final score. This is a Noon kickoff instead of prime time, which speaks volumes. After six straight playoff appearances Clemson has been in a downward cycle for the past couple of years, and that’s okay. It happens. Conversely, after being one of the dominant forces in college football throughout the 90s Florida St. had some lean years and now appears to be highly competitive once more. It’s the circle of life. The wheel of fortune. Zach is taking a leap of faith on Coach Swinney, believing he’ll have his team ready to find their place on the path unwinding.
My Pick: Florida St.
Zach’s Pick: Clemson
Colorado at Oregon (-21)
Play time is over. Upsetting TCU was cool, even if it was more perception based on last season. Throttling Nebraska was nostalgic. Defeating Colorado St. in two OTs was thrilling and everything a rivalry game should be…hell, everything college football once was until greed chipped away at it like a woodpecker on a maple tree. Now though…now we find out if the Buffs are the real deal. The Ducks are 3-0 and have made it look relatively easy. We cannot overlook the fact that it is a conference battle, and the two top teams will ultimately meet for the PAC 12 title, making this a pretty important game. Coach Prime has won me over with his cool demeanor, hype skills, & genuine belief in his team. However, I think they will struggle to be .500 the rest of the way. Oregon might not be a playoff team, but they are a legit Top 10 threat. Zach concurs. He foresees the favorites winning quite emphatically.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
UCLA at Utah (-4.5)
The 3-0 Utes have become the forgotten team in the PAC 12, which is probably fine with them at the moment. The season opening victory over Florida looks better every day, and QB Cameron Rising could finally be ready to play after missing the first few games while still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the Rose Bowl. Meanwhile, the Bruins are also 3-0, although their schedule has hardly been…noteworthy. This could be one of the best games of the day on Saturday, and I believe it’ll be super close. Decided by a field goal close. Zach also thinks it’ll be close, but ultimately sees Utah being good enough.
My Pick: UCLA
Zach’s Pick: Utah
Ohio St. (-3.5) at Notre Dame
The Buckeyes are cruising along without a care in the world. Starting the season with three cupcakes will do that for you, but now they’ll need to snap on those chinstraps tight and be prepared to play football. Not only are the Fighting Irish also undefeated, but they have the home field. A win for either team legitimizes their success thus far & puts them squarely in the playoff debate. A loss doesn’t mean the season is over, but it likely ends any national title dreams. I think it’ll be a hard fought battle. Notre Dame will scratch & claw and look pretty good keeping up with their favored opponents. They’ll have opportunities to tie or even take a small lead…but it won’t happen. Ohio St. is just a little faster, a little deeper, and a little more athletic. Conversely, Zach thinks Ohio St.’s QB situation is a mess and predicts Notre Dame will defend their turf.
My Pick: Ohio St.
Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame
LA Chargers at Minnesota (-1.5)
The Vikings just traded for (former) Rams’ running back Cam Akers because their rushing attack has been pathetic. I don’t know if Akers will be in the lineup Sunday, but after starting 0-2 there is some urgency there. The Chargers are also 0-2, but could just as easily be 2-0. It would certainly help to get RB Austin Ekeler back on the field, but he may miss another game. Neither of these teams has been getting blown out, they’ve just been missing…something…that causes them to fall just a bit short. Akers could be the missing piece for Minnesota, but I’d be surprised if we know that answer this week. The question for me is which defense does one trust more, and I think I have to lean toward the Chargers. Zach foresees a low scoring affair and agrees the underdogs will snag a mild upset.
My Pick: LA Chargers
Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers
Chicago at Kansas City (-13.5)
I listened with bemusement to talking heads hyping the Bears & QB Justin Fields in the preseason because I have the direct opposite opinions. Two games in & who looks good on the Bears/Fields front?? That’s right…me. Conversely, I am somewhat concerned about the Chiefs, although, to be fair, losing by one point to Detroit and being challenged mightily by the Jags aren’t reasons to hang heads in shame. For now I am blaming that overhyped harlot Taylor Swift for anything that goes wrong in KC. Will that include a loss to the Bears?? No…not even that twit has that much power. Will the home team cover?? That’s a whole different mediocre country pop song. I think it’ll be close. Gamblers nationwide will sweat as the outcome hangs in the balance heading into the 4th quarter. But then guys like Patrick Mahomes & Chris Jones will remember who the hell they are and lead their team to a two+ touchdown win. Zach has yet to be impressed by KC, but agrees that Chicago is terrible.
My Pick: Kansas City
Zach’s Pick: Kansas City
LA Rams at Cincinnati (-2.5)
The reason the Rams were able to trade Cam Akers is that 2022 5th round pick Kyren Williams out of Notre Dame has emerged as a legit NFL running back. If they can stay above water until receiver Cooper Kupp’s return in a few weeks the Rams might eventually prove that last year’s abysmal 5-12 finish was indeed an anomaly just one season after winning the Super Bowl. The team they beat in that Super Bowl was the Bengals, who did not fall flat on their face a season ago…they just lost the AFC title game. That being said, there does seem to be some concern about Cincy’s 0-2 start. They need a victory not only to quiet the whispers, but to keep pace with the Baltimore Ravens. I believe the Rams have potential to put it altogether, figure things out, and emerge with a better record than last year, but I think that’ll take some time and folks shouldn’t get too excited just yet. The home team has their back against the wall, which makes them dangerous. Zach thinks the fall of Joe Burrow will continue, with the Rams scoring an upset in overtime.
The only thing that could push Deion Sanders off the front page of sports news sites is a season ending injury to Aaron Rodgers. That’s the bad news. Good news?? Well, after a week long standoff Disney & Spectrum reached an agreement, so I got my ESPN back just in time to watch the entirety of Rodgers’ much anticipated Jets’ career, which lasted all of four plays. Perhaps karma is punishing New Yorkers for the absolute nut jobs they elect to positions of power. Anyway, I had a great week, going 4-1, while Zach slipped a little, going 1-4. That being said, we’re both off to solid, above .500 starts to the season, so we’ll see if we can keep that going.
My Season: 13-5
Zach’s Season: 10-8
Army at Texas-San Antonio (-9)
The Black Knights are 1-1 after mauling FCS Delaware St. Meanwhile, the Roadrunners are also 1-1, rebounding from a close season opening loss to get by in-state rival Texas St. last weekend. This is a Friday night game and I have plans, so I’m not sure how much of it I’ll get to see. UTSA won the matchup on the road in overtime a year ago, but with the home field I’m confident they’ll win much more comfortably. Zach doesn’t believe Army will win, but despite tweaking their offensive playbook from the traditional flexbone triple option to a more shotgun based attack he still thinks the visitors will control time of possession & slow the hand down. If UTSA’s offense isn’t on the field as much they’ll score less points & are less likely to cover. That’s the theory anyway…we’ll see how it pans out.
My Pick: UTSA
Zach’s Pick: Army
San Diego State at Oregon State (-24.5)
The Aztecs are 1-1 after losing big to UCLA. The 2-0 Beavers have barely broken a sweat thus far. The points are a bit much, but it’d be a huge statement victory for the home team to win by nearly four touchdowns. Conversely, the points are enough for Zach to go against the grain. He feels like the home team will win, but not by more than three TDs.
My Pick: Oregon St.
Zach’s Pick: San Diego St.
Tennessee (-6.5) at Florida
Before the season began I predicted success for the Vols, but had no expectations that they’d equal last year’s 11-2 record & Top 10 ranking. They’re 2-0 and haven’t allowed more than 13 points from an opponent, but now the real work begins. The Gators are 1-1, but feasted FCS McNeese St. a week ago. It’s a pretty big game because the winner can get on with SEC business and try to climb to the top of the standings, while the loser could be negatively impacted to the point that we look back & view this as the moment their season imploded. I’m far too lackadaisical to do actual research, but I will assume that being underdogs in The Swamp has been rare for the home team thru the years. I think Florida is a team in transition, and I don’t know how patient the folks in Gainesville will be with second year head coach Billy Napier. He could solidify some job security with a big upset, but I don’t believe that’ll happen. Zach agrees with me that Tennessee is good not great, but thinks they’ll win by a touchdown.
My Pick: Tennessee
Zach’s Pick: Tennessee
Washington at Denver (-3.5)
The Commanders (for now) got off to a good start with a victory over Arizona, while the Broncos fell to the Raiders. My lack of faith in Denver is reinforced, atleast for the moment, and Washington looks to be as tediously solid as I thought. You’re going to hear a lot about the challenges of playing in the higher elevation of the Rocky Mountains, but I’m not sure that’s really such a big deal. I don’t think we should read too much into Week 1, but I’ve seen enough to stick with my preseason expectations. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington
NY Jets at Dallas (-7.5)
This game seemed a whole lot more interesting a few days ago, but that was before the Cowboys dominated their season opener & the Jets lost Aaron Rodgers four plays into theirs. My predictions that the Cowboys would have a losing record & head coach Mike McCarthy will lose his job look rather shaky at the moment, although I still believe Philadelphia wins the division. Injuries are always a factor in torpedoing preseason notions, but after all the hype & expectation it is mind boggling to see the Jets’ entire year implode so quickly & in such monumental fashion. Zach doesn’t think the Jets need to be all doom & gloom. He believes QB Zach Wilson will be okay and defense & special teams will win some games for them. He’s not all-in on the Cowboys & thinks their offense isn’t that good.
The big news from last weekend was “Neon” Deion Sanders & his Colorado Buffaloes backing up all the hype with action by upsetting TCU. Kudos to Zach for kinda sorta almost calling that in advance, which helped him to an impressive 7-1 week. In comparison I was 5-3, which I will proudly proclaim as not too shabby. We’re off to a rather decent beginning, and now will be able to throw the NFL into the mix. We’ll see how that works out.
My Season: 9-4
Zach’s Season: 9-4
Oregon (-6.5) at Texas Tech
The Ducks came out of the gate STRONG, hanging 81 points on Portland St. I hope the payday was worth it for the FCS Vikings. Conversely, the Red Raiders lost in overtime at Wyoming. Can we glean much out of those results?? Yes & no. I wouldn’t read too much into Oregon’s Week 1 beatdown. Sure, 81 points is impressive, but the bottom line is they did what they were supposed to do. What Tech’s loss means will be more accurately judged when we have a better idea how good Wyoming ends up being. I really don’t know exactly what to expect on Saturday evening, but I think the visitors are in for a much bigger fight than they faced in the season opener. Having said that, I feel like the favorites will win by 7-10 points. Zach isn’t impressed at all by Texas Tech, and he’s surprised by the points…surprised the oddsmakers think it’ll be that close.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
Texas at Alabama (-7)
I don’t have ESPN right now because Disney is in a pissing contest with my cable provider. What that means, among other things, is that I won’t be able to watch this game. It’s unfortunate, but I’ll live. When these two teams met a year ago ‘Bama scored a last minute field goal for a one point road victory. If you believe the chatter there is a sense that the Longhorns are better this year while the Tide might not be as good. In my preseason rankings I opined “don’t be shocked if the ‘Horns march into Tuscaloosa in early September and upset ‘Bama”, and I stand by that. This is going to be a dogfight no matter who wins, and it’ll be closer than seven points. Zach believes Alabama is as good as they’ve ever been and thinks Texas is being overrated. He foresees a tight contest until the home team blows it open in the 4th quarter.
My Pick: Texas
Zach’s Pick: Alabama
Detroit at Kansas City (-6.5)
The NFL kicks off on Thursday night with the league standard bearer facing off against an up n’ comer with high expectations. The Lions haven’t won their division since 1993 and last appeared in the playoffs in 2016, but they’ve steadily assembled the ingredients for a team that could achieve both this season. The Chiefs have played in three of the past four Super Bowls, winning twice. I’m on board the Detroit hype train, but not this week. They’ll play hard and reinforce the positive outlook so many seem to have, but KC is still in their prime and that’s not changing anytime soon. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Kansas City
Zach’s Pick: Kansas City
Philadelphia (-3.5) at New England
Not to be outdone, the Eagles have played in two Super Bowls in six years, winning one of them. They’ve earned playoff berths in five of the past six seasons, and there’s no reason to believe there will be any significant decline. I’m not buying all of the Cowboys love and think Philly will scratch & claw their way to another division title. In contrast, the party seems to be over for the Patriots. Mac Jones is a decent QB, but he’s not the Second Coming of…well, you know. After going 8-9 a season ago I think it gets worse for New England before it gets better, and believe me when I say I won’t shed a tear. I really don’t think this game will be particularly close. Zach has the opposite outlook. He believes the Pats could actually win their division this year, and thinks that starts with a statement win that’d certainly surprise a lot of people.
My Pick: Philadelphia
Zach’s Pick: New England
Miami at LA Chargers (-3)
Are we overlooking these teams?? The Jets are a popular pick to win the AFC East, while the Bills are probably the safer bet. But what about Miami?? I’ve been perpetually flummoxed by the tepid response to the three year career of QB Tua Tagovailoa. In my opinion he’s a Top 10 quarterback. The Dolphins were 9-8 last season and earned a wildcard. I expect them to be slightly better in Coach McDaniel’s second year. The Chargers have a pretty good QB, with Justin Herbert flying way under the radar as opposed to folks openly questioning his abilities. I feel like the outcome rests mostly on defense, and believe the underdogs will make more plays on that side of the ball. Zach thinks Miami could be the biggest roadblock to New England winning the division. However, he also believes Herbert is the one that must prove himself, and foresees that effort getting off the ground with a big victory.
I’m already off to a better start than a year ago, having gone 4-1 last week. Zach was 2-3 but I’m sure he’ll rebound quickly. These games are much more intriguing, with the action beginning on Thursday night and stretching thru the long weekend. Allow me to seize an opportunity to remind you that this will be the final year for the four team playoff, which means a few teams might be eliminated from contention early. I haven’t taken time to ponder the full impact of an expanded 12 team playoff as well as all of the wacky conference shuffling, but one doesn’t have to be a mathematician to understand that 12 is three times as many as four, meaning the impact of early season losses will be less in the future, whereas right now one loss can derail an entire season.
My Season: 4-1
Zach’s Season: 2-3
Florida at Utah (-6.5)
I had the Utes knocking on the door of the Top 10 in my preseason poll, while the Gators didn’t make the cut. I do believe Florida will improve upon last season’s losing record as head coach Billy Napier enters into his second year in Gainesville. They actually won this matchup last year, but were inconsistent the rest of the way. Utah has the home field and probably thinks they have an outside shot at a playoff berth, but QB Cam Rising suffered an ACL tear in The Rose Bowl and might not be 100% just yet. His status makes me a bit skittish, but I’m sticking with the home favorites. Zach believes it’ll be tight until the end, but feels like the favorites will win by a touchdown. This is a Thursday night game on ESPN, which is perfect since I’ve got a busy weekend but Thursdays are usually quite mundane.
My Pick: Utah
Zach’s Pick: Utah
Nebraska (-7) at Minnesota
There seems to be some level of excitement about the Cornhuskers, which is surprising since they haven’t had a winning season since 2016. The Scott Frost Era was a total bust and Matt Rhule is the man in charge now. You may recall that Rhule was quite successful at Temple, had one great year at Baylor after a rough start, then moved on to the Carolina Panthers for a few forgettable years before deciding he’s better off as a college coach. The Golden Gophers have had back-to-back nine win seasons, which is probably their ceiling in the rigorous Big Ten. This is a tough call because normally I’m a huge home field guy, but the visitors are solid favorites. What do the oddsmakers know?? These teams have met 63 times since 1900, with Minnesota leading the all-time series 36-25-2. They’ve won the last four contests. I believe Rhule will fix the issues that have been plaguing Nebraska and might even win this game, but I foresee it being closer than a touchdown. Zach predicts Rhule will eventually lead his team to success, but Minnesota has the edge in the trenches where games are truly won.
My Pick: Minnesota
Zach’s Pick: Minnesota
Miami (OH) at Miami (FL) (-17)
It’s the Battle of Miami!! I’m a little tired of waiting for the Hurricanes to return to their 90s glory, and I don’t believe they’ll ever be a dominant force in the current football landscape. However, I do think that much traveled head coach Mario Cristobal can do better in his second year and achieve a winning record. The RedHawks haven’t had a ten win season since 2010, and have barely had two winning seasons in that timeframe. Those points are pretty big, but I don’t think the home team will have any issues covering. Zach concurs, opining that the ‘Canes will win easily.
My Pick: Miami (FL)
Zach’s Pick: Miami (FL)
Colorado at Texas Christian (-21.5)
A lot of questions will be answered in this game. Let’s be honest, Deion Sanders wasn’t hired to be the Buffaloes head coach because of his 27-6 record in three years at Jackson St. He got the job because Colorado has only had two winning seasons since 2005 and has been lost in the PAC 12 shuffle since foolishly joining in 2010. With Coach Prime at the helm people are talking about the Buffs for the first time since the early 1990s. Conversely, the Horned Frogs shocked the world by earning a spot in the playoff last season and actually beating Michigan before getting shellacked in the title game by Georgia. Can they sustain that success after eight players moved on to the NFL?? Let’s not overlook the fact that they didn’t even win the Big 12 title game, so I assume that’ll provide motivation. The bottom line is this – Colorado has been rebuilt to an unprecedented degree thru the transfer portal and should have low expectations, while TCU may no longer be a playoff contender but should still be a solid team. The points concern me a bit, but ultimately I think the favorites cover with ease. Zach is hoping for a big upset, although he doesn’t think it’ll actually happen. However, he does believe the underdogs will hang tough and keep it close.
My Pick: TCU
Zach’s Pick: Colorado
Boise State at Washington (-14)
I’m a little disappointed that it’s a 3:30pm kickoff. It seems like a matchup tailor made for one of those 10pm EST games I love so much. At any rate, the Broncos don’t seem to be getting as much love from the talking heads as they did when they were winning New Year’s bowl games & upsetting Power 5 opponents, but they won 10 games a year ago. Perhaps part of their perceived decline is the fact that they haven’t won a conference title in a few years. Whether that changes or not this season really has no connection to this game, in which the Huskies come in with high expectations of their own. QB Michael Penix could be a Heisman contender if he stays healthy, and a showdown in the PAC 12 title against USC, Utah, or Oregon is a possibility if all the dominoes fall correctly. I believe this will be an entertaining & competitive game for awhile, but the home team will pull away late and cover comfortably. Zach thinks Washington has a chance to get into the playoff and doesn’t believe they’ll have any problems winning this game.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington
Texas-San Antonio (-1.5) at Houston
I am quite surprised that the Roadrunners are favored. Houston has the home field and is entering their inaugural season in the Big 12, whereas UTSA, as successful as they’ve been the past two years, still represents the AAC. The Cougars haven’t been a bad team and have been in the AAC title conversation the past few years before jumping conferences. Whether or not they’ll be competitive in the Big 12 remains to be seen, but they’d certainly make a statement by upending a UTSA team that’s won 11+ games each of the past two seasons. This could be the hidden gem of the entire holiday weekend slate, and I might have to click on over to FS1 Saturday evening to check it out. I think the oddsmakers are onto something and the visitors will squeak by with a winning field goal. Zach points out that both squads averaged more than 35 points/game a year ago and likes the home team to prevail in a shootout.
My Pick: UTSA
Zach’s Pick: Houston
North Carolina (-2.5) at South Carolina
It looks like the ‘Cocks will have some stiff competition on their home field Saturday afternoon, and the oddsmakers are giving them the shaft. Can Tar Heels QB Drake Maye thrust himself into Heisman contention, or will the defense make it hard for him to score?? Will the offensive line provide adequate protection, making sure to pull out on blocks just in time?? If Maye’s drives down the field climax with more touchdowns than field goals it could result in a huge victory, but if he is unable to penetrate deep into the red zone UNC fans could be left unsatisfied. Zach likes the Heels to win a high scoring affair.
My Pick: North Carolina
Zach’s Pick: North Carolina
LSU (-2.5) vs. Florida State
It’s been awhile since anyone had high expectations for the Seminoles, but head coach Mike Norvell enters his fourth season on the heels of winning 10 games and defeating Oklahoma in a bowl game. Having said that, the folks in Baton Rouge have legit hopes for success as well. This is a “neutral” site game in Orlando, which is about three times closer to Tallahassee than The Bayou, so the powers-that-be aren’t fooling anybody. It’s also being played on Sunday evening, which is fine by me. These are both preseason Top 10 teams in most polls, although I have LSU ranked a bit higher & Florida St. rated a little lower. Nothing would surprise me, but I think the Tigers will earn a hard fought victory. Zach’s brother is a big LSU fan and believes they’ll be in the playoff, but Zach isn’t so sure given the tough road in the SEC. However, he does think they’ll get off to a good start with a win in this game.
A year ago I got off to an atrocious start with these picks of what the talking heads call Week Zero. I was behind the eight ball from the jump, but recovered enough to finish the season in a dead heat with Zach, both of us ending up a lowly 57-64. I went on to win an admittedly convoluted tiebreaker for the season victory, but I sincerely hope we don’t need to resort to that again. I just want us to be better at this, even though there is no money or anything else at stake. At any rate, it’s great to have football to enjoy every weekend again. I don’t know how much game action I’ll be able to actually watch these first couple of weeks, but I’m going to appreciate the hell out of whatever I’m able to see.
Navy at Notre Dame (-20.5)
It’s a rivalry that goes all the way back to 1927, with the Irish leading the series 81-13-1. The last time the Midshipmen were victorious was 2016. Having said that, it’s not always a blowout. Notre Dame won by only three points last November after Navy put up 16 points in the 4th quarter and the winners didn’t score at all in the second half. No one expects Navy to win this game, but will they lose by three TDs?? I’m willing to roll the dice and say they’ll keep things just a bit closer…maybe 15-18 points. Zach believes the underdogs will keep things close in the first half, but Notre Dame will roll to a huge win.
My Pick: Navy
Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame
Hawaii at Vanderbilt (-16.5)
If you need any more proof that collegiate athletics is all about money, just witness Vanderbilt in the SEC. They bring nothing to the table competitively, but it’s a university for wealthy folks, so it really doesn’t matter what happens on the field. The Commodores had back-to-back nine win seasons in 2012-13, their first (and last) since 1982. The Rainbow Warriors have been slightly more successful thru the years, but have suffered thru three straight losing seasons. Something about the points doesn’t make sense here. Logic dictates that there’s a reason other than simple home field advantage, but I don’t know what it could be. I believe it’ll be more competitive than the oddsmakers think. Conversely, Zach thinks Hawaii is a terrible team and Vandy will win easily.
My Pick: Hawaii
Zach’s Pick: Vanderbilt
Ohio at San Diego State (-3.5)
Hey, we finally have a (presumably) close contest!! Far be it from me to fall prey to preconceived notions, but MAC games are usually slow paced, old fashioned, smashmouth football, whereas the Mountain West is generally known to be high scoring & more exciting. Will this game stay true to form?? The Bobcats are coming off a 10-4 season topped off by an overtime bowl victory, while the Aztecs were a more pedestrian 7-6. SD St. has the home field and should be better defensively, so I think they win by a touchdown. Zach foresees the home team going against the grain and winning easily with a solid rushing attack.
My Pick: San Diego St.
Zach’s Pick: San Diego St.
Florida International at Louisiana Tech (-10.5)
When my Thundering Herd played in Conference USA I paid much more attention to these teams and always looked forward to watching them play. However, I lost track of them a year ago when Marshall moved to the Sun Belt. FIU was 4-8 last season under a new head coach, while Tech went 3-9 in the same circumstance. There’s nowhere to go but up for both programs, and I’m sure they’d love to get things started the right way. In a head-to-head matchup last year the Panthers won at home in two OTs, so I expect the Bulldogs to get their revenge…by less than ten points. Zach, on the other hand, likes Tech to throw the ball & achieve a big victory thru the air.
My Pick: FIU
Zach’s Pick: Louisiana Tech
San Jose State at Southern California (-30.5)
The Trojans are a Top 10 team in most preseason polls. The Spartans haven’t won more than seven games in a season since 2012. I’m a big fan of monumental upsets, but that isn’t happening. Can USC cover the points though?? They’re 5-0 all time against SJSt., but the margin of victory exceeded 30 points only twice. With bigger fish to fry in the future and a possible playoff run on the horizon I think the home team will play alot of young backups and not even approach full throttle. They’ll win, but by 20-25 points. Zach is a little hesitant about the points but thinks USC will cover.
Has there ever been a Super Bowl rematch in back-to-back seasons?? Yes…once. The Dallas Cowboys beat the snot out of the Buffalo Bills in 1992 & ‘93. Could it happen again?? Perhaps. Who knows?? What I do know is that football is back and my weekends are about to become delightfully entertaining once again. For the 15th time we’re going to take a peak into the ol’ crystal ball and see if we can prophesy what to expect from the NFL this season. It’s an endeavor fraught with pitfalls & unknowns…injuries, coaching changes, rookies, aging veterans, free agency. Out of all the professional sports leagues the NFL is perhaps the most unpredictable, yet we do our best to do exactly that. It’s crazy, and probably kind of dumb…but it is also lots of fun, for me anyway. I hope you enjoy many wonderful Sundays, Mondays, & Thursdays in the next several months, and as always I discourage any wagering based on what you read here because I really have no idea what I’m talking about.
East
Miami Dolphins (9-8) 10-7
New York Jets (7-10) 10-7
Buffalo Bills (13-3) 10-7
New England Patriots (8-9) 7-10
A year ago I predicted “look out for the Jets in 2024”. They decided to accelerate the timeline by acquiring QB Aaron Rodgers & RB Dalvin Cook, amongst other pieces of the puzzle. They are clearly in Win Now mode and probably have a two year window. Last season I wasn’t too sure about new Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, but I have a more positive opinion now. Miami has quietly put together a good team that’ll make some noise, and it feels like a pivotal season for Tua Tagovailoa in his 4th year under center. The Jets & Dolphins ascending means that the Bills won’t cruise to a division title like they did last year, so a lot of folks might view them as disappointing despite a solid season. I’m a bit hesitant to stick a fork in the Patriots, but when a potential quarterback controversy involves Mac Jones & Bailey Zappe I don’t think anyone should be expecting much.
West
Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) 16-1
Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) 8-9
Las Vegas Raiders (6-11) 2-15
Denver Broncos (5-12) 2-15
There is absolutely nothing to be excited about in this division if you aren’t a Chiefs fan. I wonder if receiver Davante Adams cries himself to sleep at night pondering the fact that he bolted Green Bay, leaving Aaron Rodgers in the dust in exchange for his buddy Derek Carr, only to see that experiment fail miserably and Carr to be ran out of town?? QB Jimmy Garoppolo had foot surgery in the off-season and might not be 100% out of the gate, which is horrible news for the Raiders. The Broncos have said all the right things about QB Russell Wilson, but it’s hard to feel encouraged after he had the worst year of his career in 2022. Sean Payton is now the head coach and that’s cool, but when a franchise is putting everything on the shoulders of the coach because no one is too sure about the players that’s not good. I’d rather have a stacked roster with an unproven coach like the Dolphins and Jets. The Chargers are the only thing standing between Kansas City and the most effortless division title in the history of football, and trust me when I tell you that’s not causing Patrick Mahomes & Andy Reid to lay awake at night.
North
Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) 11-6
Baltimore Ravens (10-7) 9-8
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8) 9-8
Cleveland Browns (7-10) 5-12
Can the Ravens stay healthy?? That seems to be their biggest issue in recent years. Will QB Lamar Jackson earn the five year/$260 million contract he maneuvered the team into after initially demanding a trade back in March?? Ehhh…I’m just not that impressed with Baltimore. They always receive a bunch of hype from the talking heads then fall short of lofty expectations. I see no reason that’ll be any different this year. They’ll give the Bengals a legit fight for the crown, but at the end of the day Cincy will win the division once again. Most “experts” aren’t expecting much from my Steelers, but with Kenny Pickett now firmly ensconced as the starting quarterback, some key additions on both sides of the ball in free agency & the draft, and everyone betting against them I believe they’ll be in the playoff hunt until the end and atleast protect Coach Tomlin’s much ballyhooed achievement of never having a losing season. Most assume that the Browns will be better with Deshaun Watson under center from the jump, but they were only 3-3 in the games he started a season ago. Sorry Cleveland fans, but I don’t foresee a happy ending for you.
South
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) 12-5
Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1) 7-10
Tennessee Titans (7-10) 6-11
Houston Texans (3-13-1) 5-12
This is it Jags fans!! You’ve made it thru the abyss. After 15 years of wandering in a desert of futility with some occasional glimpses of mediocrity (and that one inexplicable playoff run in 2007) Jacksonville enters the 2023 season with a decent head coach, QB & former #1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence in his prime, a potentially good defense, and competing in one of the worst divisions in the league. There’s no way they can screw this up, right?? As predicted the Colts went nowhere with Matt Ryan as their signal caller, and now they’re hitching the wagon to rookie Anthony Richardson. That might pay dividends in the future but there will be growing pains. I expect defenses to load the box against unhappy RB Jonathan Taylor (if he isn’t traded), so fantasy owners beware. The Titans might have a slightly better quarterback room with veteran Ryan Tannehill & first round pick Will Levis, but they also will rely heavily on pounding the rock with Derrick Henry, who has alot of miles on those tires. The signing of free agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins would’ve been impressive…in 2018. Now?? Ehhhh 🤷🏻♂️. If either defense in Tennessee or Indianapolis can rise to the occasion and carry their team perhaps they’ll be slightly more successful, but I’m not expecting much. I actually like the direction the Texans are headed, but need to see how first rounder CJ Stroud adjusts to the NFL, or if he can even keep the starting QB job. I have good vibes about new head coach (and former Texans linebacker) DeMeco Ryans. There are some nice pieces on the Houston defense, including #3 overall pick Will Anderson (Kevin Costner had to be somewhere smiling at those draft maneuvers), but it’s going to take this team some time. You’ll see signs of progress, but it might be another year or two before we see the payoff.
A year ago I was rather dismissive of Giants’ QB Daniel Jones, who proceeded to lead his team to the playoffs & earn a four year contract extension worth $160 million. I’m not going to underestimate the Giants again, especially given the off-season acquisition of tight end Darren Waller in free agency and a solid draft. The Commanders are still treading water and have yet another new quarterback in Sam Howell, their fifth round pick in 2022. Actually, they’ve made more news off the field, as embattled owner Daniel Snyder finally sold the team this summer. My outlook for them might be a bit optimistic, but I like head coach Ron Rivera and the roster isn’t terrible. The Dallas Cowboys will make me look like a prophet or a fool. Head coach Mike McCarthy has gone 12-5 each of the past two seasons, but I foresee a huge decline and the end of his tenure. He may not last past Halloween. It’s not that they’re a bad team…I just think they’ll lose several close games when the ball simply doesn’t bounce their way. At the end of the day I believe the Eagles will win the division for the fourth time in seven years. They won’t seem as elite as a year ago and may have to go on the road at some point in the postseason, but ultimately I foresee a much more satisfying conclusion.
West
Seattle Seahawks (9-8) 9-8
San Francisco 49ers (13-4) 9-8
Arizona Cardinals (4-13) 8-9
Los Angeles Rams (5-12) 7-10
In 2022 I thought this would be one of the best divisions in the league, but the Rams & Cards were terrible, Seattle was just average, and ‘Frisco ran away with the title. I don’t think the division overall will be any better this season, but it might be more competitive. Former WV Mountaineer Geno Smith finally proved why he was a second round draft pick a decade ago and is the incumbent starting quarterback for the Seahawks. He has plenty of weapons on offense, and the defense is talented on paper. That talent didn’t back it up on the field last year though, so it’s something to keep an eye on. Seattle may become an afterthought if the 49ers QB situation solidifies, but who knows if former Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy will continue to shine?? 2021 first rounder Trey Lance & much traveled former first round pick Sam Darnold (now with his third team in six years) are around if Purdy falters, but that doesn’t inspire much confidence. ‘Frisco is a talented team, but I feel like they won’t be as successful as a year ago. I don’t know what to say about Arizona & Los Angeles, except that I see no reason to expect dramatic improvement, although it should be noted that the Rams were in the Super Bowl just a couple of years back so it’s possible they could figure out what went sideways and fix it.
North
Detroit Lions (9-8) 11-6
Minnesota Vikings (13-4) 10-7
Chicago Bears (3-14) 7-10
Green Bay Packers (8-9) 6-11
Carpe diem Lions!! Much like the Jacksonville Jaguars the brain trust in Detroit has quietly been building a team with tremendous potential, led by a young defense that includes budding stars Aidan Hutchinson, Cam Sutton, and rookie linebacker Jack Campbell. I really like head coach Dan Campbell, who went 9-8 a year ago, a six game improvement over his first year in the Motor City. The most significant question Campbell must answer is whether or not he & offensive coordinator Ben Johnson can elevate Jared Goff into a quarterback befitting the #1 overall pick that he was seven years ago. The biggest off-season news came out of Green Bay, who won’t have a Hall of Fame caliber quarterback starting for them for the first time since 1991. It might be a rough couple of years on the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field, but don’t worry Cheeseheads…they’ll get things figured out eventually. Can the same be said for the Bears?? I don’t believe Justin Fields will ever be a great pro QB, and I’m not impressed with his supporting cast or the Chicago defense. This isn’t the ‘85 Bears by a long shot. I must apologize once again for underestimating the Vikings last season, a mistake I won’t make again. Having said that, I think they’ll drop off just enough for Detroit to take the division.
South
New Orleans Saints (7-10) 9-8
Carolina Panthers (7-10) 6-11
Atlanta Falcons (7-10) 5-12
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9) 5-12
You might’ve heard that Tom Brady finally retired. Thank God. That’s great news for everyone except the Bucs, who will start Baker Mayfield at quarterback. That’s like moving out of a million dollar mansion into an efficiency apartment. Even the Colts are laughing. I’m not sure what the hell is going on in Atlanta. I really like running back Tyler Allgeier, who set the franchise record for most rushing yards by a rookie. Apparently that didn’t impress the powers-that-be though, as they spent their first round pick on RB Bijan Robinson out of Texas. Second year QB Desmond Ridder will be running the show, and he has a few young weapons with potential. That group is going to need time to mature, and in the meantime their veteran laden defense has to kick it up a notch. I have low expectations of #1 overall pick & new Panthers QB Bryce Young. At 5ft10 he is the same size as Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Kyler Murray, but his 4.43/40 isn’t as fast as Murray’s 4.38. RB Miles Sanders is a nice addition, but honestly there’s nothing to be excited about on either side of the ball. By default that leaves the Saints to ascend to the top of the division. Head coach Dennis Allen enters his second season with new QB Derek Carr, some decent weapons, a solid offensive line, and a veteran defense that could surprise people.
Y’all, the season hasn’t even begun yet and I’m already sick of hearing about conference realignment. Many years ago, when such insanity was a fairly new trend, I offered up my own thoughts about how I’d reorganize college football. Perhaps I’ll revisit the concept because I believe some of my ideas were rather solid.
Anyhow, that’s a discussion for another day, because no matter how irritated I become about the stupidity surrounding college athletics the truth is for the next few months I’ll be glued to my television every Saturday watching hours & hours of glorious gridiron action. I will not let university suits or TV execs steal my joy. So, per tradition that stretches back to atleast 2009, let’s see if we can forecast with any degree of reasonable accuracy how that final poll will look on January 9, 2024. This will be the final year for the four team playoff, as it expands to 12 teams next season. I’m still not sure how I feel about that, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
25 Fresno State
Last Season: 10-4
Key Games: 9/2 @ Purdue, 10/13 @ Utah St., 11/4 vs. Boise St.
The truth is all of the “big” teams in the “power” conferences will do their fair share of knocking each other out. That means that teams from the “other” conferences have an opportunity to sneak into the polls and receive some love if they have double digit wins and battle for their conference title. I’ve always been intrigued by Fresno and enjoy watching their late night games. I see no reason why they can’t match last year’s success, especially if they come out of the gate strong by going to West Lafayette and upsetting the Boilermakers.
24 Troy
Last Season: 12-2
Key Games: 9/9 @ Kansas St., 9/16 vs. James Madison, 11/2 vs. South Alabama
Most other polls will have Tulane in this spot, but I tend to go against the grain. The Trojans coasted to the Sun Belt title a year ago and return 13 starters from that team. I don’t believe they’ll go into Manhattan, KS and beat the Wildcats, but wouldn’t be shocked if they win every other game on the schedule.
23 Oregon State
Last Season: 10-3
Key Games: 9/29 vs. Utah, 10/14 vs. UCLA, 11/24 @ Oregon
It’s a damn shame that the PAC 12 is imploding, but the Beavers will land on their feet in the restructured league. For now though, the mission is to build on a ten win season, which concluded with beating the snot out of Florida in the Las Vegas Bowl. I foresee atleast one huge upset this year.
22 Tennessee
Last Season: 11-2
Key Games: 9/30 vs. South Carolina, 10/21 @ Alabama, 11/18 vs. Georgia
The Vols pose a lot of questions. They defeated LSU & Alabama last season, and pulverized Clemson in the Orange Bowl. However, they barely got by Pitt in overtime, lost at Georgia, and just didn’t show up in a 25 point loss at South Carolina in which the Gamecocks scored 63 points. Five Tennessee starters were chosen in the NFL Draft, including two wide receivers, a mammoth offensive tackle, and their starting quarterback. The QB situation shouldn’t be an issue though, as former starter Joe Milton received significant playing time a year ago and started the last few games due to injury. I think they’ll have a successful season, but it’ll be damn near impossible to equal the achievements of 2022.
21 Wisconsin
Last Season: 7-6
Key Games: 9/22 @ Purdue, 10/14 vs. Iowa, 10/28 vs. Ohio St.
This one is giving me a bit of anxiety. The Big Ten is deep & competitive, and the Badgers haven’t been all that impressive the past few years. That being said, I’ve always had a soft spot for the type of throwback smashmouth football played in Madison. I think they can get to nine wins and snag a spot on the back end of the rankings.
Atleast the PAC 12 might go out with a bang. No honest “expert” can accurately predict which one of a half dozen teams will emerge as the champion. That should provide plenty of late Saturday night entertainment in the next few months. QB Bo Nix could put himself in the Heisman conversation if the revamped offensive line protects him. A reconstructed defense via the transfer portal needs to kick it up a notch to get the Ducks back to ten win territory.
19 Texas A&M
Last Season: 5-7
Key Games: 10/7 vs. Alabama, 10/14 @ Tennessee, 10/28 vs. South Carolina
Is Jimbo Fisher on the hot seat?? After signing a ten year $75 million contract in 2018, A&M extended him in 2021. It’s a bold strategy that hasn’t paid dividends on the field, with Fisher having his worst year yet in College Station a season ago. The Aggies had a six game losing skid in October/November, but finished by upsetting LSU and likely costing them a playoff berth. Was 2022 an anomaly?? Can this team rebound in a big way and save their coach’s job, if it is indeed on shaky ground?? The talent is allegedly there, and now it’s time to see results. Jimbo hails from my hometown and we graduated from the same high school, so I’m rooting for him to succeed.
The Big Ten is tough. At first glance the Hawkeyes might only be the 6th or 7th best team, which could make it difficult for them to finish in the Top 25. Last season Iowa’s defense was stout, allowing only 13 points/game, but the offense struggled, scoring over 30 points just once. Enter Cade McNamara, a former Michigan QB. McNamara will be behind center in Iowa City with two seasons of eligibility. Is that enough to propel an anemic offense into conference title contention?? We’ll see.
In a world full of Tigers, Wildcats, Eagles, and Bulldogs one must give a tip of the cap to the Roadrunners. However, not only do they have a cool nickname, but UTSA is a pretty good football team. They are 23-5 in the past two seasons and have 16 returning starters on both sides of the ball, including quarterback & C-USA MVP Frank Harris. UTSA moves to the AAC this year, which puts them on a collision course with defending conference champion Tulane. That might be one of the better matchups on Thanksgiving Weekend.
16 Air Force
Last Season: 10-3
Key Games: 9/15 vs. Utah St., 10/21 @ Navy, 11/24 @ Boise St.
The Falcons won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy last season by defeating both Army & Navy, but didn’t fare as well in-conference after losing three Mountain West games. They have to remedy that in 2023 by winning games at Boise and at home against Utah St.
The ACC is probably the next domino to fall, but it will remain intact for another year and likely produce some rather decent football games. The Tar Heels fell short in both the conference title game & the Holiday Bowl a season ago, but with potential first round draft pick Drake Maye returning at quarterback there is reason to believe that they’ll be atleast as good, and potentially better if the defense rises to the occasion.
14 Texas
Last Season: 8-5
Key Games: 9/9 @ Alabama, 9/23 @ Baylor, 11/4 vs. Kansas St.
Who will start under center for the Longhorns?? Will sophomore Quinn Ewers hold onto the gig, or will much ballyhooed freshman Arch Manning overtake him at some point?? Either way there seems to be a level of legit optimism in the Lone Star State we haven’t seen for quite some time. This will be the final year in the Big 12 before moving to the SEC, so perhaps they’ll make hay while the sun shines. Don’t be shocked if the ‘Horns march into Tuscaloosa in early September and upset ‘Bama.
The Seminoles haven’t received this much preseason hype in several years. That’s what a ten win season will accomplish. Can they sustain that level of success?? The out-of-conference schedules looks a bit dicey, but they’ll be in the ACC title hunt. A late September battle in Death Valley looms large, although I’m not prepared to predict an upset.
12 Notre Dame
Last Season: 9-4
Key Games: 9/23 vs. Ohio St., 10/14 vs. USC, 11/4 @ Clemson
It’s standard operating procedure for the Irish to get preseason love, whether they deserve it or not. To achieve such a lofty ranking they absolutely must pull off an upset or two, which won’t be an easy task. Head coach Marcus Freeman didn’t have a bad first season at all, but nine wins & a Gator Bowl victory is far below the standard in South Bend. As much as I loved seeing my alma mater Marshall Thundering Herd venture into hostile territory and pull off one of the biggest upsets in college football history I understand it was a one in a million twist of fate. Add to that Notre Dame having the misfortune to play Ohio St. in the opener. They won’t begin the season 0-2 again, and will probably be 4-0 before hosting the Buckeyes in a possible revenge game.
The Utes will be vying for their third consecutive (and final, with a pending move to the Big 12 on the horizon) PAC 12 title, but hope that this time it lands them in the playoff or atleast ends with a bowl victory. They’ll need to score a big upset (or two) on the road, but that seems doable under the leadership of sixth year senior QB Cam Rising. I’m not sure another conference championship or a playoff berth is in the cards, but I’m confident this will be a really fun team to watch.
10 Ohio State
Last Season: 11-2
Key Games: 9/23 @ Notre Dame, 10/21 vs. Penn St., 11/25 @ Michigan
Most polls will have the Buckeyes ranked in the Top 5, but I can’t go there. After appearing in the playoff 3 out of the last 4 seasons I believe they’ll fall short in 2023. Road games at The Big House and in South Bend won’t be easy, and after beating Penn St. six straight times I’m not willing to bet there’ll be a seventh. The pendulum feels like it is swinging in the Big Ten ever so slightly, with a few other teams catching up to Ohio St.
9 Alabama
Last Season: 11-2
Key Games: 9/9 vs. Texas, 10/7 @ Texas A&M, 11/4 vs. LSU
I know, I know. Roll Tide. Nick Saban. They always seem to reload, no matter how much production they’ve lost. However, I think replacing three first round draft picks…a Heisman Trophy winning QB, a starting running back, and the best defensive player in college football…is alot to ask. Don’t be surprised if it’s another two loss season for ‘Bama.
8 Penn State
Last Season: 11-2
Key Games: 9/23 vs. Iowa, 10/21 @ Ohio St., 11/11 vs. Michigan
The Nittany Lions have been decidedly uneven in nine seasons under head coach James Franklin. He’s had four 10+ win seasons, but also had four years when they didn’t get past seven victories. This feels like a pivotal moment in the Franklin Era in Happy Valley, and I think they’ll come thru. Can they go into The Horseshoe in Columbus and leave with a win?? Maybe. Hosting the Veterans Day game against Michigan will be huge and could very well decide a spot in the conference title game.
7 Washington
Last Season: 11-2
Key Games: 10/14 vs. Oregon, 11/4 @ USC, 11/11 vs. Utah
Amongst the QBs receiving preseason hype Michael Penix tends to fly under the radar, even after leading the FBS in passing yards last season & becoming Washington’s single season passing leader. That being said, defense wins championships, and the Huskies lost twice last year, despite the offense scoring 30+ points both times. Those losses cost them a chance to compete for the conference title. Can they do just a little better in 2023?? I think it’s possible.
6 Clemson
Last Season: 11-3
Key Games: 9/23 vs. Florida St., 11/4 vs. Notre Dame, 11/18 vs. North Carolina
After six consecutive playoff appearances the Tigers fell short last year, with a surprising three TD loss at Notre Dame and a one point heartbreaker at home to in-state rival South Carolina to blame. It’s not a question of whether or not they’ll be in the hunt…they will. However, with the ACC not being as respected as other conferences it doesn’t take much to dissuade the powers-that-be from including them in the post-season party. Certainly no one from Clemson can complain about being left out one time, but the question is can they make a more convincing argument this season?? It’ll be close, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see atleast one loss before Thanksgiving.
Texas & Oklahoma have always gotten most of the accolades in the Big 12, which they have now used to finagle their way into the SEC. For anyone paying attention though the Big 12 has been much deeper than those two schools and will survive just fine without them. Manhattan, KS is only the 9th largest city in the 15th smallest state in the nation, but their football team looked pretty damn impressive last year. Most of the starting offense returns, while the defense will have several new faces. At the end of the day I don’t believe the money people will allow the Big 12 to invade their playoff party again, but I think another conference title for the Wildcats is a real possibility.
4 LSU
Last Season: 10-4
Key Games: 9/3 vs. Florida St., 11/4 @ Alabama, 11/25 vs. Texas A&M
The Bayou Bengals have been a model of inconsistency in recent years. After appearing in two national title games in 2007 & 2011 (winning one championship) they fired head coach Les Miles during the 2016 season. They won another national title in 2019 with Ed Orgeron at the helm, but fired him just two years later after a second consecutive losing season. Former Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly apparently thought the heat would be more tolerable in Baton Rouge and led his team to ten wins & a Top 20 ranking a season ago. Now they have eight starters returning on offense but must rebuild a defense that lost seven starting players. To put themselves in this position LSU needs to win 2 out of the 3 games noted. Can they get past Alabama in their division?? If so, can they follow up by defeating Georgia in the SEC title game, or atleast make such a strong impression that they sneak into the playoff even with a loss?? I think there’s a legit chance things could go their way.
You’re going to hear the name Caleb Williams a lot in the next few months. The defending Heisman Trophy winner is the clear favorite once again and could become only the second player to win that award twice. Don’t get it twisted though…USC is much more than Williams. They return 14 starters across the offense & defense from a squad that was 11-3 & ranked #12 in the nation. Utah beat them twice last year, and there’s no way in hell that happens again. Anything less than being undefeated will be a huge disappointment for the Trojans.
2 Georgia
Last Season: 15-0
Key Games: 9/16 vs. South Carolina, 9/30 @ Auburn, 11/18 @ Tennessee
Alabama’s dominance had grown tedious, which might eventually happen with the Georgia, but we’re not there yet. Ten former Bulldogs were selected in the NFL Draft, and that’s after 15 were drafted in 2022. Clearly they’re doing something right in Athens. Junior QB Carson Beck looks like he’ll be the guy replacing the departed Stetson Bennett, and indications are he’s more athletically gifted than his predecessor. They return 70% of last year’s production of defense (I’ll spare you a boring explanation of that statistic), despite guys like Jalen Carter & Kelee Ringo going pro. The player getting the most love, oddly enough, seems to be tight end Brock Bowers, who has drawn comparisons to the 49ers’ George Kittle. There’s no reason to believe we won’t see Georgia in the playoff vying for a third straight title, which hasn’t been done since the Minnesota Golden Gophers did it in 1934-36.
1 Michigan
Last Season: 13-1
Key Games: 9/30 @ Nebraska, 11/11 @ Penn St., 11/25 vs. Ohio St.
Upon Jim Harbaugh’s hiring as Michigan’s 20th head coach in 2015 I predicted he’d have them in playoff contention within three years. I suppose we could debate the specific parameters of contention, but the Wolverines finally got invited to the party in 2021 then returned last season. Perhaps a little behind schedule, but that’s okay. The bigger issue is that they’ve fallen short twice, to Georgia & TCU. There’s no shame in the former, but the latter, wherein a solid second half wasn’t good enough to overcome a two TD first quarter deficit, has likely haunted the guys in Ann Arbor for the past several months. Can they get over the hump?? With 13 returning starters the expectations are thru the roof. It’s pretty simple…win the games they’re supposed to win, beat Ohio St. at The Big House, and don’t stumble in the Big Ten title game. Of course they’ve done those things then fell short in The Final Four. Will this year be different?? I think it just might.
In the last installment of W&M I mentioned my lack of productivity in this space the last couple of years. Not much has changed the past few months, though it has become clear that the issue is far bigger than anything I want to address here, mostly because I’m not sure I really understand it. Having said that, a few things have been percolating in my noggin, so I’ve decided to take advantage of this window of inspiration, however small it may be. One thing I can always rely on is the fact that the seasons may change, but the sports calendar always provides something to talk about.
The NBA & its television partners were undoubtedly salivating at the thought of another epic Celtics-Lakers championship series, but they did not get their wish. Instead, we were treated to an all too brief Heat-Nuggets NBA Finals, which was atleast fresh if not particularly compelling. Congratulations to the Denver Nuggets for winning their first NBA Championship in 5+ decades of existence. Center Nikola Jokic proved that he deserved to win his third straight League MVP, and that it was absolutely stolen from him for obvious sociopolitical reasons.
Sticking with basketball, I think enough time has passed that I can offer a reasonably objective reaction to the Bob Huggins controversy you might’ve heard about several weeks ago. I’m not going to rehash the specifics. If you need a refresher The Internet is a wonderful thing. Anyway, as a WV Mountaineer fan I’m not going to defend Coach Huggins. He was wrong. A public figure in 2023 has to be smarter & more aware. Do I think Huggins is a terrible person?? No, I do not. He found himself in a situation where, instead of acting like a basketball coach on a radio show he relaxed a bit too much and acted like a dude hangin’ with his bros while knocking back a few cold ones. The man is 69 years old, and the societal norms he grew up with were far different than what someone a few decades younger has known. Is that an excuse?? I don’t think so…it’s just a fact of life. That doesn’t mean he gets a pass, but on the other end of the spectrum I was a bit taken aback by folks who opined that he should immediately lose his job. The punishment handed down by WVU feels somewhere between appropriate and an over correction, but in general it seems fair. Losing a million dollars is harsh by any measure, but I’m sure Huggins’ comfortable lifestyle won’t be negatively affected too much. To anyone whose feelings were legitimately hurt by his remarks I get it and won’t be too critical of you, but I would also caution that living life as a perpetual victim isn’t the way to go. Rise above. Live your life. Agree to disagree. You’ll be better off in the long run. To those who his remarks didn’t pertain to but still felt the need to publicly virtue signal because you think being offended by everything is cool, all I can say is grow up & get a life.
At the same time that the NBA Finals were happening the NHL Finals were taking place. Y’all know how I feel about hockey though, and the Pittsburgh Penguins subpar season means I paid zero attention to those playoffs. That being said, you might also be familiar with my longstanding Las Vegas fetish, so congratulations to the Vegas Golden Knights, who hoisted the Stanley Cup just six short years after being an expansion team.
My God the Triple Crown races were tedious this year!! I’m not familiar with the ins & outs of particular horse racing rules, but it’d be much more interesting if the number of horses in the field were mostly equal in each race, and if the best horses actually ran all three races. Instead, we had 18 horses in the Kentucky Derby, 7 in the Preakness Stakes (only one had run in..and won…the Derby), and 9 in the Belmont Stakes. For the first time in awhile I didn’t put money on any of the races because there were no cool names or captivating stories that grabbed my attention. Hopefully next year will be more fun.
I watched most of the Indianapolis 500, but per the normal course of events missed the conclusion because of family visiting from out of town. Then the Coca-Cola 600 was rain delayed until Memorial Day and I completely forgot about it. Even the most mundane banalities in my quiet little life haven’t seemed to go my way these past few years.
Speaking of basketball…
Since the last time we met here the Connecticut Huskies won the NCAA Championship, defeating the San Diego St. Aztecs in a snoozefest that was over in the first half. Monday night is Wrasslin’ Night in my humble abode, and I only flipped over to the ball game a couple of times very briefly.
Hey, it’s mid-June and my Pittsburgh Pirates are hovering around .500 and battling for first place in a mediocre (at best) division. That’s good…I guess. To be quite honest I haven’t watched much baseball because nearly three decades of ineptitude from one’s favorite team can scar a person, but I’m glad they’re doing alright and will likely pay more attention thru the summer.
The Manofesto 