A couple of weeks ago, while pulling the curtain back on how this project comes together, I alluded to the fact that sometimes I misplace my motivation. Now is one of those times. It is late on Wednesday night and I am powering thru, because we are picking a Thursday night game, and I will be busy all day tomorrow. Perhaps you’ll enjoy my lack of verbosity…but don’t get used to it.
My Season: 17-37
Zach’s Season: 24-30
James Madison (-10.5) at Appalachian State
Once upon a time these teams seemed to be ascending in a parallel manner. However, at the moment, the undefeated Dukes are chasing their third 11+ win season in the past four years and just announced an impending move from the Sun Belt to the American Conference, while the 4-2 Mountaineers are hoping to avoid a third consecutive losing season. This is the Thursday night contest on ESPN, and though I’d love to see a fun, exciting battle, that seems unlikely. Zach concurs.
My Pick: James Madison
Zach’s Pick: James Madison
Houston at Utah (-6.5)
They were my preseason favorites in the Big 12, and neither team has disappointed. The Utes are an unbeaten Top Ten program, while the 6-1 Cougars are lurking closely behind. The kickoff isn’t until after 10pm Saturday night for me, so I might end up missing the second half. At any rate, I won’t predict an outright upset, but I believe it’ll be a bit closer than the oddsmakers think. Zach foresees a high scoring shootout, and likes the visiting underdogs by a field goal.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Houston
Ole Miss at Texas (-3)
The coronation of Arch Manning is officially on hold, as most of the talking heads have turned on him. The Longhorns have lost their last two games, and face the possibility of missing the playoff altogether. Conversely, the 5-1 Rebels are still trying to figure out what the hell happened in The Swamp a few weeks ago, but otherwise they’re in good shape. This would be an emphatic statement win for Ole Miss, and I think they pull it off on the road. Zach has no confidence in Texas, and believes another visiting underdog can overcome the odds.
My Pick: Ole Miss
Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss
San Francisco (-3.5) at Atlanta
Much to my surprise, the unbeaten Niners are running away with their division. Meanwhile, the 2-4 Falcons have looked good at times, but they just can’t get over the hump. Atlanta will probably show flashes and be competitive, but ‘Frisco is likely to win by a comfortable margin. Zach thinks the 49ers might be the best team in the NFL.
My Pick: San Francisco
Zach’s Pick: San Francisco
NY Giants at Houston (-9.5)
JJ McCarthy will be the Giants starting QB, which doesn’t feel like the right decision, but at 3-2-1 I guess head coach John Harbaugh figures “Why not?”. The 2-4 Texans might’ve figured some things out winning their last two games after an 0-4 start. If this game was being played in New Jersey I might give the underdogs a chance, but I feel like the folks in Vegas probably got it right. Zach agrees.
A year ago I wrote “my initial reaction to Penn St. QB Drew Allar suffering a season ending leg injury was ‘Great…now his draft stock will fall and the Steelers will pat themselves on the back, expecting fans to be in awe of their genius for picking him in the 3rd or 4th round’”. The Steelers did indeed choose Allar in the third round, and right now he sits on the bench, allegedly learning at the feet of Aaron Rodgers, who is expected to retire following the season. So I’m not always wrong, although you’d wouldn’t know that judging by the atrocious picks I’ve made thus far. Last weekend was a bloodbath. At this point a year ago I was five games above .500 and had a ten game lead, while I now find myself 21 games below mediocrity. Zach was fifteen games below .500, but emerged from that October deficit to capture the championship, so I suppose there’s still hope for me.
My Season: 14-35
Zach’s Season: 22-27
Indiana at Ohio State (-3.5)
We’re comin’ in hot with one of the most anticipated rematches of the year. A season ago the Hoosiers defeated Ohio St. in the Big Ten title game en route to winning the national championship. Fair or not, I still feel like people have questions about Indiana. They’re undefeated, but have only been challenged a couple of times thus far. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes have already tasted defeat once, yet still find themselves ranked in the Top 5. It is undeniable that their roster is loaded with NFL talent. While Indiana’s starting eleven on both sides of the ball might match up with Ohio St.’s top guys, it’s the home team that has a deeper pool of talent. That being said, I think Curt Cignetti is a better coach than Ryan Day, and that can’t be overlooked. In my preseason rankings I had Indiana 12th and felt like it’d be difficult for them to repeat, while Ohio St. was 5th and I opined that rebuilding a defense that lost so much production to the NFL was the key to success. The Buckeyes have the 19th best defense in the country, while the Hoosiers are fifth. I am hopeful this will be a tremendous game that lives up to expectations. My vibe is that the favorites defend the home field, but will lose one…possibly two…of their remaining games, not appear in the conference title game, yet earn a playoff bid. Zach’s disdain for Ohio St. is well documented, but he’s also practical. He thinks Indiana is well coached, while the team itself is overrated and not that great. As painful as it is, he is picking the Buckeyes and doesn’t believe it’ll be all that close.
My Pick: Ohio St.
Zach’s Pick: Ohio St.
Virginia at SMU (-9.5)
The Cavs find themselves 4-2 but still in the ACC title conversation. The 4-1 Mustangs are in the mix as well. The winner stays in the hunt, while the loser will be on the outside looking in. I’ll agree with the oddsmakers that SMU should be favored, but the points seem a bit much. Whoever comes out on top won’t win by more than a touchdown. Conversely, while Zach thought Virginia would be a very good team, he thinks we were all duped. He foresees SMU winning big.
My Pick: Virginia
Zach’s Pick: SMU
Missouri at Ole Miss (-6)
The 5-1 Tigers seemed to have scored a huge upset over Florida a couple weeks ago, until the Gators lost again the following weekend, effectively making Missouri’s win look less impressive. The 4-1 Rebels got hammered by those same Gators, which is even more confusing. Could Ole Miss be looking ahead to games against Texas and #1 Georgia (one of whom I think they’ll upset)?? Might they be on the losing end of a stunner at home?? I believe it’s possible. Zach has questions about Ole Miss’ defense and is also predicting an upset.
My Pick: Missouri
Zach’s Pick: Missouri
Notre Dame (-10) at BYU
I need to apologize to Zach. When I sent him info on this week’s slate I inadvertently had BYU as ten point favorites, which, upon further review, made absolutely no sense. I usually catch errors like that. Anyway, credit where it is due…the Cougars are unbeaten and QB Bear Bachmeier should be a legit Heisman candidate. However, the Irish are also unbeaten and ranked #2 in the nation. I think The Bear can make things really interesting and further solidify his Heisman profile, but at the end of the night the visitors just have too many athletes. Having said that, I think Notre Dame only wins by 7-9 points. Zach thinks Notre Dame is on a revenge tour of sorts, after being iced out of the playoff last season. He points out that they’ve spanked every opponent thus far, and doesn’t expect anything different now.
My Pick: BYU
Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame
Seattle (-3) at Denver
Neither team has looked as impressive as expected. Both are 3-2 and trail by a couple of games in their divisions. I have Denver QB Bo Nix on some of my fantasy rosters, and he definitely needs to kick it up a notch. This is the Thursday night contest on Prime Video, and unlike many old school curmudgeons, I rather enjoy those games. At some point these two teams have to wake up and remember who the hell they are. If both do it this week it could be a fantastic game, but what are the odds of that occurring?? If only one team figures things out, which will it be?? Y’all should know by now, in toss up situations I tend to lean toward the home team, even when they’re underdogs. Zach hasn’t lost faith in the Broncos and thinks they’ll be fine. However, he doesn’t believe Seattle will lose two in a row, and predicts their top rated defense will make the difference.
Allow me to give y’all some inside scoop, and forgive me if I’ve covered this territory previously. Here is a basic outline of how the process works. I look at the college & NFL schedules and choose a minimum of five games to pick. This time of year I lean more heavily on college games simply because when their season ends we still have a month of pro games, so I exercise restraint with those right now. It is undeniable that some teams (at both levels) are more interesting than others. You’ll rarely see us opine about a Syracuse/Boston College matchup, or a riveting Sunday afternoon battle between the Jets & Cardinals. That being said, I don’t enjoy being redundant, so we try not to pick games involving the same teams we just debated last week. There’s also the matter of my mood. Seriously. Clearly this is fun or we wouldn’t do it. That being said, sometimes I get busy or distracted with other matters, and occasionally I simply misplace my motivation. Thankfully those aren’t significant issues. I usually have next week’s games chosen by Sunday, find the point spreads on Tuesday, and message Zach with the pertinent information. I then put my thoughts on the page and finish up with Zach’s picks once I receive them. I put everything together on the site with the goal of publishing a final draft by Wednesday night or Thursday morning. This week I looked at the schedule and became intrigued by way too many games, but I’m feeling frisky so we’re loaded. I’ll try to minimize the verbosity.
My Season: 11-26
Zach’s Season: 17-20
Iowa at Washington (-2.5)
The Hawkeyes were undefeated until a beatdown by Ohio St. on their own field. The Huskies have lost two straight and clearly aren’t living up to my lofty expectations. This is a Friday night game on Fox, and I’ll flip over to it when wrasslin’ is over. I haven’t lost faith in Washington completely, and see them snapping their losing skid while defending their turf. Conversely, Zach is all in on Iowa. He appreciates how well they’re coached and their attention to fundamentals.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Iowa
Texas (-9.5) vs. Oklahoma
Typically it is one of the most anticipated rivalry games on the schedule, but it’s hard to get amped up about the 2-2 Sooners taking on the #1 team in the country. It’s a neutral site game in Dallas, which is about the same distance from both campuses. I’d love to see an upset because that’s just how I am when I don’t have any strong feelings about either team, but I just don’t see it happening. Zach believes Longhorns QB Arch Manning is overrated, but fortunately for him Oklahoma isn’t very good.
My Pick: Texas
Zach’s Pick: Texas
UCLA at Oregon (-11.5)
Has anyone noticed that the Bruins are undefeated?? Not only that, but they’re outscoring opponents 45-19. The 3-1 Ducks are a different level though, despite an inexplicable loss at Oklahoma St. If this game was in Pasadena I might give the underdogs a puncher’s chance, but in the cozy confines of Autzen Stadium in Eugene I’d be surprised if the favorites didn’t handle their business no matter who starts at quarterback. Zach thinks the underdogs could make things interesting for awhile, but at the end of the day Oregon simply has too much of everything.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
LSU (-10) at Kentucky
The 4-1 Wildcats have been making some noise, and they have the home field. The Bayou Bengals still have conference title dreams and playoff aspirations despite a heartbreaking loss at Mississippi a few weeks ago. Unfortunately for Kentucky fans, y’all are still a basketball school, and Lane Kiffin is about to make that abundantly clear. Zach sees LSU as a serious championship contender and doesn’t believe Kentucky poses much of a threat, despite their prolific offense.
My Pick: LSU
Zach’s Pick: LSU
Boise State (-7.5) at Fresno State
The Bulldogs are a solid program that has had intermittent great seasons. They just haven’t been able to hold onto a coach for awhile. Matt Entz is Fresno’s seventh head coach since 2011. Meanwhile, Boise might be one of the steadiest, most consistent programs in college football, and they’re aiming for their first Pac 12 title. It’s a 10:30pm Saturday night kickoff, and I sincerely hope I can stay awake to enjoy what might be a really good game. Zach is impressed by Fresno, but feels like Boise is a more complete team.
My Pick: Boise St.
Zach’s Pick: Boise St.
USC (-1.5) at Penn State
The Nittany Lions have dropped two consecutive games, so their playoff dreams are on life support. Conversely, the 5-1 Trojans only loss was to Oregon, and there’s no shame in that. I have seen a couple of mock drafts that had USC’s 6ft.4, 225lb. QB Jayden Maiava land with our Pittsburgh Steelers, so I am intrigued. Having said that, I still like my boy Rocco Becht, and he’ll have over 100k fans in Happy Valley rooting for an upset. Zach doesn’t think Penn St. is good at all, while he believes USC might be on the cusp of returning to elite status.
My Pick: Penn St.
Zach’s Pick: USC
Georgia (-1.5) at Alabama
The Bulldogs haven’t won in Tuscaloosa since 2007. Wrap your brain around that. Both are unbeaten Top 5-ish teams. The loser probably won’t fall out of the Top Ten, but the winner will be in firm control of an SEC title game appearance. I think it’ll be a tight contest, and obviously the oddsmakers see it that way as well. My vibe is that Georgia is marginally more talented and better equipped to handle big moments. Zach believes the game will be decided in the final minute, and gives ‘Bama a slight edge.
My Pick: Georgia
Zach’s Pick: Alabama
Chicago (-2.5) at Green Bay
The 2-2 Packers have been underwhelming, to say the least. The 3-1 Bears are likely to start Tyson Bagent under center while Caleb Williams recovers from a hamstring injury. That, in addition to the home field, would normally make Green Bay clear favorites, but injuries & other issues have caused them to be ineffective. I think it’ll be a low scoring snoozefest, with turnovers and the leg of rookie kicker Trey Smack making the difference. Zach thinks Chicago is a better overall team and foresees them finding a way to pull off a close win.
My Pick: Green Bay
Zach’s Pick: Chicago
San Francisco at Seattle (-2.5)
The NFC West is up for grabs, but Frisco is undefeated and leads the way at the moment. The defending Super Bowl champs are only a game back though, and they enjoy one of the most significant home field advantages in the NFL. I still believe the Rams will ultimately win the division, but these teams would have to be considered serious wildcard contenders. I like QB Sam Darnold to have a huge game and lead his team to an important victory. Zach likes Niners QB Brock Purdy just a little bit more.
My Pick: Seattle
Zach’s Pick: San Francisco
NY Giants at Washington (-3)
I’m not surprised the Giants are leading the division. I am also not surprised that Washington QB Jayden Daniels has missed the last two games with yet another injury. It looks like Daniels is being forced into a return after backup Marcus Mariota also got hurt last weekend. A win by the visitors shouldn’t be considered an upset. Actually, unless Daniels pulls off a Michael Jordan-esque comeback performance, I don’t see how anyone could pick the home team. Zach believes new head coach John Harbaugh has made a huge difference for the G-Men.
My Pick: NY Giants
Zach’s Pick: NY Giants
Baltimore (-2.5) at Atlanta
Don’t overthink it. The Ravens won’t have QB Lamar Jackson, who is dealing with a sprained ankle. The Falcons seem to be on the verge of a breakthrough, and they have the home field on Sunday night after destroying New Orleans on the previous Monday. I believe the home team wins, and it won’t be particularly close. Conversely, Zach likes Baltimore to win a high scoring affair.
My Pick: Atlanta
Zach’s Pick: Baltimore
Buffalo at LA Rams (-2.5)
The 2-2 Rams haven’t been nearly as dominant as expected, and the return of defensive lineman Aaron Donald has fallen flat thus far. Conversely, the 3-1 Bills seemed to be firing on all cylinders until losing to the Patriots in the final two minutes last weekend. This is quite possibly a Super Bowl preview, but both teams still need to work out the kinks. It’s the Monday night game, and should be a dandy. It’s a coin flip for me, and I’ll take the home team to win by a field goal. Zach is choosing the other side of the coin and counting on the visitors to score a mild upset.
The NHL season & MLB Playoffs are both underway. I wish I could feign interest in either one, but unless the Pittsburgh Penguins make the Stanley Cup playoffs in nine months or we’re treated to a Red Sox/Guardians vs. Cubs World Series it seems unlikely that I’ll be an engaged viewer. Conversely, football has my full attention every weekend. Sadly, fandom hasn’t translated into knowledgable forecasting of these games. Almost everything I’ve said from the preseason ‘til now has been completely wrong. My picks have become a microcosm of my life, which has been calamitous for most of the year. That is my cross to bear, but in the meantime we’ll forge ahead and see if we can atleast right the ship in this space.
My Season: 10-22
Zach’s Season: 15-17
Florida (-5) at Missouri
The unbeaten Gators pulled off a huge upset of Ole Miss last weekend, but it doesn’t get any easier from there. The Tigers gave up two 4th quarter touchdowns at Mississippi St. for their first loss of the year. The home team might have a puncher’s chance, but Florida just feels different under first year coach Jon Sumrall. I don’t expect them to run the table, but they’ll be a surprising ingredient in the SEC title mix. Zach thinks Missouri has been overrated and sees Florida as a legit playoff contender.
My Pick: Florida
Zach’s Pick: Florida
BYU (-6.5) at TCU
It isn’t shocking that the Cougars are undefeated, or that QB Bear Brachmeier leads the Big 12 in passer rating. However, let’s be honest…BYU hasn’t been tested yet. The Horned Frogs sit at .500 and appear to be a sloppy, undisciplined team. I don’t believe the game will be particularly competitive, but as we’ve established, I don’t really know what the hell I’m talking about, so who knows?? Zach believes TCU is still figuring out their identity, while BYU is sneaky good. He agrees that the favorites should win easily.
My Pick: BYU
Zach’s Pick: BYU
Notre Dame (-21) at North Carolina
I know it’s not possible for both teams to lose, but as a lifelong Notre Dame hater and someone who views Belichick as a stain on the sport, a double loss would be football nirvana. Realistically though, the undefeated Irish have gotten off to a much better start than last season and look like a playoff certainty unless they stumble down the stretch against a significant underdog. The 2-1 Tar Heels led Clemson with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but gave up two touchdowns in the final five minutes. Carolina has the home field, and they might give their fans false hope for awhile, but the visiting favorites just have too much skill & athleticism. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Notre Dame
Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame
Miami (FL) (-16.5) at Clemson
The ‘Canes were my preseason #1, and thus far they’ve done nothing to dissuade that prediction. The Tigers have been on the downswing after being one of the country’s most dominant programs for a decade. While 3-1 is impressive enough, the truth is they’ve looked beatable in a couple of those victories. Clemson has the home field on Saturday night, but I’d be stunned if they actually won. However, if the underdogs are on the verge of getting back their mojo I suppose it’s not out of the question that they’ll stay within two TDs. Zach doesn’t think Clemson is very good, despite their winning record. He believes they’ll be competitive into the second half, but the visiting favorites will pull away late.
My Pick: Clemson
Zach’s Pick: Miami (FL)
New England at Buffalo (-6.5)
Bills QB Josh Allen is a newlywed who welcomed a baby in the offseason. Buffalo also hired a new head coach. My thought process led to the conclusion that the team would “regress a bit”. I couldn’t have been more wrong. They enter the weekend 3-0 and have looked better than ever. Meanwhile, the Patriots, who I believed would win another division title with relative ease, are 1-2 and in total disarray. Can they reverse course and get back into the playoff mix?? Of course…it’s way too soon to count anyone out. However, I don’t think they’ll win this game. As a matter of fact, don’t be surprised if the home team seizes an opportunity to make a decisive statement. Zach agrees.
I got to enjoy last weekend’s slate of games uninterrupted by any trips to the emergency room, so it was certainly an improvement. I only wish that our Steelers would’ve allowed that bliss to be complete. Sadly, they are the mess that so many thought they’d be. I still don’t feel like Mike Tomlin’s departure was a bad thing, but hiring Mike McCarthy and bringing back a clearly washed Aaron Rodgers were shortsighted decisions. I am trying to brace myself for a terrible season (maybe two) that’ll ultimately lead to a big turnaround, but it’s difficult to remain confident in any kind of long term strategy. It doesn’t help that our picks so far have been abysmal. I’ve always joked that we’re not very good at this and been up front about the fact that I don’t do a ton of research or deep dive into the minutia of these matchups, but I’ve always considered myself a fairly knowledgable football fan with common sense & solid instincts. That hasn’t been the case this year.
My Season: 9-18
Zach’s Season: 11-16
Oklahoma at Georgia (-14)
As a child of the 70s/80s it is wild to see the Sooners be double digit underdogs to anyone, especially when one considers a) they were a ten win team a season ago, and b) they’re 2-1 right now, and in that one loss the score was tied late into the 4th quarter. However, maybe it’s more about the unbeaten Bulldogs, who come into this weekend ranked #2 in the country after obliterating their first three opponents. Oklahoma QB John Mateer began the year as a fringe Heisman candidate & potential first round NFL draft pick. This is an opportunity to validate those expectations. I don’t expect an upset, but I do believe it’ll be a close contest. Conversely, Zach doesn’t believe Mateer or the offense he leads is very good at all.
My Pick: Oklahoma
Zach’s Pick: Georgia
Oregon (-3) at Southern California
I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, but it’ll always be weird that these teams are in the Big Ten. Anyway, the Ducks were so frustrated about being upset by Oklahoma St. a couple weeks ago that they hung 84 freakin’ points on an FBS opponent last weekend. Meanwhile, the Trojans are 4-0 and averaging 43 points/game. I’d love to go with the visiting favorites because they’re a fun team to watch and I’d feel bad for QB Dante Moore if Oregon lost two games this early and found themselves on the edge of playoff elimination already. Moore could’ve been a Top 5 pick in the NFL Draft and been making bank on Sundays, but he delayed that dream to chase a national championship. That being said, The Vibes are SCREAMING that this has upset written all over it. Zach sees USC’s potential, but feels like they are a year away from being top tier. He’s picking Oregon in a tight contest.
My Pick: USC
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
Minnesota (-2.5) vs. Tampa Bay
I really had these teams pegged wrong. I thought the Vikings would be cellar dwellers and the Bucs division winners. Things could still shake out that way, but right now Minnesota is undefeated while Tampa is 0-2. It’s worth mentioning that both of TB’s losses could’ve easily been wins, but close only counts in horseshoes & hand grenades. Call me stubborn, but I’m not buying what we’ve seen out of either team. Tampa is better, and they have the home field. Zach sees things differently. He has faith in the Vikes defense and thinks Tampa has looked terrible thus far.
My Pick: Tampa Bay
Zach’s Pick: Minnesota
LA Rams (-2.5) at Denver
Could it be a Super Bowl preview?? Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps my praise is too effusive for a couple of 1-1 teams, or it’s possible that they’ve worked out the kinks and will be dominant as expected going forward. This is the Sunday night game on NBC, and I think it’ll come down to defense. There will be a goal line stand or Pick Six late in the 4th quarter that’ll decide the outcome. It’s a coin toss for me, and in those scenarios I lean toward the home team. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Denver
Zach’s Pick: Denver
Philadelphia (-4.5) at Chicago
When Bears QB Caleb Williams got hurt last weekend viewers might’ve mistaken him for one of Chicago’s dozens of daily victims of violent crime. As it turns out, he’s just a melodramatic cuck with a pulled hamstring who may or may not play in this game. The 2-0 Eagles haven’t been cruising to victory, but somehow they’ve found ways to win. If Williams plays he won’t be 100%, and if he doesn’t play Philly’s defense will eat the backup quarterback alive. Zach believes the Eagles have been underutilizing RB Saquon Barkley. He has less than a hundred yards rushing cumulative thus far, and that has to change. Whether it does or doesn’t won’t matter right now, as we both think the visiting favorites will win decisively on Monday night.
Everything I thought I knew about football is apparently wrong, indicated by my 1-6 mark last weekend. And in the interest of total honesty, the one positive result came on a technicality. My thoughts on the game were completely off base. I’d like to blame my ineptitude on the fact that I spent Saturday night in the ER at a local medical facility, but that only affected my viewing pleasure. Our picks were made a few days before that. Anyway, Zach has seized the season lead after a solid 5-2 outing.
My Season: 7-15
Zach’s Season: 10-12
Houston at Texas Tech (-7.5)
The 2-0 Cougars were a preseason Top Ten team in my eyes, and thus far they’ve not disappointed. The Red Raiders were #16 in that poll, and have also gotten out of the gate 2-0. It’s a matter of standing behind my convictions for me, so I’m pulling for the upset. Conversely, Zach likes the Red Raiders defense to get the job done late, following three quarters of a high scoring shootout.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Texas Tech
SMU at Louisville (-1.5)
The 1-1 Cardinals could’ve been 2-0 were it not for a walk-off field goal by Ole Miss in the season opener. The unbeaten Mustangs are right where I expected them to be. I understand the home field bump for the favorites, but I’m not buying it. SMU is clearly the better team, and I think they’ll prove it in convincing fashion. Zach believes it’ll be a bit tighter, but he also sees SMU as a legit playoff sleeper.
My Pick: SMU
Zach’s Pick: SMU
LSU (-2.5) at Ole Miss
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Gameday will be on the scene in Oxford to hype The Kiffin Bowl, featuring head coach Lane Kiffin’s current team vs. his old team in a battle of two undefeated Top Ten programs. Unfortunately, LSU starting QB Sam Leavitt is most likely not going to play due to a vague “upper body injury”. That, combined with the home field and the revenge factor, are enough to tip the scales in favor of the underdogs. Zach sees the Bayou Bengals as a more complete team and foresees a dominant victory.
My Pick: Ole Miss
Zach’s Pick: LSU
Las Vegas at LA Chargers (-7)
The Raiders beat Miami last weekend, which proves absolutely nothing. I do like the fact that they went against the prevailing “wisdom” of the day by NOT throwing rookie QB Fernando Mendoza to the wolves, instead choosing to start veteran Kirk Cousins under center. That’s how it used to be done, and it’s a wise decision in the long run. The Chargers lost to Arizona in the season opener, and now there are lots of questions. They’ll need to take care of business in convincing fashion to quell the noise, and I believe they’ll do that. Zach concurs.
My Pick: LA Chargers
Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers
Washington at Dallas (-3.5)
Once upon a time it was a fun rivalry replete with Cowboys vs. Indians imagery & references, but we can’t have nice things in America anymore, so we have to force ourselves to get pumped up based on the fact that they’re division foes and (allegedly) two good teams. Dallas fell to the Giants last weekend, and the old familiar questions about their defense (ranked 26th in the NFL last season) are being asked, despite significant offseason changes. The Commanders offseason was dominated by QB Jayden Daniels being a whiny little bitch, more concerned about his old college jersey # than being a leader for his current team. They also lost a divisional game last week, which means the loser of this one will begin the season 0-2. Since 1970, only 10% of teams that were 0-2 have made the playoffs. Conversely, the odds for 1-1 teams increase to 42%. Calling this a pivotal game isn’t an understatement. My respect for Daniels has plummeted, but my disdain for the Cowboys is much deeper & more established. I think Washington wins by double digits. Zach believes in Washington’s long term potential, but he’s riding with Dak Prescott to ball out and lead his Cowboys to an important win.
So, we both broke even last week, and to be honest the slate of games turned out to be underwhelming at best, soul crushingly fraudulent at worst. As a lifelong sports fan I have to wonder if anything we’ve EVER seen is real. Perhaps the 1919 Black Sox scandal has always been the norm and all of Belichick’s cheating with the Patriots was business as usual. As a longtime pro wrestling enthusiast I’ve received plenty of grief from people who view it as “not a real sport” because it is scripted and the outcomes are predetermined, but maybe the wrestling industry deserves credit for admitting that fact, while other sports are laughing at all the morons who’ve been convinced the games we watch are legitimate competition. Anyway, the entertainment value of college football will improve once all of these cupcake matchups, in which a clearly inferior opponent gladly accepts millions of dollars in exchange for getting their ass whipped, are done and conference play begins. This week though, we have different fish to fry. The NFL enters the chat on Wednesday night (an odd choice 🤔), and of course every team in the league begins with cockeyed optimism. Isn’t it interesting to consider that there are teams that see themselves as legit Super Bowl contenders in the latter days of summer who will end up with Top 5 picks in the NFL Draft in eight months?? All the while, perhaps there are people at the top of the food chain who already know how the season will end.
My Season: 6-9
Zach’s Season: 5-10
Arizona State at Texas A&M (-14)
I ventured out on a limb, ranking the Sun Devils in the preseason despite a bunch of changes, most notably at quarterback. I don’t know how much we can glean from their nine TD destruction of FBS opponent Morgan St. in the season opener. Ditto for the Aggies fifty point victory over an FBS foe. The “12th Man” home field in College Station is legendary, and obviously the oddsmakers are feeling a certain way. However, I don’t shy away from debatable decisions. I don’t know if ASU has the juice for an outright upset, but I believe they’ll make things interesting. Conversely, Zach foresees A&M pulling away in the fourth quarter to secure a comfortable two TD victory.
My Pick: Arizona St.
Zach’s Pick: Texas A&M
Ohio State at Texas (-1.5)
A year ago Texas was the predominant preseason #1, but the Buckeyes defended their home field in a hard fought battle. Now the roles have reversed, with Ohio St. being the top ranked team and the Longhorns enjoying home field advantage. Three players…OSU quarterback Julian Sayin & WR Jeremiah Smith and Texas QB Arch Manning…are serious Heisman contenders who could all end up being first round draft picks next spring. They’ll get their stats, which means the defense that kicks it up a notch and makes a big play or two in the 4th quarter will make the difference. Notorious Buckeye hater Zach obviously disagrees.
My Pick: Ohio St.
Zach’s Pick: Texas
New England at Seattle (-3.5)
It’s a Super Bowl rematch. You’ll recall that the Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, led by one of the best defenses in the NFL. However, in the offseason Seattle lost a few starters from that defense, as well as Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The Patriots have had some roster turnover as well, but their offseason was dominated by head coach Mike Vrabel’s…personal drama. I will forever be a Pats hater for a variety of reasons, but just don’t believe Seattle can sustain last year’s success. Very few Super Bowl champions do. Conversely, no matter how one may feel about Vrabel, none of that mishigas will matter on the field. Zach has much more faith in Seattle’s ability to repeat, and believes they’ll win the opener by ten points. It’s an 8pm Wednesday kickoff on NBC, which is cool because Wednesday nights are usually so damn tedious.
My Pick: New England
Zach’s Pick: Seattle
San Francisco at LA Rams (-2.5)
The Rams enter the season as heavy Super Bowl favorites, but they’ll need to prove it on the field. Last season they had a Top Ten defense, then traded for Myles Garrett and convinced Aaron Donald to unretire. Can 38 year old QB Matthew Stafford approach last year’s 46 TDs & 4700 passing yards?? Expectations are high indeed. Meanwhile, the Niners are coming off a 12-5 season and a second round playoff loss to the eventual champion Seahawks. They added veterans Mike Evans & Christian Kirk to the receiving corps, and procured young depth pieces in the draft. ‘Frisco’s issue seems to be remaining healthy, and they’ve already lost receiver Ricky Pearsall to a knee injury. It’s a Thursday night kickoff from Melbourne, Australia, airing on Netflix. I don’t believe the game will be particularly close, and though Zach thinks it’ll be more competitive than I do, he agrees on the outcome.
My Pick: LA Rams
Zach’s Pick: LA Rams
Baltimore (-3.5) at Indianapolis
There’s been a coaching change in Baltimore, with former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter taking the reins. Let’s not forget that Minter previously served as the Ravens DB coach a few years ago. The roster retained key pieces like QB Lamar Jackson, RB Derrick Henry, and a veteran secondary while adding defensive tackle Trey Hendrickson and tweaking the offensive line a bit. The Colts got off to a hot start a season ago before falling apart down the stretch. Can QB Daniel Jones rebound from an Achilles injury and return to the form he showed in the first half of last season?? Will a defense in transition rise from the bottom third of the league?? I believe both teams will struggle this year, but Indy will prevail this week. Conversely, Zach thinks Jackson will have a huge day against that mediocre Colts defense.
My Pick: Indianapolis
Zach’s Pick: Baltimore
Buffalo (-1.5) at Houston
The Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott after a string of playoff disappointments, despite winning 66% of his games in nine seasons. Time will tell if that was a wise decision. They made some sneaky good roster moves, and as long as their Top Ten defense holds up and QB Josh Allen is behind center there is reason for optimism. Meanwhile, the Texans had the best defense in the league last year but struggled in the first half of the season, ultimately losing in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Quarterback CJ Stroud seemed to regress a bit and needs a great rebound season. I believe Buffalo will take a step back this year, while Houston shows incremental improvement. I like the underdogs to defend their home turf. Zach doesn’t see Buffalo’s coaching change as negative and has faith in Allen to keep the train rolling.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Buffalo
Denver at Kansas City (-2.5)
Monday Night Football begins their season with a banger. The Broncos won the AFC West last year and might have played in the Super Bowl if QB Bo Nix hadn’t suffered a broken ankle at the end of a playoff victory. Conversely, the once mighty Chiefs missed the postseason for the first time in a decade, and QB Patrick Mahomes went down with a torn ACL. However, let’s not lose sight of the fact that KC was 6-7 before Mahomes’ injury. I’m no doctor, but have doubts about the prudence of returning from knee surgery in less than nine months. It’s not that I think the home favorites will be a bad team, but I believe the visiting underdogs are clearly better right now. Zach concurs.
Perhaps picking “Week Zero” games was a bad idea. Neither of us fared well, but I do want to emphasize that is NOT why we’re doing extra picks this week. After all, digging an even bigger hole at the outset will just make things worse. That being said, this is the first full weekend of college football, so why not celebrate?? Normally I would be torn between attending our local Italian Heritage Festival and staying home glued to the television, but this year I don’t have a choice, which is fine. There are games from Thursday all the way thru Monday night, and I’m here for all of it. In the midst of the long weekend, please take a moment to reflect on the holiday itself. Labor Day was created in 1882 to recognize the work & contributions of laborers in the United States, which is certainly worthy of celebration.
My Season: 1-4
Zach’s Season: 0-5
Fresno State at Southern Cal (-22.5)
The Trojans handled San Jose St. rather easily last week, with QB Jayden Maiava throwing for 286 yards & two TDs. Not bad, but he’ll need to kick it up a notch to impress Heisman voters. Fresno finished last season 9-4 with a bowl victory after getting stomped in their opening game. History may repeat itself. Zach doesn’t believe we learned anything important about USC last weekend, and believes Fresno is a slightly tougher foe…atleast good enough to cover the points.
My Pick: USC
Zach’s Pick: Fresno St.
Liberty at James Madison (-6.5)
It wasn’t that long ago that these teams were receiving alot of buzz. The Flames won thirteen games in 2023, going undefeated in the regular season before falling to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. Just two seasons later they finished 4-8. The Dukes were 12-2 a season ago, coincidentally losing to Oregon in a first round playoff game. However, head coach Bob Chesney has moved on to UCLA, with former Florida coach Billy Napier taking over the program. JMU brings back just 27% of its total production from last year’s CFP team, which is among the lowest in FBS. That’s why I feel an upset brewing. Zach feels comfortable with the home favorites.
My Pick: Liberty
Zach’s Pick: James Madison
Oregon State at Houston (-20.5)
It’s a new day for the Beavers, both in terms of the revived Pac 12 and the fact that they’ve hired their fifth head coach in a decade. A fresh start is certainly needed after two consecutive losing seasons. Conversely, the Cougars enter 2026 with high expectations following a ten win season and finishing third in the competitive Big 12. Zach predicts Oregon St. will improve, which isn’t hard to imagine given they were 2-10. He isn’t crazy enough to pick the outright upset, but does believe it’ll be closer than expected.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Oregon St.
North Texas at Indiana (-40.5)
There is no shortage of people who give the defending National Champions a legit chance to repeat. I am not one of them, although I do believe they’ll still be really good. The Mean Green are coming off a twelve win season, but that success led to Oklahoma St. poaching their head coach. In steps former WVU coach Neal Brown to lead the charge in Denton, TX, which is amusing to those of us in the Mountain State. No one with a functioning brain thinks we’ll see an upset here, but the points are a bit much for me. I foresee something like 42-13, which is still a dominant victory, but not anything wacky. Zach shares my concern that Indiana will take their foot off the gas in the second half and seize the opportunity to give their backups valuable game experience…but he’s feeling frisky and riding with the home favorites to cover that massive spread.
My Pick: North Texas
Zach’s Pick: Indiana
Boise State at Oregon (-24.5)
Boise St. finally made it to the Pac 12…after all the top teams went elsewhere. One of them was Oregon, who has been settling into the Big Ten these last couple of years. The Ducks have big dreams after falling short in the CFP semis last season, with the catalyst for that optimism being the unexpected return of junior QB Dante Moore, who would’ve been a first round pick in the NFL Draft this past spring. The Broncos will likely have another solid season and seem to be favorites to win a conference title, but they’re not winning the opener. Can they keep it close?? Also no…atleast in my opinion. Zach thinks Boise can hang and keep things respectably competitive.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Boise St.
Baylor at Auburn (-7.5)
It could be the sneaky best game of the weekend. The Bears were 5-7 a season ago, but did a total rebuild on offense thru the portal. The Tigers were also 5-7 and hired former South Florida coach Alex Golesh to replace Hugh Freeze, whose tenure was an unmitigated disaster. I think we have to dig deeper though, and understand that Baylor won twelve games as recently as 2021, while Auburn has intermittently had some good years as well, with their last double digit win coming less than a decade ago. These are not terrible programs, and they will figure things out. As far as this particular game goes, I think the underdogs might make things really interesting. Zach likes the changes Auburn made and foresees a solid victory.
My Pick: Baylor
Zach’s Pick: Auburn
Clemson at LSU (-10.5)
We’re going to learn alot from this game. After consistently having double digit wins and being in national championship contention for a decade & a half the Tigers were a very average 7-6 last season, even losing a bowl game. It’s too quick to push the panic button, but Dabo Swinney needs a good rebound season. On the other side of the field we’re all very aware of the drama. New head coach Lane Kiffin was not hired to win nine games & be invited to a meaningless bowl. If that was good enough they’d have kept Brian Kelly. There’s alot on the line and a ton to prove for two head coaches under a microscope. Night games in Baton Rouge are a BIG event. ESPN Gameday will be on the scene, so the hype will be full throttle. I don’t have a vibe…yet…on whether Clemson can right the ship, but I am certain that LSU will be hellbent on getting the Kiffin Era off to a memorable start. Zach concurs.
My Pick: LSU
Zach’s Pick: LSU
Washington State at Washington (-23.5)
The Apple Cup as a season opener is evidence of how much college football has changed in recent years. This is now an out of conference game for both teams. The Cougars will be breaking in a new head coach after their old one bolted for Iowa St. They haven’t had a double digit win season since 2018. The Huskies enter their third year with Jedd Fisch at the helm, and they improved dramatically from Season 1 to Season 2. They lost some significant talent to the NFL, so we’ll see if they can reload or must rebuild. I don’t believe the home field is that significant in this case, but I do think the home team is simply better. Three TDs better?? Okay, sure. Zach agrees. It’s a 4pm Sunday kickoff, so put a reminder in your phone.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington
Louisville at Ole Miss (-7)
Pete Golding takes over in Oxford, although it isn’t actually his first game as head coach after he led them to a 2-1 mark in the CFP, ultimately losing in the semifinals. I don’t believe the coaching transition is as big of a deal as the loss of five players to the NFL. However, they did retain the services of QB Trinidad Chambliss after a litigious offseason, and he’ll be joined by junior RB Kewan Lacy. Both young men will be part of early Heisman discussions. Meanwhile, the Cardinals were 9-4 last season, but underwent a significant rebuild afterward. They’ve been consistent the past few years under head coach Jeff Brohm, usually coming out of the gate strong against lesser opponents. This is different, and I don’t think it’ll work out well for them. Zach doesn’t believe the Rebels will miss a beat post-Kiffin, and won’t be surprised if they are playoff contenders once again. It’s a Sunday evening game, which sounds like fun.
My Pick: Ole Miss
Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss
Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (-20.5)
With the influx of powerhouse west coast teams into the Big Ten it seems like the Badgers have gotten lost in the shuffle. They’ve had two straight losing seasons, and the two seasons before that were just mediocre. Head coach Luke Fickell’s fourth year feels like a pivotal one, and it sure doesn’t look like an easy path. The Irish lost their first two games last season before winning all the rest, but that slow start cost them a playoff berth. The good news is they lead the nation in returning production, including junior quarterback CJ Carr. Replacing six players drafted into the NFL, including running backs Jeremiyah Love & Jadarian Price as well as receiver Malachi Fields, may prove challenging, but Notre Dame might have one of the best defenses in the country. This is a neutral site game at Lambeau Field, which obviously won’t be a frozen tundra in September. It’s also on Sunday evening, making it the most excitement I’ve anticipated for a Sunday night in several months. Unfortunately I don’t think we’ll be treated to a competitive contest, and neither does Zach.
Typically we don’t engage in college football’s “Week Zero”, but I found enough compelling matchups to go ahead & get this pigskin party started. Unfortunately, your humble Godfather of Cyberspace has been laid up (again) for reasons y’all don’t need or want to know about, which means I am focused on inconsequential diversions like football. Can I exceed last season’s record of 53-70?? Who knows?? Can Zach secure another season victory while also boosting his 56-67 mark?? Perhaps. We’ll see.
North Carolina vs. TCU (-7.5)
A year ago the Horned Frogs annihilated the Tar Heels by a 34 point margin in Chapel Hill. UNC, under the guidance of (alleged) legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick, went on to finish 4-8. They’ve hired well-traveled Bobby Petrino to be the offensive coordinator and (hopefully) improve their 19.25 points/game, which was 120th nationally. TCU was 9-4, including an overtime victory over USC in the Alamo Bowl, and finished in the middle of the pack of a highly competitive Big 12. The game kicks off from Dublin, Ireland at noon on Saturday, and though it might be closer than last season, I think the favorites will handle their business. Zach doesn’t believe Belichick’s particular skillset translates well to college football.
My Pick: TCU
Zach’s Pick: TCU
North Carolina State at Virginia (-5.5)
I have high hopes that the Wolfpack, who were 8-5 and finished last season with a win over Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl, can be even better this year. Quarterback CJ Bailey returns for his junior campaign after throwing for over 3100 yards & 25 touchdowns last year. His 68.8% completion rate ranked him 15th nationally in 2025. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers were 11-3, but lost the ACC title game in overtime. They return 65% of their production from last season and will have former Missouri QB Beau Pribula under center. NC State will win alot of games, but I don’t think this will be one of them. Zach foresees a high scoring game and won’t be surprised if NC St. pulls off the upset.
My Pick: Virginia
Zach’s Pick: NC St.
New Mexico State at Florida State (-31.5)
Mike Norvell enters his 7th season at the helm in Tallahassee, although I’m not sure why. Norvell is the Seminoles’ third coach since the legendary Bobby Bowden retired in 2009, but he has a collective record of 38-34. This is probably a crucial year for him…or atleast it should be. The Aggies were equally atrocious a season ago, finishing 4-8. Florida St.’s brand may have lost some cache in recent years, and I don’t know if they’ll be any more successful this season, but they’ll probably defend the home field with relative ease this weekend. The points make Zach a bit squeamish, but ultimately he’s leaning toward the favorites to cover.
My Pick: Florida St.
Zach’s Pick: Florida St.
Hawaii at Stanford (-4)
Stanford hasn’t been relevant in college football since QB Andrew Luck departed in 2011, and they haven’t had a winning season since 2018 (unless you want to give them credit for the Covid abbreviated 2020 campaign). Conversely, the Rainbows finished last season with a bowl victory and a 9-4 record. Hawaii defeated Stanford with a walkoff field goal in Honolulu a season ago, and I expect another competitive game Saturday night. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Hawaii
Zach’s Pick: Hawaii
Memphis at UNLV (-5.5)
The Tigers are a middle-of-the-pack AAC team that finished last season 9-4 and lost the Gasparilla Bowl. As a matter of fact, they ended the year on a four game losing skid. The Runnin’ Rebels finished atop the Mountain West last season, a conference that looks very different now after several teams departed to form a new Pac 12. UNLV was 10-4, but lost their final two games, including the Frisco Bowl. I used to love these kinds of games. It’s a 10pm kickoff, which means after all of the marquee matchups are over and the day seems to be done…BAM…more football. Now though, I’ll be fortunate to stay awake thru the 3rd quarter. At any rate, I believe the home team favorites will come out on top. Zach is anticipating yet another high scoring shootout, and he also likes the home team.
Do y’all remember an episode of Seinfeld when George gets fired from the Yankees?? Since there is a severance package involved he enthusiastically looks at it as an opportunity for a three month vacation, but after a tumble down some stairs leaves him incapacitated the neurotic Costanza laments “This was supposed to be the Summer of George!”. I’ve been feeling that way after encountering some health issues and having two medical procedures in the past few months, which is why I’ve been looking forward to football season. Sitting in front of my 55 inch smart TV and watching wall to wall college football on Saturday & seven hours of NFL Redzone on Sunday is my happy place. I’m not very exciting and don’t lead an…impactful…life, but when one spends enough time dealing with certain circumstances simplicity & small comforts become significant. I have friends & family who, in recent months, have gone to the beach, jetted off to Europe, and taken road trips to some cool places. Conversely, I’ll be happy to spend weekends this fall comfortably ensconced in my humble abode watching countless hours of gridiron action.
25 Tennessee
Last Season: 8-5 (lost Music City Bowl)
Key Games: 9/26 vs. Texas, 10/17 vs. Alabama, 11/21 vs. LSU
The Volunteers QB situation concerns me just a bit, with two freshmen vying to replace former signal caller Joey Aguilar, who is trying to secure a spot on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster. Tennessee also has a new defensive coordinator who has an entirely rebuilt defense via the portal. Perhaps my expectations are too high for a team in the (alleged) toughest conference in the country, but Josh Heupel is a former SEC Coach of the Year, and with all three key games noted above happening in Knoxville I believe atleast one upset and a nine win season are reasonable expectations.
I am much higher on the Sun Devils than most. The Big 12 is looking like a dog fight, so one upset could make a huge difference. State will need to make their case on the road, and they’ll probably be another team using multiple quarterbacks after Sam Leavitt bolted for LSU. The offense has undergone a significant rebuild, so State will be leaning on its defense to win games.
It seems like we’ve been waiting a very long time for the Cornhuskers to reclaim the glory they had back in the day when I was a boy. Unfortunately former Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is a combined 19-19 in his three years at the helm in Lincoln, and this feels like a make or break year for his tenure. Nebraska brings back 69% of their production on both sides of the ball. The question becomes is that a good thing from a team that was 7-6?? How much does stability matter in college football nowadays, and is the number deceiving anyway since Dylan Raiola bolted to be the backup quarterback at Oregon?? I suppose we’ll find out the answers, and I think it is possible that Rhule, with his back against the wall, can pull a couple rabbits out of the hat.
22 Texas A&M
Last Season: 11-2 (lost in first round of playoffs)
A year ago, in his second season in College Station, head coach Mike Elko led the Aggies to double digit wins for the first time since 2012. They return 65% of their production from last season, including QB Marcel Reed. Of course, they also had a program record ten players drafted into the NFL. I think we’ll see a slight regression, and securing a playoff berth will be challenging, but don’t be surprised if A&M sneaks into the tail end of the final rankings.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer enters his third year in Tuscaloosa, and if he can replicate last season’s success it would calm the waters, although we all know the ‘Bama faithful are getting restless since they’ve been without a national title since 2020. I have a feeling they’ll yo-yo between junior QB Austin Mack & freshman Keelon Russell until one of them seizes control of the job. The Tide returns less than 50% of their production from a season ago and lost ten players in the NFL Draft. Having said that, ‘Bama is the horror movie psycho of college football…just when we think they’re dead in the water they rise up. They host Georgia in October, which is huge. Trips to Rocky Top & Death Valley hold the keys for the entire season.
20 Navy
Last Season: 11-2 (won Liberty Bowl)
Key Games: 10/24 vs. North Texas, 10/31 vs. Notre Dame, 12/12 vs. Army
I always have a soft spot for our service academies, not only for what their players become off the field, but also because their games are unique and fun to watch. The Midshipmen have had two consecutive double digit victory seasons under 4th year head coach Brian Newberry, and I’m predicting another one. I don’t think they’ll upset Notre Dame, but keep your eye on the October visit from North Texas that could be significant in determining an AAC champion.
Former head coach Lane Kiffin famously ditched the Rebels before the playoff began a season ago, so this will be Pete Golding’s first full year in charge. I’m sure he is happy to have QB Trinidad Chambliss back under center after a tumultuous offseason of legal battles to secure another year of eligibility for the young man. Junior RB Kewan Lacy also returns, so the offense should be solid. I believe it will be an uphill climb to equal last season, but don’t be surprised if Ole Miss upsets an opponent or two and Chambliss is a serious Heisman contender.
I find ACC football rather prosaic. I don’t know why. However, with Clemson’s era of dominance seemingly over, the conference is atleast more competitive. The Wolfpack have been average at best for quite awhile, with head coach Dave Doeren in that position since 2013 and winning 8 or 9 games eight times. Can they win just one more game?? Can they go on the road and defeat two or three teams that they should theoretically handle easily?? We’ll see.
17 BYU
Last Season: 12-2 (won Pop Tarts Bowl)
Key Games: 10/17 vs. Notre Dame, 10/31 vs. Arizona St., 11/7 @ Utah
QB Bear Bachmeier, in addition to having a cool name, is only a sophomore. The Cougars also added tight end Walker Lyons from USC and 6ft.6 receiver Kyle Kasper from Oregon. An October upset of Notre Dame in Provo would certainly improve their playoff resume, but even without that, being in the thick of the Big 12 title chase and double digit victories seem like attainable goals.
16 Texas Tech
Last Season: 12-2 (lost playoff quarterfinal)
Key Games: 9/18 vs. Houston, 10/17 vs. Arizona St., 11/26 vs. TCU
Contrary to the legal victories that secured the services of Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss for another season, the Red Raiders found themselves on the short end of the stick when it came to the brouhaha surrounding QB Brendan Sorsby, who was supposed to transfer from Cincinnati to Lubbock, but apparently enjoyed gambling on football even more than playing football. At any rate, in addition to the quarterback situation, Tech has to replace almost half their defense that was drafted in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. I don’t believe they’ll win as many games or be in the Big 12 title hunt, but neither do I think Tech will fall off the map.
After securing a playoff berth in 2024 the Mustangs fell off just a bit last season, but still had a nice year that could’ve been even better. They lost two overtime games, including one to eventual playoff runner-up Miami. I don’t think they’ll go into South Bend and take down the Fighting Irish in November, but an early season battle in Tallahassee against the Seminoles feels like a winnable contest that could set a positive tone for the year.
14 Georgia
Last Season: 12-2 (lost playoff quarterfinal)
Key Games: 9/26 vs. Oklahoma, 10/10 @ Alabama, 11/7 @ Ole Miss
A year ago, while ranking the Bulldogs 11th, I said that I had a vibe that they wouldn’t be in the SEC title race. To their credit they proved me wrong, winning the conference championship before losing to Ole Miss in the playoff quarterfinals. However, I’m stubborn, so I’m ranking them even lower this preseason. They return a plethora of starters, including QB Gunner Stockton, center Drew Bobo, and defensive backs KJ Bolden & Ellis Robinson IV, but a closer examination of last season reveals that they won a couple of games that could’ve easily been losses. The ball could bounce the other way in 2026, but even if it does, a ten win season is nothing to be ashamed about.
13 Southern California
Last Season: 9-4 (lost Alamo Bowl)
Key Games: 9/26 vs. Oregon, 10/3 vs. Washington, 10/10 @ Penn St.
The Trojans return 15 starters, including senior QB & possible Heisman candidate Jayden Maiava, who has drawn comparisons to Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger. Head coach Lincoln Riley enters his fifth year at the helm, with the past three seasons being solid yet unremarkable. They’ll need to approach double digit wins and upset a contender or two if Riley doesn’t want his seat to start getting a bit warm.
12 Indiana
Last Season: 16-0 (won CFP Championship)
Key Games: 10/17 vs. Ohio St., 11/14 vs. USC, 11/21 @ Washington
I understand that the Hoosiers are ranked in the Top 5 of most other polls. I know they are the defending National Champions. To be honest, I’m not even that sold on quarterback Fernando Mendoza as an NFL level talent, and believe it’s not a stretch to think incoming transfer Josh Hoover, a former starter at TCU, could replicate Mendoza’s success in Bloomington. The Hoosiers added additional talent thru the portal and of course retained head coach Curt Cignetti. Having said all of that, when one looks back and realizes that Indiana defeated Oregon (twice), Ohio St., Alabama, and Miami (FL) en route to perfection, it is simply difficult to fathom duplication of that achievement.
11 Boise State
Last Season: 9-5 (lost L.A. Bowl)
Key Games: 9/5 @ Oregon, 10/10 @ Fresno St., 11/14 vs. Oregon St.
The Broncos headline the revived & revamped Pac 12, which lacks the prestige of its former incarnation. However, if Boise wins the conference and gets to ten wins they will be a serious playoff contender, especially if they put up a fight in Eugene against the Ducks to open the season. I don’t expect Boise to win that game, but if they can keep the score within 15-20 points the powers-that-be will take notice.
10 Oregon
Last Season: 13-2 (lost playoff semifinal)
Key Games: 9/26 @ USC, 11/7 @ Ohio St., 11/28 vs. Washington
I’ll never get use to Oregon in the Big Ten. College football is stupid off the field. Anyway, QB Dante Moore decided to return to the Ducks rather than enter the NFL Draft, where he certainly would have been a first round pick. I suppose being throttled by Indiana in the playoff semis left a bad taste in his mouth. But can they even get that far again?? I think Oregon will need to score atleast one big upset on the road to be in the conversation. If they lose all three key games Moore may regret delaying his professional dreams.
The Big 12 is wide open, and I have no idea who may emerge on top. The Cougars return 65% of their production from a squad that won ten games. A key piece of the puzzle is senior QB Conner Weigman, who threw for over 2700 yards with an impressive 147.74 passer rating, added 700 yards on the ground, and had 36 total touchdowns. Houston also added a Top Ten transfer class from the portal. A year ago they were in the thick of the conference title scrum, but a couple of losses doomed their chances. They’ll need to be road warriors this season to flip the script.
This will be QB Arch Manning’s final season in Austin, and it seems like the shine has worn off just a bit. Once upon a time Manning was a presumptive Heisman winner who most assumed would be the #1 overall draft pick, but now some are questioning if the hype was just that. The Longhorns weren’t terrible last year, but a season opening loss at Ohio St. set the wrong tone, and losing at Georgia in November doomed their playoff hopes. They have the Buckeyes at home this time, but will still need to win on the road for things to be better than a season ago.
7 Notre Dame
Last Season: 10-2 (declined bowl invitation)
Key Games: 9/6 vs. Wisconsin, 10/17 @ BYU, 11/7 vs. Miami (FL)
Fool me once, shame on you…fool me twice, shame on me. After ranking The Irish #1 a year ago, they thanked me with back-to-back season opening losses to Miami and Texas A&M. The schedule looks a little different this year because realignment has destroyed traditional rivalries, so I would be shocked if Notre Dame doesn’t sail thru the first half of the schedule, and anything less than ten wins and a playoff berth would be a huge disappointment. Sophomore quarterback CJ Carr is back, while running backs Jeremiyah Love & Jadarian Price are now plying their trade in the NFL. That being said, Notre Dame leads the nation in total returning production at 72%, bringing back 14 starters.
6 LSU
Last Season: 7-6 (lost Texas Bowl)
Key Games: 9/19 @ Ole Miss, 11/7 vs. Alabama, 11/14 vs. Texas
There’s a new sheriff in the bayou, and his name is Lane Kiffin. Former head coach Brian Kelly was 34-14 in just less than four seasons, so Kiffin wasn’t hired to win 9 or 10 games and lead his team to the Citrus Bowl…they are expecting SEC titles & deep playoff runs in Baton Rouge. Kiffin brought in junior QB Sam Leavitt from Arizona St., while LSU is projected to have a Top 5 defense. A mid-September clash at Ole Miss will be hyped by the talking heads for obvious reasons (I’ll be stunned if ESPN’s Gameday isn’t on the scene), but November home games against ‘Bama & Texas will probably decide the conference championship.
The Buckeyes are at the top of most other polls, but I can’t go there after back-to-back losses (in the Big Ten title game & playoff quarterfinals) to end last season. Talent is never a problem in Columbus. Sophomore QB Julian Sayin returns after passing for 3600 yards & 33 touchdowns with a completion rate of 77% (which led the nation). He finished 4th in Heisman Trophy voting. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith fell off a bit last year after a phenomenal freshman season, but that was due to a quad injury that negatively impacted two games in November. There were some huge departures from the defense. Four of the first eleven picks in the NFL Draft were from Ohio St., with three of those being defensive players. Rebuilding that unit is the biggest key to the team’s success.
The Huskies have flown under the radar the last couple of seasons since former head coach Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama after leading Washington to the CFP championship game in 2024. However, coming off a 9-4 finish there is a ton of optimism in Seattle. Washington is another west coast team inexplicably competing in the Big Ten, but I’ll refrain from beating that dead horse. Skill positions took a hit after RB Jonah Coleman & receiver Denzel Boston were drafted into the NFL, but returning QB Demond Williams Jr., who threw for over 3000 yards and scored 31 touchdowns last season, has been compared to Kyler Murray with flashes of Russell Wilson. Defense will be the difference maker, and I think we’ll see the Huskies pull off a couple of big upsets.
3 Utah
Last Season: 11-2 (won Las Vegas Bowl)
Key Games: 10/24 vs. Houston, 11/7 vs. BYU, 11/21 @ TCU
A year ago I overlooked the Utes in the Big 12, but they were in the hunt right to the very end of the season. I expect the conference to be just as competitive this season, if not more so. Head coach Morgan Scalley takes over for Kyle Whittingham, who left for Michigan. However, since Scalley had been the defensive coordinator in Salt Lake City for a decade, I don’t think continuity will be an issue. Senior QB Devon Dampier threw for almost 2500 yards last season, rushed for over 800 yards, and scored 34 touchdowns. Their defense will have to kick it up a notch or two, and Utah needs to defend their home field against some formidable opponents.
2 Penn State
Last Season: 7-6 (won Pinstripe Bowl)
Key Games: 10/10 vs. USC, 10/17 @ Michigan, 11/7 @ Washington
I’m a big fan of my boy Rocco Becht, who will become the Nittany Lions new quarterback after following head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa St. to Happy Valley. There’s no way around it…last season was a disaster for Penn St., so they needed a total reset. Winning the Big Ten is a tall mountain to climb, but I think it’s doable. There are advantages to being disregarded & undervalued, and this is a team that may just take a few opponents by surprise.
We’d been waiting for the once dominant ‘Canes to be a force once again, and last season they made it all the way to the CFP championship game. The ACC might be the most winnable conference in the country, and it’s odd to recall that Miami didn’t even play in the title game last year thanks to close losses to Louisville & SMU. They snuck into the playoff and went on an incredible run, defeating three Top Ten teams before falling to Indiana. Can they do it again?? Miami lost nine players in the NFL Draft, including three first round choices. QB Darian Mensah has transferred to Coral Gables from Duke, and he might be even better than former signal caller Carson Beck. However, the bigger issue is defense, which was Top 5 in the country a season ago. Can they reload?? Will a new look defense be as good as they were last year?? Winning the conference is a priority, in part because it would make the playoff path somewhat less difficult.
