College football has arrived! It’s been a long offseason with some insanely drastic changes and shifts in the landscape of the sport. Between the new conferences, different rivalries, new faces in legendary spots and a revamped College Football Playoff, it is nice to just finally watch the action unfold on the field. Let’s jump right into the good stuff. Here are our top 3 picks for College Football Week 1.
No. 14 Clemson vs No. 1 Georgia: Saturday, August 31
The ACC versus the SEC takes center stage in Week 1 in the Aflac Kickoff game which takes place in Atlanta. It will practically be a home game for the Bulldogs who welcome back Heisman favorite Carson Beck as he and the Dawgs try to get back into the College Football playoff after unbelievably being left out a season ago. Georgia is once again the top team in the nation, and they were one loss away from last year to being on a stage to win their third straight National Championship. Clemson is looking to regain its power after a few down years thanks to Dabo Swinney not allowing his university to fully delve into NIL and the transfer portal. It shouldn’t be tough for the Dawgs to flex their muscle and come away with win number one in the first week. Prediction: Clemson 20 Georgia 35
No. 7 Notre Dame vs No. 20: Texas A&M: Saturday, August 31
This is a critical year for Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman who needs a season to prove himself as the right guy. They were 10-3 a year ago and Fighting Irish fans aren’t going to be patient for very long if this season doesn’t result in a CFP appearance. They will be without Sam Hartman this year as he graduated to the NFL, but welcome Riley Leonard, a transfer QB from Duke. A&M has an interesting situation on their hands as well, as they move on from the hugely disappointing Jimbo Fisher debacle and welcome back coach Mike Elko. Interestingly enough, Elko’s QB the last two years at Duke was Riley Leonard so it’s fitting he faces him in game 1. I think this is a tough spot at Kyle Field for the Fighting Irish and I like a close battle and an upset in Week 1 for the Aggies. Prediction: Notre Dame 24 Texas A&M 28
No. 23 USC vs No. 13 LSU – Sunday: September 1
Sin City welcomes the Trojans and Tigers at Allegiant Stadium for the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic. We have seen plenty of interesting week 1 LSU games in recent years in battles with the FSU Seminoles and now get to watch them take on a Lincoln Riley team that looks to find its way without Caleb Williams. I really like the Tigers in this spot who I figure will bounce back without Jayden Daniels much quicker than the Trojans will without Williams. I am eager to see Miller Moss take the step forward under Riley, but I don’t see that happening in Week 1 against an LSU defense that should be one of the best in college football. Prediction: LSU 34 USC 27