College Football Saturday 1

College Football Picks

College Football season starts tonight! There are a couple of storylines that are not related to Johnny Manziel, ones that we actually might be able to enjoy following this season jump out at me.

First of all, can Alabama 3-peat as national champions? It would be an incredible accomplishment if they did, and I think there is a good chance that they can. After all, they were #1 in our rankings a few weeks back. What's interesting about this is that even if they do win the national championship, when A.J. McCarron goes to the NFL (after winning 3 straight national championships as a non-option QB), he probably will not be picked in the first three rounds, which just baffles me. 

Second, I want to see if anyone can unseat Jadaveon Clowney as the Heisman favorite anytime this season. Everyone is so hyped about Clowney, as if he just came on this past season. A lot of the conversation I hear is about "how will he do when he's double teamed" or "how will he handle being game planned against this year".  If any coach playing against South Carolina since Clowney arrived there has not both double teamed and game planned against him, they should be fired, immediately. His star status might be new, but his ability is not. He has been this good since he got to South Carolina.

Third, will anyone outside the SEC win a national championship? No team that doesn't hail from the SEC can legitimately say they have a chance to win the national championship this season in Greg’s opinion (and yes, that obviously includes Oregon). Andrew thinks other teams have a shot, particularly Ohio State simply due to a decently easy road to get to the championship (compared to SEC schools at least), and a solid QB/coach combo.

Picks Standings

Greg:               0 – 0

Andrew:         0 – 0

As usual, we will keep track of our predictions and keep an updated tally going. Last year, Greg and I battled all year but Greg held on throughout the bowl season and won. It should be another battle in 2013. Here are the week 1 predictions:

5 Georgia at 8 Clemson

Andrew: Clemson - Obviously, this is all about the quarterbacks. Aaron Murray returned to Georgia for what should be a great year, and Tajh Boyd will once again lead the Clemson attack. If it comes down to the defenses, Georgia is better by a mile, but I think Boyd will deliver something special. I’m taking Clemson to knock off a mighty SEC team.

Greg: Georgia - Aaron Murray simply cannot start his senior season with a loss on the road. I love Travis Gurley as well and think Georgia will be an improved team from last year's runner-up SEC finish. I’m picking the Bulldogs.

Andrew:         Clemson 35, Georgia 31

Greg:               Georgia 31, Clemson 28

12 LSU at 20 TCU

Andrew: LSU – TCU isn’t near as good as they were a few years ago when they were crashing the BCS party as an outsider. I think LSU enters the season with something to prove and will take advantage of a young QB in the first game of the year.

Greg: TCU - I'm going to start the debate early. Les Miles is and has always been overrated. I like the Horned Frogs in this game, even though they may be starting a true freshman at QB.

Andrew:         LSU 24, TCU 17

Greg:               TCU 20, LSU 14

Mississippi State at 13 Oklahoma State

Andrew: OSU – Oklahoma State is better coached, has better players, and is playing at home. I’m picking against the SEC for the second time in three games here.

Greg: OSU - I have been a Mike Gundy fan since he became the coach at OK State, and I think the team he has this year has a chance to be one of the best he's coached. I also like the direction that Mississippi State is heading, but the Cowboys win this one at home.

Andrew:         Oklahoma State 42, Mississippi State 24

Greg:               Oklahoma State 40, Mississippi State 31

19 Boise State at Washington

Andrew: Boise St. - Washington was pretty solid last year, quietly upsetting two Top 25 teams. Can they start the season with a bang beating another at home? I think not. Boise State almost always plays great football to begin the year and they will be focused and ready to roll.

Greg: Boise St. - Chris Peterson is also one of my favorite coaches and Boise is one of my favorite programs. I will always remember watching the orange bown in which they defeated Oklahoma and Adrian Peterson. They beat the Huskies on the road in the opener.

Andrew:         Boise State 27, Washington 21

Greg:               Boise State 30, Washington 17

Upset Alert

Andrew: California over Northwestern – The Wildcats enter the year ranked… that’s just weird isn’t it? And they begin by traveling across the country to take on a Pac-12 foe. California isn’t a great team by any standard, but I think they take advantage of a Northwestern team that will struggle all year to live up to their ranking. California 28, Northwestern 27

Greg: North Carolina over South Carolina – Tonight, we may see a shocker. It will probably be one of the better games of the weekend (since some teams enjoy incredibly soft first games). I think the Tar Heels get the better of the Gamecocks… Although I also am picking this because there are very few upset options this week, and I feel this is the most likely. UNC 20, South Carolina 17.

Enjoy week 1!

By: The Sports Guys