Rapid-Fire College Football Season Preview
September is here! Students are back to class, shores get more and more deserted every day, labor day weekend is upon us and that can only mean one thing...College Football season is here! The only thing that's more of a crapshoot than a freshman's grades after skipping class all semester, is the first few weeks of college football. Seasons can start and end on the same week. While others end before they even begin, like Maryland's and possibly Ohio State's if they allow all the outside distractions to break their focus. Soooo, why invest a ton of time predicting what will likely change ten times over the next twelve weeks? Instead I'm giving you my rapid fire season predictions as well as quick picks for the only meaningful matchups this week has to offer.
Top Ten Finishing Teams (in no particular order):
Alabama
Clemson
Auburn
Michigan
Stanford
TCU
Oklahoma
Wisconsin
Georgia
Miami
I have three SEC, two Big Ten, two ACC, two Big 12 and one PAC-12 teams comprising my top ten. Some outside lurkers I also like as sleepers are Texas, Notre Dame and Michigan State.
College Football Playoff:
1) Clemson vs. 4) Wisconsin
2) Alabama vs. 3) Stanford
National Championship:
2) Alabama vs. 4) Wisconsin
Alabama will win the championship yet again, WOO-HOO, such an original and impressive take. What else but the tried and true safety call do you want this early in the year?
Three Bold Predictions:
1) No team will go undefeated this season
2) The Heisman trophy winner will not be a quarterback
3) Chip Kelly will win coach of the year for his efforts at revitalizing a UCLA football program
Week One Action Worth Watching
Washington vs. Auburn - Saturday at 3:30pm in Atlanta, GA
Neutral site game my ass! Every advantage for Auburn both by distance and by kickoff time as well. Washington will be up for the challenge but Auburn's talent will overcome. Auburn 31 - Washington 23
Michigan at Notre Dame - Saturday at 7:30pm in South Bend, IN
The wolverines roll into South Bend with a stifling defense that returns almost all starters from a year ago when it ranked in the top ten in total team defense. Harbaugh is feeling heat even all the way north, in Ann Arbor, because entering his fourth season as head coach he's accomplished, well, nothing! He hasn't beaten Ohio State, he hasn't finished with less than three losses, he hasn't won the Big Ten and he certainly hasn't qualified for or won the college football playoff. In essence, starting this season off with a loss would push him to the edge of that hot seat. On top of the defense, he's also bringing the most talented offense he's had at Big Blue including the most athletic and skilled quarterback. However, he's also facing Brian Kelly, Notre Dame's head coach, who is in a very similarly tempered seat. Kelly's also returning a strong slew of experienced starters on both sides of the ball but major replacements on offensive line are still question marks and if they can't stand up against Michigan's defensive pressure it's going to be a loooong year; one I doubt any amount of chaos practice drills will shorten or save. I'll be rooting for my Irish but I'll probably have the same expression as Coach Kelly below, during Saturday evening. Michigan 20 - Notre Dame 17
Miami vs. LSU - Sunday at 7:30pm in Arlington, TX
Again, not a neutral location! But at least Miami has such a strong alumni base everywhere that the fans in the stands should be an even distribution. How many times will the turnover chain lead to a mosh pit on the Miami sideline? Over/Under is at 2.5. Surprise, surprise you'll never guess what the Bayou Tigers strategy is this season. LSU is going to pound the ball, or at least attempt it, and play strong defense. If they frustrate Miami into making turnover mistakes of their own it could lead to the first major upset of the season (ranking wise anyway) and while I'll be rooting for that to happen, I think Miami finds a way to triumph; just like they did in so many early games last year. Miami 27 - LSU 23
Virginia Tech at Florida State - Monday at 8pm, Tallahassee, FL
Deondre Francois gets his first live game action since almost a full year ago when Alabama ended his season in its infancy. Will there be rust? Most definitely. Will he be rattled? Maybe. Can Virginia Tech overcome both their historic and recent tendency to wilt under any semblance of a spotlight? Probably not. Florida State 33 - VT 18
Keylime's CFB Ledger
The Keylime ledger for College Football always does the wise thing and waits for more information as the season starts before investing. However, if you are in a real pinch for some action here's what I recommend for the season's inaugural week; as always all lines and odds are from bovada.lv.
Three Team Parlay:
West Virginia, UCLA and Florida State to win for even odds