Alex’s Picks
Penn State vs. West Virginia
The new TV deal for the Big Ten on NBC kicks off with a clash of very old (and dormant) rivals the Penn St. Nittany Lions and the West Virginia Mountaineers. These two teams haven’t met since 1992 with Penn St coming in on a 4-game winning streak in the series and the lead overall 48-9-2.
The Lions come into the season ranked 7th in the country (and my own rankings) led by stud RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen on the offense and possible future 1st round picks CB Kalen King and ED Chop Robinson on the defense. After going 11-2 with a Rose Bowl in last season, the hopes are extremely high for James Franklin’s squad entering the 2023 season. Getting to a winning start here in a prime-time game could bode well for this season in Happy Valley.
West Virginia’s season outlook is less optimistic than that of Penn State. WVU is projected to finish 14th in the Big 12 this year. They are coming off of a 5-7 season. They do return 4 starters on the offensive line with C Zach Frazier projected as the best in the conference but that’s where the excitement tapers off. Head coach Neal Brown is entering his 5th season with a record of 22-25, if he has another losing season his seat may be very hot in December.
North Carolina vs. South Carolina (in Charlotte)
The Battle of the Carolinas is set to take place this weekend on ABC in the Duke’s Mayo Classic. It’s the 60th meeting, funny enough the last time these two teams played it was in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl (SC won 38-21). These two cross-conference rivals don’t play every year. But, when they do it’s always a close game. 4 of the 6 previous games were decided by 1 score or less.
North Carolina comes into the season ranked 21st in AP ( I have them all the way up at 12) largely due to the fact they have a Heisman candidate in QB Drake Maye who went home with ACC Player, Offensive, Rookie and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors last season leading the Tar Heels to a 9-5 season. With missteps in the ACC Championship and Holiday Bowl to end the season on a downturn. UNC returns 6 starters on the defense. That includes 4 members of the offensive line and 7 starters on defense. They are primed for another good season. Head Coach Mack Brown is looking for his 100th win at UNC on Saturday and number 275 overall.
The Gamecocks start 2023 in the other receiving votes in the AP ( I have them at 24) after a moderately successful 8-5 season last year with transfer QB Spencer Rattler. They started slow but ended up taking up major upset wins over Tennessee and Clemson to end the regular season on a high note before dropping a close one to Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl 45-38. Unfortunately for SC they play in the SEC, and most of the season will be an uphill climb. A win to kick off the season against a ranked opponent will give a confidence boost before they head to Athens in Week 3 to take on Georgia. If Rattler can play at the level he did at the end of the season, they will give anyone a run for their money, UNC included.
Washington vs. Boise State
The Chris Petersen Bowl is in full effect! These two teams have played each other 5 times previously and in all 5 of those games, underrated coach Chris Petersen was the Head Coach for all 5 (3 at Boise). If any game should have a made-up name for a head coach it’s this one (sorry Shula Bowl).
Boise St comes in with two major positives: they have the best field in college football (arguably) and they have 9 returning starters on offense. Those starters include QB Taylen Green and RB George Holani (both of whom are projected for 1st team MWC). After a 10-4 season that included a loss in the Mountain West Title game but a win in the Frisco Bowl, the Broncos are ready for another 10+ win season and the glory it entails. The defense does have a lot of holes however on both the defensive line and secondary only returning 3 starters. They start the season on the road and then the next week take on the new Big 12 team UCF at home, a rough start to the season but if they can power through the rest of the season should be smooth sailing.
Washington comes in the 2023 season highly touted, being ranked 10 in the AP (I have them at 8).
With many believing they have a Heisman candidate in QB Michael Penix Jr. and 6 other returning starters on the offense including all 3 WR he had so much success with last season. The Huskies ended last year on a 7 game-winning streak and boasted the 7th-ranked offense in the country based on points per game. Couple an elite offense with 7 returning starters on defense as well and they are an extremely formidable opponent for anyone. Boise St. shouldn’t be overlooked by any mean. But a win by Washington here can show they are for real this year and want the PAC-12 title for the first time since 2018.
Jake’s Picks
Florida State vs. LSU (in Orlando)
Last year, these two teams put on a classic. On Labor Day weekend, at the Superdome, Florida State escaped last year in one of the wildest endings you’ll ever see, with FSU blocking the PAT and winning 24-23.
What was first seen as an entertaining matchup between two traditional powers trying to find their way, turned into so much more.
LSU won the SEC West. Florida State won 10 games for the first time since 2016.
Neither team will surprise anyone this year. They are both ranked in the preseason top 10 (LSU 5th, FSU 8th). They both return star QB’s who enjoyed breakout seasons last year.
This game will be high-flying, FSU ranked 16th nationally in offense last year, but LSU was no slouch either. The problem with LSU’s offense was running the ball consistently. This got them into 3rd and long situations against good teams and their losses were games where they let the game get away from them and their style.
For this matchup, I think LSU can afford a loss to remain in the playoff conversation, but FSU needs a marquee win besides Clemson. Leaning FSU in what should be a classic.
Indiana vs. Ohio State
All eyes on Kyle McCord. Unfortunately, that’s the kind of pressure the young man will be under. Pressure is a privilege, but replacing a top 5 pick is never easy.
Luckily, he has the best WR tandem in college football. Marvin Harrison JR and Emeka Egbuka. Harrison is a legitimate Heisman candidate and if he wasn’t, Egbuka would be. They return Treyveon Henderson and a solid offensive line. The defense is reportedly more physical and places an emphasis on winning the trenches.
This team is built to win the national title. But currently, Michigan is built to beat them. If Ohio State and Ryan Day want to reach their ultimate goal? They will have to win in the trenches against Michigan, Penn State and Notre Dame.
Saturday starts the most interesting campaign in Ryan Day’s coaching career. The competition around him in the East is as tough as ever. PSU and Michigan both have highly touted QB’s. (Penn State took Allar right from under Day’s nose in Ohio.).
If Kyle McCord can keep the machine rolling at Indiana, Buckeye fans will breathe a sigh of relief. Until then though..
TCU vs. Colorado
TOO LEGIT. TOO LEGIT TO QUIT.
I’m sure you’ve all seen the commercial 367,652 times already.
Coach Prime debuts at Colorado with a huge test, traveling to National runner-up TCU for his first game. Colorado brought in over 50 new players, an insane standard that is now possible through the new transfer rules.
Last year, this team was 1-11. How much can you really improve in 1 year? There’s no question that Colorado is more talented than last year, but will it manifest in wins? The last year of the PAC-12 as we know it is going to be a war zone. Especially in the middle class. Can Colorado hang with those teams? I think 6 wins would be a huge success and a great target to hit.
Last year, Sonny Dykes did just that and some. In year 1, he followed legendary coach Gary Patterson. TCU went 12-0 in the regular season before losing in the Big 12 title game. They throttled Michigan before running into the Evil Empire in Athens.
They had a strong recruiting and transfer offseason but only returned 10 starters (3 on offense, 7 on defense). Is TCU now a perennial power? Or was last year the perfect storm? We’ll learn a lot about Sonny Dykes’ program in year two when it’s most of his guys in the system for the first time.
Can Dykes replicate TCU’s first-year success? Can Sanders replicate Dykes’ first-year success?
What a game to kick off the first full Saturday slate.
We. Can’t. Wait.