Week 1: On the Road Again

Yes, it sucks to start the season on the road, but just be thankful Kevin Wilson's reunion tour with the Scarlet and Gray isn't kicking off with one of those neutral-site abominations plaguing the remainder of the sport this week.

Michigan Wolverines vs. Florida Gators
Draper: Well, this game is my personal hell.  No clue what to expect here.  Michigan came out firing on all cylinders last year but all those studs are in the NFL now.  I truly believe they are supremely overrated....but...Florida seems to be the definition of mediocrity this year (and the recent past).  I don't think the Wolverines can make a statement for the CFP this year, they do have a returning QB who was pretty good last year and a coach that just seems to get results (maybe because his players are scared he'll eat them).  I'll lean Michigan just barely as their uniforms blind the Gators. UM: 24--UF: 20
Hoying: I wish I could write something intelligent about this game but Michigan refuses to release their roster and Florida won't name a starting QB. So I'll have to say something mindless instead. Did you see those new uniforms that the Maize and...well, Maize are wearing this Saturday? On the positive side, I don't think they'll burn out my eyes like UM's awful yellow-on-yellow b-ball jerseys, but this one's going to be ugly. And it could be a blowout, too. UM: 20--UF: 10
Schweinfurth: The headline for this game should be "Have you seen what TTUN is wearing?" This could be one of the worst uniforms ever (and I bet they break them out against the Buckeyes too). I really don't know what to expect from either team. Florida is suspending everyone and TTUN lost a ton of talent last year. Don't let Harbooger fool you, Speight will start and lead the offense to a one score win, making TTUN even more overrated than they already are. UM: 21--UF: 17
Seeberg:  Ugh, this is the college football equivalent of the Mayweather-McGregor fight where I hoped the pay-per-view cut out completely and both guys lost because neither got paid (admit it, you would've laughed your arse off if that happened).  At any rate, TTUN rolls their uniforms in cat urine and trots down south to take on the Gators.  I don't expect it to be a particularly pretty matchup as the Wolverines are replacing about as many starters as OSU was last year while Florida is, well, Florida:  Very good defense, middling offense, expectations always just a notch or two above any realistic outcomes.  Malik Zaire actually gives them a credible QB threat...if he starts over highly touted freshman Feleipe Franks.  Either way there won't be a lot of points, which is just how both teams prefer it.  In crunch time, I have to go with a proven commodity at QB and Speight makes just enough plays to, sadly, pull it out for the maize and more maize.  UM: 20--UF: 16

Florida State Seminoles vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Draper: Bama has been starting with a big boy for the past few years (USC, PSU, etc.), but this is a real challenge.  The Noles are primed to make a run this year, but it can come crashing down (sort of) in week 1.  Honestly, this game is a perfect scenario for both teams.  The winner vaults to number 1 and is a prohibitive favorite for the playoff and the loser...is still right there in the running.  I wonder what kind of strides DeAndre Francois and the Noles have made this offseason.  Beating last year's UM team in the Orange Bowl was a nice feather in their cap, but Bama is a juggernaut that seems to be unstoppable (unless your name is Dabo).  Definitely a little heart in this pick, but I'll call for the upset.  Bama is a factory, but they have to run a little lower on talent when their roster is playing on Sundays, right...RIGHT!?!  Either way, I just hope it's not the traditional early season stomp by the Tide.  Go Noles! FSU: 31--Bama: 27
Hoying: The other day, I was listening to the good people at 97.1 The Fan try to list their top coaches of college football today. After the obvious top two (Nick and Urban), they filled out the second tier with Chris Petersen and Dabo Swinney, notably placing Jimbo Fisher somewhere down the line. It's hard to argue with recent results, with Clemson going to 2 straight national championships and claiming a win over Alabama. Florida State now has a golden opportunity to make a statement and regain their status as standard-bearer for the ACC. Can they do it? Probably not. Alabama has shown no signs of slowing down, they excel on the big stage, and they are pissed after gagging away a possible second straight national title. Florida State has lost the bulk of their receiving corps and their dynamic running back, Dalvin Cook. The good news for the Noles is that nobody on the committee will hold this loss against them (just don't get wrecked by 46 like USC did last year). FSU: 24--Bama: 31
Schweinfurth: Oh look, Bama playing a marquee matchup at a neutral site. Heaven forbid Saban actually has to play on someone else's home field. DeAndre Francois looked like a solid first year QB last season. Jalen Hurts on the other hand looked like a dynamic runner but throwing the ball was an issue. Yes, 'Bama reload every year, blah blah blah. So do the 'Noles. I'm excited for this game as it should be much better then the last few kickoff games. I got the 'Noles giving Saban two (!) losses in a row. FSU: 27--Bama: 24
Seeberg:  Make no mistake about this game kids, Alabama is the better football team.  There is a caveat, however.  Both have sophomore star-in-the-making QBs hoping to take a big leap forward this season.  Both lost a truckload of talent to the NFL.  However, Jalen Hurts is the less-skilled of the two QBs and he is forced to learn a new, NFL-complicated offense.  If this game were in about week 6 or later, it would be at least a two-possession win for the Tide, but right now, JUST right now, I trust the Seminoles a tad more.  FSU: 27--Bama: 20

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies
Draper:  And now we come to the 'oh yeah, there's other games happening' portion. The crazy coach often comes out the victor Harbaugh, Saban, Fisher, Dabo, etc. and they don't get much crazier that Dana Holgorson.  West Virginia will come out trying to drop a hundo but the lunch pail defense will prevent that....but not enough to win.  Burn those couches as WVU gets an early jump on that 8-4 record (don't worry Hokies, you'll get there too)  WVU: 48--VT: 38
Hoying: Is it mid-October yet? No? Then I don't see West Virginia's annual slide starting anytime soon. WVU: 44--VT: 31
Schweinfurth: I don't know what to think of this game. I saw some pundits picking Virginia Tech as a sleeper (sounds like basketball). Bud Foster can give teams nightmares but I don't think VaTech has the offense to keep up. WVU: 45--VT: 35
Seeberg:  Despite Bud Foster still being at the defensive helm for the Hokies, this isn't your older brother's Frank Beamer Va Tech team.  They can score it, and score it relatively often.  Unfortunately, recruiting is down in Blacksburg and Foster isn't getting the premium talent he had during Beamer Ball's heyday.  Meanwhile, West Virginia is getting offensive talent from everywhere...and scoring was never really an issue there anyhow.  Expect the antithesis of the UM-Fla game (read:  actually fun to watch) with the Mountaineers pulling away late.  WVU: 48--VT: 33

THE Ohio State Buckeyes @ Indiana Hoosiers
Draper: I'm really excited about this year's Buckeye squad, particularly under center.  I truly believe that having actual live QB Coaches and offensive coordinators will do wonders for JT. The Hoosiers simply won't be the same with one of their more successful coaches of the past 20 years now championing the OSU offense.  The speed offense and short passing game is what JT's (and quite frankly, Urban's) offense is designed for, and Kevin Wilson runs it extremely well. Here's hoping Ryan Day improved JT's mechanics and we should see fireworks.  Let's not forget how studly Mike Weber was last year not to mention some criminally under-utilized receiving corps talent.  While so far I've only mentioned offense, the defense (particularly the line) should be the bread and butter of this team.  Bosa, Hubbard, Sprinkle, Lewis, Jones, and Holmes will likely all be playing on Sundays in the near future.  The front seven is loaded but there are a few question marks in the secondary.  IU actual provides a really nice tune up for the Sooners.  I don't anticipate this to be close.  The Buckeyes are hungry after last year's embarrassment.  Time to suit up. OSU: 59--IU: 10
Hoying: So, what do you do if you're Indiana? What is there to do when your offensive wizard of a coach is chased out after restoring your program to a semblance of respectability? Come roaring back with a new defensive identity. Unfortunately, it probably won't matter when the team you're facing has picked up that offensive wizard to call plays for them. The Buckeye O, while more or less effective over the last two seasons, has slowed a bit since JT's sensational freshman campaign, and their championship chances will largely rest on his development over his final year under Coach Wilson's steady hand. Having some competent receivers might not be a bad idea, either. OSU: 52--IU: 24
Schweinfurth: So many questions coming into this game: What will the offense look like? Can J.T. complete an intermediate pass? Can the receivers get open down field? What will the secondary look like? Can a Buckeye kicker make a damn field goal? Will there be a kickoff out of bounds in this game? (The answer to the last one is yes). The addition of Kevin Wilson and Ryan Day to the offensive staff can't be overlooked. It's been 2 years since J.T. had an actual QB coach and his mechanics and reads should be much better. I am worried about rotating 6 receivers. It almost sounds like the coaching staff is saying, "We don't know who is going to step up so everyone plays." The D-line play will be fun to watch. Schiano changed up the defensive front a bit so expect more sacks and domination up front. Ohio State will win this game, but we really need some of those questions answered.  OSU: 49--IU: 28
Seeberg:  Okay, I saved the jubilation for here, but COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS (INSERT FAVORITE EXPLETIVE OR STRING OF EXPLETIVES HERE) BACK!!!  Despite the name on the opponent's jersey (and the laughable resume that accompanies it) this is quite the intriguing matchup.  The Hoosiers offense has given the Buckeyes fits in recent years, keeping games close despite a wide talent disparity between the two programs except, somehow, at running back where Hoosier alum Tevin Coleman is currently running amok in the NFL akin to Zeke.  However, the alleged mastermind of said offense now works for the scarlet and gray.  Oops.  Yes the Buckeyes have a lot of weaknesses, like a secondary made up of...yeah, if you're reading this you don't know either.  But the front 4/6/19 studs that rotate in and out will wreak havoc upon opposing QBs so even if receivers are getting open they won't have the time to find them.  I expect a bit of rust, a bit of adrenaline, and, most importantly, a dominant OL and DL.  With those two pieces, everything else has a way of *cough 2014 cough* falling into place.  Enjoy everyone, Buckeye football is upon us again!  OSU: 45--IU: 17

Upset Special
Draper: App State over Georgia
Hoying: Rutgers over Washington
Schweinfurth: Georgia Tech over Tenn
Seeberg:  Youngstown State over Pitt