“Every day is a gift. It’s just, does it have to be socks?”
— Anthony Soprano
College football’s existence isn’t enough. The bar should be higher, especially with increased attention on the lone weekend not shared with the NFL.
Instead, another dreadful slate of Week 1 games is upon us, with most teams carefully dipping their toes into the schedule. Yes, the season already technically began, but the aptly nicknamed Week Zero was pointless, providing one ugly game to watch (Miami-Florida) and one thrilling game no one was awake to watch (Arizona-Hawaii).
In this week’s lone matchup of ranked teams, No. 11 Oregon and No. 16 Auburn meet in Jerry World, with Justin Herbert hoping his decision to delay a multi-million dollar contract results in the Pac-12’s first playoff berth in three years.
The 6-foot-6, likely top-five pick looks the part of a franchise quarterback, but struggled at the end of last season and has routinely underwhelmed away from Eugene. Now, Herbert opens with his toughest challenge of the year, against arguably the best defensive line in the country — led by Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson and Nick Coe — and a secondary that returns all four starters.
Last year, as a fifth-place team in the SEC West, the Tigers opened with a win over eventual conference champion Washington. Auburn (-3½) is even better this year. The Pac-12 is not.
Ucla (+3) over CINCINNATI: In Chip Kelly’s second season at Oregon, he led the Ducks to the national championship game. Improved health and increased comfort should make for a better second year with the Bruins.
Georgia Tech (+37) over CLEMSON: Heisman front-runner Trevor Lawrence can’t make up for a Tigers defense decimated by the NFL draft. The rebuilt unit won’t be at its best for some time, and a remade Yellow Jackets offense will provide a few curveballs.
BYU (+6½) over Utah: The Pac-12 South favorites should win their ninth straight Holy War, but the Cougars will keep it close at home after blowing a 20-point lead last year.
Rice (+22) over ARMY: The 70 points in the Armed Forces Bowl don’t carry over. The Black Knights averaged under 30 points during the rest of their best season since 1996, and unusually high expectations won’t help this year.
Wisconsin (-12½) over SOUTH FLORIDA: The Badgers haven’t received much attention this summer, but the best running back in the country (Jonathan Taylor) will quickly change that.
UMass (+15½) over RUTGERS: Chris Ash’s need to hide the identity of his starting quarterback — against perhaps the worst team in the FBS — doesn’t inspire confidence.
OHIO STATE (-27½) over Florida Atlantic: What is the benefit of the Owls traveling to Columbus? “Money,” coach Lane Kiffin said this week. The memory of last season’s 63-14 Week 1 loss at Oklahoma hasn’t faded.
Ole Miss (+5½) over MEMPHIS: First one to 70 wins.
ALABAMA (-34½) over Duke: The Crimson Tide just lost standout linebacker Dylan Moses to a torn ACL — and have four key players serving a suspension — but the bench is deep, as always. Alabama routinely runs up the score in its first game of the season and will have substantial motivation after their championship embarrassment to Clemson.
Northwestern (+6) over STANFORD: Northwestern enters with eight straight road wins and now may put former five-star Clemson recruit Hunter Johnson under center.
Syracuse (-18½) over LIBERTY: The Flames will want to call for help. Hugh Freeze shouldn’t dial.
Boise State (+4½) over FLORIDA STATE: The pressure is on Florida State, coming off their first losing season since 1976. The likely rain in Jacksonville will slow down the speedy Seminoles, facing one of the most experienced and balanced defenses in the country.
LSU (-27½) over Georgia Southern: The wrinkle of the Eagles option offense won’t matter much against an elite, athletic defense, given too many weeks to prepare.
MICHIGAN (-34¹/₂) over Middle Tennessee: Jim Harbaugh may struggle to win the big games, but his team has defeated Group of Five programs by an average of more than 32 points. Now, Harbaugh has his most talented offense since coming home.
VANDERBILT (+21¹/₂) over Georgia: The only reason to take the Commodores is to fade the massive bandwagon betting on the Bulldogs. But it’s a great reason.
Louisiana Tech (+20½) over TEXAS: Tom Herman may be the best underdog in the sport, going 13-2-1 as a head coach. As a home favorite, he’s covered just six of 22 times. The Longhorns have been listening to their own hype for months, and focus won’t come any easier with a massive showdown against LSU next week.
USC (-13½) over Fresno State: USC can’t always underwhelm. The Bulldogs won a program-best 12 games last season, but the defending Mountain West champions return without nine offensive starters.
Houston (+23½) over OKLAHOMA: With Jalen Hurts taking over the most explosive offense in the country, Oklahoma could score 60 every week. So can Houston. Former West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen inherits a talented group led by senior D’Eriq King, a thrilling dual-threat quarterback, opening against last year’s last-ranked pass defense. Three years ago, Houston teased a playoff run with a season-opening upset of the Sooners.
LOUISVILLE (+19) over Notre Dame: En route to their first playoff appearance, the Irish won five games against unranked teams by 10 points or fewer. The Cardinals won’t approach an upset, but the program is in much better shape since Bobby Petrino was told to ride his motorcycle off into the sunset.
Best bets: Ohio State, Alabama, Houston
2014-18 record: 641-612-10
