Clay’s Week 1 CFB Picks
Ahhh, Week 0. What a tease you are. You get this feeling that football is back, and then you realize that you are in the 2nd quarter of Nevada and SMU without one ounce of caring. Football is back! But it feels like it matters very little outside of the marquee game. The beautiful dynamic of week 0.
But Week 1? Week 1 is Christmas. With a Full slate Thursday through Monday, it is just game after game after game. The amount of action kills potential boredom, and the stakes feel bigger. Even Gameday feels different. I can't lie; I cry every year because the long break is over, and my favorite sport is back.
Not to mention, I want to throw up because of my nerves about the Notre Dame game.
With that in mind, Katie always puts me in a pickem pool with her work. I have yet to figure out if I am great at these or absolutely garbage. But is anyone? Not really.
So here we go. Here are my picks all year long.
Clemson vs. Georgia (-13.5), Saturday, noon, ABC
Everything in my soul tells me not to be an idiot and just pick Georgia. Previously, every year, there was a "big" matchup vs. Saban's Bama, and Bama would just MURDER teams like USC. Georgia is lined up to be that for a long time.
But Clemson is close to Atlanta, so the crowd should be fairly split. Clemson is as solid as they come, and can Klubnik make the leap? People doubt Cade Klubnik, but there's no reason he can't take a step. If Bo Nix can grow into an NFL starter, then Klubnik can't score just enough to cover.
Pick: Clemson +13.5
Penn State (-8.5) at West Virginia, noon, Fox
I was really, really out on West Virginia last year. They turned it around and surprised everyone. I was really in on Penn State until Friday. Then, I saw the crowd at the Pat McAfee show. Boy, oh boy, is Morgantown going to be rocking. The moxy of Garrett Greene splashed with the rebirth of Neal Brown will lead to a massive upset in week one.
Pick: West Virginia +8.5
Miami (-2.5) at Florida, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Mario Cristobal might be a terrible coach, but he is one incredible gatherer of talent. This Miami team has been setting itself up as an ACC contender for years on talent alone. Ironically, this is what the story of Miami has been forever - loads of talent with no substance. This year, though? In a messed up, wacky ACC? It's going to play great. The swamp will be a madhouse, it will be a million degrees, and Florida is still Florida. But guess what? Florida is Florida. Something isn't clicking with Napier. I can't figure it out. That's to Miami's advantage.
Pick: Miami -2.5
Notre Dame at Texas A&M (-3), 7:30 p.m., ABC
Here is a list of 10 things I hate about this game as a Notre Dame fan.
A&M fans are calling Notre Dame overrated. You have done nothing ever.
Mike Elko is an excellent coach.
Gameday is rowdying up an already rowdy group with Johnny Manziel.
Kyle Field at Night Time.
Notre Dame has 6 total starts on the offensive line.
Notre Dame is starting a true freshman offensive tackle.
My questioning of if Riley Leonard is THAT good.
This game can define the entire season for Notre Dame.
This game can (and shouldn't, to be clear) define how fans feel about Marcus Freeman.
The weird A&M yell leaders. It works, but I don’t get it.
All that being said, you already know my pick.
Pick: Notre Dame +3
Fresno State at Michigan (-21), 7:30 p.m., NBC
It's unbelievable that Michigan has as little hype as it does. Yes, they lost a ton of talent, Harbaugh, and Stallions.
But they are still a dang good football program. They should have the talent to shove it down Fresno State's throat for 4 quarters. My only concern about this pick is that if Michigan starts slow and they play slow, 21 CAN be a significant number.
Pick: Michigan -21
LSU (-4.5) vs. USC, Sunday, 7:30 p.m., ABC
I don't know if there could be a less-likable Sunday Night Matchup for Notre Dame Fans: Brian Kelly vs. USC. Barf. I'm expecting a shootout, and you always take the points in a shootout.
Pick: USC +4.5
Boston College at Florida State (-16.5)
I am fascinated by this matchup. Boston College has a very athletic quarterback with a good playcaller as the Head Coach. They are going to be an absolute pain in the butt to play each week. That being said, Florida needs to turn this thing around. In the modern era, you can start 0-1 but not 0-2. With that in mind, Florida State should make a statement in this game. Make people think last week was an Ireland fluke, not an accurate indicator of who you are as a team.
Man, I can't wait to watch the ball.