We often hear of the Blue Blood programs when it comes to college basketball, but not so much with college football even though there clearly is a hierarchy in the sport. Below are the CFB Blue Bloods according to us (not in any particular order):
Florida at 14 Utah
Utah is simply a better team than Florida. Utah showed their depth with two backup QBs playing well for them and a defense that shut Florida down.
Florida just made too many mistakes and needs to be more disciplined. False starts, bad punts, having two guys with the same number on the field, fielding punts backwards inside the 5. You name something dumb and Florida probably did it. And their mistakes kept coming at crucial times and ultimately sank them.
17 TCU vs. Colorado
I was flat out wrong about Colorado. They completely matched up with TCU and had way more chemistry than I thought they would. I still think they are overhyped, but look to be better than I expected.
Colorado’s Travis Hunter is the real deal. First time I’ve seen him play and he looks like he could play in the NFL on either side of the ball. They just need to ensure they don’t play him too much and run him into the ground.
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders also looked much better than I thought he would. Threw a great deep ball and would’ve had even better numbers if not for a couple drops.
Colorado RB Dylan Edwards can absolutely fly. It looks he’ll be a great weapon for Coach Prime for years to come.
South Carolina vs. 21 North Carolina
UNC’s defense stepped up big time and shut down a great USC offense. Their pass rush and run defense was exceptional and if they can keep playing this way, UNC has a shot to win the ACC.
UNC QB Drake Maye had a solid start to the year. He wasn’t perfect, but one of his interceptions was not his fault and I think he’ll play much better for the remainder of the season.
This should be a rivalry game that’s played every year. The passion for the border war was great and the winner gets to say they’re the “real Carolina” for the year.
8 FSU vs. 5 LSU
Both teams clearly had jitters in their first game and got off to rocky starts. FSU shook them off and looked like a CFP team. LSU did not. The most surprising thing was how FSU completely bullied LSU and was way more physical than them.
FSU WR Keon Coleman is amazing. He carried FSU to victory and should be a first round pick next year.
Duke vs. 9 Clemson
Wow! The last game of the weekend produces the most shocking upset. Duke to its credit played clutch defense and scored when they needed to, but this game was not as lopsided as the score suggests.
Clemson is a better team than they showed, but they need to figure some things out. Their offense really had no spark and they completely failed to capitalize in the red zone.
Game Picks this week: 2-3 (4-3 overall)
Spread Picks this week: 3-2 (5-2)
O/U Picks this week: 2-3 (2-5)
Week 0 was a great warmup, but the big matchups start this week for college football.
14 Utah vs. Florida
This is a better Thursday Night Game than most of the NFL matchups last season. It was an exciting game last year and hopefully, this year will be the same. Florida has a great rushing attack, but I don’t think they’ll be able to go toe to toe with Utah, especially in Salt Lake City. Even with Cam Rising out, I see Utah winning, covering the spread (-4.5), and the over hitting (44).
17 TCU vs. Colorado
Coach Prime’s debut! I think Deion is a great coach and will eventually make Colorado a much better program. However, TCU comes into the game with more momentum from last year than CO and is just flat out better. I think TCU covers the spread (-20.5) and the over hits (59.5).
South Carolina vs. 21 North Carolina
If not for that big game on Sunday night, this would be the game of the weekend. A battle of the Carolinas. Drake Maye vs. Spencer Rattler. North Carolina comes in as the favorite and both teams are led by their great QB and offenses. A lot of people are picking USC to win, but I think UNC wins, covers the spread (-2.5), and the over (63.5) easily hits in what should be a shootout.
8 FSU vs. 5 LSU
GAME. OF. THE. WEEK. Two powerhouses on the rise with CFP hopes. Both teams return great quarterbacks and are loaded with talent. I give the edge to LSU to win and cover (-2.5) mainly due to having the better coach in Brian Kelly. I also think the under hits (57.5).
Duke vs. 9 Clemson
On paper, this may not look like a great game, but Duke won nine games last year and at least should put up a fight. This is the perfect opening game for Clemson as they play a respectable opponent, but one they should beat. I think Clemson wins but doesn’t cover the spread (-13) and the under (55.5) hits.
I always find it funny how big some spreads are in the first couple weeks of the CFB season when you have CFP contenders going against far inferior opponents. Biggest one I could find is Alabama -39.5 vs. Middle Tennessee which is equal to the smallest over/under: Northwestern vs. Rutgers 39.5. Would you bet on either of those games?
I admittedly know the NFL much better than CFB, so these predictions will not be as extensive or in depth as my NFL ones. But I got nothing to lose, so I mine as well make them:
1: Georgia Bulldogs
The back to back National Champions have a new QB and have lost a lot of talent the past two drafts. However, a cupcake schedule, amazing coach, and roster still loaded with talent warrants Georgia winning the SEC and being the top seed in the CFP again.
2: Ohio State
Ohio State will also have to break in a new QB but their coaching and offensive skill players are so good, I see them thriving regardless. We have seen them bring in a new QB countless times and not skip a beat.
3. Clemson
Dabo is still one of the best coaches in all of college football and Cade Klubnik has the chance to be really special for the Tigers. Combining that with a relatively easy schedule and motivation from not making the past two CFP, I see Clemson returning to the Playoff.
4: Michigan:
Unlike many other top programs, Michigan returns a proven starter at QB. They also have one of best running back duos in the country and still have a very physical O-line and defense.
#1 Georgia vs #4 Michigan
In a rematch of the Orange Bowl two seasons ago, I think Michigan finally matches up well with Georgia and gets by them this year.
#2 Ohio State vs #3 Clemson
Ohio State will simply be too explosive and too much for Clemson and will bulldoze its way into the CFP Championship game.
#2 Ohio State vs #4 Michigan
THE (championship) GAME! In an all-time CFP Final, Michigan gets revenge on Ohio State for beating them earlier in the year and gets their first National Title this century.
Drake Maye, QB North Carolina: There is no doubt Maye will put up numbers, but the big question surrounding him winning the award is if his team will win enough. I think they win 9 or 10 games against a pretty weak schedule and that combined with great statistics gives UNC their first ever Heisman winner.
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