Week One: The Week of Giants

Before I get into this Saturday’s picks, let me just say-I think this is the best full-opening weekend of college football in the last 20 years. The Big-12, SEC, ACC, and PAC-12 have huge games today, all of which are in the spotlight. My friends, parents, girlfriend, and roommate are all out of town for the weekend, meaning that I’ll be glued to my flatscreen.

It’s very seldom that the best two teams in the country face off the first week of the season; this game will shake the CFP system like no game before. I believe it takes a team 3-4 games to reach their full potential, and I’m nervous for Clemson today. Uiagalelei steps into big shoes following Lawrence, but Lawrence stepped into big shoes following Watson. I don’t sway on Clemson’s D, but anticipate a strong offense as long as the new right tackle can keep Uiagalelei safe.

Before we move to discussing Kirby’s team, I need to recognize that UGA is the only team I’ve always hated with a passion. Okay. I said it.

UGA has been plagued with injuries and lost some strong starters moving into 2021, leading me to question their ability to cover Clemson’s down-range threats. The UGA offense holds potential with fresh receivers and an eager tight-end in Washington to shake up the secondary’s schematics. But is that eager posture enough to make a stake early in the season?

If Clemson’s offensive line gives Uiagalelei early confidence, Georgia’s secondary won’t recover in time, even if UGA is able to score late.

I take Clemson -3.

I really hope that LSU can win this one. I don’t think they will, though.

LSU has many factors against them: the 2020 season (35 points allowed average), opening at UCLA, still feeling the growing pains of 2019 NFL exodus, and new coaching staff. Too many question marks for LSU to overcome. If they open the game with mistakes and poor defense, they slip quickly.

Pair this with UCLA eager to make a statement, especially Thompson-Robinson following last week’s blowout. Sure, LSU is an SEC team and carries a thicker reputation, but I don’t see it being a blowout by any means.

I pick UCLA -2.5.

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