We’ve finally made it.
Thank goodness for the Olympics this summer, because it would have been a tough month and a half after the international soccer tournaments without the Games. If you’re like me, the TV hasn’t been turned on much over the past two weeks.
The beginning of the college football season is here, though, and the TVs must come back on! It’s a blank slate (for most everyone except Florida State fans) and the dream of your program making it to surprising, expected or entirely new heights is still alive.
In Around The Corn’s world, this also means a reset of the annual head-to-head pick‘em game with our loyal readers. As a new wrinkle for this season, I’ll keep track of records straight up and against the spread established.
To kick off the season, my buddy Matt will try to get the guests off to a solid start. For the remainder of this article, we’ll refer to match affectionately as “Younger”.
The current records won’t look this clean again in 2024:
K. Becks – 0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS
Guests – 0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS
Let’s dive right into the slate of games for Week 1.
5 Games You Need to Watch This Weekend
#14 Clemson vs. #1 Georgia [game in Atlanta] (Saturday, 12 PM ET – ABC)
The Tigers and Bulldogs know a little something about facing off in a season opener, having done so at a neutral venue in 2021. Overall the game was ugly, with neither team looking totally like what people had expected and a total of 13 points being scored. While we can all agree that it will be hard to do worse than that, the Bulldogs do come into this game a double-digit favorite, suggesting it might not be the instant classic we hope it will be.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klunbik took the starting job from DJ Uiagalelei (the Tigers’ starter in the 2021 edition of this matchup) and unlike Georgia’s starter J.T. Daniels at the time, current signal-caller Carson Beck has never transferred and is a legitimate Heisman threat. I expect more points this time around, but Clemson’s defense is good enough to narrowly prevent the Bulldogs from covering.
My Pick: 31-20 Georgia (does not cover -11.5 spread)
Younger’s Take: Georgia has that dawg in them. I don’t see them losing to a team like Clemson, especially Week 1 in their home state. Carson Beck is one of the best, if not the best, QBs in college football right now. I expect him to have a big day. Clemson 21 – Georgia 42
#19 Miami (FL) at Florida (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET – ABC)
If you’ve read my ACC preview, you know how high I am on the Hurricanes this season. But a road battle against an in-state rival is never an easy way to start a campaign. Interestingly, in games against Florida in which Miami has been ranked, it has won every one of them dating back to 1984 (seven such occurrences). While the Hurricanes appear to have a strong squad capable of making noise both in the ACC and nationally, Billy Napier begins the season squarely on the hot seat and I think he’s a good enough coach to make the decision for Florida’s administration difficult.
Generally speaking there isn’t as much concern about Florida’s offense as there is about the defense, which struggled to stop teams in 2023. While I don’t agree with the assessment of the offense entirely (not much faith from my side in Graham Mertz), I agree that it is the defense, particularly the secondary, that will need to perform much better than last season to win this game. Because I won’t believe until I see, the Hurricanes get the nod here in what is a surprisingly close spread.
My Pick: 26-17 Miami (FL) (covers -2 spread)
Younger’s Take: It’s that time of year again. The Hurricanes are overrated and they know it. Expect Florida to defend home grass and squash the Hurricanes. Folks, this one could be ugly on the eyes. Miami (FL) 17 – Florida 21
#7 Notre Dame at #20 Texas A&M (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET – ABC)
Although it was with a different program, Aggies head coach Mike Elko is quite familiar with this Fighting Irish team, taking Notre Dame to the brink of defeat with Duke last season before a late touchdown saved Marcus Freeman’s squad. The familiarity continues with the fact that Elko’s quarterback at Duke, Riley Leonard, is now starting for Notre Dame. This interesting wrinkle is likely contributing to the current line almost as much as the contest being played in College Station.
I was impressed with Elko at Duke and think he is the right man for the head coaching job at Texas A&M (was DC here a few years back), but Notre Dame should be very disciplined defensively and it will be interesting to see how much success Connor Weigman has against them. While Elko may know how to contain Leonard better than anyone else the Fighting Irish will face this season, Notre Dame is just a bit more talented and will come away with a well-earned road victory.
My Pick: 28-24 Notre Dame (covers +3 spread)
Younger’s Take: Notre Dame usually plays well against teams they matchup evenly with regarding talent and program status. ND will be a fringe Playoff team this year and I expect them to sneak in around the No. 8-10 seed. Texas A&M hasn’t really impressed me since the Johnny Football days. I think the Irish win one late and hit a game winning field goal. The Catholics will go to church happy on Sunday. Notre Dame 24 – Texas A&M 21
#23 Southern Cal vs. #13 LSU [game in Las Vegas] (Sunday, 7:30 PM ET – ABC)
Sunday’s only game is a good one, featuring two of college football’s best and most recognized brands and head coaches. Neither Southern Cal nor LSU had quite the season that it wanted in 2023, but this game serves as a barometer for which team (possibly both) appears to be a true Playoff contender.
The Tigers were uncharacteristically poor defensively last season but worked to resolve that by revamping the coaching staff on that side of the ball. We’ll get a quick reading on whether it paid off, as Southern Cal should maintain its normal potency under Lincoln Riley. New starting quarterback Miller Moss isn’t quite Caleb Williams, but he’s certainly no scrub, either, proving that in last year’s bowl game (six passing touchdowns). This will be a fun one but I do believe in the administrative capabilities of Brian Kelly and think the defense will be good enough to slow down the Trojans enough to win this game.
My Pick: 30-24 LSU (-6 spread pushed)
Younger’s Take: High scoring, explosive plays. Similar to 10 AM Sunday morning after having White Castle sliders the night before. USC 31 – LSU 34
Boston College at #10 Florida State (Monday, 7:30 PM ET – ESPN)
The Seminoles, currently bottom of the ACC at the time of this article’s publishing, will look to avoid making it an improbable 0-2 start and a nearly sure bet that Florida State won’t be making the Playoff. If you had asked me a week ago, I’d tell you that Boston College would’ve had a better shot at upsetting Florida State than Georgia Tech, but now I’m not so confident in the Eagles. Mike Norvell’s team is embarrassed, angry and playing at home.
Thomas Castellanos is one of the most dangerous runners in the country as a quarterback, and the Seminoles were gashed for 190 yards on the ground last weekend. Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King was responsible for 64 of those yards, so the blueprint is there and seems to be a fit for what Boston College can do. My concern is that Florida State has had a week to prepare, isn’t playing its first game and will not be overestimating any teams in the ACC for the rest of the season.
My Pick: 37-20 Florida State (does not cover -22 spread)
Younger’s Take: I’m not sure why this game is even on the lineup for games of the week. FSU bounces back but the ACC leaves much to be desired. BC 10 – Florida State 31
5 Games to Keep an Eye On This Weekend
#8 Penn State at West Virginia (Saturday, 12 PM ET – FOX)
This rivalry was renewed after a nearly 31-year hiatus in 2023, but it didn’t resume the way that West Virginia had hoped, with Penn State whooping the Mountaineers 38-15 in Happy Valley. West Virginia gets a chance to exact revenge in Morgantown, but still come in as double-digit dogs.
Akron at #2 Ohio State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET – CBS)
Younger begged me to make this a Game to Watch, but there a limits to my appetite for insanity. The best part of this game, for the Buckeye faithful still watching and primarily for educational purposes, will be to see how the quarterbacks further down the depth chart fare after Howard is pulled.
That being said, a few more words from the Akron alum himself:
Younger’s Take: Akron brings in experience as they roll into the Horseshoe with seniors and a well-seasoned coaching staff. As everyone knows, Archie Griffin will “dot the I” before the game. There is a reason he chose this special in-state matchup to do the honors. Did you know that the last team located in Ohio to defeat the Buckeyes was Akron (back then, in 1911, they were called Butchel College)? Everyone is asking the same question: “who will win?” The answer to that question depends on what you value; whether it be experienced players, or young talent. I believe Akron pulls this one out like they did in 1911. Ohio state fans leave the stadium disappointed, but can’t help to be optimistic as Will Howard shows signs of promise.
Akron 31 OSU 27
Miami (OH) at Northwestern (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET – Big Ten Network)
The Wildcats kick off the year at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, a capacity 12,000 facility that will host some of the team’s home games this season while Ryan Field is being renovated. While the easy joke is that 12,000 seats should be more than enough to welcome fans interested in this one, Miami is a MAC title contender and Northwestern could be one of the most slept on programs in the country for a second straight season.
Boise State at Georgia Southern (Saturday, 4 PM ET – ESPNU)
The Broncos kick off their 2024 campaign, one in which they feel a Playoff spot is within reach, with a tricky matchup against the Eagles in sweltering Statesboro, Georgia. We’ll find out quickly just how good the Boise State offense is with the new quarterback situation.
Fresno State at #9 Michigan (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET – NBC)
Michigan begins its title defense against Fresno State, which will test the Wolverines more than people think. A three touchdown spread feels a little long here, but if the Bulldogs are stifled offensively then Michigan might be better than I think.
