College Football Week 1 2024 Picks & Predictions | NCAAF Week One Betting Tips

Intro [Music] hi everyone Mitch from pic dogs here with Chris and Ron it is week one of the 2024 college football season um you know we had week zero a lot of dogs coming in but we didn't do a show for then and I think you know just like anything else for me week one week two week three I mean these are all going to be tough ones for me but I'm going to do the best I can Chris welcome back for another season of college football here at pic dogs yeah definitely you know we didn't do the week zero sure like you said but you know still have uh plenty to talk about for week one the preparation that we had in the offseason finally going to come to uh come to pay off here so I'm excited to break it down with you guys this year Ron welcome back you know we had a good time last year certainly had a lot more traction than we did our first year we're hoping to get even more traction this year as we change format a little bit but I think you guys are going to really like it Ron what are you thinking for this year's college football season yeah we got a new look show but we also got a new look college football with the expanded playoff and of course all the conference realignments so it's going to be a new season here it's going to be exciting and I can't wait yep we got a lot to talk about today just keep in mind that I I debated going back and forth and maybe we'll change it in the coming weeks depending on what the schedules look like I debated doing two separate videos one of the weekday games and one of the weekend games especially this weekend where you have you know where it expands on but instead I just decided to do one video for the entire thing but remember we have timestamps in in the description just click on the time stamp if you if if you're watching it on a day and the games are already over and you don't want to watch what we had to say about it that's fine or if you want to just see a specific game just click on the time stamps and we'll do it and like I said it's just week one of the college football season we're open to suggestions if you have have any but the Minnesota vs North Carolina biggest suggestion let's win and let's get started let's head to our first game on the Slate and that is in Minnesota where the Minnesota Golden Gopher is hosting North Carolina in an Big 10 versus ACC matchup um at the time of shooting this video Minnesota a mild favorite here the total set at around in the 50 and a half range Chris what do you think of this one yeah you know I went back and forth on this one you know tricky matchup you know trying to see what's going to come out of North Carolina in year one without Drake may but you know Max Johnson not much of an upgrade if an upgrade at all Minnesota relied heavily on their defense last year but I do think they got a a big upgrade at quarterback with aan cmis transferring out and Max Broner coming in from New Hampshire I think they're going to be able to move the ball a lot easier this time around I think that Minnesota gets the job done I'm taking Minnesota at home in this one how about you Ron yeah yeah I think there's a lot of uncertainty in this game I I think that's why you see a pretty short spread there I I'm looking more towards the total I like the under you know I think Minnesota's offense is going to be improved I think especially at the quarterback position rosmer basically an FCS Heisman level quarterback last year we've seen guys step up from FCS to FBS and play just as well bayy zappy who got cut today is an example of that but uh I think Minnesota's going to focus on their ground game they have a good offensive line going into the Year good running back group North Carolina the qu the quarterback question marks are there I'm not really the biggest Max Johnson guy so I think both offenses kind of slow to start the season I like the under for me you know I just think what we have here are two um you know coaches that kind of have been there and done that and I think expect to see somewhat of a conservative game plan out of PJ Fleck is a clock milker as they say and I think he's going to try and shorten this game and with the new uh with the clock rules the way being the way they are I could see that you know Minnesota really shortening the game in this one I think Minnesota does have a big Edge at quarterback I don't think North Carolina has any drop off at all with Drake May and to Max Johnson and I have no high opinion whatsoever of Max Johnson a guy who just simply gets beat out at quarterback at every school he's ever been to North Carolina has a bit of a quarterback controversy in quandry there if you got three guys competing for one quarterback spot that means you have no good quarterbacks and I'll tell you I just think Minnesota getting points at home start the season probably where I want to be doesn't look like to be one of the strongest plays on the board for Colorado vs North Dakota State me but it's where my money's going to be at for this one next we head on out to Boulder Colorado where the Colorado Buffalo host North Dakota state of course Colorado last year um one of the big names in the early season making a lot of noise uh did not finish the season all that Strong coach Prime looking to uh sh up some of the areas where he was suffering and of course uh Sanders a Heisman quarterback at QB Chris um what do you think of this this one yeah the Buffs last year were all bark no bite and uh I think that's kind of what uh what Deion Sanders has done this year as well you know kind of put his foot in his mouth with this first matchup saying you need a win and you go out and schedule an FCS Powerhouse in North Dakota State that's won nine Titles since 2011 the Buffs can't move the football on the ground they only averaged 2.3 yards per carry last year and North Dakota State struggled against teams that ran the football well they have a great secondary get me wrong Colorado's going to be able to move the ball but I think North Dakota State can match him I think North Dakota state is live in this game I'm taking North Dakota state in the points with a sprinkle on the money line how about you Ron yeah I don't know how many times me and Chris are going to agree this season but this is one of those rare opportunities I like North Dakota State as well col I think I I completely agree with what he said you know Colorado had the big issues with the ground game with the offensive line they average just under 70 yards per game on the ground it's not going to get it done at any conference at any level in college football and while their offensive line looks to be improved it's still very inexperienced they have the big names they got Travis Hunter shador Sanders Co of course coach Prime but the lines are where I really have the issue with this team and I think North Dakota State they have been an FCS Powerhouse the last decade plus they can step up and play a team like Colorado I think it's going to be a close one and I would sprinkle on the Bison money line I'm with you guys on this one as well I like North Dakota State in this one I also think a legitimate shot on the money line and more probably I'm going to be primarily on this game I just think that Colorado a lot of pieces that have not really played together and the guys that did play together last year a lot of holes shador Sanders spent a lot of time on his back last year um when he dropped back to pass and you have a team like North Dakota state which comes from you know the lower division but has dominated there and has stepped up in these spots over the years I mean this is their chance at the big boys to say that they could play at this level and a lot of those players believing they could play at this level and a lot of these players from North Dakota State some of the best Spotlight that they're going to get on them when it comes to the NFL draft and of course the bis and the team that's put in plenty of players into the NFL as well I like North Dakota State in this one as well for our next Oklahoma vs Temple game we head to Norman Oklahoma where the Oklahoma Sooners take on Temple this is Friday night at 700 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Sooners a big favorite in this one over six touchdowns the total set at 59 so it's one of those things where it is really set up to be a onesided game Ron what are you thinking for this one yeah I think it's going to be a one-sided game and uh you know these big favorites in in early season college football have done pretty well both obviously straight up but against the spread as well and Oklahoma will they have as as much of a potent offense as last year probably not but I still think they do plenty of scoring in this game early and late Temple you know last year was a disaster for for him and that was with EJ Warner at quarterback who I thought I think he's a pretty good quarterback option now you lose him I think there's a ton of question marks at quarterback offensively in general I think your defense is you know just as weak as it was last year I think it's a one-sided blowout and I'll lay the points even though it's a ton of points I'll lay him with the Sooners I struggle to lay this many points especially early season in college football especially when we saw him week zero every single dog covered um in in week in week zero but it's also tough to go against against the Sooners at home especially with a lot to prove these are this is a team that traditionally loves to whoop it up on the little guys they don't always get a chance to do that and they have left themselves open to the back door cover it's probably going to take a shut out by Venable's defense to do it here but I could I do see where a possibility of a 56 52 nothing type game or even you know 52 to3 which also we get it done in this spot you know I just think the Sooners too much the owl's just too little not a game I love because I'm not gonna be laying 42 and a half points but uh you know I'll I'll have to roll with the Sooners Chris yeah I kind of think I'm in the same boat I don't love playing 42 and a half but I don't see any other way to go the owls had just five takeaways defensively last season so just to go to what Ron said that the defense is just abysmal for the owls and I think this is just one of those spots where you know the Sooners have one or two games in the non-conference every year where they just don't take their foot off gas and I think this is going to be sort of a uh a tuneup spot for Jackson to really get his feet wet and I just don't think the alows are going to have an answer here this is this like you said Mitch feels like one of those 59 nothing kind of games so I I'll reluctantly lay the points with Oklahoma here looks like we're all in agreement here on Oklahoma even though none of us really like laying this many points that's for sure next up we've got Michigan State Michigan State vs FAU hosting Florida Atlantic in this one Michigan State a pretty large favorite in this game despite really not having a lot of success in recent years Florida Atlantic we've seen them many times over in these Step Up spots in the early season most of the time they've gotten stepped on Chris what do you think in this one yeah I think this is a spot where FAU gets stepped on I think there's just too many question marks for me with FAU to think that they'll be able to compete here Michigan state starts the Jonathan Smith AA Smith coming over from Oregon State he's brought some pieces with him and this is kind of what Jonathan Smith has done he did it with Oregon state where took him from a one- win team to three straight bowl games over the last three years he takes a team that's in a little bit of flux and just you know makes chicken salad out of chicken you know what and I think that he does that here in the opener for Michigan State I think Sparty wins this one by 17 to 21 points I'm going to go with Michigan State in this one Ron yeah I I do agree with you on Michigan state but I also like the under I I just don't think that FAU does too much offensively here I think the Spartans defense is revamped uh cam faner now a quarterback for FAU really wasn't a great he was a quarterback at Marshall last year Marshall didn't have a great offensive season he wasn't his best I really think FAU is going to struggle to score any points in this one I'm going to take Michigan State and the under I'm going to roll with Florida Atlantic in this game I'm going to take the points Michigan State just has not had a lot of success in recent years and while it is important for them to get off to a hot start Flor Atlantic is really a building you know college in general in their athletic programs you know we've seen the owls in college basketball really take a step forward and we've seen them in college football in recent years have some pretty big head a bigname head coaches I'm not sure if they get across the Finish Line in this one but this is actually a easier spot than some of those big names they've taken on in recent years like Oklahoma I'm going to take Florida Atlantic I think they've been they've been waiting for a shot like this I think they'll have a shot to pull off the upset I'm not quite sure that they get there so we are in disagreement on this one as Ron and Chris both looking at uh at Michigan State I'm going to Wisconsin vs Western Michigan take a shot with the Florida Atlantic owls plus the two touchdowns next up we've got Wisconsin taking on Western Michigan and you know this is an interesting one for me because as a Miami fan you know Tyler van djk taking over as the Wisconsin quarterback Western Michigan returns a lot of starters from a team that didn't play very well last year but I'll tell you what I think that um you know Luke fickle what we've seen from him in in the Big 10 um as a big 10 coach he really hasn't been the the best you know we saw him at Ohio State as a as a um you know kind of a fill in when Jim Trestle was suspended and then we saw him we saw him here at Wisconsin and he was did not do such a great job there last year he you know once again transfer quarterback didn't really do it and I saw van dijk at Miami I have very little faith in him I think Western Michigan get goes in there and gives Wisconsin fits Wisconsin a team that generally struggles in the early season we saw Washington State go in there and bust them up a couple years ago wouldn't be surprised if Western Michigan gives them fits in this one Chris yeah I'm looking at the uh the under 57 in this one um I think this is going to be just a lower scoring game even if it's a beat down from Wisconsin or if uh if Western Michigan competes here I think it's just going to be low scoring that for me like you said there's question marks with Tyler van djk is he going to be able to produce for the Badgers the bronos you know they have Hayden wolf at quarterback he's always capable of you know keeping his team in the game but for me 57 just seems too high for this matchup I'm going to go with the under 57 in this one Ron yeah you know early season especially week one I'm not usually looking at too many Big Time upsets but for me if there was a big time upset in week one this is one I'm looking at I think there's value on the money line Western Michigan but I'm taking points just in case I just look at this Western Michigan team from a year ago very inexperienced a new coach at Lance Taylor they made so many mental mistakes early in the season we look at the game at Syracuse at Iowa they put up some yards they were able to move the ball but so many flags personal fouls turnovers dumb decisions hurt them and that's what happened the rest of the season now they're more experienced you get the second year of Taylor I like the running game with Buckley I think Wolf's a Sol a quarterback option I think that this offense is going to be a lot better I think the defense is going to be a lot better Wisconsin There's question marks there I'm not a fan of Van djk either quarterback I think it's going to be a lower scoring game and I think Western Michigan covers I'd sprinkle a little bit on that money line for a big time upset yeah we all know the Badgers once they get rolling downhill you don't want to be on the business end of that but I think if Western Michigan can make an early stand out there maybe force a turnover or two this game could get very interesting we close out Friday night Stanford vs TCU action as we head to poo Alto as the acc's newest member the Stanford Cardinal host the TCU horn frogs a year removed from playing in the national championship game you know you know this is uh a a different look of course last year in the early season it was sunny dyes horn frogs getting upset by Colorado have to see how they handle the opener this year Ron what do you what's your take here I think the TCU defense is a lot better I I could argue it's the best defense that Sunny Dykes has had going into this year so I I think we see a lower scoring game honestly total's really steep at 60 and you know we know Stanford's defense was miserable last year but I think it's also improved quite a bit they are more experienced defens ly I'm looking at the under right now not my favorite game on the board but I'll take a deeper look as the week goes on not my favorite game on the board yet either at this point but I'll tell you what it's not my least favorite either as I think the horn frogs are going to use the motivation of last year slip up against Colorado a game where they scored a ton of points I mean in hindsight in that game it really came down to uh you know one I think it was like a missed fourth down by them and a conversion by Colorado was really the difference in a game that was actually track me but it got a lot more notoriety because of the Colorado win of course this year the frogs on the road but one thing that we know about TCU these guys always quietly loaded with talent and putting together two bad you know years in a row or two bad starts in a row not something that they do and sunny dkes I mean this is a guy you know coached the teams of the national championship out of nowhere just a year ago I think Stanford will be improving a as time goes on I think it'll be interesting to see the way an ACC schedule works out for them playing a lot of games on the East Coast but um at right now for this one I like TCU I just think they're the more talented team I think they just have more Raw Talent than uh than Stanford does Chris yeah I'm going to go with the over here uh for me these are just two teams that were top 25 in Pace of play last year you know TCU obviously has the more talented team with Josh Hoover coming at quarterback you know they have a lot of returning pieces but Stanford they got Ashton Daniels back as well they have one of the best uh wide receivers in my opinion in the country in El Manor I think this is going to be a back and forth matchup at least for the first maybe quarter or so and then even if TCU pulls away and blows him out I still think this is going to be a high-scoring game I I got the over between TCU and Stanford Chris you don't have any concerns about the clock and like what we saw in week one you know with the unders and the way the clock moved in those games yeah I I still do have a little bit of concern I think taking overs I I rarely take overs to begin with but you know the the clock rules were the same last year and you know we still like I said saw these two teams that were very fast-paced last year a fast pace is what Troy Taylor did even with his time at Sacramento State Sunny dyes likes to push the pace as well so for me even with the clock rules I I still think that we're going to get some points this one just based on how many plays we see run I mean I could see it but the thing is you know having Stanford involved in a game that you're asking for just south of nine touchdowns just seems a pretty pretty steep ask in my book not willing to stick my neck out on the under but I'll criticize your overp pick that's how I roll anyways move on we move on and of course now it's my Georgia vs Clemson favorite day of the week during my favorite time of the year it is college football Saturday and we kick it off with a beauty from Atlanta where the Georgia Bulldogs take on the Clemson Tigers it is teams that have won a host of national championships over the last several years neither of these teams too shy in the trophy case department and of of course plenty of Heisman Trophies and all kinds of other good stuff going on in that trophy case as well Georgia Bulldogs of course did not make the college football playoff last year neither did Clemson it was a rare year for both of these teams to either or both get back and are they ready to roll Ron why don't you get us started yeah I think these are two programs that this season going be playing with a chip on their shoulder but I think especially Georgia I think Georgia talent-wise definitely deserve to be in the playoff resume wise maybe a different story but I me we saw in the bowl game you know 63-3 final score over Florida State I think George is the real deal this year now they have a lot of players that are either injured suspended there's some question marks there I still think they have enough to win this game going away I don't really trust Club Nick a quarterback I think Clemson's got its you know world renowned defense yet again this year but is it going to be enough for four quarters against Georgia I don't think so I'm going to lay the points with the Bulldogs Kirby Smart is a guy that you know really carries a chip on his shoulder at all times I mean remember the rant he went on after beating up on TCU about how they were disrespected all season long even though they were never really lower than number two in the polls the entire season um you know the thing is is that Clemson while dbos swinny isn't a big fan of the transfer portal he still is one of the top Recruiters in the game and they do have a lot of Talent on this team and kumnick he was a top tier talent coming into Clemson as well when he first came in and you know maybe it takes him a couple years to get things moving I think that Georgia does have the edge here I think they're going to have somewhat of a of a home field advantage even though the game is considered a neutral sight but I do think that Clemson has the talent to surprise some people and hang with them and these are the games in college football that end up being just a little tighter than everybody thinks and they make him exciting of course I said the same thing about Oregon before when they played Georg and Georgia absolutely I think they just scored again on them but uh yeah I'm going to roll I'm going to roll with Clemson in this one I'm going to take that healthy 133 points Chris yeah I'm going to roll with Georgia here I I'm I'm taking a believe it when I see it approach with Kade Club Nick I had Clemson in the opener last year against Duke and they laid an egg and now you got Georgia think you guys were saying with a chip on their shoulder you know coming in with some uh with with some fight and I think that I just don't know if uh Clemson for me is going to be able to match him for a full 60 minutes I think it's just one of those games where I think it's going to be competitive early I think you're going to see a couple shots traded back and forth but a couple key turnovers late uh just has Georgia pulling away I think they win this one by two touchdowns maybe 17 like a 3821 kind of game so give me H Georgia here laying the two touchdowns I just think Clemson across the board getting the short end of the stick for most people there I mean this is a team that puts a lot of players in the NFL a lot of first round Talent into the NFL and I think I think they're going to surprise some people I think the game's going to be hard-hitting and competitive a lot better game than most people think but uh definitely great way to start a Vanderbilt vs Virginia Tech the first real college football Saturday of the season next up we head to Vandy where the Vanderbilt commodor try and make a statement as part of the SEC up against Virginia Tech from the ACC you know the the SEC always claims dominance but you know when you add up you know who won the conference games this one's going to count just as much as that Georgia uh Clemson matchup in an ACC DC matchup Chris I mean does uh does Vandy make a move forward this year I mean that's what it's really going to take yeah I think they do um I don't know if it's going to be in week one I do lean towards Virginia Tech but I really like the over here um you know Virginia Tech put up some points in the in the Military Bowl last year Chiron drones back at quarterback I want to see him increase that completion percentage but he can move the ball on the ground he's you know able to put up touchdowns and bunches but Vandy got Diego pavilla from New Mexico State dual thread himself he was really exciting for the agies last year Tim Beck coming over from New Mexico State as well so I think vandy's going to be a little bit more exciting this year I think we're going to get some points in bunches in the uh in the opener even if one side were to pull away over the course of the second half I still think we're getting a high scoring game so I'm going to take the over lean towards virgin Tech as well Ron yeah this is a game where if I were taking Vanderbilt I would look in the first half of the game I think by the end of it though by four quarters I think Virginia Tech is just going to be too much on both sides of the ball especially offensively I think they have the better quarterback play skill position players offensively and I I could see an over but I just think by the end of this game hoky find a couple of touchdowns late to dress it up and cover the number I like Virginia Tech as well I think with Vandy I think I agree with you guys I think they're going to be an improved team they're going to be a better team and of course they're they're an SEC team but at the same it's still Vandy and I think you know 13 is a big number to be laying this early in the season on the road for a team like Virginia Tech who hasn't necessarily stood up to the um you know to where we're used to them seeing them and maybe part of it is that we're still remembering Frank Beamer you know coaching this team who was you know quietly one of the greatest college football coaches of all time but like Chris said in the military bow we saw Virginia Tech and the team that they could possibly be I don't think it's going to take much more that to blow Vandy out of the building in this one Vandy seems to find a lot of problems early in the season almost every single year I think they they find those problems again this year so you know in another ACC SEC matchup um you know should be a fun day at the office to get things started if you're watching on multiple TVs like I am I'm sure you'll have this one on next up we head to a West Virginia vs Penn State regional rivalry game and this one should be a doozy Big 10 versus Big 12 matchup as Westford Virginia host Penn State boy I've been to West Virginia for a few games I could only hope well they matured as a community at least that's for the Penn State fans I think the West Virginia fans wouldn't want it any other way Ron this should be a beauty this should be a great game and you know Penn State this is a team that last year when it was put to the test it folded in a lot of these stepup games I mean what was their most impressive win last year at Maryland in a blowout but when they played Ohio State when they played Michigan when they played Miss they lost and I think you land this many points against the West Virginia team that was solid last year offensively ran the football really well had some of the best offensive line play in all college football I like gar green a quarterback this is just too many points for me I think West Virginia is a live dog I'm with you on that one I think West Virginia is a live dog for the outright at home and I think that Penn State does come in overrated I think what we saw last year from Penn State at least early in the season as they were starting to build up and build and the hype train started get you know all aboard on the hype train I think what happened was is we saw a lot of Penn State touchdowns in the last minute of a game to cover the spread to get a few of us out there pretty excited I happen to be on the right side of a few of them but I felt bad most of the game like I had picked the wrong team and I'll tell you what laying this many points on the road to start the season more than a touchdown at a West Virginia team which is I think a little bit too underrated in the Penn State team a little bit too overrated I'm going to roll with the points with West Virginia I'm with Ron though uh it's not going to take much to get me onto the money line Chris yeah I'm with you guys sweep it uh I'm taking West Virginia the points as well put a little bit on the money line I think West Virginia is really live here I think Drew Aller is going to get better with every rep he takes but the Mountaineers I think they got revenge on the brain after they were blown out by Penn State last year and this is a team that just got better as the season progressed and especially down the stretch they whooped up on North Carolina in the bowl game I like this West Virginia team normally you see teams that like West Virginia that overachieve and kind of become the public darling I think they're still getting disrespected I think Penn State like we always talk about overrated overvalued I'm taking West Virginia here with the points I think they got a great shot to win it outright yeah Penn State's nick Singleton one of my favorite players in the nation because he is electric when he gets the ball so we'll be watching you know we'll be watching out for him but I do believe you know I've been to games in Morgantown before and I will say this man it is a tough tough Ohio State vs Akron building next game we head to the Horseshoe in Columbus is the Ohio state Buckey one of the top ranked teams in the nation big expectations of these guys coming in playing well the akan Zips not quite the expectations of the Buckeyes this season but um you know certainly a team that you know they get a ton of points so um you know akan getting north of seven touchdowns in this thing is it enough Chris I don't think it is that's what it's scary I mean this was a uh this was an Ohio State team that last year you know they had a couple of spots where they kind of got caught playing with their food early on they only beat Youngstown State 357 but then came out and beat Western Kentucky 6310 so it's like which which Ohio State team are we going to see and I'm kind of tempted to take the under here but not by much because it wouldn't surprise me if Ohio State got to this total on their own but reason call me akan Zips is because that's probably how many points I expect him to score here so I I just think that this is going to be one that comes close to the number but I think it comes uh just just under the numbers so give me the under between Ohio State and akan Ron yeah I got to agree I mean if Ohio State doesn't cover this number late in the game where they're up big it's not going to be for lack of trying I mean we know Ryan day is the type of Coach that's going to play Four full quarters he loves a good blowout we've seen it in non-conference games before from the buck guys and uh you know like Chris mentioned they did struggle a little bit in these big favorite roles the beginning of last year but I think this is a spot where is just too much I think Ohio State puts up 60 maybe 70 points we've seen them put up 70 plus points in these non-conference games before and I think they cover the number well I think you know the the hot seat here is on Ryan Day this year to win now we've seen him take some bad losses and then when you start racking up losses to Michigan and you're the head coach of Ohio state that is not a good place to be so if you come out of the gate stuttering against a team like akan all you're going to hear is a lot of Whispers Ohio State's got some tough games on the schedule including Oregon who last time they played them absolutely knocked the snot out of them so um it's uh you know Ryan Day the pressure is on and like these guys said you know what you have are just individual mismatches across the board I think akan has certainly improved I mean we saw that in their one win last year against a tough Central Connecticut State team but I think that um you know I think the Zips probably play hard I just don't think it's hard enough because I think the players that Ohio State seats in practice each week is better than what they're going to see on the other side of the field this week I don't love the quarterback play at Ohio State I love Henderson at running back my guess is he only plays a half or so in this game I think that's the only way that akan covers but I think we might see Ohio State up by seven touchdowns at the half um and uh so I I this is just one of those games where um if you don't bet it and lay the 50 points you might even almost regret it of course when it Florida vs Miami comes to betting on college football I always bet with my head and not with my heart and tough not to in some of these spots But Here Comes My Team the Miami Hurricanes trying to have a comeback type season get back onto the national stage and a lot of pressure on Mario Chris Ball in this game but a lot of pressure on the other side of the field as well Chris we head to the swamp as the Florida Gators take on the Miami Hurricanes and what used to be an annual matchup got to go with Miami in this one I just I like the the moves that uh the canes made in the offseason they brought in cam Ward and I think now Miami can have a little bit more uh a little bit more confidence at the quarterback position and he also got you know Daman Martine as it came over from Oregon State for me this this Miami Hurricane te I have penil into the ACC title game Florida you know they still got some solid pieces as well grah M an experienced quarterback but I think in the end I think this line is just a little bit light I have my winning this one by at least a touchdown yeah going into Gainesville can be tough but I don't think it should be a problem for Miami in this one I'm going to lay the small number with the canes in this one Ron should be a great game I can't wait for it now when you look at this matchup you see Florida last couple of years they've been pretty lousy didn't even make a bowl game last year but they still have their signature home win we saw it against Utah a couple seasons ago as a dog against Tennessee last year that was a I think a top 10 ranked Tennessee team or I think they were 11th going into that game Florida at home in the swamp with 80 90 plus thousand people for a guy like cam Ward who played in the Pack 12 not nothing like this in terms of the road games that he played in my opinion and when you look at his team's play offensively when he was on the road at Washington State they didn't really do too much I think he struggles to get The Passing game going early I think Florida I mean grah MZ he was miserable at Wisconson he took a big strides last year Florida he's got some competitive you know a battle BR with DJ lagway I think the Gators even without Montreal Johnson have enough here to pull off the upset if you want to call it one but it should be a great game I love mik KES and I think this game is going to be a lot closer than people think I talk I talk a big game but as Ron pointed out Florida usually has some Landmark wins and even some Landmark close games even mson was able to pull off a real close one against Alabama that he ended up losing but still it was a tough one in the swamp definitely not an easy building but I do believe that Miami does have the experience and talent level here and I also do like the I know that both these teams are super athletic because of Florida's record you know last year A lot of people are downplaying the amount of talent that they have but this team is absolutely stacked and they these are two of the fastest teams in the nation and I expected to see a little bit of a track meet and that's where I think cam Ward's Mobility should play make the difference here because I think Merz might have some trouble with that Miami pass rush I expect to see Bane get some penetration there and and wreak some Havoc I think it's a lot closer than people think but um I'll lay the points here with Miami but um I know Ron is a uh Florida graduate I'm of course a DieHard Miami fan so uh we'll both be tuned into this one Chris kind of the man in the middle in this particular game we had to link in Nebraska where the Nebraska Corn Huskers take on utap Nebraska vs UTEP now Nebraska starts a freshman QB lots of talk about uh you know this incoming quarterback and of course uh you know a lot of talk from from the coaching staff about the price of quarterbacks in the portal and the price of bringing in a quarterback then they went out and brought in probably the most expensive uh freshman quarterback in the uh in the this new era that we play in in college football I'd say the expectations in Nebraska are a lot bigger than we've seen in quite some time yeah I I read somewhere somebody said Nebraska was the best five win team in college football last year and it's tough to toh disagree with that because they only had five wins but of their seven losses five of those seven were by one score they played in a lot of close games it just didn't go their way especially down the stretch last year and even at Colorado when the final score was 3614 it was a closer game at the beginning of it so I think Nebraska's much improved this year especially offensively I think their defense I mean their defense last year was excellent 18 points per game given up great run defense I think it's going to be Stout yet again UTEP a new look new coach I think it's going to take some time for that program to get going I like Nebraska in an absolute blowout I'm going to take UT plus the points I think until I'll believe it when I see it from Nebraska I think Nebraska has enough to win this game but they have a coach that's known for winning a lot of close games even when he had the big year at Bor those games were close close close there was not a lot of blowouts there and just around four touchdowns I'm going to take a shot with utap I think Nebraska probably a program finally headed in the right direction I think some of these programs you know these historically good programs the nebraskasc colge football is more fun when these teams are good and I think you know having a good Nebraska program with one of the strongest and largest fan bases on the planet um will make the game more fun I think this game might not be as fun for them but I think they'll eek out a win but I'll take UTEP plus the point Chris yeah I'm going to take UTEP plus the points but not not by much uh I think 27 and a half 28 where I've seen this number I think that's about right I could see this game being like a 34 to 10 34 to7 kind of game I'm excited to see what Dylan Rola brings to the table for Nebraska I think the Corn Huskers are going to be a team that I'm going to keep my eye on this season definitely a team that I think is going to take a step in the right direction this season but for me just yeah four touchdowns with the Rel ative unknown in rola's first game you know I I I got to think that this is just a little bit too big of a number for my likings so I'm going to take UTEP plus the points in the lean you UTEP Frisco Bowl winners a year ago this would be a great way to start the season following up on that bowl win they could go into Lincoln it would be a shocker for opening College Football Saturday that's for Texas vs Colorado State sure for our next game we head to Texas where the Texas Longhorns fresh off of their appearance in in the college football playoff last year back when it was a fouram playoff um and a pretty big season for Steve sarkeesian and the horns um start their season by taking on Colorado state is it a trappy looking spot here for Texas with they're get big game at Michigan next week or uh do they just come out take care of business hang a half a hundred on them and put the scrubs in as Barry Switzer used to say Chris what are you thinking I'm thinking that Colorado state has has a shot to keep this one a lot closer than maybe a lot of folks think you you look at what Texas did last year in that run to the to the college football playoff they had early season games where they were laying 35 and a half 30 and a half against rice and Wyoming and didn't cover in either of those games here you take on a Colorado State team that's got a solid offense we saw Colorado State put up some points in bunches last year I like Braden Fowler Nicolosi and Tory Holton that combination for the Rams and like you said there's also a Prime look ahead spot for for for Texas with Michigan on Deck I think Colorado State can at least keep this one respectable so I'm going to take the Rams and that boatload of points I like Colorado State as well they have a returning quarterback that's always a good thing to have and I think Texas you know kind of you know a little bit more pressure on them and I think you know what they're going to try and do is avoid some sort of quarterback situation there because you've got an incumbent in Quinn ERS and then you've got Arch Manning and it's kind of like you know any little mistake that ERS makes you know they're going to be calling for Arch Manning and with that game of Michigan next week just a lot of pressure on this Texas team you got to feel that sarkeesian's going to put the most pressure on himself and trying to keep this this team as healthy as possible you know obviously not the same Michigan team that won a national championship a year ago but um might not be the same Texas team that made it to the playoff last year either so I'll take the points with Colorado in one that that probably won't be rush to the window to bet but Ron yeah I mean Colorado State in 2022 scored just 13 points per game but they were able to double that in 2023 scoring 26 I still think they make strides offensively this year I still don't think it's going to be enough though in this game I think that Colorado State's offense a little bit too one-dimensional don't think they do too much on the ground in this one I think their defense still has a lot of question marks especially in the secondary I think we see a lot of big passing plays from Texas in this one put up a lot of points in a hurry and I think they actually cover this number even though it looks you know 32 and a half points Colorado State we saw him compete against teams like Colorado last year I think Texas still wins this game by five touchdowns plus but uh you know when it comes to college football in these opening weekends we know that Texas can start running downhill on you because they certainly have a track team and that's the one thing to worry worry about but on the other side we saw Colorado State battle it out against Colorado on a week day uh last year in a game that nobody gave them a chance in next up we head to Alabama vs Western Kentucky Tuscaloosa with the Alabama Crimson Tide um take on Western Kentucky of course tide new head coach there and uh you know replacing Nick sain who's been there for a while who was there for a while the tide have had a lot of coaches throughout the year some you know they've gone through stretches with some not so successful runs before Nick Sabin got there so it'll be interesting to see how it does all play itself out especially in this playoff era and especially with the expectations so high tell you what they got more names of coaches on that stadium and field there in Alabama I can't even keep up with them anymore Ron what do you thinking for this game yeah you know I really like what helton's done at Western Kentucky last five years we know the quarterback play has been you know really great with bayy zappy and Austin Reed I think their offense do enough here I mean the Western Kentucky defense has not been great the last few years but uh Alabama's offense at times last season wasn't as potent as we're used to seeing I think Western Kentucky scores enough to cover this number so I'm going to take the points a lot of points here at Western Kentucky Chris yeah I'm going to I'm going to go with uh with Alabama here I just think that you know kayin D'Or got something going here with with Alabama he's been able to bring in some of his guys he's got a great quarterback and Jaylen mil EXC me Jaylen milro that I think is's only going to get better with time uh and for me it's just I saw last year Alabama I know it was with Nick sa but Alabama just has a tendency of winning a lot of these early season games he's week won games fairly convincingly Western Kentucky had problems defensively last year stopping those bleeds at times so I think Alabama comes out firing in week one I think they get the job done I'm going to lay the points with Bama here I'll take a shot here with Western Kentucky and the points I think Alabama wins I think they win pretty comfortably but I think Western Kentucky might even this might even set up for one of the first miserable back door covers of the Season type games because I think dbor is a good coach and you know we saw him do it at Washington but as Chris you know was pointing out you know Nick Sabin was a was a great coach in a lot of those games you know that he had that the thing where Nick Savin was at his very best if you gave him a month to prepare and I think you know that we haven't really seen from dor it certainly didn't look like it in the playoffs as much and um you know I just think here as opening day at Alabama I think this might be a heartbreaker for some of these people thinking that it's going to be a walkover for the Crimson Tide should be an inter in day though for sure um in in this particular game I think that 7:00 eastern Time start probably helps um Michigan vs Fresno State Western Kentucky more than it hurts our next game we head to the big house in Michigan the home of the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines Jim Harbaugh was originally the honorary Captain for this game not anymore but um certainly have uh you know a Michigan team and a crowd that's certainly going to be up for it with Fresno State coming to town the Bulldogs Michigan loves a good blowout they love to beat up on the bad teams and they certainly do not usually schedule up in the in the uh out of conference early season games we see other big 10 teams do schedule up but Michigan rarely one of those but they do have the Texas long horns coming in next week this could be a little bit of a look ahead spot Ron what are you thinking for this one yeah I think Fresno State's a live dog here as well I I I think Michigan still wins the game but I'll take the points no I think last year this was a solid team and injuries kind of derailed their end of the year but I think this year I mean Michigan they have to replace a lot we mentioned the coaching staff the quarterback play I think you could argue Michigan one of the the thinnest teams at the quarterback position in the Big 10 this year and for me I think they're going to Str struggle to score some points early in this game I like Fresno plus the points getting more than three touchdowns now at 21 and a half I think there's value there I could see this line going higher to be honest with you and I think it's going to be the public pushing it in that direction um the closer we get to game time and I think that the higher the points go like Ron said The more attractive Fresno State's going to get I think this is one of these games where I think Michigan might be bogged down for field goals they can definitely run the football they always have a big offensive line they always have strong defensive line but Fresno a little bit of a chip on their shoulder you know underrated and always a pretty tough fan base too you know I think we saw the dogs just cover games last week and I think this is one of the spots maybe a little doggy as well I think you know the world is going to be on Michigan in this game usually if the world's on one side I like to be on the other Chris yeah I I think actually my favorite play here is the under uh Fresno State didn't face a defense anywhere close to what Michigan's going to bring to the table and while there is turnover you still have a really really solid defensive unit in Ann Arbor so I think Fresno State could struggle here but like you guys alluded to there's just a lot of turnover on offense for Michigan as well I don't I'm not sold on the quarterback play the running back play for Michigan I think this could be a bit of a a struggle early on and we saw last year even when Michigan had a much better offense they struggled to put up points against East Carolina UNLV was only 357 I say only because you probably expect him to win by 50 plus in that thing so I'm going to go with the under here I think it's just going to be a bit of a a lower score in slugfest in this one and uh comes in under the total certainly will be an interesting one and uh you know I think that a lot of these ones involving these playoff teams especially like we said about the Texas game earlier and this one with these two teams playing against each other next week not not going to be a lot of uh you know leaving the starters out there if you don't have to and that always sets up for back doors next up we got another one of the big games on Saturday opening Texas A&M vs Notre Dame weekend it's Texas A&M at College Station hosting Notre Dame of course Notre Dame plays those SEC or the ACC teams in the schedule they play you know USC every year who's now a big 10 team so Notre Dame has a very tough schedule this season and you know taking on Texas A&M in College Station one of the great places to see a college football game certainly No Easy Task and you know Notre dball highly regarded coming into this season and the expectations through through the roof and I haven't seen any projections that don't have them in the playoff um up here against Tex A&M who's actually favored in this one Chris what are you thinking yeah I another one where I kind of struggled to went back and forth on it but I think I got to go with with uh with Texas A&M here you do do I love Conor Wegman as a starting option no but we've seen Riley Leonard even though he's got plenty of experience you he's also had issues in in in big games and spots and I just think college station going to be too much it should be a great game Texas A&M Notre teame two of you know the premier programs in the country but in the end I think Texas especially defensively it's going to be too much for for Notre Dame here I'm going to take Texas A&M in this one Ron yeah excellent game like Ru mentioned I think I got to make the same point I made it with Cam Ward and his road games at Washington State you know Riley Leonard returning from a big injury when you look at his games you step up games on the road his offenses didn't Faire too well and that Texas you know Kyle fi I mean the AI this is going to be one of the toughest places to play in college football this is another program playing with a chip on shoulder a team and a program that's has a lot of Pride that hasn't really been the best the last couple years but we know their defense is stacked I think Notre Dame struggles and it's not just Riley Leonard in terms of the lack of experience on the road it's also Notre Dame in general in these Step Up games under Freeman they have folded every time as well I think Tex M's defense too much I like the aies to win this game and cover the number I'm going to take the points here with Notre Dame I think this game is going to be a close one I think it's going to come down to the end I think Notre Dame has a solid chance to win this game outright we haven't seen Texas M really step up to the plate in any of their games in recent years of course the new head coach and the thing is is like when you fire Jimbo Fisher and you eat 10 million a year like at Tex A&M um did that means you really are committed to winning and you're going to put that above well the actual education of the students at the University that 10 million a year but the thing is is that football's financed a different way this year so who the heck even knows how that all plays out but the thing is you know Marcus Freeman kind of gets his guys to believe in doing his his thing and I think this game is one of those type of games it's kind of you're going to get your uniform dirty there's going to be some hitting and it's all going to come down to one or two plays in the entire game maybe three and I think Notre Dame makes two of the three and I think that's going to be the difference in this game I think it's going to be a tight one they've got it right in prime Arizona State vs Wyoming time they want a tight game they're going to get a tight game and having those points in our back pocket always a good place to be even if it doesn't look like it's that many at a field goal so uh you know definitely one of the games I'm more forward uh looking forward to uh seeing of course me and my labor retriever Sam will be on the couch all day watching college football and uh I might have to do a uh a a live halftime or something during one of these games just to try and stay awake we close out the Saturday night action as we head to Arizona State where the sundevils take on Wyoming Wyoming a team that you know doesn't really get a ton of ink and a ton of credit but actually they seem to still be a program that competes and On The Rise and we see them every year in these type of spots kind of standing up and making a name for themselves Ron do you think this is the year that Wyoming gets it done I think so I think it's rather telling that this spread is below a touchdown I think Wyoming I mean this is a program on the rise they've made three straight Bowl uh bowl games in the last three seasons not going to be easy replacing Peasley a quarterback but I think the offensive line and the running back group is really deep for this team I think they're going to be able to move the ball on the ground and that's what I'm looking for in a lot of these Road dogs in week one can they move the ball on the ground I think wh is going to be in a thousand yard rusher if he can stay away from the injury bug and I think Wyoming wins this game outright I'm going to take the points just in case but you know Arizona State I haven't really been impressed with this program the last few years we know there's been a lot of uh you know player changes last couple years especially at the skill position but I think Wyoming wins this one Chris yeah I'm going to take Wyoming and the points as well I'm also going to look at the under I just don't know where the points are going to come from for Arizona State I don't like the makeup of this offense I don't like the makeup of this team in general Wyoming I still have question marks about Evans fabot at quarterback but I still think that uh Wyoming you know usually team that can ride their strong defense to uh to get the job done and I think it's going to be a close game low scoring game and uh wouldn't be surprised if Wyoming won the game outright either so give me Wyoming in the points with the under I think with Chris I think it's going to be a low-scoring game and I think in these low-scoring games you generally want to take the points um i' you know I haven't given out a total on this show yet but I think the under would be my play here at least my stronger play we've seen Wyoming in these Step Up spots almost every single year sometimes they step up sometimes they don't but normally they're at least competitive with a pretty strong defensive effort but one thing that you can't really put a put put a uh you know emphasize enough is just how bad Arizona stinks in recent years I mean they have been absolutely terrible with a great big big name program they are what a great history they have some of great players I mean just alltimers in almost every sport you know Dave Winfield and Reggie Jackson and you know I mean it goes on and on and on but uh you know at the same time uh you know they have we haven't seen those guys or anything close to it in quite some time I'm going to have to uh take that under in this one I'm going to lean to Wyoming as well but um I think Arizona state is one of these programs that uh man if I had to do it all again and go to school I wouldn't think twice about going to Arizona State man I would love to go to college there that's for sure regardless of how good or bad their football team is our final game for today's today's uh USC vs LSU and this week's video is going to be a big one it happens on Sunday night it is a prime time matchup 7:30 eastern time as the USC Trojans first year in the Big 10 taking on the LSU Tigers who have played in these type of spots almost every year at the beginning of the season for at least the last several years it's been Florida State a couple times in there but um you know here the Tigers are in this one Brian Kelly versus Lincoln Riley two coaches who have kind of been to the mountain but haven't climbed to the mountain top but they certainly get paid like they've climbed more than a mountain or two Ron what are you thinking for this particular matchup I love the analogy there but um I'm going to go with the over here I think we're going to see a shootout I think when you look at Lincoln Riley defenses they' have not been great OD the last couple of years you know LSU they have a lot to replace offensively including Daniels their quarterback but they still think their offense is going to be not maybe not just as potent but pretty close I mean this team scored 46 points per game Daniels was a big reason for it but they also ran the ball six yards per carry their offensive line one of the best in the country you know this is a steep total already 64 points I don't think it's steep enough I'm going to go over I'm going to roll with LSU in this thing you know I think laying the four and a half points it might seem like a steep number in this game for a USC team that probably is able to put points on the board but I haven't seen the Lincoln Riley defense tackle anybody and I think you know when you look at the other side of this equation while LSU and Brian Kelly teams in general not necessarily known for their defenses this is an SEC defense and that is a big difference from the Pack 12 where USC has lived for the last several years I understand they're a big 10 team now but they haven't played in a big 10 game yet so uh I think the LSU with that defense is just going to be good enough to get it done you know once again that receiver room at LSU just looks like an NFL team Chris yeah I think I got to go with Ron with the over here I just see two teams that are go go go offensively and can be nothing short of a Civ defensively as well we saw a bunch of high scoring games between these two teams last year Lincoln Riley not necessarily known for prioritizing defense and uh you know I think this is going to be uh two teams that have some solid quarterback play that's going to develop Miller Moss was great in the bowl game last year for USC Garrett nus has plenty of experience so I think that we have H some points coming here we've got some fireworks I'm going to take the over between uh LSU and USC that wraps up this week's uh college football schedule that we're going to cover on the show of course there's other games out there we cover those all at picd dogs.com as well as here in our YouTube channel we cover a bunch and we'll be talking about them of course on our live shows just about every day of the week I'm excited for a big college football season able to spend it with Chris and Ron once again we'll probably bring in some guest cappers and some other people as the weeks go on we've got some ideas for this show but I think week one just uh looking at college football in general I think it's hard enough right guys I mean it's just you don't have anything to work with and with the transfer portal these days and you know with guys leaving early and you know the divisional realignment and the 12 team playoff and you know with the clock rules that we saw come in last year now with the two-minute warning changes things you know does it does I I I think uh you know this it just feels like this week one was uh tougher to research than years past and I think you you mentioned the transfer portal is one of those reasons but I don't know it's going to be I think after week one we get some numbers going week two we'll be ready to go and uh more in-depth analysis but I'm excited for week one just as you guys are Chris yeah yeah the the transfer portal definitely throws a wrench into things but it's like anything once we get like Ron said once we get a a baseline of data after a couple weeks it's it's kind of it becomes a little bit easier after that and it's going to take some time to get get that but once we get it this is going to be a a spot where we're going to make money hand over fist every single week so definitely want to be along for the ride well if anyone's looking for me this college football Saturday you can find me right on the couch I'll be watching all these games and uh be taking notes as to uh using that data as the season goes on thanks everyone for joining us let us know what you think of the new format here at pic dogs for our college football show and like I said it's a work in progress we already have some ideas for the coming weeks but uh week one let's get it done