Will Texas A&M upset Notre Dame? College Football Week 1 Bets & Predictions

Intro for yourself a cold one they St them huh and listen to Ross Tucker breakdown the top college prospects on another tasty edition of the college [Music] draft yeah it's Daddy soda time here on the college draft podcast presented of course by DraftKings and I can't believe we made it we're finally here it is officially week one of the college football season as a reminder and for anybody that might be a new listener or somebody checking us out on YouTube youtube.com Ros Tucker NFL we kind of look at this show as like three different podcasts three for the price of one because number one we're going to talk about the biggest games in college football right so it's a college football podcast number two em is going to give you at least a couple NFL draft prospects to watch in each of these games so it's an NFL draft podcast number three emy's gonna make his picks against the spread so it is also a college football betting podcast so three for the price of one the Emory of course I'm referring to is the great Emory hunt you can check them out at fball game plan on Twitter football game plan on YouTube Love the draft guide footballgame plan.com 2024 draft guide might be time now to move on to the next one oh go ahead go ahead it's is ready footballgame plan.com 2025 draft guy you can pre-order it now I love it I love why not get ready because it'll be coming out usually in March and one of the most gratifying things for me every August is anytime somebody nobody's ever heard of is making plays in pre-season games Emory or somebody else tweets The Scouting Report that Emory has on the guy from college which is just awesome absolutely awesome I think most of you know I'm Ross Tucker former NF offensive lineman long time ago now at this point but it enabled me to get all these broadcasting gigs I start my College schedule this week UCLA at Hawaii so I will be traveling to Honolulu Hawaii on Wednesday that game will be Prime Time 7:30 p.m. eastern time on Saturday night on CBS actually 1:30 Hawaiian time that might be really hot for those guys depth will be an issue 130 in Honolulu middle of the day that that's going to be a scorcher I think for those guys so that that aspect of it will be interesting for sure uh but Emory it's time man it's time to dive in to some of these games which is great love those of you that check me out on social media at Ros Tucker NFL or us at Ros Tucker pod and certainly those of you that watch us youtube.com/ Ros Tucker NFL let's start 19 Miami @ Florida with Miami at Florida I don't you know it's so funny because Miami and Florida State always used to play and Florida and Florida State always used to play I don't really remember back in the day Emory Miami and Florida playing rarely it happened I think the last time it happened was Florida when they was wearing those orange jerseys with EMT Smith right you didn't see it a lot you used to always see Florida and Florida State Miami um play in Florida Florida State obviously but yeah so this is something you know recent that we're seeing and I'm glad we're going to you know check it out because it's going to be a really good pivotal game in terms of the college football playoff landscape as we already saw week zero gave us a stunner yeah you know what I'm glad you brought that up before we even get to this game your thoughts on Florida state Georgia Tech in week zero or really any of the other week zero games Nevada was hanging with SMU for a while I I like hey whether it's your college football thoughts Emory or specific scouting thoughts you know that you saw I I I do want to make sure we take the time every week to just kind of get your your feedback on on the weekend that was well both games that you brought up tied in my biggest win and my biggest loss um my biggest win was Georgia Tech plus 11 and a half because watching Georgia Tech over the summer you realize and just going back to the uh bowl game man I was like the these dudes got some Talent if they could just cover Javon Baker uh they'll be fine but that's where UCF was killing those guys just throwing up to Baker and I'm glad the corner Amari Harvey I believe his name is uh had a great game against Florida State so he was able to to come back out in his next game and play great along with what Hayes King was doing in the Run game and so I kind of knew Georgia Tech would keep that one close cuz this was the point I kept making all weekend uh leading up to that game in all games you have all summer all spring to practice for one opponent these games would be a lot closer than people think now my biggest Miss was taking SMU minus 24 and a half 27 and a half I just felt like Nevada is in a rebuild um SMU has a lot to prove because they're finally on the big stage the national stage and this is going to be their coming out party and listen Pride still matters in college football because Nevada came out there and beat SMU up front on both sides of the line of scrimmage and I was like listen I may have to rethink Nevada's win total two and a half to go over that you know what I'm saying because of how well they played physically up front and SMU needed all of their Goodwill and Graces to come back in that ball game but Nevada was a problem for them physically wow I love it good point too about the opener and what what that means but yeah I mean Delaware State I watched uh the Hawaii Delaware State game this morning and it was 144 in the third quarter so if there was a theme from week zero that I would take away Emory I guess it would just be that uh take the points you know take The Underdogs and the points because Georgia Tech Nevada Hawaii uh Delaware State uh a lot of these teams that were underdogs and in times heavy underdogs they were able to hang and and times hang for a while yeah and I mean that's going to be a common theme uh with these week one matchups there be a lot of close games I probably lean more to the unders but yeah you're right like you have Spring ball submer workout Summer Ball training camp to get ready for a week one match up that's why it's best to schedule these option teams in week zero week one as opposed to any other week in or bowl season as opposed to any other week in college football all right so now let's get back to Miami and Florida Miami's laying two in a half but first give me a give me a prospect on on each team well we talked a lot about cam War so let's talk about Damen Martinez the transfer from Oregon State you saw him live Ross against San Jose State uh when called the game out there last year and this dude can tote the male like legitimately a Bell cow back you could drop him into the NFL right now and he'd be a starter that's how good he is which is why we're excited to see him and Mark Fletcher you know team up as in a tandem backfield so I think Martinez has good Vision good contact balance good burst gives you everything that you want at the position and I've been a big fan of Graham MZ the quarterback of Florida you know since coming out of high school and glad he got things turn around a little bit at Wisconsin before he transferred last year I thought I thought he didn't play as bad as people made it out to be actually played rather well he throws well on the move the ball comes out on time he's got good accuracy so all of the things that you want to see from a quarterback he's playing efficient football I think Grant Merz if they can you know continue to find some great talent on the outside he could surprise a lot of people come April in terms of what the scouts think of him as a Pro Prospect Miami is laying two and a half in this game Emory Miami has high expectations for like the 20th year in a row uh they're playing at Florida the game is in Gainesville so that's interesting to me that Miami's laying the points your thoughts on Miami laying two and a half at Florida I I I would lay these with Miami I just trust that the Hurricanes stacked Talent on offense will will put Florida defense in the bind I think that's where uh this game can be won cam Ward is a Heisman Contender Miami has three excellent receivers two great running backs the defense is going to be solid and I feel like the offensive line is going to be stable so when you have a special player at quarterback along with Talent it makes it easier to predict this team to win on the road in a hostile environment this is not just Miami versus Florida this is recruiting battles this is Brag State bragging rights all of that matter so it will be a tight game which explains a two and a half but I'll take Miami to cover that just got to win by a field goal and you will be all set there cam W this would be a big game for his Heisman hopes I know it's just the opener but it's a big game a lot of people watching you know this is a this is a an opportunity for him for sure so Miami minus the two and a half for Emory uh your next next game we got North Dakota North Dakota State @ Colorado State at Colorado we're going to do an uh uh something a little different this week this year Emory every week we are going to have your best bet uh which is something you're going to be looking for every week it's in the hunt presented by DraftKings DraftKings the crown is yours this is your best bet of the week why are you laying the nine and a half with Colorado against North Dakota State Colorado knows what's at stake if they lose this game and a lot of people expect them to lose this game or not even covered based off the opponent North Dakota State who has been the FBS killer forever and the question is is this North Dakota State team the same North Dakota State team and I think this is a different North Dakota State team because of the quarterback situation they don't have one of those guys that you really have to significantly worry about their offense wasn't as d Dynamic last season uh as it has been in in recent years which is why we've seen the rise of South Dakota State uh back-to-back national champions at the FCS level so combined that with Colorado having the best quarterback in the country the number one NFL draft prospect at the quarterback position in my opinion in shadur Sanders with a dynamic receiving core Improvement along the offensive line and now a new found running game with Pat Shermer uh calling the plays and and understanding how to you know call a game and get the balance going in a defense that still has Travers Hunter out there and they've improved defensively as well uh especially along the front so for me this is a different Colorado team I know people have their feelings about Deion Sanders and I think that's what's clouding their judgment on the actual football part but this is a different Colorado team this is a different North Dakota State team I'm laying these n and a half points comfortably with the buffalos speak speaking of the buffalos they have a wide receiver that you want to highlight but might not be the one that other people would be thinking about it's not uh it's not um the top five pick Travis Hunter it's Jimmy horn yeah because Jimmy horn to me because we talked about Travis Hunter a lot and I still think he should stay at cornerback because he got the ball skills if if you can catch picks I want you on my team that takes away one half of the field because the quarterback is not going to throw it that way but for Jimmy horn I I look at him he's a he's going to be a slot guy he's about 58 maybe 180 something pounds um yes he can make plays on the outside but I think he's his home will be in the slot but where I like him as a prospect with this new kickoff rule in the NFL he's dynamic in that capacity also so for me not only does he has uh value as a receiver but he has value as a return specialist and we know now that we know the I guess they call the dynamic kickoff it's still the XFL kickoff uh shout out to my guy Sam schwartzstein uh you know for for coming up with that that whole you know a dog on innovator so I'm taking Jimmy Horn uh as a kickoff specialist and just envisioning him having a multi a multiple uh layered role as a pro player before we get to the North Dakota State prospect I want to make sure everyone knows this weekend coward trall week one drink some laat blue life with your friends live life to the power of we always enjoy responsibly beer leat USA Buffalo New York all right emry who's the who's the prospect to watch for the Bison Eli mooler the defensive tackle Ross this dude like 62 280 he's Ideal three Tech in terms of like body type how quick he is off the ball how he can win with leverage cuz he's gets he gets under the pads of these offensive linemen uh cuz he has a natural leverage being at 6'2 going up against guys that's 6'4 65 so he's getting push he's getting pressure he closes well on the uh ball carrier and the quarterback this is somebody that Colorado better have a key on because he could be a game record on the interior next game up is clemon at 14 Clemson @ #1 Georgia Georgia Georgia's laying 13 and A5 who are the prospects to watch first Emory Clemson's linebacker barck Carter is one of the best backers in college football um as I was grading uh Jeremiah trer Jr you also are watching bar Carter do a lot of amazing things too uh so for me in this particular ball game this is a chance for him to shine because we know how Georgia wants to play uh uh they want to have a physical discussion every play and Barrett to me is someone that's capable of having that physical discussion with Georgia consistently and he has good speed to where he can chase a Travis ET or Trevor etn um you know all throughout the game that's G to be a nice fun matchup to watch and for Georgia nazir's stack house Georgia seems to always have one of these large body defensive linemen that's in the way and in the way in a good way because stack house is in the way you can't ignore him can't get around him he can clog up any type of he throws off your interior Run game based off his ability just to occupy gaps if you can't move your guards and move and get creative in your movement it's over and he's someone that's going to be a big problem for Clemson if they can't if they can't keep him contained uh at the line of scrimmage or get some type of movement or don't allow him to get penetration man Georgia's got a lot of good players I'm just thinking about uh Malachi Starks at safety Mikel William Williams The Edge guy did their game against Vanderbilt last year they they got a lot of those guys back I mean I know they lost guys too but still all right so Georgia's laying 13 and a half at home wow Clemson when was the last time Clemson was getting 13 and a half points which way you going Emory this is the show me game this game should be held in Missouri because you got Carson Beck who has to step up in the big game you got K kumnick who has to step up in the big game one of you guys got a show me something right so this is going to be a very good ball game and people discredit Clemson Ross I want to say what the last 10 years while Clemson was in their little Dynasty run um every year we look up there's about what three or four Clemson D linman getting drafted o linman finding a way on NFL rosters so they can play the physical game with George at the point of attack I feel like because of the week one situation because of how big this game is for dbo Sweeney and the Clemson Tigers and the ACC this one will be a lot closer than that two touchdown spread so I'm going to take Clemson in the points here it's open okay uh got Emory down for getting the points 13 and a half for the Clemson Tigers against the Georgia Bulldogs okay South Dakota State @ #17 Oklahoma State this is a juicy matchup this next one I'm excited about this South Dakota State at Oklahoma State Oklahoma state is laying N9 and a half some cool prospects in this game including San Diego State uh I'm sorry San Diego South Dakota State quarterback Mark granowski feels like he's been there a while Amry tell me about him he has and uh because we had that that Co year where they went to the national championship game we all got introduced to Isaiah Davis who's with the New York Jets granowski is a really good quarterback man and does a great job at working at the intermediate levels of the field which is where you win and have success at the pro level he's also a good athlete so he can burn you in terms of like picking up those cheap yards kind of like what we saw Haynes King do against Florida State granowski can do the same thing and I like the fact that he's been battle tested this is a backto back National Champion he won the Walter Payton award last year which is the FCS Heisman trophy so this is a really good team and even though they had two offensive linemen that went off to the NFL this offensive line has great talent so we'll see another South Dakota State Jack RIT offensive lineman either get drafted or end up in a high level allstar game before getting on an NFL roster so South Dakota state has talent so you got the best team in the FCS my preseason number one on CBS Sports going up against my big 12 Champion preseason prediction in Oklahoma State and for Oklahoma state is Ali Gordon so because Ali Gordon plays like a pro already I I'm I think what's underrated about Gordon is his receiving skills like they Flex him out they throw him the football comfortably so we may see him utilize more so obviously he's gonna get the ball as you know carrying the ball as a runner but as a receiver and take advantage of his matchup uh exploit the matchup that he has as a route Runner so Ali Gordon can do it on both ends of offense and that's why I think both granowski and Gordon are the prospects to watch here Oklahoma State laying nine and a half emry what are you doing Ross this is now if South Dakota state was playing Colorado that's the one you get excited about but when you look at Oklahoma State 20 returning starters that's That's Heavy game experience and this is a week one situation so we avoid the uh Oklahoma State doing Oklahoma State things like they'll beat Oklahoma one week come back the next week and lose to DeVry they're they're they're going to be ready for this ball game so I would lay these nine and a half points with South Dakota State we won't have a Montana state New Mexico situation in this one I would say this is a team experienced team on both sides of the line of scrimmage that should take advantage and be able to Salt this game away it'll be a lows scoring game 177 helps us cash tickets so I'mma lay the nine and a half with Oklahoma State all right emer's down for laying n and a half Oklahoma State against South Dakota State what about Western Kentucky at Bama Bama's laying 31 the total is 59 A2 take Wester Western Kentucky @ #5 Alabama Kentucky and the points um Western Kentucky can score the matchup is because the quarterback of Western Kentucky big ponchatula TJ Finley bit excited about him since I watched him in high school I love that he went to Western Kentucky they're gonna let him throw the football 85 times a game and the secondary of Alabama is going to be uh the question to watch all season long but deanii Jackson the UFC USC transfer is a star another one of these high school phenoms that's a really good player too and the secondary versus the passing game of Western Kentucky is the reason why I'm taking Western Kentucky plus the points Alabama minus 31 that's that's kind of tough we know they don't they they usually don't cover these big numbers especially against a game uh opponent in Western Kentucky so I'm going take them plus the points I might even go over the total as well n Dame is that Texas say M the agies are laying three who are the 7 Notre Dame @ #20 Texas A&M prospects to watch the prospects for Notre Dame Benjamin Morrison some may have him as a number one corner in college football that's a listen if you told me that I agree with you because he's someone that just outstanding on a perimeter physical ball skills Instinct technique you checking all these boxes and Shamar Turner the defensive tackle for A&M Ross this dude is legitimately a stud and when you're watching A&M defensively he is someone that is always in the play or active in the play or affecting the play and I'm excited from this game for just from a football perspective because we remember this Ross like the cotton B Classics you had Notre Dame you know the Tim Brown game with A&M beat them around then they come back in 92 the Bettis game with the Killer Bees beckon Bettis and burus you know what I'm saying so they beat them uh you know in down in in a mobile classic as well so I like this game from a football perspective but I'm also laying these points with A&M Elco with the five-star Talent defensively should take care of business against Notre Dame and he knows the guy that is starting at quarterback for Notre Dame he knows how to attack him I think there's a lot of you know schematic things that he can do to ensure they cover the spread last but not least USC at 23 USC @ #13 LSU LSU two of the big Brands uh in college football USU is laying for playing at home and there's a couple of uh Defenders that you want to highlight cuz that's going to be the difference in this ball game uh let's start with USC's Jal muhamd I love the fact that he is someone that can really get off the ball because when the biggest acquisition USC made this off season was deanon Lynn the defensive coordinator that was at UCLA and we saw what he had to work with at UCLA and what they did USC's offense last year with latu and all those guys like Murphy all the Murphy's was up front you know doing doing a a great job now they just have to buy into his system but Muhammad is a great starting piece and nus me the quarterback is not the most mobile guy so we should see a lot of muhamad versus nus me in this ball game although LSU has two great Elite tackles we talk about a lot of prospects but for LSU is Howell Perkins how can he frustrate uh Miller moss in the pocket as well how much will they deploy him in coverage how much will they just use him just to Blitz either way the these are two top tier pass rushers that we'll get to see in this ball game and to put the icing on the cake I'm taking USC on the money line Ross I Am bypassing the points give me USC to win outright against LSU what Emory USC money line huh yep wow I forget who your pick was for A&M nerd aame I laid the points with A&M because of the Mike Elco F Factor going up against his quarterback and Riley Leonard on the other side oh that's a good point as well check him out on social media at fball game plan I'm at Ross Tucker NFL we are at Ross Tucker pod The Keg is kicked just like it was Saturday night I think we're done here thanks for tuning in to college draft make sure to also check out the Ros Tucker football podcast money and fantasy feast all on the DraftKings Network YouTube or subscribe subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform [Applause]