Well, the SEC didn’t exactly give a worthwhile slate for week 1 of the college football season. But in week 2, we will have more than 3 games worth watching.
The Border War
#23 Mizzou at Kansas
Time: 8 p.m. Friday
Where to Watch: FOX
Breakdown: This game is the standout game of the Friday night college football slate. The Border War gets renewed. The general public may not see this game and think of a hate-filled rivalry. Let me tell you, hate-filled may be an understatement. Whether it was 2007, when Mizzou ruined Kansas’ shot at an undefeated season and potentially a national title, or a couple of years ago when a Mizzou student had a chance to kick a field goal for 25 thousand dollars and instead painted his chest with the letters “F KU” and then proceeded to kick the ball at the Kansas sideline. All the way down to Kansas Football’s hype video, posted on Thursday, referencing hate originating during the Civil War and the two fighting on opposite sides. It may only be 76 degrees at kickoff in Lawrence, but there will still be plenty of heat on the field. Over 70% of the bets placed on DraftKings are on the Tigers, and yet the line dropped from -5.5 to -4.5 in the last 24 hours. Something about this says Vegas knows something I don’t. But I trust Austin Simmons and Jamal Roberts on the road.
Pick: Mizzou
Saturday Heavy Weights
#1 Ohio State at #4 Texas
Time: 7:30
Where to Watch: ABC
Breakdown:
Pick:
#11 Oklahoma at Michigan
Time: 12:00 pm
Where to Watch: FOX
Breakdown: The problem for Michigan in this game is that you have to score points to be able to win a football game. While I know that the world has picked Oklahoma, the line, much like the line for Kansas and Mizzou, hasn’t moved much despite that. Which leads me back to my conventional wisdom that Vegas knows something I don’t. Which I just don’t believe to be the case. Sometimes it takes the market some time to adjust to what a team truly is. I believe that to be the case. Oklahoma has an NFL defense going up against an offense that last week looked like it belonged in the NAIA.
Pick: Oklahoma
P4 vs P4
Arizona St. at Texas A&M
Time: 12:00
Where to Watch: ABC
Breakdown: The image I cannot get out of my head is Kenny Dillingham going on the road to Mississippi State with Sam Leavitt at quarterback and not being able to get the job done. While I understand that teams change year to year, I don’t think that they are more talented this year than last year. I do think that Texas A&M is more talented than Mississippi State was last year, and I know Kyle Field is louder than Starkville.
Pick: Texas A&M
#12 Alabama at Kentucky
Time: 3:30 pm
Where to Watch: ABC/Disney+
Breakdown: “Sneak a flask in,” that is Kentucky Head Coach Will Stein addressing how loud he wants Kroger Field to be on Saturday. It will be true freshman quarterback Keelon Russell’s first SEC road start. Luckily for him, it is Kroger Field. I think that Kalen DeBoer is going to put some Alabama fans at ease on Saturday with the way they handle their business in Lexington.
Pick: Alabama
Mississippi St. at Minnesota
Time: 3:30
Where to Watch: CBS
Breakdown: This has a chance to be Kamario Taylor’s coming-out party on a more National stage. He will have to outscore the Gophers’ returning backfield of Drake Lindsay and Darius Taylor, led by Head Coach P.J. Fleck. Taylor is a special kind of Athlete and will get a chance to show it on the return of the SEC on CBS at 3:30.
Pick: Mississippi State
#18 Tennessee at Georgia Tech
Time: 7:00 pm
Where to Watch: ESPN
Breakdown: I believed in Brent Key’s physical identity, which he has been building at Georgia Tech. Then the Jackets let Colorado stampede through them in Week 1. I know that people have probably heard this a lot, but Tennessee has been a really good rushing offense under Josh Heupel. They brought back DeSean “Beanie” Bishop and added freshman dual-threat quarterback Faizon Brandon. The Vols will spread them sideline to sideline and run it down their throats.
Pick: Tennessee
Arkansas at #20 Utah
Time: 10:15 pm
Where to Watch: ESPN
Breakdown: This kicks off what is going to be a long season for the Razorbacks. The Razorbacks didn’t get the coach they wanted in the offseason, don’t have the talent required to compete in the SEC, and are going on the road. All while Utah, despite losing their head coach, Kyle Whittingham, to retirement and then Michigan, was able to retain their identity and talent. The Utes are gonna knock the Razorbacks around and send them back to Fayetteville, where Georgia will be waiting next week.
Pick: Utah
They’re Playing Football
We know what will happen in these games (unless you’re Michigan), so I’ll just give you the who, where, and when of it.
