2018 Week 1 Preview

We are finally back to football! Well, technically we were back last weekend, but this is the first full week of college football! There are a few interesting games coming up this weekend. There are four ranked vs ranked games this weekend. I’m very annoyed that the Auburn Washington game is on at 3:30 in the afternoon on Saturday (the same time as the Arkansas game). But I’m sure I’ll see plenty of highlights because there should be tons of points scored. Let’s dive right in!

Notable Games
6Washington at 9Auburn (Atlanta)
This is a battle between two great QBS. Both Jarett Stidham and Jake Browning can sling it. I am excited to see the highlights of this game when I get home from the Arkansas game. There should be a ton of points scored and this is a huge game for both teams. I don’t know if Auburn can come back from a loss to Washington and Washington will probably need this win to get to the playoff. I have a hard time picking against the SEC, but if any Pac12 team can beat a good SEC team, it’s Washington. A win here would be major to go along with their Pac12 schedule.
I am picking Auburn

FAU at 7Oklahoma
I am pretty confident that Oklahoma will win this game, but FAU is fun. Lane Kiffin brought his offensive skills to the Owls last year and scored all of the points. FAU will test the Oklahoma defense and that is what I’m looking forward to. Having a decent defense is key to winning the Big 12. All that said, I don’t see there being too much defense in this game. I think it will be an exciting game to watch. We will also get to see Kyler Murray at the helm for Oklahoma. He’s making a ton of money from the Oakland Athletics, but he decided to play one more season of college football before starting his professional baseball career.
I am picking Oklahoma

8Miami vs 25LSU (Dallas) (Sunday)
This is a very interesting week 1 matchup. Miami did not end the season the way they wanted. After starting 10-0, the ‘Canes dropped their final 3 games of the year. LSU was ok last year, but their loss to Troy was really bad. They will once again have questions at the QB position and thus questions on offense. They also lose star RB Derrius Guice. I think the Tigers are overrated and this game will show they have a lot to work on this year. Miami has the chance to make a big statement with a win over an SEC team in week 1.
I am picking Miami

14Michigan at 12Notre Dame
I’m going to be honest, I have no idea who is going to win this game. I’m not extremely confident in either team and I am very mad at both. Arkansas was supposed to be playing Michigan but Notre Dame ruined it. So now Arkansas will have to go to Notre Dame in 2021. I have been excited to go to the Big House since my senior year of high school (5 years). But as far as this game goes, I am picking Notre Dame because they are the home team. Both teams have the potential to be very good and I think this will be a competitive game. I’m intrigued to see how this one plays out.
I am picking Notre Dame

Tennessee vs 17West Virginia (Charlotte)
I would be very surprised to see Tennessee win this game. I am excited to see how they look with new head coach Jeremy Pruitt. Last year’s Tennessee team was bad, so at least there is no way to go but up. West Virginia will get QB Will Grier back from the thumb injury that sidelined him at the end of last year. He is explosive and exciting to watch. West Virginia should win comfortably, but Tennessee could challenge them early.
I am picking West Virginia

20Virginia Tech at 19Florida State (Monday)
Florida State has a new head coach but will get their star QB back. Jimbo Fisher left for Texas A&M (and $75 million guaranteed) and now Willie Taggart comes home to coach the ‘Noles. QB Deondre Francois is back from missing nearly all of last season after getting injured in the opener against Alabama. Virginia Tech might be a tad overranked. The Hokies return a decent amount on offense and have a great coach in Justin Fuente. It will be interesting to see how each team does in this game.
I am picking Florida State

Eastern Illinois at Arkansas
Fayetteville is excited about football. Chad Morris has this state ready to put it in the left lane and hammer down. While I am also extremely excited, I am hesitant to get too hyped up about this team. I expect them to be faster and fun, but they don’t have the guys to run it efficiently yet. The Hogs need a big win this week to turn the page from last season. Cole Kelley has been named the starting QB and he should have a decent receiving core around him. The offensive line has struggled with injuries and that is a big worry for me. The defensive line needs to be better than last season. The secondary should be improved as they are very experienced. The north end zone renovation is complete and I cannot wait to see how it looks full of fans.

Top 25
Louisville vs 1Alabama (Orlando)
Furman at 2Clemson
Austin Peay at 3Georgia
Western Kentucky at 4Wisconsin (Friday)
Oregon State at 5Ohio State
6Washington at 9Auburn (Atlanta)
FAU at 7Oklahoma
8Miami vs 25LSU (Dallas) (Sunday)
Appalachian State at 10Penn State
Utah State at 11Michigan State (Friday)
14Michigan at 12Notre Dame
San Diego State at 13Stanford (Friday)
UNLV at 15USC
Southern at 16TCU
Tennessee vs 17West Virginia (Charlotte)
Stephen F Austin at 18Mississippi State
20Virginia Tech at 19Florida State (Monday)
21UCF at Connecticut (Thursday)
22Boise State at Troy
23Texas at Maryland
Bowling Green at 24Oregon

Other Games
Army at Duke (Friday)
Colorado at Colorado State (Friday)
Ole Miss at Texas Tech (Houston)
North Carolina at California
Louisiana Tech at South Alabama
BYU at Arizona