2019 Week 1 Preview

Week 1 here we go! We actually got two very exciting games in Week 0 to make everyone feel like football was really back. We only have one ranked matchup this weekend but that means there is potential for upsets. Here’s to another season of college football!

Notable Games
11Oregon vs 16Auburn (Cowboy’s Stadium)
This is the only matchup of the weekend that pits two ranked teams against each other. I think this is a very interesting game. Oregon should have one of the best QBs in the country surrounded by one of the best offensive lines in the country. Auburn on the other hand is untested at QB but all 5 guys on the line in front of him are seniors. Oregon and QB Justin Herbert think they can make it to the Playoffs this season, and they have to win this game in order to get there. The strength (or lack thereof) of the Pac12 means the Ducks would need to run the tables and have a strong win out of conference. A win in Jerryworld would be a great start for Oregon.
I am picking Oregon

Houston at 4Oklahoma (Sundau)
This is a revenge game of sorts for Oklahoma. Way back in 2016 the Cougars upset the 3rd ranked Sooners to begin the season. New head coach for Houston, Dana Holgerson, is familiar with Oklahoma having been the head coach for West Virginia for 7 years. This game should feature a ton of points. Both offenses are strong and led by veteran QBs. Oklahoma gets Alabama grad transfer Jalen Hurts and Houston returns D’Eriq King. I do not think that Houston will be able to outscore the Sooners, but it should be a fun game.
I am picking Oklahoma

14Utah at BYU (Thursday)
This will be the fifth year in a row that the Holy War will be played. Utah has won the previous four but by no more than 8 points. Because this is such a heated rivalry, I expect this one to be pretty close as well. That being said, Utah is the better team and should be in control of this game. Senior QB Tyler Huntley will be looking to lead his offense to another Pac12 title game. A rivalry win in week one can be a great confidence boost for the rest of the season.
I am picking Utah

Northwestern at 25Stanford
When these two teams last played, it was a slugfest. Both still play in the same way so don’t expect too many points from this game. Stanford is the better team and has the more experienced QB in KJ Costello. It also helps that they will be at home, though I’m pretty sure school hasn’t started at Stanford. I’ll be watching this one for the potential of an upset.
I am picking Stanford

Ole Miss at Memphis
This is a very interesting game. Field goals won’t be the way to win this game. Memphis has fielded one of the country’s best offenses over the last four years and I expect that to continue this season. Ole Miss has an untested offense and I think the lack of experience will really hurt them in this game. They do return ten starters on defense and we will get a chance to see if struggling last season created a tougher and smarter defense for this season. Honestly, I don’t think the Memphis offense will be held to less than 40 points in this game and they will get a nice SEC win on their resume.
I am picking Memphis

Virginia at Pittsburgh
This is a bit of an important game to me. I picked Virginia to win their division so a loss to Pittsburgh would be a bad start. Virginia was a very good team last year and was two OT losses away from being a 10-win team. Pittsburgh did win the division last season but ended up 7-7 overall. I think these two teams are trending in different directions and I expect UVA to pull out a close one.
I am picking Virginia

I usually do an Arkansas preview, but since it is week 1 and they are playing an FCS team I don’t really have a lot to go on. I am excited to learn who will be the starting QB for the Hogs.

Week 0 Games
8Florida 24 Miami 20
Hawaii 45 Arizona 38

Top 25
Georgia Tech at 1Clemson (Thursday)
Duke vs 2Alabama (Atlanta)
3Georgia at Vanderbilt
Houston at 4Oklahoma (Sunday)
Florida Atlantic at 5Ohio State
Georgia Southern at 6LSU
Middle Tennessee at 7Michigan
8Florida BYE
9Notre Dame at Louisville (Monday)
Louisiana Tech at 10Texas
11Oregon vs 16Auburn (Dallas)
Texas State at 12Texas A&M (Thursday)
Eastern Washington at 13Washington
14Utah at BYU (Thursday)
Idaho at 15Penn State
Florida A&M at 17UCF (Thursday)
Tulsa at 18Michigan State (Friday)
19Wisconsin at South Florida (Friday)
Miami (OH) at 20Iowa
Northern Iowa at 21Iowa State
22Syracuse at Liberty
New Mexico State at 23Washington State
South Alabama at 24Nebraska
Northwestern at 25Stanford