When the ever mediocre Minnesota Gophers couldn’t shut down the Tar Heels to secure victory in last weekend’s Thursday Night Special, your inveterate predictor knew his Week 0 good fortunes were going to take a turn.
So much for Ski-U-Mah.
A correction of sorts ensued. Law of averages it is said.
A hunch that Billy Napier might finally get something going in GatorLand, hosting a similarly underperforming arch rival and all, proved ill advised. But he did secure the reality that this will be his final season as the next big thing in Gainesville. Or anything at all.
So he’s got that goin’ for him, which is not so nice. Boosters are already cashing in their bitcoin to try to convince that Saban guy out of retirement for, oh $25 mill a year for 10 years. Then they’ll work their way down the totem pole.
Mike Elko certainly has much more leeway in College Station, given that the prime time matchup with Notre Dame was his first as top cadet for the Aggies. But a loss to the Irish does have those oil dudes murmuring to each other.
Georgia did convince us that Kirby Smart is probably the next Saban, as if we didn’t already suspect. We also learned that the endearing term “clemsoning” is taking on new meanings. None that an increasingly prickly “No Portal” Dabo wishes to talk about.
Joining the Bulldogs in my victory column were the Hoosiers, Cats in one called after the 6th, and the steamrolling Cardinals.
4-3 for the weekend. Admittedly a reality check. Though nothing like Mike Norvell with his new 10 mill a year/ eight year contract is facing after another woeful conference L on Monday.
8-3 for the year.
But what follows are winners. Fer sure:
Texas @ Michigan. How many times will we hear it in the run up to this intersectional blockbuster in Ann Arbor? “This is what college football is about.” Correct response: A lot. And, one doesn’t really need to be a bronconagurskian to realize, it is. Oh that Lindsay Nelson or Chris Schenkel aren’t still about to call this one. Let’s hope Fox puts Gus Johnson on a thorazine drip starting Thursday. If not, have your finger on the mute button. Folks in my neck of the woods have a soft spot for new Wolverine headmaster. He coached in The Ville. But the question he’s facing at High Noon Saturday is, “Is Texas really back?” The answer is probably yes. Homies get hooked by the Horns in the Big House.
Tennessee @ N.C. State. What we have here is nothing more or less than a battle between preseason CFP darkhorses. The Wolfpack took care of biz in their opener against Western Carolina. Wherever Catamount Country might be, haven’t seen a West Carolina on any map I’ve been privy to. The Vols dispatched Chattanooga with ease. 69-3. And there’s this ACC vs. SEC vibe goin’ on here. I’m 1-1 predicting upset this year. Shall I take another shot? Sure, it’s too late to stop now. Dave Doeren gets it done. Fingers crossed.
Colorado @ Nebraska. This I truly believe to be true. x3. 1. Travis Hunter is far and away the best player in the sport, and should anybody else take home the Heisman, it will be the greatest heist since Brinks. 2. Shedeur Sanders is the deal, and will go early in the draft. 3. Sanders’ dad/coach is the most insufferable guy in all of sports. I’ve had a liking for the Huskers since Tom Osborne went for two against the Pipe. Plus they have as loyal a fan base as any team anywhere. Nebraska is playing a rookie QB, which has me nervous. Plus my enmity against the Buffalos — because of their coach — is such that I cannot consider them objectively. That said, wishful thinking perhaps, Nebraska.
South Carolina @ Kentucky. Mark Stoops, despite a rise in respect, remains misunderestimated as a coach. The Wildcats, in a weather shortened opener, appeared way better than expected. No surprise really. The Gamecocks had a little bump at the end of ’22, besting top tenners Tennessee and Clemson, playing ND to the wire in the Gator Bowl. But the Shane Beamers fell back to the norm last year, under .500. A close call over Old Dominion in the opener doesn’t bode well. At Kroger, it”s a mop up in aisle 2. UK.
Jacksonville State @ Louisville. We already knew that the Cards schedule was backloaded when first spying five of last seven on the road. Plus a couple tests at home. So far the top of the ACC is a smidge wobbly but the middle appears better than expected. Which is to underscore that this one against the other Gamecocks is a must win for the new Top 25er. Rich Rodriguez was once upon a time the “next big thing.” Then he rented the Big House, and his furnishings and the way he decorated the abode didn’t please the landlords. Blame it on bad feng shui. Now he’s coaching in rural Alabama. Jax State scored a bunch of points against Coastal Carolina in its opener, but far from enough. The Cards need to win this win hugely. They shall.
— c d kaplan