We got just enough out of Week 0 to make our college football taste buds water. Now for Week 1, not a dream schedule that will knock your socks off, but worth looking forward to after 7 months of hibernation.

I used to pick the top ten games and really outline the teams, but I’ve found that picking ten games is way too time consuming for my 40-hour a week main gig. Plus, there are times when there are more than 10 great games. So, this year I’m going to list games in two categories, “Must See” and “Of Interest”. I’ll signify these games as follows:

Must See games M

Games of Interest O

Those two terms should tell you all you need to know. If it isn’t one of the two then catching a score later is good enough.

As expected, our taste won’t be the same because we don’t like or hate the same teams. However, as football fans, there will be some cross-over, making what’s interesting to me interesting to you.  And of course, being a Nebraska fan, the Huskers will be the first “Must See” game on the list every week. With that said, here are my 11 games for the week. Let’s get to it.

Thursday, September 3rd

O Colorado vs Georgia Tech

ESPN 7:00pm

Brent Key’s Yellowjackets took a big hit with Hayes King’s graduation and the loss of several coaches, including OC Buster Faulkner, DC Blake Gideon, and offensive line coach Geep Wade. I anticipate a step backwards for the Rambling Wreck. As for Coach Prime, he needs a turnaround. It’s hard to imagine Colorado getting rid of him, he’s put them on the map and has been the face of the Buffaloes since his arrival. But how long can they afford him if he isn’t winning? I’m afraid Prime has already peaked.

Win Probability – Georgia Tech 69.4%

Las Vegas Odds – Georgia Tech -6.5, O/U 51

OTC’s Pick – Georgia Tech

Saturday, September 5

M Ohio vs Nebraska

FOX Sports One 11:00am

As a longtime Husker fan, Ohio defeating the Huskers at home is unthinkable. There was a time when Nebraska’s non-conference schedule included Iowa, Florida State, Penn State, and Auburn all in the same season. But that was then and this is now. Over the last half dozen years Husker fans have witnessed schools like Georgia Southern walk out of Memorial Stadium with a victory. Now we’re gun shy. We want to believe. But man, even Rhule’s teams have made it hard. Ohio will bring a team to Lincoln that saw major turnover, from head coach to their starting quarterback, top running back and entire offensive line from last season. So, it’s a group of newcomers, but that makes it difficult for Nebraska to know what to expect. Nebraska should win this game. They have more talent and experience, and QB Anthony Colandrea has something to prove. No way will he lose to Ohio in back-to-back games.   

Win Probability – Nebraska 91.6%

Las Vegas Odds – Nebraska -23.5, O/U 46.5

OTC’s Pick – Nebraska

M Clemson vs (11) LSU

ABC 6:30pm

We’ll watch this one due to multiple big storylines. It’s Lane Kiffin’s first game as LSU’s head coach. Will he show he was worth what they paid, and can he win it all with the high dollar roster they’ve given him. He brought in 51 new players. It’ll take time to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Quarterback Sam Levitt is one of those big investment pieces. What do the Bayou Bengles get from Levitt this season, the dinged-up shadow from last season or the dynamic play maker of 2024. Meanwhile, at Clemson, Dabo had his worst record in the past 15 years, and the Tigers missed the top twenty-five preseason rankings for the first time since 2011. It could stay that way until Swinney learns how to utilize the portal. Swinney has challenged his team, telling them they are a bunch of ‘nobody’s’ until they prove themselves otherwise. I’m afraid he’s right.

Win Probability – LSU 78.2%

Las Vegas Odds – Clemson -3.5, O/U 57.5

OTC’s Pick – LSU

O Boise State vs (2) Oregon

CBS 2:30pm

Oregon is too deep and has too much talent for Bosie State, but the Broncos have made a good showing when playing at Oregon in the past. In fact two years ago, Boise took the Ducks to the wire losing 37-34. The Broncos went on to win out and lost in the first round of the CFP to Penn State. This one will come down to Oregon’s defense as both offenses return multiple starters, including QBs Maddux Madsen for Bosie and Dante Moore for Oregon. The game is big for both teams, a loss would be stunning for eh Ducks and the as for the Broncos, their early season performance usually dictates how their season will turn out. As a Group of six team, they’ll be looking to stay in the hunt for the CFP.

Win Probability – Oregon 91.7%

Las Vegas Odds – Oregon -24.5, O/U 51.5

OTC’s Pick – Oregon

O UCLA vs California

ESPN 9:30pm

I picked this game for multiple reasons. Two new head coaches in Bob Chseney for the Bruins and Tosh Lupoi for the Bears. Plus, the two quarterbacks, Nico Iamaleava and Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. Chesney will try to be the next Curt Cignetti. After leading Jamas Madison to the CFP playoff, he loaded up and took a large portion of his team to LA. Lupoi returns to his alma-mater after being the defensive coordinator for Dan Lanning at Oregon. We know what Iamaleava is capable of, and Sagapolutele displayed a ton of upside, passing for 3,454 yards and 18 TDs as a true freshman. The snag, his minus120 yards rushing. As a defensive guy, don’t think his head coach isn’t aware of what UCLA will do with that.

Win Probability – UCLA 51.8%

Las Vegas Odds – Cal -1.5, O/U 53.5

OTC’s Pick – UCLA

O Baylor vs Auburn

ABC 2:30pm

One coach is trying to hang on to survive while the other is starting a new chapter. Dave Arnada starts his seventh season at Baylor under pressure. Alex Golesh starts his first year as Auburn’s new head coach after a successful run at South Florida. Baylor brings in QB DJ Lagway who had a solid freshman season at Florida, leading them to a 6-1 record as a starter. But after a sophomore slump and the firing of head coach Billy Napier, Lagway headed back home to Texas. Golesh brought his QB Byrum Brown and twelve other players with him to Auburn. Most of them offensive players, running backs, wide receivers and O-lineman. Defensively Golesh kept DC DJ Durkin who was at Auburn last season. It’s a good move retaining consistency and continuity among coaches and players that have already had success.

Win Probability – Auburn 70.4%

Las Vegas Odds – Auburn -6.5, O/U 58.5

OTC’s Pick – Auburn

O Texas State vs (5) Texas

ESPN 2:30pm

Texas State versus Texas. David versus Goliath. Arch Manning versus Brad Jackson. Everybody knows Manning but pay close attention to Jackson. All he did last season was pass for 3,224 yards, 21 TDs and rush for 744 yards and 17 TDs. I can’t think of anything better than Texas State upsetting Texas. There’s very little chance it happens, but oh man, if it does, I want to see it. Texas State has slowly climbed the ranks, from FCS to FBS and is now part of the new Pac 12 conference. They made the latest leap due to the success of current coach GJ Kinne who has posted a record of 23-16 over the last three seasons with three consecutive bowl game wins. It’s been a slow climb for the Bobcats, but a win against the Longhorns would catapult them to national prominence and put Steve Sarkasian on an unexpected hotseat.

Win Probability – Texas 94.6%

Las Vegas Odds – Texas State +30.5, O/U 60.5

OTC’s Pick – Texas, but boy would I like to be wrong.

O South Dakota State vs Northwestern

BTN 7:00PM

This one won’t interest everyone. But as far as FCS teams go, I somewhat follow the Jackrabbits. They may be one of the best teams in the FCS after in-state rival North Dakota State moved up to the FBS and the Mountain West Conference. What interests me is the crossover between FCS and FBS. South Dakota State finished 9-5 last year and qualified for the FCS playoffs for 14 consecutive seasons. They won back-to-back FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023. Northwestern is what I’d call a lower-tier Big Ten team. Do I think South Dakota State can hang, not really. But I want to see what Northwestern does with former South Dakota Statewide receiver, Griffin Wilde, new QB Aiden Childs, and OC Chip Kelly. Wilde had 71 receptions for 880 yards and 8 TDs last season as a Wildcat, and we know what Chiles is capable of. And Kelly? South Dakota State defeated Stetson 70-7 last week.

Win Probability – Northwestern 81.4%

Las Vegas Odds – South Dakota State +13.5, O/U 46.5

OTC’s Pick – Northwestern

Sunday, September 6th

M (24) Louisville vs (9) Ole Miss

ABC 6:30pm

This is the only matchup in week one between teams ranked in the AP Poll. Ole Miss brings back star power in QB Trinadad Chambliss and RB Kewan Lacy. But for me, the question mark goes behind head coach Pete Golding’s name. I’m not as sold on Golding as some people are. I think the run into the CFP semifinals last season was a carryover from Kiffin and a group of players and coaches who wanted to prove they didn’t need him. They must create their own ‘want-to’ this season and that won’t be easy against Jeff Brohm led Louisville. Brohm likes former Ohio State QB Lincoln Kienholz and he’ll get the best out of him. Kienholz can use his legs and Brohm may show some new wrinkles because of it. We’ll find out how real Ole Miss is. 

Win Probability – Ole Miss 68.4%

Las Vegas Odds – Ole Miss -6.5, O/U 55.5

OTC’s Pick – Ole Miss

O Wisconsin vs (4) Norte Dame

NBC 7:00pm

Several of you will wonder why I picked this game. Well, mostly because I feel like it will be a good gauge of what we can expect from Luke Fickell and the Badgers this season. I do not expect them to win but a good showing against a playoff caliber Notre Dame team would bode well for Fickell. The addition of QB Colton Joeseph may be the last line of defense for Fickell keeping his job. QB play for the Badgers under Fickell has been a sad, sad affair. Wisconsin looked improved at the end of last season, perhaps that will carry over. There is nothing to say about Norte Dame because Notre Dame is Notre Dame.

Win Probability – Notre Dame 89.8%

Las Vegas Odds – Notre Dame -20.5, O/U 47.5

OTC’s Pick – Notre Dame

Monday, September 7th

O SMU vs Florida State 1-0

ESPN 7:30PM

Florida State got the win against New Mexico State in Week 0, but it was anything but impressive. Norvell was on the hotseat before the game, and nothing happened against the Aggies to change that. New Mexico State couldn’t run the ball, but they converted 10 of 16 third-down attempts against the Seminoles. SMU went 9-4 last season and lost three games by a combined score of 7 points. With Kevin Jennings at QB, they’ll eat Norvell and his squad up if they allow the Ponies to convert at the same rate. Playing at home won’t make a difference and calls to fire Norvell will come fast and furious after this one.

Win Probability – SMU 58.7%

Las Vegas Odds – SMU -3.5. O/U 53.5

OTC’s Pick – SMU

I ended up picking 11 games and as you can see, I put about three times the effort into this I wanted to. Look for a much shorter version in Week 2. I selected teams that interest me and perhaps not so much the college football world. I mean, how many of you have interest in what South Dakota State or Texas State does? But it’s early in the season and as teams start building their resumes, the games will get better.

GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!

Art worked designed and owned by Lyle Harmon and ‘Off the Cob’.

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