College Football Week 1 Preview: 8/31-9/4

Heading into a three day holiday weekend with games for five straight days, WE ARE BACK. I am going to be honest, I didn't watch a ton this past weekend. Once my short 'dogs from Ohio lost their quarterback I was checked out, watching USC was not of interest (although I have concerns about that transfer-heavy defense). We will do a play breakdown and then a day-by-day preview of the weekend!

Play of the Week

Arrow screens were the theme of the weekend for both the Irish and USC. USC used theirs as a modern triple option, but I love this example from Notre Dame below. Everyone wanted to see Hartman in a different offense and he looked great under center. This play shows a simple read and great execution when you have your best athletes in space.

• Shotgun, with two receivers and a running back. Pretty simple formation from the Irish.
• Navy is running cover 0 at the 43 yard line. Cover 0 means there is no deep defender covering the field, it is man-to-man and you are on your own. I know their defense is aggressive (see the yellow circle of seven players at the line of scrimmage) but that feels bold.
• The defensive backs (dots 1-4) are over their man but around 8 yards deep. They know Notre Dame has the better athletes, so they're just hoping their defense gets home to the QB or it's a short pass. Be careful what you wish for.

• At the snap, Notre Dame's running back runs across Hartman's face towards the sideline. You can see the linebacker assigned to him is trying to chase, but he is not going to be fast enough to get around his teammates and to the running back.
• I think the arrow route (what the running back is running) is easier to throw as a quarterback than a swing route. Couple this with making the linebacker run further and it's a screen I think we will see a lot of this year.

• The running back catches the ball BEHIND the line of scrimmage. This makes it legal to block downfield on a screen. Do we see how much wider he is already than the linebacker? Good bye.
• The ball is thrown perfectly to lead him. Again, I think this is easier than throwing a swing.
• The wide receivers are engaging down the field (yellow circles). Notre Dame doesn't always have the best speed outside, but they are always physical.

• Not even touched until he is 15 yards down the field. This is masterful. Gets your athlete in space, an easy completion, move the chains.
• Love the tackle by the corner to save a touchdown. Look at how he gets his head across the body and goes low. In a sport where tackling is not always the best, this is great.

Thursday, August 31st

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: Florida at Utah

This game would be ten times more fun if Cam Rising was playing, but we make due. Utah potentially lost out on the playoffs last year by losing in the Swamp and they start out this year hosting the Gators. Florida showed no heart in their bowl game and had a classically weird offseason, so we will see if Vegas is right in cutting the line down by a touchdown as the summer has gone on.

Most Entertaining Game: Nebraska at Minnesota

Matt Rhule has built up programs at Temple and Baylor, took his lumps in the NFL, and is now back in college football. Can he get the Cornhuskers back to the 90's? Nebraska has lost a lot of their recruiting footprint since leaving the Big 12 but if anyone can do it, it's Rhule (until likely the next guy). Say what you will about PJ Fleck, he builds a team that is physical up front on both sides of the ball. This will be a classic Big Ten game in a conference that will look at whole lot different net year.

A Game for the Football Crazies: North Carolina A&T at UAB

The Trent Dilfer era begins. He had an, uh, interesting interview at the bowl game last year, let's see if he gives us any more sound bites. North Carolina A&T is a great HBCU, so this game is worth firing up ESPN+ to check it out.

Picks of the Day

Pick: Nebraska +7 (-110) at Minnesota

I think Rhule gets Nebraska off on the right foot. Minnesota has always been a little off under Fleck, and I think that continues.

Friday, September 1st

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: Miami (OH) at Miami (FL)

The Battle for Miami. The U is trying to get going under Cristobal, and it would be awesome if they did. I think this is a fun matchup and enjoyable to watch on a light Friday night.

Most Entertaining Game: Louisville at Georgia Tech

The Brohm era begins against the Yellow Jackets. This game will be super long, I guarantee it. GT is breaking in a new quarterback and Brohm is reunited with Jack Plummer as he inherits an 8-5 team. There could be some weird plays in Atlanta.

A Game for the Football Crazies: Montana State at Kansas

Kansas was so fun last year and Jalon Daniels is back. But Montana State is a great program in FCS football. Could an upset happen to start the season for the Jayhawks? I wouldn't bet against it.

Picks of the Day

Pick: Louisville at Georgia Tech u48.5 (-110)

While Brohm is known for his terrific offenses, they usually don't score well in the red zone. I expect a lot of field goals and an under that doesn't match the yardage count.

Saturday, September 2nd

Game of the Day: North Carolina vs South Carolina (Charlotte)

If you're an NFL person, this is the game for you. Drake Maye and Spencer Rattler are both draft prospects at the quarterback position and could light things up. North Carolina usually falters on high expectations, so I may favor the Gamecocks. But I love the two state schools meeting in Charlotte to start the season off.

Most Entertaining Game: Boise State at Washington

Another great quarterback matchup! Y'all may know Penix Jr. and his high-flying offense, but Boise State has a manchild in Taylen Green. This is also the Chris Peterson bowl, and a matchup of two of the northwest's best teams.

A Game for the Football Crazies: UTSA at Houston

Sicko's know about the Roadrunners and they may be the best Group of 5 team this year. They are now favored against the Cougars, and I think Dana may be out after this year. If the other night games get boring, throw this on the screen.

Picks of the Day

First Pick: East Carolina 1st Half +21.5 (-110) at Michigan

Michigan is a big second half team, when their physicality finally asserts its dominance. It's a gamble with East Carolina having a new quarterback in front of 110,000 people, but I think the coaching situation muddies the waters for a bit before Michigan opens the floodgates in the second half.

Second Pick: Utah State +24 (-110) at Iowa

Iowa's offensive coordinator has to average over 25 points this year or he gets fired. They shouldn't be favored by 24.

Third Pick: UTSA ML (-125) at Houston

See my notes above, I love the Roadrunners this year.

Fourth Pick: South Carolina +2.5 (-105) vs North Carolina

Mack Brown has sometimes not started off seasons well when he has expectations, so I will take Beamer Ball. Rattler is always a gamble, but it could happen.

Fifth Pick: Coastal Carolina +14.5 (-110) at UCLA

Everyone knows I love Coastal Carolina. They lost their coach, but return their signal caller, Grayson McCall. UCLA will likely be playing Dante Moore, who will be electric in time, but I think Coastal will not be afraid of the empty Rose Bowl and will hang around.

Sunday, September 3rd

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: LSU vs Florida State (Orlando)

As my friend Tom said, "this could be the game of the year". It's a shame it will not be in Tallahassee, but they didn't have to go to Baton Rouge last year so fair is fair. Both teams return a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and two good quarterbacks. How does the Maason Smith suspension impact things up front for the LSU defense? I can't wait to find out.

Most Entertaining Game: Oregon State at San Jose State

I would love for the Beavers to win the PAC-12 this last year. DJ Uiagalelei will be balling, and I bet follows Bo Nix's path of resurgence in the Pacific Northwest. This will be a good judgement call against the San Jose State team that put up 28 points on USC.

A Game for the Football Crazies: Northwestern at Rutgers

Get ready for the CBS College Football music over this one. Is this for relegation in the new Big Ten? If you need something to do at noon on Sunday, I guess this will be on.

Picks of the Day

I am staying away from the LSU vs Florida State game, but I will be watching.

Monday, September 4th

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: Clemson at Duke

We have a new play caller at Clemson! I know that everyone loves what Duke did last year and they no longer have a track around the field so all 14 fans can be heard, and Riley Leonard is the next Daniel Jones, but I want to see Garrett Riley calling up plays for the Tigers! This is a great way to end the weekend during your NFL fantasy draft that you probably have on Monday night.

Picks of the Day

Pick: Clemson -13 (-110) at Duke

Garrett Riley puts up points. Clemson went 10-2 last year with one of the worst offenses in division one. I think we see a resurgence this year and it starts with a statement in Durham.