Predictions, Spreads and Over/Under for College Football Week one

It is finally here, ladies and gentlemen. Finally, Georgia football and college football will be back on our TV screens. It feels like forever since the Dawgs pummeled the Hypnotoad to win the national championship. With every new season, there is hope, and hope is always a bad thing to have. Look at Tennessee fans; they have hope! How far has that taken them?

But you are on here to see what the picks of the SEC are this week. Here is a general rule of thumb for the picks. Usually, I’ll pick SEC games and one or two big games outside the conference. This week, week one, is slightly different because so many SEC teams play smaller schools. I will not pick those games. It is a waste of my time and yours.  So, with that, let’s get started on week one picks!

Florida Gators vs. Utah Utes(-5) over/under 43.5- Ceasers

• Date: August 31, 2023
• Game Time: 8:00 pm
• Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium
• How to Watch: ESPN Streaming on fuboTV

I like the Utes in this game, even though Cam Rising is more than likely out. Flordia is going to be shell-shocked by the environment. Bryson Barnes is going to start for Utah. Barnes was a walk-on originally for the Utes in 2020 and was on scholarship in 2021. In 2022, Barnes started one game and has completed 39-of-59 passing attempts with 453 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. I am not worried about it; the Gators are not all that great. So take Utah and the over here. The reason to take the over is Utah’s defense gave up 22.5 points per game. Surley that can get us to the over with both teams scoring over 24 points each.  It’s a one-score game, and the Utes pull one out late.

Tennessee Volunteers (-28) vs. Virginia Cavilers over/under 56 – Ceasers

• Date: September 2, 2023
• Game Time: 12:00 pm
• Venue: Nissan Stadium-Nashville
• How to Watch ABC, Streaming on fuboTV:

Sadly, I have to take the Vols. Virginia is going to be out-manned and out-matched. The more exciting play here is the over/under. 56 is a lot here, but Veags is challenging you with this number. Life is too short to bet the under, so take the over. If one team can score 56 points alone, it is the Vols, especially if they are playing one of the worst teams in the ACC. If 28 points on the spread is too much, and you think the Cavilers can back door cover, take it. However, you must be more confident in Virginia to bring that number. If you take Virgiana to cover, I would sprinkle just a bit on the money line. For Virgina, their odds are +1800 on the money line if that hits dinner on you. If it does, you lost ten bucks, no harm done.  Again, I like the Vols and the Over in this one.

North Carolina Tar Heels (-2.5) vs. South Carolina Gamecocks over/under 64.5- Ceasers

• Date: September 2, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 pm
• Venue: Bank of America Stadium- Charlotte
• How to Watch ABC, Streaming on fuboTV:

Drake Maye is a great quarterback. He might be the best in the ACC and easily be in the Heisman conversion by the end of the year. But I will take the Gamecocks in this one. South Carolina has the better roster from top to bottom. Spencer Rattler may not be better than Maye is, but he is a fine QB. The difference here is South Carolina’s defense. If the Gamecocks can limit Drake Maye, this game could be a double-digit win for the Gamecocks. 64.5 is the perfect number for the over/under. I would take the over; it is not out of the question that we see a shootout in Charlotte.  South Carolina’s offense can get 30-plus points in this one, and so can UNC. With Rattler and Juju McDowell, the Gamecocks should be able to score a ton on this UNC defense. Give me the Chickens and the over in this one.

LSU Tigers (-2.5) vs. FSU Seminoles over/under 56- Ceasers

• Date: September 3, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 pm
• Venue: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
• How to Watch: ABC, Streaming on fuboTV:

All this off-season, the talk around CFB has been about the Noles. FSU has taken a step up and is back on the national stage. That is great for college football. Nothing is better than Renegade and Chief Osceola running out to midfield while the tomahawk chop and Chief Osceola spearing the 50-yard line. But I don’t think they can win this one against the Bayou Bengals. Jadien Daniels is one of the better QBs in the SEC and, for that matter, in CFB. LSU has a stellar QB and one of the country’s better o-lines. On defense, there is one man who is the best pass-rushing linebackers in the country, and that is Harold Perkins Jr. Perkins is a game wrecker, and that’s what he will do against the Noles. LSU has the better roster and has one of the best players in college football. Last year’s game was one of the craziest games played. That game was played in New Orleans, in Orlando this year. Give me the Tigers and the Under in this one.

And there you have it, folks! It is humorous that people complain about how the SEC does not play anybody, but four SEC teams are playing in the biggest games in week one. You can’t complain at the end of the season that whoever came out of the SEC has not played anybody. Top to bottom, the SEC is the best conference, yet again. For all of those asking, “Where is the Georgia football game?” Georgia will not get a prediction until they play a real team, week three against the Gamecocks. I can give you one prediction about that game: If the Gamecocks win against North Carolina, Georgia will be on “upset” watch. I can almost guarantee it. Also, watch for ESPN to use 2019 as the reason the Dawgs should be weary of South Carolina. Anyway, enjoy the start of the sport we all love.