Week 1 Predictions

Are You Ready For Some Football? 

The wait is FINALLY over and football season is here! Time for a day full of tailgating, sitting around a TV and watching football all day long. Its my favorite part of the year and this year promises to be another great season for college football. Doing things a little different this year and going with straight picks for 4 games per week, My Bonus Pick of the week featuring my school, Presbyterian, plus one big preview for my "Game of the Week". Week 1's game of the week is an easy choice but each week I'll pick one game that I want to break down for that week and make it my featured game of the week. I feel like I'm just rambling on and on now so lets just get to business, shall we? 

Week 1 Predictions : Take Your Pick

#1 Alabama vs Virginia Tech 

Alabama begins their quest for 3 straight BCS titles when they open up the season in Atlanta against Virginia Tech in Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game. VT has struggled the past few seasons after dominating the ACC when they hit the scene in 2004. Alabama is literally too good to slip up against a mediocre VT squad. This one is easy. Roll Tide, Roll! 

The Pick: Alabama

#12 LSU vs #20 TCU

It feels like LSU lost their whole team to graduation/NFL. Zach Mettenberger isn't that great of a QB and the Tiger's offense and play-calling was very suspect at times last season. LSU better hope they take care of business in week 1 because with four top ten opponents looming in UGA, Florida, Texas A&M and Alabama, there is little room for error. However, Tiger Stadium at night isn't for the weak at heart and that will ultimately be the difference.

The Pick: LSU

North Carolina vs  #6 South Carolina

Its amazing that these two schools don't meet up more often. The battle of Carolina's. Maybe this game will tell us who the REAL Carolina is and help avoid confusion when "Carolina" is discussed. Some people have the Gamecocks on upset alert for this game but I'm not buying it. As much as I'd love to see it, I don't believe the Tarheels have enough to get the job done, or more importantly, keep Clowney out of their backfield. 

The Pick: South Carolina  

#11 Florida State vs Pittsburgh 

The Seminoles have some gaps to fill as they take on the 2013 season. A new QB under center in Freshmen Jameis Winston leaves many with questions with what this team can accomplish. Defensively, the Noles will be among the best in the nation and should help keep the pressure off this offense to put up big numbers. This one might be close, but the better team will prevail. The defending ACC champs start off their path to Charlotte on the right foot.

The Pick: Florida State

**Since I'm a student at PC I also have to show some love for Blue Hose every weekend and include them in my weekly predictions. It will be a bonus to the normal five predictions I make weekly. Check those out in the "Bonus Pick of The Week " section!** 

*Bonus Pick of The Week* 

Presbyterian @ Wake Forest 

The Blue Hose open up the season on the road at ACC foe, Wake Forest.The two teams met up in 2010 and the Demon Deacons walked away with a 53-13 victory. Although I expect this game to be much closer, I don't think PC can pull the upset. I think it will be a very competitive game early with Wake Forest pulling away in the 2nd half. Perhaps Coach Nichols has another trick-play up his sleeve. We shall see.

The Pick: Wake Forest

And last but certainly not least........

Christopher's Game of the Week

#5 Georgia vs #8 Clemson 

Preview: 

Old school rivalry renewed. These two teams meet up for the first time since 2003, a 30-0 Georgia victory in Death Valley. In my opinion this should be a game that is played every single year. The history of this rivalry goes back for years. Back in the 1980's Clemson-UGA was THE Rivalry game to watch and I'm thrilled its being revived. This is what college football in the south is all about. Two teams that hate each other with very passionate fans. This is going to be an instant classic. From a ticket standpoint, I've never seen demand so high for a Clemson football game. Camping out for tickets 11 days before they are distributed? That's insane. But I absolutely love it. Shout out to Clemson students for that! That's what I call being "All In"

Players to Watch: 

Georgia: QB Aaron Murray, RB Todd Gurley, RB Keith Marshall, WR Malcom Mitchell, CB Damian Swann*

Clemson: QB Tajh Boyd, WR Sammy Watkins, WR Gerome Hopper, RB Roderick McDowell, LB Spencer Shuey. 

Notable Suspensions/Injuries: 

Georgia- K Marshall Morgan, SS Josh Harvey-Clemons, TE Ty Flournoy-Smith, FS Tray Matthews*, SS Corey Moore.*

Clemson- TE Sam Cooper, TE Jordan Leggett, TE T.J. Green

 (*-denotes injured player with status TBD) 

My Thoughts: 

We know both of these teams have explosive offenses that can light up the scoreboard. However, both have questions on defense. Inexperience is an issue for both secondaries, especially the Tigers. Coach Swinney has praised the effort and performance of his Offensive and Defensive lines and feels they could actually be a strength of this team this season. With ESPN College Gameday and the rest of the college football world watching, can the Tigers focus and take care of business despite all the distractions? This game could easily turn into a high scoring shootout. With two high power offenses  tied with a defense that has problems with depth, experience, and health...don't be surprised to see a lot of points. And I hope it does (turn into a high scoring affair) for two reasons. 1. Just imagine how fun it would be to see these teams go punch for punch all night long in a high scoring frenzy. 2. A high scoring game as opposed to a low scoring affair favors the Tigers. The atmosphere is going to be second to none and I expect the crowd to be a MAJOR factor in this game as well. This one could easily go down to the wire and a FG could be the difference in the outcome. If that's the case, you have to feel good as a Clemson fan. We know Chandler Catanzaro is more than capable of being clutch but UGA will be without the services of Marshall Morgan who was arrested earlier this summer for BUI (Boating Under The Influence) and will have to look elsewhere for help. Most likely from either sophomore Patrick Beless or RS Freshmen Thomas Pritchard. The key for Clemson will be a good start early to keep the crowd rowdy and on their feet as well as putting the pressure on Aaron Murray. South Carolina showed us last year just how effective a good pass rush can be in stopping UGA. Its vital. In the end, I think this one simply comes down to who wants it more. With South Carolina looming next weekend, will the Bulldogs be fully focused at the task at hand? Looking ahead could cost them greatly. One thing is for sure, this is going to be a good one.

Bottom Line: Both secondaries have some major concerns heading to this game. We know both offenses can move the ball but will they be able to stop the other team? I'm torn over a prediction. My gut tells me Clemson's secondary issues are going to cost them this game but another part tells me we are in for a pleasant surprise with this defense. I've gone back and forth but I'm committing now and think somehow, someway, the Tigers find a way to get it done in Death Valley.

The Pick: 

Clemson 38 Georgia 35