August 27, 2024
CFB InsiderReady for the Full Buffet
The CFB season is finally HERE. Okay, technically, it was here last week for week zero, but we had just a smattering of games last week, like having just potato salad at the buffet. Potato salad is GREAT but we need the FULL buffet. That happens this week. Let’s dive in.
Lone Star Player of the Week Candidates
SMU TE R.J. Maryland - eight second half catches for 162 yards and the game winning TD in the fourth quarter for SMU in a week zero win over Nevada in Reno.
2024 Season Predictions Sure to Go Wrong in a Hurry
The transfer portal, NIL and 12 team playoff will combine to make this the WILDEST season in a long time.
The Heisman Trophy winner will come from out of nowhere, somewhat like LSU’s Jayden Daniels did last year. A few names that could surprise will come from a name program, perhaps a transfer that has just flown under the radar based on his previous stops. Keep an eye on Miami QB Cam Ward (West Columbia, TX represent, yo!!), but don’t sleep on former Texas transfer Utah QB Cam Rising, Oregon’s much traveled starter Dillon Gabriel or talented Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty. Talk about sleepers, I just gave the Rip Van Winkle of all sleepers right there in that trio.
Games will finish 10-15 minutes EARLIER, on average, with the new rules on timing after first downs and the “two minute timeout”. Trust me, it’s NOT the two minute warning; we broadcasters have already been given the “what for” to make sure it remains the two minute TIMEOUT not WARNING.
Even with all the shake up in conference alignment, NIL, portal and the sort, Ohio State will win the national championship.
Georgia will be undefeated until it’s upset in the semifinal round of the playoff.
The winner of the Michigan-Oregon game on November 2nd will make the playoff as an at-large.
The SEC will get four teams into the playoff, at a minimum. The B1G will get two or more.
Boise State will be the Group of 5 (or 6) that gets the #12 seed.
Alabama may take a step back this year, but head coach Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama staff are recruiting like gangbusters. Get Alabama this year, because in the near future, the Tide will be a BEAST…again.
Texas A&M, with Mike Elko in charge, will make a statement right out of the chute against Notre Dame on Saturday.
There will be a 2,000 yard rusher this year in college football. This is an outstanding class of running backs in 2024 and one of them, at a minimum, will get to 2,000 yards on the ground.
My guy, longtime head coach K.C Keeler will lead the Sam Houston Bearkats to a bowl game in year two in FCS.
I like Oklahoma State, led by seventh year QB Alan Bowman and RB Ollie Gordon, to win the Big 12 and host a first round playoff game.
The SEC will be a bloodbath as usual. Keep an eye on Tennessee as a dark horse to get to ten wins. A&M will be in the mix as well with one of the more underrated coaches in college football Mike Elko. But, in the end, Georgia is one of the two most talented teams in the nation and that’ll have the Dawgs back in Atlanta raising the championship trophy in December.
Quick Kudos from Week 0
…to Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech’s star RB, who had 13 touches for 91 yards and two rushing TD in the Yellow Jackets’ upset of #10 Florida State in Dublin, Ireland.
…to WWE legend Seamus. As the guest picker on College Gameday, he was the ONLY expert to pick the Georgia Tech upset over Florida State
…to the Montana State Bobcats. Down 31-14 as a double digit favorite over FCS New Mexico heading into the fourth quarter, QB “Touchdown” Tommy Mellott and crew roared back to beat the Lobos in Albuquerque.
…to SMU TE R.J. Maryland. The son of former #1 overall pick Russell Maryland is carving out his own name and made a statement in week zero. After not catching a pass in the first half, Maryland led a wild fourth quarter SMU comeback with eight catches for 162 and the game winning TD against Nevada on the road.
…to Delaware State for making it to Hawai’i and then competing after an arduous road trip to the island. The Hornets missed their flight initially to Hawai’i, but eventually made it to Hawai’i to play the Warriors.
Week 1’s National game of Note
(0-0) Boston College at (0-1) #10 Florida State - there’s no more difficult way Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien could start his BC coaching career. At Florida State…after the Seminoles lost their opener in Ireland. Ouch. That said, BC QB Thomas Castellanos can throw and run his Eagles into good offense but the Seminoles are angry. This could be fun.
Week 1’s Big 12/SEC Games of Note
(0-0) #1 Georgia v (0-0) #14 Clemson - Atlanta - This must just be the most anticipated matchup in week one. Clemson needs retribution from a couple of average seasons and is looking to find its way back into the Bluebloods Club. A win over QB Carson Beck’s Georgia Bulldogs would have people’s attention in a big way.
(0-0) #8 Penn State at (0-0) West Virginia - This rivalry should be played every year, but conference realignment blah, blah, blah. Either way, Penn State QB Drew Allar had one of his best games in 2023 v. West Virginia, but Morgantown will be turned all the way up for the arrival of one of their most despised rivals.
(0-0) #19 Miami, FL at (0-0) Florida - The Hurricanes ruled the offseason and its prized transfer acquisition is Texan QB Cam Ward, who shined at Washington State and Incarnate Word, before heading to Coral Gables. However, Gainesville’s Swamp is not welcoming to visitors in openers. Ask Utah. So, Ward will have to be on his game to win big on the road.
(0-0) #7 Notre Dame at (0-0) #20 Texas A&M - The finale of the ABC/ESPN tripleheader is going to be a bloodbath in College Station. These two teams will physically wear each other out throughout the game in 90 degree temperatures at Kyle Field. It’s the opener for head coach Mike Elko at A&M and a statement game needed for Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
(0-0) #23 USC v. (0-0) #13 LSU - Las Vegas - Last year, this one would’ve been a matchup of the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and the last two Heisman Trophy winners (USC QB Caleb Williams and LSU QB Jayden Daniels). But, don’t think that their absence takes away from the juice and star power in this gargantuan matchup on Sunday night in Vegas. USC’s Miller Moss and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier have massive shoes to fill, but they are BOTH ready for this opportunity.