Sorry, had to throw a little Spanish in there for week 1. Some electric football this weekend starting tonight. My dad took my mother, my sister and me to Madrid when I was in 8th grade and Penny was in 11th. He was writing a book on the Spanish Governor of Florida from 1796-1811, Juan Vicente Folch. He was a Latin American History Professor at UAB and was on sabbatical working on his book. He translated all of the Spanish into English to write the book. It was published after he passed away as my mother worked tirelessly to get it published. He would have written several more had he not passed away at the age of 55. Penny and I went to the American School in Madrid. It was an excellent school, we learned a lot, I played a lot of soccer and ping pong, and learned quite a bit of Spanish. I can “hablo” Spanish fairly competently now, but want to be able to speak it fluently one day when things clear up. I’ve got an app on my phone called Babbel that teaches you how to become fluent in Spanish. So, will get to that at some point.
I was in New York with my daughter, Isabelle, this past weekend. She is working for an advertising firm up there. Wow, keeping up with your 27 year old daughter is quite a challenge. She’s an active one. We went to the Mets-Rockies game last Friday Night at Citi Field. It was a total and complete blast. What an amazing fan experience. There was a DJ playing music, a Max Scherzer Bobblehead, which I am loving. Scherzer is a warrior pitcher for the Mets. He’s been a warrior for a long time. There was entertainment throughout the game. I’ve become a Mets fan. Sorry, Braves fans. Still like the Bravos, but the Amazins are a pretty fun group to watch and Citi Field is terrific. Watched the Mets-Dodgers last night with the great Jacob deGrom on the mound for the Mets. The Mets won 2-1 thanks to one of the greatest catches you’ll ever see by Mets centerfielder Brandon “Captain” Nimmo. NImmo ran all the way back to the centerfield wall, jumped up, reached over the wall on Justin Turner’s blast, and pulled it in. It was spectacular and the Mets fans were going berserk. If you get a chance, look it up. It’s worth the watch. The Mets, the Braves and the awesome Dodgers are looking superb right now. The Mets go to Truist Park in Atlanta, Sept. 30-Oct. 2nd, in what should be a classic with major implications on the line. It was like an October playoff game in Citi last night. The Mets fans remind me of European soccer fans. The Dodgers games have been electric. Another one today, game 3, the finale, at 3:10 PM CT.
Isabelle told me she wants to learn how to play chess, so I’m going to reach back to my days playing with Theo and Watts to teach her. Theo and I are going to start playing again. Theo would play with some of the street studs in Baltimore when he was at Maryland-Baltimore County College, and he was a solid player. Watts was awesome at chess, and T and I were calling him, “Genius.” So, T and I are going to get back at it and teach Isabelle how to play.
Sorry about getting off topic a little, but just wanted to talk about something different before diving into the season. Wow, It’s going to be quite a year. Can the Crimson Tide regain the glory they’ve had for so many years under S? Can Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs sustain greatness? Can Ohio State reach the pinnacle this season? Will Dabo’s Clemson Tigers become a force again? Can the Auburn Tigers overcome some haphazard leadership amongst their leading boosters and have a good season and give Bryan Harsin a chance? The answer to the first four questions are all yes. All 4 teams can win it all and there are others in the mix. I hope the Tigers can have a good year for my Tigers readers’ sake, and all the Auburn fans who just want to concentrate on their football team and not all the politics that is going on right now. I’m going to talk about football for all these teams. NIL and transfer stuff is irrelevant now. It’s football season. Time to talk about the games. That’s what we’re all really interested in.
Here’s a look at the week one schedule.
Record last season
Straight up with bowls, 242-108, 68%
Against the Spread/Bowls, 175-62, 52%
Utah State @ No.1 Alabama
Bryant-Denny Stadium
6:30 PM CT
SEC Network
Tom, JRodg, Cole
Crimson Tide by 41 1/2
The No.1 team in the country is beyond legit. Bryce Young is back to try and win another Heisman and win a national title, but he’s going to get quite a run for his money because outside linebacker/defensive end Will Anderson could very well be the best player in the country. If Will can put up the numbers he did last season, I can see him being the first defensive player since Charles Woodson of Michigan in 1997 to win the award. That would be something else. Then, alongside Anderson, Jr., you have the great Dallas Turner and up and coming star Chris Braswell. S said they will all be in games at the same time. Watch out. That’ll be an unblockable force. The Tide has some stellar transfers, particularly running back Jahmyr Gibbs from Georgia Tech. He looks like he’ll be a 1,000+ rusher for the Tide, and could make it up to 1,500 yards and certainly double digit TDs. I was really sorry to read about Brian Robinson Jr.’s situation in D.C. He was set to be the starting running back for the Commanders, but was shot twice in the lower body last Sunday in an attempted car jacking incident. He’s making an awesome recovery and has such a positive attitude that I expect him to get back to playing next season. What a super player he was for the Crimson Tide last season. Hoping and praying for a speedy and safe recovery for BRob.
So the offense looks stellar, as does the defense. This may be the best defense S has had since 2011 and 2012. It was a little bit of a blow to lose wide receiver JoJo Earle to a leg injury in August, but S expects him back in early October. The receiving corps got a big boost with a couple of transfers, Jermaine Burton and Tyler Harrell from Georgia and Louisville, respectively. I expect Traeshon Holden to have an excellent year. He’s impressed me in the last two spring games. I see him ready to step in and be a playmaker on the perimeter. Ja’Corey Brooks and Christian Leary are two others who can make big impacts at receiver. The offensive line will need to come into its own as soon as it can. The addition of Tyler Steen (6’5”, 315) from Vanderbilt at left tackle should be a positive. I’m really high on right guard Emil Ekiyor (6’3”, 307). Expecting him to have a big season. This line will need to jell quickly.
But I’m highly bullish on this Crimson Tide team in 2022. Utah State is a solid team, but this is tough for them. The Crimson Tide starts the season off well and gets ready to visit Sark and his Texas Longhorns in Austin next Saturday, 9/10, at 11 AM CT on FOX.
Bama 45, Utah State 3
Mercer @Auburn
Jordan-Hare Stadium
6 PM CT
ESPN+, SEC Network+
Mike Corey, Aaron Murray, Nicole Rigoni
Tigers by 31 1/2
I hope the Auburn hierarchy gives Bryan Harsin a chance. He named TJ Finley the starter, and while I was a little surprised by that, I thought he would pick Zach Calzada, he feels like Finley gives his team the best chance to succeed. I know that Calzada and Oregon transfer and former Hoover High product Robby Ashford are ready if needed. Finley can be a pretty good passer, it’s just his mobility that is a concern. We’ll see how he responds. With Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter in the backfield, he may not need to do a whole lot against the Bears. The Tigers need to develop their offensive line and wide receivers. The loss of center Nick Brahms for the season was a tough blow. He was the leader on the line and a stellar player. But there is still good size and talent. The Tigers just need to take care of business in Jordan Hare. I like them to do that. Big game for Harsin even though the Tigers have the superior talent. Every game is big for Harsin this season. Defense has good talent.
Auburn 41, Mercer 7
No. 11 Oregon @ No.3 Georgia
Chick fil-A Kickoff
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, ATL
2:30 PM CT
ABC
Sean, Todd, Molly
Dawgs by 17
Georgia is younger on defense, but there are 4 and 5 stars on the defense even though they’re untested. It might take them a minute before they figure it out. Stetson Bennett is bound and determined to prove his naysayers wrong again and show he can lead the Georgia offense to even greater heights this season. He’s got the offensive artillery around him. Former Georgia defensive coordinator, Dan Lanning, who coordinated Georgia’s historically great defense last season, takes over in Eugene. That’s a tough first assignment for Lanning and the Ducks, but they’ve got some talent that now Miami Coach Mario Cristobal left behind. Still like them Dawgs to get the job done in what is maybe not technically home game but really is. But it won’t be totally lopsided.
Georgia 31, Oregon 17
Sunday
Florida State @L-S-U
Allstate Louisiana Kickoff
Caesars Superdome, N’Awlins
6:30 PM CT
ABC
Tess, Gregory, Katie George
Bengal Tigers by 3
Brian Kelly’s maiden voyage in the SEC will be versus a team that was impressive last Saturday in defeating Duquense, 47-7, even though the opponent wasn’t too stellar. The Noles had three running backs run for over 100 yards. See them as much improved in Mike Norvell’s third season. Kelly didn’t name a starting quarterback between Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier. Nussmeier is the better passer, while Daniels can make plays with both his arm and his wheels. A lot of people are predicting Daniels to start. I’d say it’s 55-45% Daniels, but I wouldn’t totally be surprised if it’s Nussmeier. I like the Bengal Tigers to get the job done. They still have several studs on their team led by wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. O did recruit well.
LSU 27, FSU 23
Saturday
No.23 Cincinnati @No.19 Arkansas
Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville
2:30 PM CT
ESPN
Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore, Tiffany Blackmon
Hogs by 6 1/2
Yes, I like this game to be close. Sam Pittman has them charged up in Fayetteville. Quarterback KJ Jefferson should have a stellar year for the Hogs, but Cincy is legit. I like them to give the Hogs a tussle. Give me the Hogs, and I’m bullish on them this year, but I like a close game.
Hogs 27, Bearcats 24
No.7 Utah @ Florida
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
6 PM CT
ESPN
Bob Wischten, Dan Orlovsky, Kris Budden
Utes by 3
Kyle Whittingham has led his program to great heights. The Utes are for real. They’ve always been a highly physical team, but now they have playmakers to go along with that physicality. Billy Napier is a guy I see doing a very good job at Florida if they’ll give him a couple of years to build. This is a bit of a rebuilding job for Napier.
Utah, 28, Florida 24
Troy @ No.21 Ole Miss
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford
3 PM CT
SEC Network
Taylor Zarzour, Stinch, Alyssa
Rebs by 21 1/2
Lane brought in the No.1 transfer class in the country. His running back transfer from TCU, Zach Evans, is a former 5 star and has a shot to be terrific. The quarterback situation is another one that is a game time decision. It’ll be interesting to see if Kiff goes with Jaxson Dart, the USC transfer, or sophomore Luke Altmyer, who got some reps in during the Sugar Bowl last season versus Baylor. I like Lane to have a solid team if the transfers can come together. The quarterback for Troy, Gunnar Watson, put up some solid numbers last season. He can have some success against a revamped Ole Miss defense. Kiff has a new OC and DC, so that’ll be interesting. His mastermind, former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, took the Oklahoma OC job. I like the Rebs, but give me the Trojans to keep it closer than the spread.
Ole Miss 24, Troy 14
Memphis at Mississippi State
Davis Wade Stadium, Starkvegas
6:30 PM CT
Duh U, ESPNU
Clay Matvick, Rocky Boiman, Dawn Davenport
State by 16
I like Mike Leach, his stellar quarterback Will Rogers, and the Bulldogs to have a big game and get some revenge against Memphis, which upset them last season in a very poorly officiated game that cost the Bullies the game.
Mississippi State 38, Memphis 17
Sam Houston @ No.6 Texas A&M
Kyle Field, College Station
11 AM CT
SEC Network
Dave, Deuce, Andraya
Aggies by 29 1/2
Big year for Jimbo, though next season will be even bigger with his high 4 star and 8 man 5 star class becoming sophomores. But this year is important, too. He needs to do better than 8 victories, but as I told a friend of mine, with their schedule, it might be hard to do. Haynes King will get the start. He’s talented, but untested for the most part.
A&M 35, Sam Houston 3
Tonight
Ball State @ Tennessee
Neyland Stadium, Knoxvegas
6 CT
SEC Network
Tom, JRodg, Cole, busy men
UT by 35 1/2
I like quarterback Hendon Hooker and the Vols to start the year off with a bang. UT could have a very fine season.
Tennessee 45, Ball State 7
Saturday
Miami (Ohio) @ No. 20 Kentucky
Kroger Field, Lexington
6 PM CT
ESPN+, SEC Network+
UK by 16
John Calipari was whining as usual this summer about the football program getting a new facility and him not getting anything new. Calipari called Kentucky a “Basketball School.” That’s true, but Mark Stoops has won 10 games twice at Kentucky and that’s tremendous. His teams overachieve, while Calipari’s consistently underachieve. I’m buying Kentucky this season. They’ve indefinitely suspended running back Chris Rodriguez for a DUI, but they’ve got solid replacements. Stoops has recruited very well. Will Levis is looking to have a big year under center.
Kentucky 31, Miami 14
Georgia State @ South Carolina
Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia
6:30 PM CT
ESPN+ SEC Net+
SC by 12 1/2
I love what Shane Beamer is doing in Columbia. Like Sam Pittman and Mark Stoops, he’s got his fanbase ecstatic about what the Gamecocks can accomplish. He also got former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler in the transfer portal. I like Rattler to return to his form of 2 years ago when he was dynamite for the Sooners. He was a 5 star in high school and played like it his first season starting at OU. Last season was a one off.
Gamecocks 31, Georgia State 17
Tonight
LA Tech @ Missouri
Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field, Columbia, MO.
7 PM
ESPNU
Mike Monaco, Dave Steckel?
Tigers by 20 1/2
Eli Drinkwitz needs to show some progress in year 3. It’s been a tough 2 years to begin his career at Missouri, but not all bad. He’s looking to win 7 games or so this season, and keep building. He had the No.16 recruiting class in 2022, so that’s progress.
Missouri 34, LA Tech 14
Elon @ Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville
6 PM CT
ESPN+ SEC Net+
Commodores by 19
I sure like what Clark Lea did last week in Hawaii winning 63-10. He’s had to kick a couple of freshmen off the team, 4 star linebacker Daniel Martin and high 3 star running back Maurice Edwards. He did that yesterday and has already suspended a couple of others. It’s not known what the guys did. Kind of a blow, but those 2 guys who were expelled weren’t cutting it in practice and were buried on the depth chart. They probably got frustrated and did something stupid. But Lea is running a tight ship, and all the players who played against Hawaii last Saturday are available except for a couple of injured guys, who were backing up the starters. Lea has high goals for Vanderbilt football, and though it’s tough for the Dores to be a juggernaut in the SEC, the competition is too fierce, being like Northwestern, winning 8, and, from time to time, 9 games, and going to good bowl games is attainable.
Vanderbilt 45, Elon 10
National Games
No. 2 Ohio State 42, No. 5 Notre Dame 21
Ohio Stadium, Columbus
6:30 PM CT
ABC
Chris, Kirk, Holly
Buckeyes by 17
Like a kill here. The Irish are way overrated.
Monday
No.4 Clemson 41, Georgia Tech 14
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
7 PM CT
ESPN
Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek, Lugues
Clemson by 21 1/2
Like Dabo to have a comeback season and be a contender in November and December.
Saturday
Texas 45, UL Monroe 7
DKR Stadium, Austin
7 PM CT
Longhorn Network
Texas by 37 1/2
Sark and the Longhorns get a warmup before the Crimson Tide comes to town next Saturday. Better strap it on then.
No.9 Oklahoma 42, UTEP 10
Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK.
2:30 PM CT
FOX
Jason Benetti, Brock Huard
OU by 30
The Brent Venables era begins in Norman. Will be a very interesting year for the Sooners. UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel takes over at quarterback. He has plenty of talent.
Tonight
West Virginia @ No. 17 Pitt
Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
6 CT
ESPN
Matt Barrie, Louis Riddick, Harry “Connick” Lyles Jr.
Pitt by 7 1/2
I’m going to take Coach Neil Brown, formerly of Troy, and his Mountaineers in an upset.
West VA. 24, Pittsburgh 21
Tonight
Penn State @ Purdue
Ross-Ade Stadium West Lafayette, Indiana
7 CT
FOX
Gus, Joel, Jenny
Nittany Lions by 3 1/2
I’m going to take another upset. Purdue knocks off a lot of good teams at home. Late field goal wins it for Boilers.
Purdue 23, Penn State 20
Friday
TCU 34, Colorado 20
Folsom Field, Boulder, CO.
9 PM CT
ESPN
Brian Custer, Dustin Fox, Taylor McGregor
TCU by 13 1/2
Like the Frogs to open up the season right under first year coach, the successful Sonny Dykes.
Saturday
Houston 38, UTSA 31
Alamodome, San Antonio
2:30 PM CT
CBS Sports Network
Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, Sherree Burruss
Houston by 4
Give me Dana Holgerson and his Cougs. They’re going to be strong this season, but the Roadrunners are a very good team too, so should be an excellent game.