It dawned on me early this week that my college football content lacked for the month of August. In fact, there was not much all summer. I’ve been a little less heavy on writing words due to my job, life and everything else under the sun, yet where was the love for college football? A sport that I adored a few years ago. I stopped listening to The Solid Verbal at some point this Spring, and my excitement levels for the start of the season weren’t really there like years past. What happened?

I’m not sure. It was a busy fucking summer for one thing. Another thing is Milwaukee actually had a good baseball team for the first time in three years. Add to the fact, the NBA pretty much owned the summer, and that’s all we were talking about until the start of August. College football got left behind. That said, I recommitted my love. I’ve listened to the Verbal this week, I’ve done some deep dives to give you picks and most importantly, I await the return of the pick’em podcast. Let’s get into it. This is a bit of a new format.

MUST WATCH OF THE WEEK
3. Florida State vs 1. Alabama (-7) 7:00 pm ABC: This is the big game of the weekend. All eyes will be in Atlanta. This game is dripping with talent. Florida State will try to start the season off with a bang. The big question is can Deondre Francois handle the offense without Dalvin Cook? I think he can, but it’s going to take some time. Don’t sleep on the ability of Jacques Patrick who is a 231-lb house at running back that could swing the game. Alabama launches a new offense led by Jalen Hurts for another year. Even though Florida State’s defense is dynamite with the return of Derwin James, they struggled versus duel-threat quarterbacks all 2016. I like the Tide by a small margin. This will be a classic. BAMA 20-17

WORTH A FEW CHANNEL FLIPS
West Virginia vs. 21. Virginia Tech (-4) 6:30 pm ABC – An old Big East rivalry returns on Sunday at FedEx Field in a game featuring two new quarterbacks with Josh Jackson for the Hokies, and Will Grier for West Virginia. Grier isn’t a new team as he led Florida to a 6-0 start before testing positive for steroids. Grier looks to pen his redemption song on Sunday. To me, this game is won by which running backs can be more productive. Both teams are talented there with Travon McMillian for Tech, and Justin Crawford for the Mountaineers. I’m taking Grier and West Virginia by a hair, even though it’s hard to bet against Bud Foster getting a month to prepare for this offense. WVA 24-23

11 Michigan (-5) at 17. Florida 2:30 pm ABC – The fun of this game is somewhat lost with Florida having 10 players suspended for credit card fraud including Antonio Callaway and Jordan Scarlett. I do think the Gators can have a nobody believes in us mentality, but it’s hard to prepare for game of this magnitude with the lack of talent and depth. We have zero idea who will be starting for the Wolverines at quarterback, but whomever it is will have a challenge against this tough Florida defense. I do expect the Gators to move the ball a little bit on what will be a young front seven. I still like Michigan at full strength though. MICH 21-13

LOCKS OF THE WEEK
16 Louisville (-24.5) vs. Purdue 6:30 pm FOX – Sooooo Uncle Brent told me last week to ‘not bet on the heavy favorites to begin the year’, and look, I get that, but this is too tasty. It’s Lamar Jackson on a neutral field where this up-tempo Louisville offense will be playing on a fast track at Lucas Oil Stadium. Oh not to mention, Purdue’s defense has never been that stellar. Gimme the Cards or gimme death. LOU 49-21

25 Tennessee (-3) vs Georgia Tech 7:00 pm ESPN – To me, this feels too low for the Vols. Both teams are debuting new quarterbacks in this one, but if history tells us anything, it’s the Vols who start quick while Tech takes a little time to hit their stride. It makes sense considering the Yellow Jackets offense is all about timing with the triple option. I like Vols here to win in more dominating fashion than expected. TENN 38-28

KEEP AN ONE EYE ON
App State at 15. Georgia (-14.5) 4:15 pm ESPN – Can App State shock the world again on Saturday in Athens? They always bring a talented defense to the party, but it’s all about Jacob Eason. Look for him to have a big fourth quarter leading to a Dawgs cover. UGA 34-16

BYU vs 13. LSU (-14.5) 8:30 pm ESPN – This is a stayaway game for me. The public will be all over LSU for two reasons – 1. This game moved to New Orleans after Hurricane Harvey and 2. BYU looked like dog shit against Portland State last week. Now, BYU could be bad which bodes well if you cheer for Wisconsin, but I could make a case the Cougars were looking ahead to this one. We will also see the Tigers new offense under Matt Canada who somehow is this offensive coordinator god which is really weird to type. I like LSU, but I’m taking a Cougs cover. LSU 30-20

Maryland at 23. Texas (-18.5) 11:00 am FS1 – Hand up, I’m a Tom Herman fanboy. I love the way he coaches a team. I love how he puts together an offense, and I love that he’s at Texas. I do feel like this has all the makings of Herman busting through the doors and getting Longhorns fans way too excited about the season.

Enjoy week one of college football y’all.

Charlie.