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Chop Chat's College Football 2016 Game Picks: Week 1
Here’s a look at this week’s top college football games and who the Chop Chat’s staff thinks will win each of the showdowns.
The calendar chance from August to September means one very important thing to all of us: college football has returned, friends! Sure, there were two games last weekend that provided a solid appetizer to those of us who are diehard fans. But now, this weekend is when we get the main course of action from across the country.
Part of the fun of college football season is when fans get to decide who they think is going to win each week’s games. Here at Chop Chat, we are no different – we like to enjoy a friendly wager here and there when it comes to the action on the field. No, we’re not talking about anything involving money since that would be illegal…we’re working out something like public humiliation or something. We’ll keep you updated.
Anyway, over the course of the 2016 season, our site’s fearless leaders, experts Jason Parker and Kelvin Hunt (along with staff writer Brad Johnson) will be picking 10 games each week in a battle to the end of the season, culminating with the national championship game on January 9th in Tampa – hopefully with FSU playing in it.
For these picks, the three amigos will be joined by one of Jason’s classmates from Florida State (and pretty much his doppelganger), Kyle Albritton, who defeated him in picks last season on a different website and is seeking more bragging rights this year.
Since we have no records so far in 2016, we’re just going to jump right into the games.
Jan 1, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA;
Florida Gators helmets during the second half in the 2016 Citrus Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. Michigan won 41-7. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
UMass at No. 25 Florida – The Crocs start off with another tough game, continuing their tradition of starting off with a scrub team instead of growing a pair and playing a decent non-conference game other than Florida State. It will be the debut for Luke Del Rio, who is one about his fifth college in the last three years. Heck, he can’t be much worse than Treon Harris…right?
Preseason Pick: Florida All Pick: Florida
FAMU at Miami – Not much better of an opening game for FSU’s other in-state rival as the Hurricanes open their season at home against the first of two teams from Tallahassee they will host this season. While they will get a great showing from the opposing band both times, this will be the only real chance the Hurricanes have of beating a team from the capital city this season.
Preseason Pick: Miami All Pick: Miami
No. 2 Clemson at Auburn – For some reason, there is a growing number of so called “experts” who want to put the ACC’s Tigers on upset watch heading into this game. Look, we’re all for the theory that anyone can win on any given day, but why are there people high on the SEC’s Tigers at all this season? With no real firm quarterback and a defense that is still suspect, they are a 7-5 team at best in 2016.
Preseason Pick: Clemson All Pick: Clemson
No. 16 UCLA at Texas A&M – The first of two Pac 12/SEC games on the day features a matchup that the men from the West Coast actually have a shot at winning. The Aggies are another team that talks a lot but has nothing to back it up recently, while the Bruins at least have a solid quarterback in Josh Rosen. We’ll give this one to the visitors.
Preseason Pick: UCLA Jason and Kyle’s Pick: UCLA Kelvin and Brad’s Pick: Texas A&M
No. 10 Notre Dame at Texas – Last season, the Longhorns were flat out embarrassed when they went up to South Bend for the first game in this series. That loss was the start of an increasingly hot seat under Texas head coach Charlie Strong that continues into 2016. That being said, Texas is a much better team and the recent suspensions of Fighting Irish players is enough to make some of us talk upset.
Preseason Pick: Texas Jason’s Pick: Texas Kelvin, Brad and Kyle’s Pick: Notre Dame
Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) breaks away from Auburn Tigers cornerback Ed Paris (24) for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
No. 5 LSU vs. Wisconsin (Green Bay, WI) – College football returns to one of pro football’s most iconic buildings for the first time in decades, as the Tigers continue to actually be one of the few SEC teams who isn’t allergic to the idea of leaving the southern part of the country. In years past, this would have been a game of the week…in 2016, it’s going to be an easier than expected win for the Bayou Bengals.
Preseason Pick: LSU All Pick: LSU
No. 22 North Carolina vs. No. 18 Georgia (Atlanta) – The first of two games between ACC and SEC ranked teams is going to feel like a home game for the Bulldogs, playing in the heart of their fan base. That’s a good thing for first year head coach Kirby Smart, who has a lot to prove after replacing Mark Richt in the offseason. A loss to last year’s ACC Coastal Division champs would immediately raise all kinds of hell in the Peach State, but he should be okay.
Preseason Pick: Georgia Jason and Kyle’s Pick: Georgia Kelvin and Brad’s Pick: UNC
No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 15 Houston (NRG Stadium) – This game may be the most intriguing on of the entire weekend. You have a Sooners team who is being run by a serious Hesiman contender in quarterback Baker Mayfield and looking to get back to the College Football Playoff against a Cougars team that easily handled FSU last year in the Peach Bowl and has the talent to get to the playoff too. The winner of this game has a good argument for getting there, so we’ll go Oklahoma.
Preseason Pick: Oklahoma All Pick: Oklahoma
No. 22 USC vs. No. 1 Alabama (Arlington, TX) – Give it to Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and the athletic department: they have no problem starting off the year with a decent non-conference game outside of Tuscaloosa. This year, it’s the Pac 12’s Trojans and their now permanent head coach, Clay Helton. Alabama has talent in players like Calvin Ridley and O.J. Howard, but they will also be rebuilding in plenty of key areas. Wait, wasn’t that the same thing said last year before they won it all?
Preseason Pick: Alabama All Pick: Alabama
Oct 24, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) celebrates a touchdown run with running back DeMarcus Walker (44) against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
***GAME OF THE WEEK*** No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 4 Florida State (Orlando) – The road to a national title will start in Orlando, as the winner of this game puts themselves in the early driver’s seat for a spot in the four team playoff. For the Rebels, a win would propel them into a game two weeks later against Alabama – a team they’ve beaten two straight years – and their search for the first SEC crown since 1963.
The Seminoles, meanwhile, have the talent to play for and win a fourth national title led by Heisman candidate Dalvin Cook and the defensive duo of Derwin James and DeMarcus Walker. It will be a virtual home game for the Seminoles just four hours away from campus and they end up getting a big win for the ACC.
Preseason Pick: Florida State All Pick: Florida State
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