First Saturday of Football: Part 1

A look at our setup.

Good morning! It is finally Saturday and college football is officially back! Today, we here at Smith Bros will be celebrating with an "all day meet, greet, and eating on the ground"; an all day tailgate if you will. As you can see from the setup, we are ready! We have a lot of action today, so we hope to break it up into two parts with posts throughout the day. Let's get started with three things that you should keep your eye on today.

1. Oklahoma Plays at Houston...Sorta

While it may not be a true home game for the Cougars, they will face off at noon against the Sooners at NRG Stadium in Houston. Most polls have Houston ranked very high while Oklahoma is considered a strong contender or the National Championship. Both teams realize that they have to win the first game if they hope to go undefeated; a goal that could easily be attained by either team. For Houston, they will need all they can get out of last year's AAC MVP Greg Ward Jr. The senior quarterback joined Deshaun Watson as the only quarterbacks to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for another 1,000. For Oklahoma, senior Baker Mayfield must step up and lead his team. Houston has an experienced defensive front that will give Oklahoma fits all afternoon. The team who has the ball last in this high scoring affair will likely be the victor.

Oklahoma 41, Houston 35

2. Can LSU Hit the Ground Running?

LSU returns 18 starters from a team that went 9-3 a year ago. The key piece is Leonard Fournette. Fournette is one of two players who stand out when mentioning Heisman candidates. Last season, he accumulated 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns. Even more impressive, the Tigers saw their season opener get cancelled. With all these starters returning, expectations in Baton Rouge are through the roof, like always. Their opponent in the Wisconsin Badgers, only return nine starters from a team that went 10-3. With only one senior expected to start in their front seven (Linebacker Vince Biegel), the young Badgers might get more than they have bargained for. 

LSU 31, Wisconsin 10

3. How Well Will Kirby Smart Replace Mark Richt?

The Kirby Smart Era at Georgia will begin with a tough task as his Bulldogs take on North Carolina today in Atlanta. Georgia will welcome back running back Nick Chubb who returns from missing the most of last season with a knee injury. Lining up with him in the backfield will be his replacement from last year, junior Sony Michel. Smart named senior Greyson Lambert his starter this week just ahead of incoming freshman Jacob Eason. The Bulldogs ranked near the bottom of the nation in passing offense last year. That is a category they must improve on this year.

Last year, North Carolina seemingly came out of nowhere. After dropping their opener to South Carolina, they would end up winning their next eleven games before falling to Clemson in the ACC Championship. The Heels return the bulk of their offensive production, and expect a lot out of this team in the upcoming season. Don't be surprised if they challenge Clemson and Florida State for the conference crown.

North Carolina 24, Georgia 20

Other Games:

Navy over Fordham

Purdue over Eastern Kentucky

Ohio State over Bowling Green

Western Michigan over Northwestern

Michigan over Hawaii

Boise over Louisiana-Lafayette

Mississippi State over South Alabama

West Virginia over Missouri

Maryland over Howard

Virginia Tech over Liberty

Pittsburgh over Villanova

Air Force over Abilene Christian

Washington over Rutgers

Texas A&M over UCLA

LSU over Wisconsin

Virginia over Richmond

Penn State over Kent State

Iowa overMiami (OH)

Ohio over Texas State

Illinois over Murray State

Oklahoma State over SE Louisiana

Arkansas over Louisiana Tech

Oregon over UC Davis

-Dug

@chansm1th

Friday Night College Football: Week 1

Friday Night Edition of College Football

Week 1 continues tonight with another slat of games. Two nights of college football to close out the work week? Yes, please! We have 11 games tonight that will feature three teams that are ranked in the preseason Top 25. We also have a special preview for you today. Here is what you should be watching for, and what we think will happen.

1.) Baylor Begins the Post-Art Briles Era

Baylor has made headlines throughout the offseason for all the wrong reasons. Briles was fired in May amidst a massive cover-up of sexual assaults committed by his players. New head coach Jim Grobe will inherit a team that was undoubtedly a favorite to compete for the Big XII title. Now, Baylor just hopes to survive the season. The Bears will open up with FCS opponent Northwestern State. They should resemble a team that their fans are accustomed to seeing over the past few seasons in Waco.

Baylor 61, Northwestern State 6

2.) Is Stanford for Real?

We all know that Christian McCaffrey is a beast. The kid can move the ball in a variety of different ways. But what about the rest of the Cardinal team? Stanford is the preseason favorite in the PAC-12. Most polls have them ranked in the Top 10, but I'm currently not buying. The Cardinal will have to show that they are not just McCaffrey, and will need to find scoring from others. If they can produce elsewhere to offset the run game, they might be that good. Winning the opener (unlike last year) will go a long way for them. Kansas State is projected to finish near the bottom of the Big XII, but are by no means a walk over. Stanford will find out.

Stanford 24, Kansas State 14

3.) Wake Up Early for Football

Bright and early Saturday morning (7:30 AM to be exact), Boston College takes on Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland. Yes, this is a Saturday game. No, most of you will not be awake for it so I will preview it tonight. Both teams were atrocious last year (3-9 each) and will look to start fresh this season as they open outside of the country. Each team appears to be ready to contend for bowl games this season, and a win here is the first step in the right direction. Expect Georgia Tech to pound the ball with their Triple Option offense, while the Eagles' stingy defense will try to stop them. Patrick Towles, graduate transfer from Kentucky, will make his first start as an Eagle as he tries to win the school's first ACC game in 21 months.

Boston College 14, Georgia Tech 10

Other Games Tonight

Eastern Michigan over Mississippi Valley State

Georgia State over Ball State

Buffalo over Albany

Syracuse over Colgate

Temple over Army

Michigan State over Furman

Colorado over Colorado State

Arkansas State over Toledo

Nevada over Cal Poly

-Dug

@chansm1th

Sun Belt: Georgia Southern

Georgia Southern Eagles

2015 Results: 9-4 (6-2, 3rd in Sun Belt)

Defeated Bowling Green in Go Daddy Bowl

Returning Starters: 6 OFF, 5 DEF, 1 SP

2016 Schedule

September

3rd SAVANNAH STATE

10th at South Alabama

17th LOUISIANA-MONROE

24th at Western Michigan

October

5th at Arkansas State

15th at Georgia Tech

22nd at New Mexico State

27th APPALACHIAN STATE

November

5th at Mississippi

12th LOUISIANA

19th at Georgia State

December

3rd TROY

Georgia Southern enters their third year as an FBS school and also have a new head coach. Tyson Summers made the jump from Colorado State where he was the defensive coordinator, and inherits a top 25 defense from a year ago. After winning a Sun Belt title in their first season, expectations are high to return to that level of play for the program.

The Eagles had the top ranked rushing attack a year ago. Averaging 363 yards on the ground per game, they also return 99% of that production. Leading rusher Matt Breida returns along with the next 5 leading rushers. Summers will employ two quarterbacks this year before settling on a full-time starter. This will be a full option team, but the new coach will be easing in a passing game.

The defense came up huge last year, but was for the most part underappreciated. The secondary suffered the most losses on the side as only one starter returns. Senior linebacker Ironhead Gallon returns as the centerpiece for the 4-3 scheme. Three upfront return including interior linemen Jay Ellison and Darrius Sapp who combine 640 lbs between the two to stop up the middle.

Player to Watch: Matt Breida

Breida returns to the nation's leading rushing attack a year after running for 1,608 yards and 17 TDs. The back already has 3,093 yards in his career, and looks as though he will add to that total considerably. If the passing game can get going as Summer hopes, more holes will open up for Breida whether he needs them or not.

If you only watch them once, watch:

10/15 at Georgia Tech

If you like old-school football, this is your game. Here are two teams who will turn the clock back 60 years to a time when a forward pass was unheard of.

What to Expect

The Eagles have a lot going against them, They have a new coaching staff along with a very difficult schedule. They will need to settle on one quarterback and get the ball down the field quicker if they hope to continue their winning ways.

Prediction

5-7 (3-5, Sun Belt)

-Dug

@chansm1th