August 30, 2025 • 28 mins
Ryan "BEEF" Coyle and Nick McClay recap Week 0 and preview Week 1 action in College Football!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Number one on your car radio preset hand the new
and improved Diehard Radio app Wdyes and WD two seven
three D Philadelpia Ice Fox Sports Radio like Gambler, Hello everyone,
and welcome back to football is king here on Fox Sports.
The Gambler Ryan Coyle joined alongside Nick McLay to preview
(00:22):
a huge Week one slate in the college football world.
Last week we had the appetizer with some with some
Week zero action and it was good to see some
teams back on the field. Get a few wagers in. Nick,
your Sideclones win. What was a sloppy game, you know,
a bad game, but it wound up being a really
good and exciting game down the stretch over Kansas State
going to be a huge game in deciding who eventually
(00:43):
goes to the Big twelve title game most likely. So
great way to get off to the season there for
Iowa State. But we have a lot of big time
matchups to breakdown for this week. But Nick, welcome back.
We're finally here. Last week was like we said, kind
of your layup lines and now we're ready to go
blow the whistle full spread.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yeah, I mean, as an Iowa State fan, you kind
of start the season off hot, I mean with the
ground running against Kansas State, one of the ugliest games
I think we've all ever watched, with the fumbles in
the first half, and then you know, well it's the
second half kind of started to kind of you know,
start to pick up both sides offensively, but still either way,
ugly game. That's kind of what Big Twelve football really is.
(01:23):
Just you know, you got to squeak out those tough, disgusting,
gritty wins in the Big Twelve the last you know,
that tough conference. But we got you know, like you said,
the appetizer Week zero and now we got you know,
one of the best Week one, you know matchups that
we've really seen in the past couple of years with
all these top ten matchups, top five matchups. So you know,
(01:46):
as we get into it, you know we're gonna you know,
break them down, and you know I could just you know,
can't wait to sit down on Saturday and just do
nothing much football.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Yeah, pretty electric way for the underbetters as well. In
that Kansas State I say game I was on the
under Iowa State scores. They roll him short at the
goal line and then they just wound up kneeing it out.
So it's good to get a win there after being
on the Kansas State side of the spread. But any
other kind of Week zero takeaways. Didn't really see that
(02:16):
much of the nightcap, just because the games weren't really
on a lot of the TVs where we were out.
There was a lot of Phillies action on. But from
what I was listening to, Jalen Daniels here to look
like his old self, Kansas might be a player in
the Big twelve. Any kind of major Week zero takeaways.
I know we didn't have the biggest of dogs playing,
but anything you really that stood out to you on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Mainly UNLV kind of you know, being in a little
bit of a scare. I mean, not technically too scary
with Idaho State, but I mean they did not really
look good at all and they were supposed to be
I guess that you know, G five team that could
really surprise some people behind Boise State. So that game
being so close kind of, you know, scares a lot
of people with you know, we thought Dan Mullen obviously
he's a good coach, but can he really you know,
(03:00):
take that UNLV team to the playoffs, and that team
did not really look like a playoff team against Iowa.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Stayed over the weekend. Yeah, you know, you can kind
of chalk that up too too. I think having two
quarterbacks in there, rotating guys and they still put up
some points. The defense I think is going to be
a work in progress. But Dan Mullen's first game there,
I think that's a team that's going to get better
as the year goes along. But from what we saw
and from what kind of looking into more about that matchup,
(03:27):
might not actually be a team that's a G five player.
But anything happened in the Mountain West. It's always a
pretty open conference. But put Week zero behind us, transfer
our focus over to Week one. Great game starting tomorrow night.
Even on Thursday night we're recording Wednesday, didn't have this
kind of on our sheet of games. But this is
one that the more and more closer we've gotten to
(03:47):
the season, I've seen people buying in on the Nebraska
hype more and more. And I was really on the
Nebraska hype trained last year. I had them as an
eight and four, nine and three team. If everything shook
out well, they go seven and five, they win their
when they go to Bawl eligibility for the first time,
but it's Matt Rule in year three. Mount Ruling. Year
three is when his program really breaks through, whether it
(04:08):
was Baylor, whether it was Temple. Do you think this
is a year that Nebraska actually has a chance to
make the playoffs? Some people really like the schedule and
say ten and two gets them in. They have a
huge opportunity to start start off the season right foot
Tomorrow night against Cincinnati, neutral site game in Kansas City,
Huskers coming to that one as a six and a
half point favorite. Are you buying the Nebraska hype? Nick?
(04:28):
And do you like them start off the season strong
tomorrow against Cincinnati?
Speaker 2 (04:31):
I do like them with the points tomorrow minus six
and a half, I think Yo will really starts the
season off strong. Their schedule is a little favorable. I
don't know if they're quite a playoff team yet, but
I know that you know, you get that one year
under the belt with Baola and Rule in that offense,
it's only gonna help you get, you know, the experience,
especially with the defense too. I think this is a
(04:52):
team that comes out tomorrow against Cincinnati and really, you know,
handles them pretty I say, you know, a double digit
win against Cincinnati at then absolutely yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
A chance to make a statement in that matchup. For sure.
Cincinnati is a team that people think are gonna be
fighting for Bowl eligibility, kind of being that four and
eight to maybe seven to five ceiling range. If you're
a Nebraska team that has playoff faspirations, you got to
go out there and make a statement tomorrow night. The
Riola hype didn't really live up to a year one,
but he was a full time starting quarterback in the
(05:22):
Big Ten, Like expectations shouldn't be that high for a guy.
The year two leap should be hopefully good. Got Dana
Holgersson in there now as the OCA Nebraska is gonna
be a fascinating watch this year. We know the defense
is going to be really good. They've really struggled their
Nebraska in close games and games where they've been turning
the football. For if Ryola can limit those turnovers, make
a few key big plays on third down down the field,
(05:43):
we know that defense is gonna show up. We know
Matt Rules a damn good coach. That team could certainly
be there in that mix for a nine to three,
ten and two season and pushing for an at large
spot in the playoffs. So Nebraska is a team certainly
to have an eye off for, and one that we
should have our eyes on Tomorrow night at nine o'clock.
That's your kind of primetime Thursday night game after South
Florida and Boise State starts at five thirty. Anything on
(06:03):
that matchup as well.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Yeah, I like Boise State in this one. I like
you know, Maddix Manton coming to you know, continue that
success from last year. I know that offense is going
to be missing a huge part with Chenti going in
the NFL. But I don't think the USF has really
improved that much really, if anything, and under head coach
Alex Goldish, they's really struggled against like, really top level teams.
Last year they lost forty two to sixteen Obama, fifty
(06:28):
to fifteen to Miami. And you know, I understand this
Boise team is in the Mountain West, isn't considered a
power conference, but this is still a top team in
the country. They have a twenty seven winning straight winning
seasons and won ten or more games in nineteen of those,
you know, in that span. So I think we just
haven't seen the success from USF and this Boisy team
is very capable of going to the playoffs as they're,
(06:49):
you know, the odds favorite to be that Chief five
team to make it. And this USF defense, can they
get stops against Boise State? I don't think they can.
I don't trust that defense. I'm not going to be
as a explosive of that offense without Gentee, but they
still have the pieces to move the ball. I think
Maddox Mattson could be one of the more underrated quarterbacks in
this country. So I guess I guin you Boise by
(07:09):
at least ten in this one.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Yeah, let's see what Bois say looks like without Ashton Genty.
I think a lot of people have them kind of
penciled in as that Mountain West playoff team. But to
say he was the player that carried them last year,
I think it is an understatement. Max Mattson, I think
played well, was kind of thrust into action surprisingly. I
thought everyone thought it was gonna be Malachai Nelson as
a quarterback there for them, But Ashton Genty goes to work. Obviously,
(07:34):
it becomes a first round draft pick. Would have won
the Heis Bean if it weren't for Travis Hunter last year,
as he was the runner up. But let's kind of
see what this team looks like without Ashton Genty. That's
a great game too, to start you off at five
point thirty. But let's go to Friday night. I think
outside of the Texas Ohio State game, to start us
off on Saturday at noon. As we all know, I
(07:54):
think this is the matchup of most fascinated to see
fair out and that's Auburn at Baylor and eight o'clock
kick on Fox on Friday night. Auburn's a two and
a half point favorite over under fifty seven and a half.
I think, nick, these are truly two of the biggest
wildcard teams in all of college football this year. Baylor's
a lot of people's pick to win the Big Twelve
due to Swier Robertson and what he did to finish
(08:14):
the season last year. And Auburn they seem like like
they're the ultimate boomer Bus team. Could go nine to three,
could go four and eight, or three and nine. It
really is going to come down to the quarterback position
because they're talented across the board. Hugh Freese as a
damn good coach with a damn good track record. I
think I'm super fascinated in this Auburn and Baylor game.
What are your thoughts on this matchup?
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Yeah, I've been pretty high on battle this offseason, so
in this matchup, I'll probably just I'll probably roll with
the home team home underdog in this one. And I
said it before, I think Sawyer Robinson could be one
of the best quarterbacks in the Big Twelve by the
end of this season. And we bring kind of that
core turnover prone quarterback in Jackson Arnold in his first
game with his new school, a coach that has an
(08:55):
insane amount of pressure on him, and it being in Waco,
I think give me the Baylor in this one. I
know Alburn receivers could have one of the best receiving
rooms in the country with Cam Coleman, Eric Singleton Malcolm Simmons.
But you know, both teams have pretty high expectations for
themselves within their conferences and are you know, really looking
to prove themselves and really you know, be sleeper playoff
(09:16):
contenders if they get off to the you know, the
right start. This defense, Auburn defense is not going to
make it easy for Baylor but this offensive line is
going to have to protect or if you know Baylor
really wants to stay in it, I'm gonna go with
the home team and back on. You know, the the
better quarterback in my opinion in Sawyer Robinson. So give
(09:36):
me Baylor Alan the over two.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Very fascinated to see Jackson Arnold in this new situation
at auburt I don't really think he got a fair
shake last year at Oklahoma during his first time as
a starter, he was down a top five receivers at
one point, the offensive line was abysmal, shuffling in and out.
He kind of gets third under the bus, I think early,
then comes back in towards the latter half of the
season and plays well. I'm excited to see him with
(10:01):
two NFL receivers, cam Coleman might be one of the
top five receivers in the entire country. Hugh Freees calling
the plays for him this year most likely. I know
there's been some miscommunication. It seems like who's gonna be
calling the plays full time for Auburn. But Hugh Freeze,
his offensive background, his offensive mastermind. I'm kind of buying
some stock in this Jackson Arnold situation. Here and in
(10:22):
this Auburn offense, I think they're going to be a
fun watch and exciting watch. But the biggest wildcard team truly,
I think in the SEC this year. As I said,
I think they could go a nine and three type
of ceiling to a three and nine floor. It really
is boom er bust depending on Jackson Arrold and this
quarterback spot. It's pretty much his last chance here at
the major college football level. Let's see what he can do.
Primetime game on Friday night against Baylor. Really like the
(10:44):
over in this one. I think it's going to be
too explosive offenses. I like Auburn to win this one,
like thirty five thirty one. So I going to go
over fifty seven and a half as my official play
in this one. Because I could see Baylor getting the
ball last, having a last second driving, going down there
and win. That wouldn't surprise me at all. But I
do think these teams are going to go back and
forth with each other on the offensive end, So give
me all Burn to win. I think that points bread
(11:05):
is a little indicative to of what Vegas is liking
there obviously, but to go to Baylor and be a
favorite there that could be a telling sign. But my
official play for that one give me over fifty seven
and a half. I think this one's a bit of
a shootout, all right, Saturday, Nick, the game we've been
hyping up for months now, it seems, and we finally
get the official ranking that we've gotten some line movement
(11:26):
back and forth with it, but number one Texas goes
to number three Ohio State Noon Kick on Fox, Ohio
State minus two and a half over under forty seven
and a half. Dave Portnoy ban from going into the stadium.
Just to add another flavor and some more spice to
this game. Give me your official pick for this matchup,
arch Manning Julian saying, let's get to it right here
(11:49):
noon on Fox. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
I mean, it's absolutely unreal that we could get, you know,
the game of the year in a week one matchup,
But I mean, here we are. We get the reigning
national champion who hosts the current odds on favorite to
win the title, and that's just insane to actually open
up the season. And I think I saw this is
the first time ever that the preseason number one is
underdogs in their Week one matchup with his which is crazy,
(12:12):
And with that being said, I'm going to take Texas
and the Points here as underdogs as we've only seen
a small sample size from Arch last season, but we
saw the flashes of the potential he has with both
his arm and his legs. Ohio State names Julian saying
their Week one starter and he hasn't really seen the
field yet. So, you know, facing the number one team
in the country, when your team's coming off of the
national championship, you're the favorites, that's a lot of pressure
(12:35):
to put on a young quarterback. I know you're at home.
I know he was one of the top recruits from
a year a few seasons ago. He has plenty of
the work with that offense too. But I think you know,
the main storyline in this matchup I'm going to be
interested in is kind of Arch Manning versus Caleb Down's,
you know, matchup in the defense. With Downs being arguably
one of the best defensive prospects heading into this season.
(12:56):
Arch going to have to know where he's at at
all times because he's a ball hall make a play
Ton plays for that defense. I think you know that
quarterback of the offense versus quarterback of the defense is
going to be a big matchup in this one. So
I'm gonna go Texas here with you know, the experience,
even though they go into Ohio State. Give me Texas.
I'm gonna go twenty seven Ohio State twenty four.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
I'm gonna go hook him too. I'm gonna take Texas
going too Ohio State and getting the outright win battle
of two very highly touted, highly recruited quarterbacks here in
Arch and saying, but Arch just has a little bit
more experience at this time. Imagine your your first true
start is against this Texas defense, Colin Simmons, Anthony Hill,
and a Texas defense that has their coordinator back for
(13:43):
his fifth year, sarkback for his fifth year, and the
offensive coordinator as well, back for his fifth year. It's
a lot of continuity on that side. Shout out Sam
Oustri for pointing that out earlier. But you look at
Sam Brian Hartline as a new OC never called plays
before for this Ohio State team, and you bring in
Matt Patricia to be your defense of coordinator who the
last few times Matt Patricia has had an opportunity to
(14:03):
coach football, he's he's kind of fell flat on his face.
So interesting bit of a situation there. It's something that
I think we're seriously gonna have to monitor throughout the
season how good Matt patric can be in this spot,
because I think that could be a real achilles heel
for this Ohio State squad. Sure, the talent could probably
win most of these games, but in these big matchups
against a tactician like Sark against another really good offensive mastermind,
(14:26):
it if he comes across a come to the playoff time,
is that something that holds this Ohio State team back.
I think that's something that we're gonna have to watch
throughout the year. But I like Texas in this one
just because I think Archer has had a little bit
more experience, a little bit too big of a spot
for your first start. If you're Julian saying, and I
think the defensive chess match that this Texas defense could
pose against this Ohio State offense might just be too
(14:49):
tough of a test for a first time starting quarterback.
So I like Texas to win. Are we going to
be shocked if the High State wins at all? No,
if I'll be shocked if either if one of these
teams win it in a blowout, though, I think that's
one of the biggest thing. But I think this is
arch Manning's first big kind of welcome to college football moment.
I think he gets the ball last, and I think
he's going to lead a game winning drive and show
us kind of what all the hypes about. Is he
(15:10):
going to live up to that hype fully as this
next greatest college football quarterback of all time that that
has a whole lot long season to playoff for. But
for this game on this Saturday, I think he plays
hero and leads Texas down the field for kind of
a last minute touchdown. So I like Texas twenty four
to twenty. I'll go Texas plus two and a half
under forty seven and a half. All right, A G
(15:30):
five game that a lot of people have their eyes on.
Northwestern at two lane. Two lane is actually a favorite
in this one as a G five team, hosting your
power for anything quickly on that matchup for you, as
we got Jake Retzlof transfer into two lane to play Northwestern.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
Yeah, I'm just going to go to lane. Hear and
trust Ret's laugh now and control of that offense. And
we saw what you could do at b Yu. They
you know that offense, lose Mensa to Duke in the offseason.
They're current favorite to win the American right now in
Northwestern's coming off a pretty tough year four and eight record,
two and seven in the Big Ten, and this is
kind of a program that doesn't really look like it's
heading in the right direction. As their odds on favorite
(16:08):
to finish the last in the Big Ten this year,
it could be one of the worst power for schools
in the country. They ranked one hundred and thirtieth in
the total offense last year, and their solution was to
bring in Preston Stone, which kind of doesn't really move
the needle for me at all. Toulane's defense is kind
of what sticks out in this one. They were ranked
second in American last season in defensive production, So I'm
gonna go to lane in this one. The home team
(16:31):
twenty four to fourteen.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
I like Tulane as well. The number has came down
there from six and a half to four and a half.
That's gonna be something interesting to monitor, but very fascinated
to watch that Jake Retzlaf situation this year with Tulane.
I don't think he's been officially named the starter yet,
but after the off the field stuff that happened at BYU,
gets a new opportunity here at Tulane, and that's a
(16:53):
two lane team that is going to be in the
hunt for that G five playoff spot. So that's a
game at noon probably Texas Ohio State on the main screen,
and maybe you get your YouTube TV going on a
second screen with with that game on it. But that's
a game to watch as too lane. They have two
opportunities I think Northwestern and du to get wins over
Power four teams early in the season. Here, all right,
(17:16):
let's go over to three point thirty on ABC number eight,
Alabama at Florida State. Bama a thirteen and a half
point favorite over under his fifty and a half. Florida
State has been talking a lot of smack about this
game all summer, Nick, and now they got the opportunity
to put their money where their mouth is. Do you
think Florida State has a chance to come out on
top in this one?
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (17:34):
I do not.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
I think. I mean Florida State had one of the
worst overall seasons in their program history last season two
and ten, and they entered the season at ranked number ten.
I think it was our worst record in fifty years,
and Mike Normal is really on the hot seat right now.
Hired two new much needed coordinators really hit the transfer
porter hard, especially with one being Thomas Castellanos, who really
(17:56):
has given Alabama I think you've said it before some
bulletin board material with some coach that he said in
this offseason, which I think is personally a terrible idea
to give Alabama any type of you know, more reason
to go out there and want to you know, really
give it to him. And last season Alabama kind of
like mobile quarterbacks were kind of a problem for Alabama
last year. So if they do really want to stick
(18:17):
with it, he's going to have to use his legs
to his advantage, not try to force things. And you know,
Bama was coming off a four game or a four
loss season, which nix sate that that didn't happen until
or less that happened was Nick sabans first year as
head coach in two thousand and seven. So two teams
really looking to bounce back. I think Alabama has, you know,
the pressure to bounce back with their fans. You know,
(18:38):
with a consistent success, They're not used to having four losses,
So if this they get off to a rocky start,
this Alabama fan base is not going to be happy.
I think roster wise, Alabama is clearly way over this
Florida State team. So give me Alabama here. I think
they really roll in this one thirty four seventeam.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
I think we could see like a nasty, revenge filled
Bolton Boy material season from both Alabama and Georgia. And
it's kind of weird to say that, but I feel
like in the grand scope of things, they've been really
under talked about this entire offseason. I feel like els
Hugh's gotten more buzz than both of those schools. I
feel like Texas has definitely gotten more buzz. Clemson's gotten
(19:16):
a ton of love and ton of buzz. Let's not
forget like Alabama and Georgia probably for the past decade,
have been the two poster childs in this sport. Ohio
State Michigan had their cup of coffee here at the top,
winning national champions But I'm still buying the SEC as
the number one conference in college football, and I think
that still starts with Alabama and Georgia. I think Alabama
and this one has a chance to really kind of
(19:36):
come out and make a statement and say, you know,
let's not forget about the logo on this helmet here,
We're still at Alabama. We had a lot of change
last year. We played pretty damn well at times, we
just weren't that consistent. They need to be a little
bit more consistent this year, but I think they get
back to that kind of ten and two, eleven and
one and have the chance to make a real statement
on Saturday Afternoon. Buying into the Ty Simpsons stock as well,
twenty to one to win the Heisman, I think that
(19:58):
guy's worth a flyer on, especially if you're buying into
the Alabama love and the Alabama hype. You might have
missed some value to get him a few weeks ago
at like thirty to one or forty to one. But
Alabama's gonna have a good year. I think Ty Simpson
under Kaylen de Bor is gonna be going out there
and slinging the rock. Ryan Williams in year two as well.
It's gonna be a very talented Alabama offense that he
has to work with. I don't know if he's gonna
(20:18):
be asked to be played the game manager role because
I think Kaylen Debor is gonna want to sling the
rock a little bit more than then Nick Saban used
to do with AJ mccheron and a Greg McElroy. I
think Ty Simpson could could certainly be in New York
by season's end, and I think he has has Welcome
to college football. No MA on Saturday afternoon. All right,
two more massive matchups to talk about Saturday Night one
and then the Sunday Night one we get, luckily as well,
(20:40):
Number nine LSU at number four Clemson Saturday night seven
thirty on ABC. Clemson's a four point favorite, as him
now over under fifty seven and a half. Brian Kelly
has lost all three season openers during his time at LSU.
Go back to the last five LSU seasons, they've lost
the season opener, and this is probably their toughest test yet,
going to the the best Clempson team that we've seen
(21:01):
over the last four or five years. What are your
thoughts on this matchup, Nick, as LSU travels to the
Death Valley to play the other Death Valley here in Clemson.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Yeah, this one's a really tough game to choose because
I love both these teams. Overall, roster wise, I think
both these teams end up making the playoffs too. But
I think both these teams kind of have the best,
you know, rosters that are built up in the country
to Heisman caliber quarterbacks, they can really lead their teams.
Two great defenses. I think I'm gonna go with Clemson here,
(21:30):
the home team. They bring back most of their production
from last season on both sides of the ball. They
could have five guys We've talked about it before that
are talented enough to go in the first round of
next year's draft. So I think just this Clemson defensive
line can really overpower and kind of control the line
of scrimmage. So, you know, an offensive line that lost
one of the best tackles in the country, Will Campbell.
(21:52):
And like you said, Brian Campbell now having not won
a season open in for five years, I'm gonna stick
with that trend. Start off slow, especially at being a
home game versus the top five team in the country,
But overall, I like both these teams. I think by
the end of the season we'll still be talking about them.
Give me the more experienced home team, Clemson, I'm gonna
go twenty seven to twenty one.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
Yeah, I agree with you where it's one of those
situations in this Clemson game, In this Clemson LSU game,
I think you're you're better off putting your money on
another game if you want to put on LC if
that makes sense, like go out there and show me first,
Brian Kelly and LSU that you can actually go out
there and show up in a week one opener, like
they've got an outscored during these these season openers by
(22:33):
an average of nine point four points per game over
the last five total for LSU, Brian Kelly's lost all three.
I think the situation too, where that's been the main
talk of the off season, Like you even listen to podcasts, whatever,
read articles, there's so much emphasis for them on this
game to come out and start want to know they're
gonna come out tight. I think that that's a shoeing
(22:54):
all the pressure in the world kind of on them,
and it doesn't make that much sense because there's still
eleven games to go after this. It would make more
sense if we were still in the fourteen playoff era.
But you have a chance to go ten and two
or nine and three if you're LSU and still make
the playoffs, So I think though, there's just a little
too much pressure on them, and it's a situation where
I don't want to touch that. If I'm on LSU,
I think for sure they could go there and win
(23:15):
this game, but let me see it first before I
actually bet on it, and we could kind of circle
back to this conversation next season. But we've talked a
ton about both these teams this offseason. I really like cumpson.
I'm just going to take them to win here at
home safely. Fifty seven and a half is a lot
of points too against the Compson defense that we're expecting
to be one of, if not maybe the best in
the nation. So maybe make a pick on this game.
(23:36):
I'm probably actually going under a fifty seven and a
half there, all right, final game. I think we both
know kind of what we're on in this one for sure.
Number six Notre Dame at number ten Miami seven thirty
on ABC. Notre Dame two and a half point favorite
over under forty nine and a half? Is Notre Dame
your slam? Don't favorite play out of any of these
(23:56):
ranked matchups this weekend? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (23:58):
I think so. I mean, we've been one of the
one of Miami's biggest haters heading into this season, so
I'm just going to stick with it. I think Notre
Dame absolutely rolls in this one. I'm not a Carson
Beck believer, and I think playing against a tough defense
like this Notre Dame defense will show that he's really
not built for this moment. He had twelve picks last year,
so Notre Dame's really going to send a lot of
pressure at him and force him to make those mistakes,
(24:19):
which we've seen him do before. The Miami loses most
of its wide receiver production from last season, and he's
also coming off a tough UCL injury where we haven't
really seen him throw too much since then. And last season,
Notre Dame has won the best man coverage teams in
the country for the most interceptions. I know you lose
that production with Ben Morrison and Xavier Watts going to
the NFL, but this is still a team with no
(24:41):
short as of talent on the roster. I think this
if this defense really makes Carson be Beck try to
beat them, I'm all in on Notre Dame's chances to
win this one. You have one of the best running
backs in the country could very well be the first
running back off the board, runs behind one of the
better offensive lines in the country. So give me Notre
Dame to role in this one. Twenty eight sevens.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
Yeah, Notre Dame one of my favorite, if not my
favorite play on the board this week. Litt'll just confuse
as to why that's a two and a half. I
think it should be closer to a four and a
half five ish there. I I just don't see a
scenario where Miami, with a quarterback that hasn't practiced much
this all season, coming off of major elbow injury, comes
(25:21):
out and lights up a Notre Dame defense that we
saw go all the way to the national championship last year. Sure,
they lose a few key guys, but it's Notre Dame.
They're replenishing that with with plenty of talent behind them there.
So I really like Notre Dame to go out there
and make a statement. And I think it's a huge
opportunity to on a national stage, a standalone game with
Notre Dame in Miami, for Marcus Freeman to go out
(25:42):
there and prove that Notre Dame's not going anywhere anytime
soon as long as he's there. They're going to be
a national title contender year in year out, and you
get the real chance to make some noise against Miami. Miami. Nick,
I think truly is the biggest I said Auburn. I
think it is truly the biggest boom er bust in
the country this year, just because they start at number ten,
especially for us, they could go win the ACC and
(26:03):
make us look really stupid. Carson Bank could go be
the number one pick in the draft next year or that.
I think this team really kind of bottoms out and
we see maybe christ of Ball get fired, Carson Beck
not even get drafted next year. I'm a true boom
or bus team Miami, but we're both on the side
of bus and I think that certainly starts here Week
one against Notre Dame. So before we go out, any
(26:23):
other plays that you want to throw out on the
table that caught your eye as we head into this
loaded Week one slate.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
I do like Utah and Minus I think sticks it
was against Ucla. I just really love one. Love that
Utah team too. Not bought into the UCLA team and Nico,
so I like Utah in that one. I like Toledo
plus seven and a half against Kentucky. I just don't
think Kentucky is that good of a team overall both
(26:51):
sides of the ball. And I think Toledo is really explosive,
really fun team to watch too, So I like Utah
minus six Toledo plus seven and a half for some
other games.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
Two players that caught my eye an underdog Southern Miss
plus thirteen and a half. They're at home Versussissippi State
could be the worst team in the entire SEC last
this year, and Southern Miss brings basically the entire coaching
staff and players from Marshall from last year down there
to Southern Miss, and Marshall last year won their conference,
So Southern Mess plus thirteen and a half, I think
(27:21):
they're a live dog in that one. And one of
my favorite favorites of the week Indiana minus twenty three
and a half. They're playing Old Dominion. Last year, Indiana
outscored their non conference opponents, won sixty to twenty four
by an average of forty five points per game. There
was a seventy seven to three win over Western Illinois
in there, but coach Signetti loves to run it up
on inferior opponents. They had seven wins last year by
(27:42):
twenty four more. He's not afraid to take that foot
off the gas at all. So Odu picked to finish
sixth in the Sunbelt, a mid tier team in that conference.
I think Indiana pours it on them here in Week
one to start off the season strong. So I'll do
it for our Week one preview here on football is
king on Fox Sports The Game Where will be back
next week getting the chance to intertwine some NFL plays
(28:03):
and talk about some of the big college games as well.
Thank you everyone for tuning in. As always, keep it
locked here on the Gambler and we'll be talking to
you next week. Spreads, total s and all the prop
that's in between, It's the Gambler.
Number one on your car radio preset hand the new
and improved Diehard Radio app Wdyes and WD two seven
three D Philadelpia Ice Fox Sports Radio like Gambler, Hello everyone,
and welcome back to football is king here on Fox Sports.
The Gambler Ryan Coyle joined alongside Nick McLay to preview
(00:22):
a huge Week one slate in the college football world.
Last week we had the appetizer with some with some
Week zero action and it was good to see some
teams back on the field. Get a few wagers in. Nick,
your Sideclones win. What was a sloppy game, you know,
a bad game, but it wound up being a really
good and exciting game down the stretch over Kansas State
going to be a huge game in deciding who eventually
(00:43):
goes to the Big twelve title game most likely. So
great way to get off to the season there for
Iowa State. But we have a lot of big time
matchups to breakdown for this week. But Nick, welcome back.
We're finally here. Last week was like we said, kind
of your layup lines and now we're ready to go
blow the whistle full spread.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yeah, I mean, as an Iowa State fan, you kind
of start the season off hot, I mean with the
ground running against Kansas State, one of the ugliest games
I think we've all ever watched, with the fumbles in
the first half, and then you know, well it's the
second half kind of started to kind of you know,
start to pick up both sides offensively, but still either way,
ugly game. That's kind of what Big Twelve football really is.
(01:23):
Just you know, you got to squeak out those tough, disgusting,
gritty wins in the Big Twelve the last you know,
that tough conference. But we got you know, like you said,
the appetizer Week zero and now we got you know,
one of the best Week one, you know matchups that
we've really seen in the past couple of years with
all these top ten matchups, top five matchups. So you know,
(01:46):
as we get into it, you know we're gonna you know,
break them down, and you know I could just you know,
can't wait to sit down on Saturday and just do
nothing much football.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Yeah, pretty electric way for the underbetters as well. In
that Kansas State I say game I was on the
under Iowa State scores. They roll him short at the
goal line and then they just wound up kneeing it out.
So it's good to get a win there after being
on the Kansas State side of the spread. But any
other kind of Week zero takeaways. Didn't really see that
(02:16):
much of the nightcap, just because the games weren't really
on a lot of the TVs where we were out.
There was a lot of Phillies action on. But from
what I was listening to, Jalen Daniels here to look
like his old self, Kansas might be a player in
the Big twelve. Any kind of major Week zero takeaways.
I know we didn't have the biggest of dogs playing,
but anything you really that stood out to you on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Mainly UNLV kind of you know, being in a little
bit of a scare. I mean, not technically too scary
with Idaho State, but I mean they did not really
look good at all and they were supposed to be
I guess that you know, G five team that could
really surprise some people behind Boise State. So that game
being so close kind of, you know, scares a lot
of people with you know, we thought Dan Mullen obviously
he's a good coach, but can he really you know,
(03:00):
take that UNLV team to the playoffs, and that team
did not really look like a playoff team against Iowa.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Stayed over the weekend. Yeah, you know, you can kind
of chalk that up too too. I think having two
quarterbacks in there, rotating guys and they still put up
some points. The defense I think is going to be
a work in progress. But Dan Mullen's first game there,
I think that's a team that's going to get better
as the year goes along. But from what we saw
and from what kind of looking into more about that matchup,
(03:27):
might not actually be a team that's a G five player.
But anything happened in the Mountain West. It's always a
pretty open conference. But put Week zero behind us, transfer
our focus over to Week one. Great game starting tomorrow night.
Even on Thursday night we're recording Wednesday, didn't have this
kind of on our sheet of games. But this is
one that the more and more closer we've gotten to
(03:47):
the season, I've seen people buying in on the Nebraska
hype more and more. And I was really on the
Nebraska hype trained last year. I had them as an
eight and four, nine and three team. If everything shook
out well, they go seven and five, they win their
when they go to Bawl eligibility for the first time,
but it's Matt Rule in year three. Mount Ruling. Year
three is when his program really breaks through, whether it
(04:08):
was Baylor, whether it was Temple. Do you think this
is a year that Nebraska actually has a chance to
make the playoffs? Some people really like the schedule and
say ten and two gets them in. They have a
huge opportunity to start start off the season right foot
Tomorrow night against Cincinnati, neutral site game in Kansas City,
Huskers coming to that one as a six and a
half point favorite. Are you buying the Nebraska hype? Nick?
(04:28):
And do you like them start off the season strong
tomorrow against Cincinnati?
Speaker 2 (04:31):
I do like them with the points tomorrow minus six
and a half, I think Yo will really starts the
season off strong. Their schedule is a little favorable. I
don't know if they're quite a playoff team yet, but
I know that you know, you get that one year
under the belt with Baola and Rule in that offense,
it's only gonna help you get, you know, the experience,
especially with the defense too. I think this is a
(04:52):
team that comes out tomorrow against Cincinnati and really, you know,
handles them pretty I say, you know, a double digit
win against Cincinnati at then absolutely yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
A chance to make a statement in that matchup. For sure.
Cincinnati is a team that people think are gonna be
fighting for Bowl eligibility, kind of being that four and
eight to maybe seven to five ceiling range. If you're
a Nebraska team that has playoff faspirations, you got to
go out there and make a statement tomorrow night. The
Riola hype didn't really live up to a year one,
but he was a full time starting quarterback in the
(05:22):
Big Ten, Like expectations shouldn't be that high for a guy.
The year two leap should be hopefully good. Got Dana
Holgersson in there now as the OCA Nebraska is gonna
be a fascinating watch this year. We know the defense
is going to be really good. They've really struggled their
Nebraska in close games and games where they've been turning
the football. For if Ryola can limit those turnovers, make
a few key big plays on third down down the field,
(05:43):
we know that defense is gonna show up. We know
Matt Rules a damn good coach. That team could certainly
be there in that mix for a nine to three,
ten and two season and pushing for an at large
spot in the playoffs. So Nebraska is a team certainly
to have an eye off for, and one that we
should have our eyes on Tomorrow night at nine o'clock.
That's your kind of primetime Thursday night game after South
Florida and Boise State starts at five thirty. Anything on
(06:03):
that matchup as well.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Yeah, I like Boise State in this one. I like
you know, Maddix Manton coming to you know, continue that
success from last year. I know that offense is going
to be missing a huge part with Chenti going in
the NFL. But I don't think the USF has really
improved that much really, if anything, and under head coach
Alex Goldish, they's really struggled against like, really top level teams.
Last year they lost forty two to sixteen Obama, fifty
(06:28):
to fifteen to Miami. And you know, I understand this
Boise team is in the Mountain West, isn't considered a
power conference, but this is still a top team in
the country. They have a twenty seven winning straight winning
seasons and won ten or more games in nineteen of those,
you know, in that span. So I think we just
haven't seen the success from USF and this Boisy team
is very capable of going to the playoffs as they're,
(06:49):
you know, the odds favorite to be that Chief five
team to make it. And this USF defense, can they
get stops against Boise State? I don't think they can.
I don't trust that defense. I'm not going to be
as a explosive of that offense without Gentee, but they
still have the pieces to move the ball. I think
Maddox Mattson could be one of the more underrated quarterbacks in
this country. So I guess I guin you Boise by
(07:09):
at least ten in this one.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Yeah, let's see what Bois say looks like without Ashton Genty.
I think a lot of people have them kind of
penciled in as that Mountain West playoff team. But to
say he was the player that carried them last year,
I think it is an understatement. Max Mattson, I think
played well, was kind of thrust into action surprisingly. I
thought everyone thought it was gonna be Malachai Nelson as
a quarterback there for them, But Ashton Genty goes to work. Obviously,
(07:34):
it becomes a first round draft pick. Would have won
the Heis Bean if it weren't for Travis Hunter last year,
as he was the runner up. But let's kind of
see what this team looks like without Ashton Genty. That's
a great game too, to start you off at five
point thirty. But let's go to Friday night. I think
outside of the Texas Ohio State game, to start us
off on Saturday at noon. As we all know, I
(07:54):
think this is the matchup of most fascinated to see
fair out and that's Auburn at Baylor and eight o'clock
kick on Fox on Friday night. Auburn's a two and
a half point favorite over under fifty seven and a half.
I think, nick, these are truly two of the biggest
wildcard teams in all of college football this year. Baylor's
a lot of people's pick to win the Big Twelve
due to Swier Robertson and what he did to finish
(08:14):
the season last year. And Auburn they seem like like
they're the ultimate boomer Bus team. Could go nine to three,
could go four and eight, or three and nine. It
really is going to come down to the quarterback position
because they're talented across the board. Hugh Freese as a
damn good coach with a damn good track record. I
think I'm super fascinated in this Auburn and Baylor game.
What are your thoughts on this matchup?
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Yeah, I've been pretty high on battle this offseason, so
in this matchup, I'll probably just I'll probably roll with
the home team home underdog in this one. And I
said it before, I think Sawyer Robinson could be one
of the best quarterbacks in the Big Twelve by the
end of this season. And we bring kind of that
core turnover prone quarterback in Jackson Arnold in his first
game with his new school, a coach that has an
(08:55):
insane amount of pressure on him, and it being in Waco,
I think give me the Baylor in this one. I
know Alburn receivers could have one of the best receiving
rooms in the country with Cam Coleman, Eric Singleton Malcolm Simmons.
But you know, both teams have pretty high expectations for
themselves within their conferences and are you know, really looking
to prove themselves and really you know, be sleeper playoff
(09:16):
contenders if they get off to the you know, the
right start. This defense, Auburn defense is not going to
make it easy for Baylor but this offensive line is
going to have to protect or if you know Baylor
really wants to stay in it, I'm gonna go with
the home team and back on. You know, the the
better quarterback in my opinion in Sawyer Robinson. So give
(09:36):
me Baylor Alan the over two.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Very fascinated to see Jackson Arnold in this new situation
at auburt I don't really think he got a fair
shake last year at Oklahoma during his first time as
a starter, he was down a top five receivers at
one point, the offensive line was abysmal, shuffling in and out.
He kind of gets third under the bus, I think early,
then comes back in towards the latter half of the
season and plays well. I'm excited to see him with
(10:01):
two NFL receivers, cam Coleman might be one of the
top five receivers in the entire country. Hugh Freees calling
the plays for him this year most likely. I know
there's been some miscommunication. It seems like who's gonna be
calling the plays full time for Auburn. But Hugh Freeze,
his offensive background, his offensive mastermind. I'm kind of buying
some stock in this Jackson Arnold situation. Here and in
(10:22):
this Auburn offense, I think they're going to be a
fun watch and exciting watch. But the biggest wildcard team truly,
I think in the SEC this year. As I said,
I think they could go a nine and three type
of ceiling to a three and nine floor. It really
is boom er bust depending on Jackson Arrold and this
quarterback spot. It's pretty much his last chance here at
the major college football level. Let's see what he can do.
Primetime game on Friday night against Baylor. Really like the
(10:44):
over in this one. I think it's going to be
too explosive offenses. I like Auburn to win this one,
like thirty five thirty one. So I going to go
over fifty seven and a half as my official play
in this one. Because I could see Baylor getting the
ball last, having a last second driving, going down there
and win. That wouldn't surprise me at all. But I
do think these teams are going to go back and
forth with each other on the offensive end, So give
me all Burn to win. I think that points bread
(11:05):
is a little indicative to of what Vegas is liking
there obviously, but to go to Baylor and be a
favorite there that could be a telling sign. But my
official play for that one give me over fifty seven
and a half. I think this one's a bit of
a shootout, all right, Saturday, Nick, the game we've been
hyping up for months now, it seems, and we finally
get the official ranking that we've gotten some line movement
(11:26):
back and forth with it, but number one Texas goes
to number three Ohio State Noon Kick on Fox, Ohio
State minus two and a half over under forty seven
and a half. Dave Portnoy ban from going into the stadium.
Just to add another flavor and some more spice to
this game. Give me your official pick for this matchup,
arch Manning Julian saying, let's get to it right here
(11:49):
noon on Fox. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
I mean, it's absolutely unreal that we could get, you know,
the game of the year in a week one matchup,
But I mean, here we are. We get the reigning
national champion who hosts the current odds on favorite to
win the title, and that's just insane to actually open
up the season. And I think I saw this is
the first time ever that the preseason number one is
underdogs in their Week one matchup with his which is crazy,
(12:12):
And with that being said, I'm going to take Texas
and the Points here as underdogs as we've only seen
a small sample size from Arch last season, but we
saw the flashes of the potential he has with both
his arm and his legs. Ohio State names Julian saying
their Week one starter and he hasn't really seen the
field yet. So, you know, facing the number one team
in the country, when your team's coming off of the
national championship, you're the favorites, that's a lot of pressure
(12:35):
to put on a young quarterback. I know you're at home.
I know he was one of the top recruits from
a year a few seasons ago. He has plenty of
the work with that offense too. But I think you know,
the main storyline in this matchup I'm going to be
interested in is kind of Arch Manning versus Caleb Down's,
you know, matchup in the defense. With Downs being arguably
one of the best defensive prospects heading into this season.
(12:56):
Arch going to have to know where he's at at
all times because he's a ball hall make a play
Ton plays for that defense. I think you know that
quarterback of the offense versus quarterback of the defense is
going to be a big matchup in this one. So
I'm gonna go Texas here with you know, the experience,
even though they go into Ohio State. Give me Texas.
I'm gonna go twenty seven Ohio State twenty four.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
I'm gonna go hook him too. I'm gonna take Texas
going too Ohio State and getting the outright win battle
of two very highly touted, highly recruited quarterbacks here in
Arch and saying, but Arch just has a little bit
more experience at this time. Imagine your your first true
start is against this Texas defense, Colin Simmons, Anthony Hill,
and a Texas defense that has their coordinator back for
(13:43):
his fifth year, sarkback for his fifth year, and the
offensive coordinator as well, back for his fifth year. It's
a lot of continuity on that side. Shout out Sam
Oustri for pointing that out earlier. But you look at
Sam Brian Hartline as a new OC never called plays
before for this Ohio State team, and you bring in
Matt Patricia to be your defense of coordinator who the
last few times Matt Patricia has had an opportunity to
(14:03):
coach football, he's he's kind of fell flat on his face.
So interesting bit of a situation there. It's something that
I think we're seriously gonna have to monitor throughout the
season how good Matt patric can be in this spot,
because I think that could be a real achilles heel
for this Ohio State squad. Sure, the talent could probably
win most of these games, but in these big matchups
against a tactician like Sark against another really good offensive mastermind,
(14:26):
it if he comes across a come to the playoff time,
is that something that holds this Ohio State team back.
I think that's something that we're gonna have to watch
throughout the year. But I like Texas in this one
just because I think Archer has had a little bit
more experience, a little bit too big of a spot
for your first start. If you're Julian saying, and I
think the defensive chess match that this Texas defense could
pose against this Ohio State offense might just be too
(14:49):
tough of a test for a first time starting quarterback.
So I like Texas to win. Are we going to
be shocked if the High State wins at all? No,
if I'll be shocked if either if one of these
teams win it in a blowout, though, I think that's
one of the biggest thing. But I think this is
arch Manning's first big kind of welcome to college football moment.
I think he gets the ball last, and I think
he's going to lead a game winning drive and show
us kind of what all the hypes about. Is he
(15:10):
going to live up to that hype fully as this
next greatest college football quarterback of all time that that
has a whole lot long season to playoff for. But
for this game on this Saturday, I think he plays
hero and leads Texas down the field for kind of
a last minute touchdown. So I like Texas twenty four
to twenty. I'll go Texas plus two and a half
under forty seven and a half. All right, A G
(15:30):
five game that a lot of people have their eyes on.
Northwestern at two lane. Two lane is actually a favorite
in this one as a G five team, hosting your
power for anything quickly on that matchup for you, as
we got Jake Retzlof transfer into two lane to play Northwestern.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
Yeah, I'm just going to go to lane. Hear and
trust Ret's laugh now and control of that offense. And
we saw what you could do at b Yu. They
you know that offense, lose Mensa to Duke in the offseason.
They're current favorite to win the American right now in
Northwestern's coming off a pretty tough year four and eight record,
two and seven in the Big Ten, and this is
kind of a program that doesn't really look like it's
heading in the right direction. As their odds on favorite
(16:08):
to finish the last in the Big Ten this year,
it could be one of the worst power for schools
in the country. They ranked one hundred and thirtieth in
the total offense last year, and their solution was to
bring in Preston Stone, which kind of doesn't really move
the needle for me at all. Toulane's defense is kind
of what sticks out in this one. They were ranked
second in American last season in defensive production, So I'm
gonna go to lane in this one. The home team
(16:31):
twenty four to fourteen.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
I like Tulane as well. The number has came down
there from six and a half to four and a half.
That's gonna be something interesting to monitor, but very fascinated
to watch that Jake Retzlaf situation this year with Tulane.
I don't think he's been officially named the starter yet,
but after the off the field stuff that happened at BYU,
gets a new opportunity here at Tulane, and that's a
(16:53):
two lane team that is going to be in the
hunt for that G five playoff spot. So that's a
game at noon probably Texas Ohio State on the main screen,
and maybe you get your YouTube TV going on a
second screen with with that game on it. But that's
a game to watch as too lane. They have two
opportunities I think Northwestern and du to get wins over
Power four teams early in the season. Here, all right,
(17:16):
let's go over to three point thirty on ABC number eight,
Alabama at Florida State. Bama a thirteen and a half
point favorite over under his fifty and a half. Florida
State has been talking a lot of smack about this
game all summer, Nick, and now they got the opportunity
to put their money where their mouth is. Do you
think Florida State has a chance to come out on
top in this one?
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (17:34):
I do not.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
I think. I mean Florida State had one of the
worst overall seasons in their program history last season two
and ten, and they entered the season at ranked number ten.
I think it was our worst record in fifty years,
and Mike Normal is really on the hot seat right now.
Hired two new much needed coordinators really hit the transfer
porter hard, especially with one being Thomas Castellanos, who really
(17:56):
has given Alabama I think you've said it before some
bulletin board material with some coach that he said in
this offseason, which I think is personally a terrible idea
to give Alabama any type of you know, more reason
to go out there and want to you know, really
give it to him. And last season Alabama kind of
like mobile quarterbacks were kind of a problem for Alabama
last year. So if they do really want to stick
(18:17):
with it, he's going to have to use his legs
to his advantage, not try to force things. And you know,
Bama was coming off a four game or a four
loss season, which nix sate that that didn't happen until
or less that happened was Nick sabans first year as
head coach in two thousand and seven. So two teams
really looking to bounce back. I think Alabama has, you know,
the pressure to bounce back with their fans. You know,
(18:38):
with a consistent success, They're not used to having four losses,
So if this they get off to a rocky start,
this Alabama fan base is not going to be happy.
I think roster wise, Alabama is clearly way over this
Florida State team. So give me Alabama here. I think
they really roll in this one thirty four seventeam.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
I think we could see like a nasty, revenge filled
Bolton Boy material season from both Alabama and Georgia. And
it's kind of weird to say that, but I feel
like in the grand scope of things, they've been really
under talked about this entire offseason. I feel like els
Hugh's gotten more buzz than both of those schools. I
feel like Texas has definitely gotten more buzz. Clemson's gotten
(19:16):
a ton of love and ton of buzz. Let's not
forget like Alabama and Georgia probably for the past decade,
have been the two poster childs in this sport. Ohio
State Michigan had their cup of coffee here at the top,
winning national champions But I'm still buying the SEC as
the number one conference in college football, and I think
that still starts with Alabama and Georgia. I think Alabama
and this one has a chance to really kind of
(19:36):
come out and make a statement and say, you know,
let's not forget about the logo on this helmet here,
We're still at Alabama. We had a lot of change
last year. We played pretty damn well at times, we
just weren't that consistent. They need to be a little
bit more consistent this year, but I think they get
back to that kind of ten and two, eleven and
one and have the chance to make a real statement
on Saturday Afternoon. Buying into the Ty Simpsons stock as well,
twenty to one to win the Heisman, I think that
(19:58):
guy's worth a flyer on, especially if you're buying into
the Alabama love and the Alabama hype. You might have
missed some value to get him a few weeks ago
at like thirty to one or forty to one. But
Alabama's gonna have a good year. I think Ty Simpson
under Kaylen de Bor is gonna be going out there
and slinging the rock. Ryan Williams in year two as well.
It's gonna be a very talented Alabama offense that he
has to work with. I don't know if he's gonna
(20:18):
be asked to be played the game manager role because
I think Kaylen Debor is gonna want to sling the
rock a little bit more than then Nick Saban used
to do with AJ mccheron and a Greg McElroy. I
think Ty Simpson could could certainly be in New York
by season's end, and I think he has has Welcome
to college football. No MA on Saturday afternoon. All right,
two more massive matchups to talk about Saturday Night one
and then the Sunday Night one we get, luckily as well,
(20:40):
Number nine LSU at number four Clemson Saturday night seven
thirty on ABC. Clemson's a four point favorite, as him
now over under fifty seven and a half. Brian Kelly
has lost all three season openers during his time at LSU.
Go back to the last five LSU seasons, they've lost
the season opener, and this is probably their toughest test yet,
going to the the best Clempson team that we've seen
(21:01):
over the last four or five years. What are your
thoughts on this matchup, Nick, as LSU travels to the
Death Valley to play the other Death Valley here in Clemson.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Yeah, this one's a really tough game to choose because
I love both these teams. Overall, roster wise, I think
both these teams end up making the playoffs too. But
I think both these teams kind of have the best,
you know, rosters that are built up in the country
to Heisman caliber quarterbacks, they can really lead their teams.
Two great defenses. I think I'm gonna go with Clemson here,
(21:30):
the home team. They bring back most of their production
from last season on both sides of the ball. They
could have five guys We've talked about it before that
are talented enough to go in the first round of
next year's draft. So I think just this Clemson defensive
line can really overpower and kind of control the line
of scrimmage. So, you know, an offensive line that lost
one of the best tackles in the country, Will Campbell.
(21:52):
And like you said, Brian Campbell now having not won
a season open in for five years, I'm gonna stick
with that trend. Start off slow, especially at being a
home game versus the top five team in the country,
But overall, I like both these teams. I think by
the end of the season we'll still be talking about them.
Give me the more experienced home team, Clemson, I'm gonna
go twenty seven to twenty one.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
Yeah, I agree with you where it's one of those
situations in this Clemson game, In this Clemson LSU game,
I think you're you're better off putting your money on
another game if you want to put on LC if
that makes sense, like go out there and show me first,
Brian Kelly and LSU that you can actually go out
there and show up in a week one opener, like
they've got an outscored during these these season openers by
(22:33):
an average of nine point four points per game over
the last five total for LSU, Brian Kelly's lost all three.
I think the situation too, where that's been the main
talk of the off season, Like you even listen to podcasts, whatever,
read articles, there's so much emphasis for them on this
game to come out and start want to know they're
gonna come out tight. I think that that's a shoeing
(22:54):
all the pressure in the world kind of on them,
and it doesn't make that much sense because there's still
eleven games to go after this. It would make more
sense if we were still in the fourteen playoff era.
But you have a chance to go ten and two
or nine and three if you're LSU and still make
the playoffs, So I think though, there's just a little
too much pressure on them, and it's a situation where
I don't want to touch that. If I'm on LSU,
I think for sure they could go there and win
(23:15):
this game, but let me see it first before I
actually bet on it, and we could kind of circle
back to this conversation next season. But we've talked a
ton about both these teams this offseason. I really like cumpson.
I'm just going to take them to win here at
home safely. Fifty seven and a half is a lot
of points too against the Compson defense that we're expecting
to be one of, if not maybe the best in
the nation. So maybe make a pick on this game.
(23:36):
I'm probably actually going under a fifty seven and a
half there, all right, final game. I think we both
know kind of what we're on in this one for sure.
Number six Notre Dame at number ten Miami seven thirty
on ABC. Notre Dame two and a half point favorite
over under forty nine and a half? Is Notre Dame
your slam? Don't favorite play out of any of these
(23:56):
ranked matchups this weekend? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (23:58):
I think so. I mean, we've been one of the
one of Miami's biggest haters heading into this season, so
I'm just going to stick with it. I think Notre
Dame absolutely rolls in this one. I'm not a Carson
Beck believer, and I think playing against a tough defense
like this Notre Dame defense will show that he's really
not built for this moment. He had twelve picks last year,
so Notre Dame's really going to send a lot of
pressure at him and force him to make those mistakes,
(24:19):
which we've seen him do before. The Miami loses most
of its wide receiver production from last season, and he's
also coming off a tough UCL injury where we haven't
really seen him throw too much since then. And last season,
Notre Dame has won the best man coverage teams in
the country for the most interceptions. I know you lose
that production with Ben Morrison and Xavier Watts going to
the NFL, but this is still a team with no
(24:41):
short as of talent on the roster. I think this
if this defense really makes Carson be Beck try to
beat them, I'm all in on Notre Dame's chances to
win this one. You have one of the best running
backs in the country could very well be the first
running back off the board, runs behind one of the
better offensive lines in the country. So give me Notre
Dame to role in this one. Twenty eight sevens.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
Yeah, Notre Dame one of my favorite, if not my
favorite play on the board this week. Litt'll just confuse
as to why that's a two and a half. I
think it should be closer to a four and a
half five ish there. I I just don't see a
scenario where Miami, with a quarterback that hasn't practiced much
this all season, coming off of major elbow injury, comes
(25:21):
out and lights up a Notre Dame defense that we
saw go all the way to the national championship last year. Sure,
they lose a few key guys, but it's Notre Dame.
They're replenishing that with with plenty of talent behind them there.
So I really like Notre Dame to go out there
and make a statement. And I think it's a huge
opportunity to on a national stage, a standalone game with
Notre Dame in Miami, for Marcus Freeman to go out
(25:42):
there and prove that Notre Dame's not going anywhere anytime
soon as long as he's there. They're going to be
a national title contender year in year out, and you
get the real chance to make some noise against Miami. Miami. Nick,
I think truly is the biggest I said Auburn. I
think it is truly the biggest boom er bust in
the country this year, just because they start at number ten,
especially for us, they could go win the ACC and
(26:03):
make us look really stupid. Carson Bank could go be
the number one pick in the draft next year or that.
I think this team really kind of bottoms out and
we see maybe christ of Ball get fired, Carson Beck
not even get drafted next year. I'm a true boom
or bus team Miami, but we're both on the side
of bus and I think that certainly starts here Week
one against Notre Dame. So before we go out, any
(26:23):
other plays that you want to throw out on the
table that caught your eye as we head into this
loaded Week one slate.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
I do like Utah and Minus I think sticks it
was against Ucla. I just really love one. Love that
Utah team too. Not bought into the UCLA team and Nico,
so I like Utah in that one. I like Toledo
plus seven and a half against Kentucky. I just don't
think Kentucky is that good of a team overall both
(26:51):
sides of the ball. And I think Toledo is really explosive,
really fun team to watch too, So I like Utah
minus six Toledo plus seven and a half for some
other games.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
Two players that caught my eye an underdog Southern Miss
plus thirteen and a half. They're at home Versussissippi State
could be the worst team in the entire SEC last
this year, and Southern Miss brings basically the entire coaching
staff and players from Marshall from last year down there
to Southern Miss, and Marshall last year won their conference,
So Southern Mess plus thirteen and a half, I think
(27:21):
they're a live dog in that one. And one of
my favorite favorites of the week Indiana minus twenty three
and a half. They're playing Old Dominion. Last year, Indiana
outscored their non conference opponents, won sixty to twenty four
by an average of forty five points per game. There
was a seventy seven to three win over Western Illinois
in there, but coach Signetti loves to run it up
on inferior opponents. They had seven wins last year by
(27:42):
twenty four more. He's not afraid to take that foot
off the gas at all. So Odu picked to finish
sixth in the Sunbelt, a mid tier team in that conference.
I think Indiana pours it on them here in Week
one to start off the season strong. So I'll do
it for our Week one preview here on football is
king on Fox Sports The Game Where will be back
next week getting the chance to intertwine some NFL plays
(28:03):
and talk about some of the big college games as well.
Thank you everyone for tuning in. As always, keep it
locked here on the Gambler and we'll be talking to
you next week. Spreads, total s and all the prop
that's in between, It's the Gambler.
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