College Football Is Back, Baby | Week 0 Picks & 2026 Sleeper Teams

Seth Saunders: I'm obviously taking the tribe. I would have taken the tribe if the number was whatever you want to say it was. I'm even bold enough to say I think they could win this game straight up. Tribe was fringe playoff contender last year. I like how they're situated. They got some good things returning. And so I I don't think this is any surprise coming from your boy, but it's gonna be a William and Mary love the old. ⁓ my moder hell. Go try it, baby. I'm picking them to cover. Maybe win straight up. For the record, I am not biased. Go Dukes. That was that was worth the price of admission for me. No one else will appreciate that, but boy, I enjoyed that. Go try it, baby. Yeah, yeah, fire up the grill, crank the speakers laugh. Saturdays feel holy in this college crowd Sething James on the mic, preaching gospel true Talking rivalries, legends, red, black, old and blue From dead valley lights to the camp, Randall Cold. They're telling stories, they never get old. Ain't no bench warm hearts on the show tonight. They're walking on proud on the stadium lies. Let's prefer walk on. No scholarship still putting it on from the church until gate hands in the air. Welcome to the Preferred Walk-on Show, the People's College Football Show. I am your host, Seth Saunders, and the triumphant return of my longtime co-host, James Cam Brother. Welcome back. So good to see you. This means officially college football is back, baby. It is back. Week zero once started. I mean, officially started a couple days ago. So we had games. On do we had a game ⁓ yesterday, we had games yesterday. It was great to see college football back. We had a game on Wednesday, which, you know, for week zero is a little weird, but ⁓ some FC FCS games yesterday. It was great to see college football back on the TV. So, homie, I don't know if you're cognizant of this, but this is season seven of the boys yapping about college football, which is crazy to think about. February twenty twenty. February twenty twenty, yeah, that's right. Yeah. So for anybody who is just starting to listen or has started to listen recently, James and I started this in February twenty twenty before the world got turned upside down. And ⁓ we originally started as just a George Bulldogs podcast. So we pretty much focused on that lane and have transitioned over last couple of years into doing more broad based college football stuff, but God, homie, that's wild. Seven seasons. Twenty twenty abbreviated season. What was that? They didn't kick till like late September, October, something like that. It was late September. That was a d that was a dark year. Yeah. That was a really interesting season. I mean, the du ⁓ the SEC played ten games, but the Big Ten played seven, you know. And it was really, really odd. Well, some conferences didn't play at all. So Yeah, dude. It was God, what a weird year. In in I feel like obviously not nearly as weird as that circumstance, but I feel like That in so many ways was the launching point for what we have now in college football. And what I mean by that is, God, everything has changed so much. You know, like that opened the door to compensating players. That opened the door to more conference transition. That opened the door to n name it and you could really tie it back to the genesis point of all the change in twenty twenty. And man. This, I I don't know that there's ever been, you and I were texting about this yesterday. I don't know that there's ever been an off season where I was more ready for the actual games to start just because I am so tired of all the other stuff that has just sucked all the oxygen out of the college football room, whether it's eligibility stuff, whether it was the Soresby gambling thing, like so many things. Comp stuff, Protect College Sports Act. It's like it feels like. Every day there is something else that has nothing to do with the things happening on the field itself. And it's like, man, I'm just exhausted by it. Like I'm just ready for actual football to happen. And that's why, to your point, man, I was like so refreshing last night to just watch actual games and not think about all the crap that has come along with all that. So yeah. Plus, last night was all FCS slate, D2 slates. D three slates, like all all the things. And so that was awesome. A little upset last night. West Florida upending the Salucis. Tough start for the Salukies. High hopes, top twenty five team in the preseason. ⁓ I mean, ⁓ DJ Williams got hurt, so I that obviously probably played into it a little bit, but man, West Florida kind of controlled the gate on that game. Did you see that the Georgetown Lafayette game got canceled? So they had played, I think, I think they played almost three quarters. Pretty sure Georgetown was winning. Which is kinda like, where the hell did that come from? And ⁓ dude, ⁓ lightning. They canceled the game. Just says canceled. That's weird. It's crazy. Yeah. So normally there's a delay. I mean it must have been really bad. Apparently multiple lightning strikes in the area and I guess no no hope of it dissipating at all. So yeah. ⁓ All right. Well let me ask you this. I'm gonna ask you some some questions. ⁓ obviously We haven't really gotten chance to talk about this. So got to go cover ACC Media Days this summer, got to go cover a day of Big Ten Media Days this summer, which were both awesome opportunities, and kind of had my antennas up about teams that maybe aren't getting talked about, but could end up having good years. And so that's where I want start with you. Who is a sleeper this year for you? Are multiple sleepers where you're like, they are not getting talked about as much as they should, but I feel pretty good that. This team, X, Y, or Z team, is gonna have a pretty good year this year. Who is that for you? I've got a couple in mind, but who is that for you? ⁓ in the ACC, I think you're looking at I I think Syracuse is gonna have a big bounce back year. I think we, you know, with this with a healthy Steve Angeli. ⁓ I think ⁓ I think they're they're prime for a big bounce back here. And you anyone who's listening to the show knows we're huge fans of Ryan Brown. And I think I think he's developing a really good culture there. And I just, I feel like they're prime for a big bounce back here. I'm not saying they're primed to win the conference, but I think they're they're primed to win some games. They're not expected to win. ⁓ in regards to the Big Ten, I don't really know if this is considered a sleeper because they're always really competitive, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But it's if, you know, we always say if they can figure out how to throw the forward pass, they're gonna be dangerous. I I really like Iowa. ⁓ cause their defense is just it's always stout and Last year they started to put up some points and they started to figure out the offense a little bit. If that can continue to develop and move forward, I think Iowa could same thing. Now I don't think they're gonna contend for to win, but I think they're gonna win some games they should. And I mean, realistically, they had some teams on the ropes last year in games that no one expected. And what am I thinking about Oregon? I mean, they they had Oregon on the ropes last year. So ⁓ It's just there's some game there's those are some teams that I think could make some noise. I don't like I said, I don't think they're gonna win the conference, but those are teams that are just, you know, their quote unquote middle of the pack teams that could possibly make some noise. Yeah. I think those are those are both interesting pulls. What about what about maybe SCC, Big Twelve or one of the G six teams? Who's somebody that you're looking at and like, ⁓ I they might make some noise. I I'm really curious to see posts ⁓ Jaden Daniels, Kansas. ⁓ we were big fans of Kansas and not I'm really just curious to see what they're gonna be. Cause it with him on the field, they were always dangerous to pull off and pull off an upset because d he was always but he was always dangerous to get knocked out as well. So I'm very curious to see what they're gonna be like. not that's more of a curiosity for me, not necessarily think they're gonna be a sleeper. I'm also curious to see 'cause everybody was hyping up Kansas State last year. I'm very curious to see what they're gonna be. ⁓ is are they gonna take the next step? ⁓ but Big Twelve, I really feel like they're kind of they are what they everybody really kind of just seems like they are what they are. Like I don't really know if there is, there's gonna be a team that comes out of nowhere, but I'm I don't know who it is in the Big Twelve. I just don't. I I those are the teams that I'm more interested in. As far as the SEC, again, I don't really know if this is a sleeper team, but I'm real I'm really intrigued by Missouri. ⁓ I like what they did in the portal. ⁓ I like Eli Drenkowitz as a coach. ⁓ I think that they could make some noise, win some games they're not supposed to. Once again, I don't think these are teams that are going to, you know, win the conference because I feel like the teams at the top are too good. ⁓ it's pretty much a four man. four team or three, four team race in each conference, but these are teams that they could possibly knock one of those three or four teams off and make it into that that you know that that three or four teams at the end of the season. Yeah. Dude, Mizoo, I I like the Mizzou poll. I I really love the Syracuse poll too. I think with Mizzou, adding Austin Simmons to me is a huge deal. You're talking about a guy that if you go back and listen to our preview episodes last year, we were both enormously high on Austin Simmons. And even before he got hurt, it's not like he started the year super hot, but man, I just think he would have found his footing eventually. He's too good of a player and too good of an athlete not to. And so I think that gives them a real weapon at quarterback. And I think too, probably most importantly, it gives them the ability to stretch the field, which look both real we thought I think both thought was great and a good fit for what they were trying to do, but they struggled vertically last year. And so to add that, dynamic would be helpful. Obviously the big wild card with them is how healthy is Ahmed Hardy going to be, right? Like he Eli Drinkwitz came at SEC Media Days, said he was medically cleared. I think a lot of people took that to be he's gonna be full participate once fall camp started, it came out that that's not the case. So he's not gonna be ready week one, or at least it seems he's not gonna be ready for week one. So obviously his health's a huge deal. He's a massive weapon. ⁓ so yeah, that'll be interesting. Man, I the Syracuse thing is is super compelling to me. I was just So taken with Fran Brown at ACC Media Days. You talk about like gravitas. And I was ⁓ struck with how firmly rooted he is in who he is. He's not trying to be anybody else but Fran Brown. And I think that authenticity, no matter what walk of life you're in, always wins. And so I think Syracuse is in a really good spot. And like Steven Jelly being healthy is a huge deal too. He was shredding defenses before he got hurt last year. And what they're three and one when he gets hurt, and then obviously tail spin after that because they didn't have anybody else. And so I think if he can stay healthy, they've got a real shot to really cause some problems for some people in the ACC. The the other team I love in the ACC, and I texted with you a little bit about this when I was in Charlotte is SMU. SMU. I love how they are composed. Like Rhett Lashley was really, really interesting to get to talk with and hear his perspective on things. Leadership. vision. Like I got all of that from him as he was talking. And then Kevin Jennings is healthy. You know, he had a great year last year by all accounts, and his ankle was banged up all year long. And so healthy Kevin Jennings, they've got a good bit returning. I just think that is a team very, very much in the mix in the ACC. And they'll get a test week one. They play Florida State to kick things off. And so not that Florida State's a world beater, but I think they've got high expectations. ⁓ Mike Norvell Coaching versus job. So ⁓ they get a lot of ⁓ stress on the table. added Ashton Daniels in the portal. He'll be starting quarterback. Deuce Robinson, one of the biggest weapons in the country. Another kid, really, really impressive on the mic at at media days. So ⁓ those are all ones I'm kind of looking at a little bit. I I just thought the vibes too from SMU were good. The the chemistry was right, like they just felt kind of bought in. Let me throw one at you in the Big Twelve, dude. And this is one where I think we both like the coach and have liked what the coach has done at past stops, but how about Willie Fritz of Houston? Like coming off, I would say, a surprising ten win season last year and they bring a lot back. And I don't think anybody is talking about Houston in that conference. No, I think everybody just expects Texas Tech to just dominate and basically do what they did last season. Just expects them just to, you know, roll out the defense and just smother people. And then the offense to do just enough. To to win games. I would not be surprised if Texas Tech, you know, stumbles and loses two games. And I would not be shocked if the winner of that conference has two losses this season. It would not surprise me at all. ⁓ and it wouldn't surprise me if Houston is the winner of that conference. And I do love Fritz. I loved what he did at Tulane. I was shocked when he took a Houston job. That that didn't seem like a good fit. ⁓ but I mean, he proved us wrong, obviously, because that obviously he's darned that program around compared to the mess that was left previously. But I mean Houston Houston's an intriguing program. ⁓ just like you said, with what they're returning. And I mean, you know, Texas money, man. They've got money to spend in the portal. So and they're always gonna be competitive. I'll give you a Big Twelve title pick. How about this? Let's go. I'm gonna say today, if you put the screws to me, I would go BYU Houston, Big Ten title. I mean Big Twelve title. That That's the game I'm looking to see. I think BYU returns a ton too, right? Like Bear Bachmeyer had a great year. He's an absolute wrecking ball. I think the thing they need to look to add to is consistency in the downfield passing game. So we'll see if that happens in year two with Bear. I j I just feel like they're in a good spot. you know, obviously great home field, all those things. And so I I I think they will be in the mix. Here's my thing with Texas Tech, right? Because to your point, I do think that's what people think. I think Suffocating defense. We're going to do just enough on offense to limit mistakes, score enough. But a couple things for me. How healthy is Will Hammond coming off the ACL tear? That's obviously of supreme importance. I know there's been some talk. I don't know if it's officially happened. I know his agency like talked about it and kind of announced it, but Tommy Castellano's going there. And and look, that's fine. That's a great secondary option to have. But I think the road forward for Texas Tech is a healthy Will Hammond. So that's number one for me. Number two is. Dude, they lose two monsters on defense. And so, like, how do you replace that? Right. Like I I don't feel like they were as plug and play in the portal with big time guys defensively. So so we'll see, right? ⁓ but yeah, the other one who this is I don't feel nearly as confident as I do about how I think BYU and Houston are gonna do, but how about Arizona? Noah Fafita coming back, ⁓ really, really good player. They had a nice season, bounce back season last year, win nine games. ⁓ yeah, I don't know. They they could be interesting. I think I think they're gonna be ⁓ a fly in the ointment for a few teams just because I think Fafita's gonna be good. And I think when you've got a quarterback at any level of football, you got a chance. And so that's one I I think is is compelling as well. Let me give you one from the G six, and this will not be a surprise if you've listened to our show. How about the midshipmen? How about Navy? Like running Drew Cronic's offense, they've got a pretty favorable schedule in the American. ⁓ dude, I they've been really, really impressive the last three to four years, have put up big win totals, and I think Braxton Woodson has the ability to be fairly must see TV in that offense this season. So that that's what I'm I'm gonna put at you is the midshipmen sneaking into the back end of the playoff going like eleven and one. What if their only loss is to Notre Dame? They're eleven and one, they win the American. They they get in. It depends on how the rest of the G Sex. Fairs. I mean, that's really what it boils down to. I mean, are you gonna put eleven in one Navy versus ten and two UNLV? Like, you know, how how does that question that's that's the the rub. And in that case, I you know, I I have to think the committee would probably take UNLV in that case. Yeah. Just if no, it depends. This is that we're looking at strictly records. This also depends. I mean, if if Navy goes out and is beating everyone, you know, forty five seven. In those 11 wins, they're probably taking navy. But if there's, you know, four or five, you know, one score games in that situation, they're probably going with even LV. I I just have to think so based off of the the competition level. but I y I mean, like you said, we love Navy. We have for the past, you know, three or four seasons. And, you know, Army Navy game is one of our favorite games all season. It's just ⁓ it has to be. They have to put a good showing against Notre Dame. They have to for it to be a consideration. And they have to win the other eleven. Like the that's they can't they can't have a slip up. Isn't that interesting? 'Cause I do think that's an excellent point, is theoretically their biggest audition could be a game that they will likely lose. Yeah. And that is what is the eye test for them against Notre Dame? It's like to your point last year, Notre Dame walked a dog on ⁓ Like I realize Blake Orvath was hurt in that game and so didn't really play, but still the showing you could very much see the disparity in roster talent. And it was it it was apparent quickly. Yeah. So yeah. It was a game was over in the first quarter. It was. Yeah. Like if you watched it, you went, ⁓ boy, this is gonna be long day for for the mids. ⁓ yeah. All right. Well, hey, let's pick some games. I know there's a lot we could talk about. I know we didn't really touch on kind of the SEC stuff, but we'll get to that. Week one, full full slate next week. We'll we'll delve into that a little more, but let's talk about some games this week. And As you'll see, your boy is Don in the tribe shirt here because the green and gold kickoff tonight. Huge game on the main line as part of the FCS slate. ⁓ Villanovo coming off an appearance in the semifinals. They've been dealing with their own NCAA drama, ⁓ trying to get their starting quarterback from last year back. And that is in limbo. So he will not play tonight. And Both of these teams have two quarterbacks listed on their depth charts in the number one slot, which what does the old saying go? If you've got two quarterbacks, you don't have to quarterbacks, you don't have a quarterback. And so yeah. So we'll see what's gonna happen with that. I will also just put out as a disclaimer, we try to be, this is a little tongue in cheek, we try to be as unbiased as possible on this show. But let me just assure you, there is one thing I am incapable of being unbiased about. And that is the College of William and Mary. Met my wife there. My boy and I had a lot of good parties there. Yeah, we did. There was a few f nice nights with ⁓ our good friend Crown Royal there. yeah. So there was ⁓ I will never ever pretend to be anything but biased about the green and gold. So ⁓ hark upon the gale. But interesting game. ⁓ obviously, like I said. I think if you're Villanova, even if right, you were gonna go with two quarterbacks, that that looks a lot different if you haven't been going, ⁓ we're gonna have the guy that led us to the national semifinals last year. And so we're just gonna count on that happening. Like, dude, he's been in camp, like all those things. And so yeah, I just think it puts him in interesting spot. Whereas at least on the William and Murray side, you're rotating two quarterbacks, but you kind of knew you may be rotating two quarterbacks, right? And so, like maybe you can script it better or whatever it may be. But dude. Noah's eleven and a half point favorite on the main line tonight. Eleven and a half. Also, should note both of these teams premieres in the Patriot League. Former CAA rivals and foes who will now face off each year in the Patriot League. The new look Patriot League, which I am delighted about because the Patriot League has a deal with ESPN. So that means I can actually watch their games. The CAA had a deal with Flow Sports, which you had, dude, it was impossible to watch. And ⁓ sorry which actually I think that just Sounds so weird that that they're in the Patriot. I I I will have a very hard time getting used to that. So bizarre, dude. Like it it's world different from how it was constructed when we were in the conference. It ain't your it ain't your mama's CAA. I'll put it down there. No kidding. No kidding. It ain't what we were used to. So ⁓ where you sit on this? What do you think? You think the tribe can cover that? I think the tribe might win straight up. I think they're I think they're gonna cover. I mean, that's a lot of points. I mean, week one or I'm sorry, week zero. And week one point spreads are just always asinide to me because you're basing it off of last year, and these aren't the same teams. Now, I mean, there are the traditional programs, you know, the the big dogs in each level that are gonna have ridiculous point spreads. But it just it makes no sense to me that you're looking at all this roster turnover on both things, both teams, and you have a big point spread, and it just it just doesn't make sense to me. So I'm gonna take the tribe. And take the take the points. I I think that I think they should cover. Even if it's a backdoor cover, I think they should cover. It just doesn't make sense to me in front of 11 and a half points on week zero. Dude, 11 and a half. When I saw that number, I was like, this feels like a trick. I feel like I'm being tricked right now. And like I told you, my bias obviously plays into this, but this feels like the biggest home run in the history of picks on this show. I'm obviously taking the tribe. I would have taken the tribe if the number was whatever you want to say it was. I'm even bold enough to say I think they could win this game straight up. Like Tribe was fringe playoff contender last year, dropped some stuff late, ⁓ had some turnover issues and had some problems closing out games. But like, dude, I like how they're situated. They got some good things returning. And so I I don't think this is any surprise coming from your boy, but it's gonna be a William and Mary love the old. Hark upon the gale, hear the thunder of our chorus. Alma mater hail. Go try, baby. I'm picking them to cover. Maybe win straight up. For the record, I am not biased. Will Mary is my matter's biggest rival. Go Dukes. ⁓ God, that was that was worth the price of admission for me. No one else will appreciate that, but boy, I enjoyed that. Go try it, baby. ⁓ okay. Let's do let's flip into Saturday slate. There's some other great games today, but I think there's some really compelling FCS games tomorrow. And I think there's some really fun FBS games tomorrow as well. So let's start at noon on Saturday, the Erlingus Classic in Dublin. Pour yourself a pint, get yourself some eggs, and watch this ball game. It's ⁓ noon kick here local, UNC playing TCU. TCU a nine and a half point favorite. in this ballgame. Where are you sitting on this? Obviously an embattled Bill Belichick in year two with the heels. But ⁓ and TCU going with Harvard transfer Jaden Craig to pilot the offense, which I am jacked up about. So how you sitting on this? TCU's lost a lot on offense. But I I'm having a hard time backing Bill after what we saw last year. Like let's look at let's look at Bill Belichick's run. Let's look at Bill Belichick's career minus Tom Brady. It has been less than stellar. So I am going to take TCU because of that. And it's he is just he's his run has been unimpressive any stop minus Tom Brady. And I just I don't I don't like what I see from him. I think that this is gonna be his last season, regardless of how they do. I just I don't see him here next next season. I don't see him coaching football after this season. I think this is it. And I I think he's ⁓ probably already checked out. So I think I think, you know, though he'll be interested for a couple of weeks and but I don't think it's he I don't think he's fully invested is basically what I'm getting at. So I think that I'm gonna take ⁓ TCU to cover. Yeah, I think I gotta take the Horn Frogs too. ⁓ Jaden Craig was outstanding in his career at Harvard and I think can be a good weapon now. Will he be that great at the FBS level in the Big Twelve? We'll see. Okay. But I I just this is more a pick against UNC than it is a pick for TCU. They gosh, you talk about vibes. They were a weird vibe at ACC Media Days. And it had nothing to do with the players. I think that was the tough part for me was really good kids. I thought the the delegation they brought was really impressive and were very unified as a group, but it just seemed like there was such a disconnect between him as head coach and them. And it just, I don't know. It was a it was probably the most bizarre vibe of the whole week. It just didn't feel like there was any kind of unity or any kind of tied fabric. And so yeah, I'm with you. I'm I'm taking the Horn Frogs too. All right, let's go. Three o'clock, San Jose State, our good buddy, Coach Stutzman and the spread and shred offense going to play, the Sons of Troy, USC. USC is a 38 and a half point favorite. I almost didn't put this on here, but because that line is so preposterous, I had to put it on here. So what are you at on this? give me give me San Jose State. I mean, I hate these lines. I hate them with a burning passion. I mean, we always used when we when we were just covering Georgia, we always used to put them on every Georgia game on here. And what is Kirby in these games? Like one in 35 if the spread's over 30 or something like that. I I just I think it I think this is the same thing. I think USC's gonna dominate this game from start to finish. But I think, you know, when the backups come in and St. Jose's, you know, just basically playing to get reps with their starters, I think San Jose is going to show what they're actually capable of. And I think that they're going to put up some points. I think this is probably like, you know, 48 21 type game. I don't think this is going to be, you know, I don't think they're going to win by 38 and a half. That's insane. These numbers are insane. The the Spartans are too good to to to lose by that much. Dude, I I think USC gonna have nice year. Jaden Mile is obviously a great player, but thirty eight and a half ⁓ against ⁓ another FBS team just seems wild to me. Wild. Like, yeah, I I will take the Spartans in this. So again, to your point, I don't think it's like a close football game and I don't think USC is gonna be sweating a ton, but I got the Spartans covering the numbers. So yeah, I I like that one. Okay. 330. This is a game your boys were supposed to be at. Schedules did not allow for it to come to fruition. But a big, big thank you to the UVA communications team for ⁓ Working to accommodate us and wish, wish, wish we were going to be in Charlottesville on Saturday. But alas, we are not. We will try to get back there at some point in the near future. But dude, great game to kick off. It was supposed to be in Brazil, didn't work out, so got relocated to Charlottesville. NC State facing off against UVA. UVA, a three and a half point home favorite, coming off an awesome year last year. ⁓ brought in transfer bow per Beula. Formerly at Penn State and Mizzou. NC State was one of the most kind of talked about and hyped teams coming out of ACC Media Days with CJ Bailey and kind of what everybody saw from him at the Manning Passing Academy. He is a large American, my friend. Like he could easily play on the NC State basketball team, like every bit of 6'6. So yeah. ⁓ and had an electric all-red suit on at Media Days, which slow clap to that. Rick Rick Flair Swag Award for that. All the drip was there. But ⁓ I don't know. I have no feel for this. I saw the injury report last night and UVA's got like ⁓ I thought it was like fourteen kids that are ruled out. And probably most importantly, Cam Robinson is questionable. Now everything I've read and seen is that he's going to play, but obviously coming off ⁓ a knee injury last year, and so I think he is the straw that stirs the drink for them. So I I don't know on this one. Where do you sit? So I just want to Make sure I I'm clear. Is this the N C state game that doesn't count as an ACC game that they have on the special? That is correct. Okay. I'm almost positive just like a non con game. Yeah. Yeah. Just like that. It's weird how that schedule wor how their schedule wor is like these two seasons. So I'm I'm with you. I don't really know how this works. I'm going to take the Who's s basically with home field. ⁓ that's really kind of how basically this is a pick'em game because they're giving them the three points because they're at home is kind of how they're going with this. ⁓ it'd be a it'd be a half point ⁓ spread ⁓ if it was a neutral site. So I'm going with the Who's. really loyal to to Cam. You know, he went to our high school. So that's kind of how I'm going with this. ⁓ I really, but I that's more of a a homer pick than anything. I believe if I'm remembering correctly, UVA has the oldest offensive line in college football. I think that's right. I think the average age across their offensive line is like twenty three or twenty-four. And so that's important. ⁓ I think that's a good thing for Bo Beula making his first start for the Who's. ⁓ I I'm gonna pick the Who's too but I boy, I don't feel great about it. I'd feel a lot different if I knew Cam was going to play the whole game because I think he is just I think he tilts the field, man. I really do think he's that kind of player. I think if he's healthy He could win ACC Defensive Player of the Year. I think he's a day one pick in the NFL draft, all the things, right? Like he's he's a singular talent. So I'm gonna take that. I also just as good as CJ Bailey is, I'm I I just don't know what the weapons will be for NC State. Obviously they lost a a lot of their electricity in the portal. So we'll see, you know, and and their defense was not great last year. Also, how has Dave Dorn been there so long? Like they've not been great. Like I feel like just plodding along, mediocre as can be, and he just he stays. So I feel like he I feel like he's kind of er every season it's like this is the season. This is the season. And then they they never it never is the season. Yep. That's it. That's exactly right. I feel the same way. Okay. Five thirty kick. It is the bisons' first game as an FBS level team. And they do they play Jacksonville State. Interesting game. Jacksonville State. ⁓ going to play North Dakota State. North Dakota State, a six and a half point favorite in their first ever game as an FBS school. Where do you sit on this one? It's at the Far You said it's at North Dakota State? Is that the Fargo Dome? Yep. That's that that you should know my answer then. You know how I am about the Fargo Dome. That it's it's they are going to train they are one of the teams coming from the FCS level that are going to transition well because of their defense. Their offense is going to take a while to catch up. They're going to have to change their offensive style a little bit as they progress through this. Their offensive style is not suited very well to the FPS level, but their defense is great for the FPS level. So I think their defense is going to keep them in games and going to win them some games. But I think they're going to be a lot of close games. With that being said, with them being at home is going to tilt that. I'm gonna take the of the bison and give and lay the points. Yeah, I'm gonna take the bison too. I I think a Cam Cookless Jacksonville State is hard to prognosticate at this point. So ⁓ they're a will see for me. And so I'm with you. I just think the juice and all the energy of of this offseason and first game at that level, the Fargo Dome is gonna be packed and rocking. I I I'm kinda with you. I think this is a great toe in the water as well. You know, you're not opening with say like a K State or something like that, where like the roster disparity is probably gonna be a little bit greater. And so yeah, I I I'm with you. I'll I'm gonna take the bison to cover here. So yeah, I like that. Okay. Seven o'clock slate. Let's get into some of the FCS games I like. First one is a rank on rank match. Monmouth going to play Tennessee Tech. 23 against 15. Tennessee Tech eight and a half point favorite. Former ODU coach Bobby Wilder has got Tennessee Tech rolling. They had a really, really good year last year. Where do you where you sit on this one? I'm I'm being honest, I'm not hugely versed on either one of these teams. So I'm gonna go with the home team. I'll take the home team. I'll lay the points. Yeah, I I think this is an awesome matchup for for week one FCS wise. I think probably one of the better matchups, actually. I may be one of the only rank one rank games. Is this a conference matchup? ⁓ I knew you were gonna ask me that. I can't tell you that. I don't think it is. I I don't think it is. I don't think it is. I I think Mammoth is in a a separate conference. ⁓ I don't remember seeing them I don't remember seeing them on the the conference pool. But ⁓ yeah man, I'm gonna take Tennessee Tech, man. They got a beautiful facility now. They put a lot of investment into that program and again, Bobby Wild was a good He's a good football coach. Like, started the program at ODU, had Taylor Heineke. Like, he he's a good coach. The guy can coach football. And so I like where they're headed. I think I think their arrow is pointed up. So I will take Tennessee Tech as well. All right. Next one on the slate is on here. I I'm not gonna lie. I I said we try to be unbiased, but we've had the pleasure of talking to a bunch of coaches this offseason, and one of them was Kerwin Bell at Western Carolina. And man, I really liked Coach Bell a ton. Like, If I was gonna have to play for somebody, I'd sign up to play for Coach Bell in a heartbeat. And that's not just because he's a former walk on. He's just awesome. And so I love what they got going in Culloway. I love what they're trying to build. And ⁓ that's where they're opening, man. Probably, I think too, one of the more underrated stadiums in all of college football. It is gorgeous. Like I know everybody talks about App State and Boone and how that stadium is, like Kid Brewer, but this feels like Kid Brewer light. Like it is a gorgeous vista. at at that stadium. And ⁓ Western Carolina four and a half point favorite on the home field in their opener against Eastern Kentucky, which if I remember right, was who our good buddy coach Jeff Collins opened his career against ⁓ as a catamount was against Eastern Kentucky. So I could be misremembering that, but I think that's right. ⁓ yeah, so catamount's four and a half point favorite. Where are you at on this? Give me Western Carolina. I will unless their season completely takes a turn, I will be pulling for them and picking them probably every week. They're there are UTSA from what three years ago. So I I feel like that that's that's w who we're who we're growing with this season. Yeah. That's a great parallel. Yes. They are our UTSA. For those unfamiliar, Jimmy and I picked the Roadrunners Meet Meet for pretty much every week, unabashedly. There was no thought put into it. It like we're going with they were on the they were on our docket and we picked ⁓ every week. Yeah. Yeah, we're just meet team meet me. That's it. So yeah, I'm going catamounts, baby. I think it's I'm excited to watch what they do this year. I know they lose one of our favorites, Teron Dickens, in the portal, but ⁓ I love what Coach Bell and his staff are doing there. So I'm going catamounts. All right, next one on the dock it's Steven F. Austin playing McNe. Stephen F. Austin, thirteenth in the country. The Lumberjacks had a nice year last year, looking to build on that. Our new buddy Josh Sims at CFB Travel Guy is gonna be at that ball game. So maybe we'll get some boots on the ground commentary from Josh this weekend. But ⁓ Stephen F. Austin, 13 and a half point road favorite, brother. Where are you at on that? Road favorites are always a coin flip for my boy. ⁓ yeah, road favorites are always are always tough. But I feel like the the talent disparity on these teams is gonna be pretty big this season. So I'm gonna I'm gonna lay the points. I don't love it. I don't love it. That's that's a lot of points on the road, but I feel This could be this could be how ⁓ NDSU Citadel was last season. This could be that style of game where it's close in the first half and then SFA just pulls away in the second half. I'm gonna go opposite of you and I'm gonna take the Cowboys. First off, what a phenomenal mascot matchup. We got lumberjacks versus cowboys. Let's go. Like could we get a could we get a bare knuckle brawl instead of the football game? I'd take that. Yeah, for real. Just a half time the winner the winner takes it. Yeah. Yeah, give me McNeese. I'll take him to I'll take him to cover. ⁓ I think Stephen F. Austin will win straight up, but give me McNeese. Okay, let's move FBS Hawaii at Stanford in the 7 p.m. dockets. Stanford a three and a half point favorite, year one with Tavita Pritchard. Who you like in this one? Man, talk about two programs that have always well, Stanford, you know, ever since Shaw has has left, has just been just all over the place. Like they have not lived up to expectations in years. And with luck running the program, I mean, who knows what's gonna happen with Stanford? I I've I've st college football is better when Stanford is competitive. And you know, ever since like I said, since Shaw has left, it's just not been they've not been good. And they weren't good the last couple of years he was there. So Hawaii traveling, even though it's on cal it's in California, is always a bear for them. I know they say that they're used to it. So I'm gonna go with Stanford. I don't really feel good about it. I like Hawaii. I think they're gonna have a really good year. ⁓ but week zero, yeah, it's always better to go with the home team. And I know I just picked an away team, but it's it's always better to go with the home team. So unless there's a huge talent disparity. Yeah, I'm gonna take Stanford. This is one of those where again, this is more about I think the week one and the home feel than it is about any feel one way or the other. Look, man, I I love Hawaii. I think Coach Chang does a great job there. Micah Alajedo was one of the more fun quarterbacks to watch, slinging it all year. I think he's going to have an awesome season. ⁓ I I just think Stanford's gonna probably have more Jimmies and Joes. ⁓ Michigan transfer Davis Warren at quarterback for them. ⁓ and look, again, if we're just talking about vibes and kind of where people sit, Ta'ita Pritchard's got a ton of energy and it's all good. He was I I thought he moved people in the room in Charlotte. I just ⁓ I I think guys will line up and play for him. So I like where they're at culturally and ⁓ I I think they'll start his tenure with a win. So I'll take them, I'll take him to cover two. So all right, last one of the day. I think this is one of the sneaky best games of the weekend. Memphis, new head coach, Coach Huff, heading to Vegas to play Dan Mullen in UNL V. ⁓ the running rebs are a four and a half point favorite at home. Who do you like in this one? A G six conference to conference clash. See, this is one of those games that I think this is the best game of the weekend. I really do. Yeah. ⁓ this is the this is the game I'm most intrigued by. I'm really hoping that I'll be able stay awake and watch it. it is I'm expecting UNLV to improve the under year two under Mullen. I really am. Even though I can't stand Mullen, I just I'm just not a fan of the guy. But did you see how much it pained him to say that, ladies and gentlemen? Well, not at all. Not at all. He is not. He's a he's a all he's a great offensive coach. He is a great offensive coach. and I expect UNLV to improve. I expect their offense to improve, but that defense was just not very good last year. They just weren't. And I don't see the defense improving. I expect them to win games like they did last year, 39-34, 42-35. I expect them to win games like that just like they did last season. But I don't know if Memphis is going to be able to put up the points, especially week zero, against them. I don't think their offense is going to be as explosive as it was last season. ⁓ so I'm gonna t I'm gonna take the rebs and I'm gonna lay the points. But I think UNL V is gonna struggle because I don't think their defense is gonna be very good this season. I'm gonna take UNL V two. I hate to pick against former Walk on Coach Huff in his debut as Memphis' head coach, but ⁓ Yeah, I mean, UNLV had a good year last year. They were very much on the fringe fighting and clawing to try and get a playoff spot out of the G six. And if some things had shook a little differently, maybe they're dancing, you know. ⁓ I think it's certainly a renaissance for Dan Mullen and an interesting ecosystem because obviously got a fun home field. I think there's there's plenty of interest because of the market in Vegas. And so I think that's a place where you've got the resources where you could build. You know, like I I feel like UNLV is one of those almost like SMU where Since the rules have changed, it opens up a lot of doors for a program like that because there's money there and there's some opportunity. And so yeah, I I think there's I think they will will cover. ⁓ now what they do throughout the season, we'll see. ⁓ I think Memphis is probably gonna be a little bit of a work in progress. ⁓ do you know where Charles Hoff went to undergrad? I do not. Hampton. Really? Yes. That's awesome. He was on he was on the Hampton team that played William and Mary in the playoffs the year that William Mary JMU played in the semis. So ⁓ four. Yeah. Remember Hampton had that cat? ⁓ shoot. Zuri L. Smith was it? Was that the guy's name? He was like there. I don't know if he was there that that then though. Dude, he was like an electric factory. William Mary couldn't do nothing with him. I think he returned two kicks and had two like forty plus yard receptions that day. Like gave William Mary scare of a lifetime at Zable. He was a one man show, literally. And yeah, but yeah. Charles Huff was on that team. He was a walk-on. Pretty sure he was a center. Be still your heart. I'll be rooting for him. There we go. That's why I yeah, see, I knew. I knew now he's changing his pick. He's gonna he's gonna he's gonna be with Memphis now. I'll be following him all season now. Yep, that's it. Charles Huff gonna be his man. Walk on center. I'm almost positive. That's right. I thought pretty sure he was a center at Memphis. ⁓ I think he was captain senior year. ⁓ yeah. Anyways. So, and Coach Huff, open invitation. Whenever you want to come on the show, you come hang with us. We'll all walk-ons welcome. Open door, open door policy. For former walk once. So all right, homo, that's all I got. That's that's our 10 game slate this week. Not a bad, I don't think, kickoff slate for week zero, which don't you feel a little bit like week zero is kind of like a slanderous type of name? It's like, can we give it its own it's week one, baby? This is real college football. Like why yeah, why are we why are we shorting it? Yeah, it needs to be like, you know, ⁓ kickoff classic or I something. It needs something. It needs it needs its own name. This week zero crap is ridiculous. Yeah. Yeah, we need it needs more juice, baby. Like I'm fired up about it. Like I feel like people aren't making a big enough deal. All right, before I let you go, thing you're looking forward to most this college football season. Let me hear it. This reconvening weekly, chatting, getting to talk about getting to talk college football again. So and then I mean, I I'm also looking forward to just Saturdays in the fall, man. It's the best. It's always the best. Just getting to, you know, enjoy, you know, the weather change and then getting to see I mean, get into you know, we get these fifteen Saturdays of just enjoyment before, you know, away stepping away from the everyday mundane of everyday life. Yeah. ⁓ about you. Yeah. I love that I love that answer. I ⁓ man, me too. That's that's yeah, that's a good point. I this is my my boy got a lot of kids, I got a lot of kids. This is like the one time we kind of got set where we get to hang out and get to Talk about something that we both love a lot and get to catch up. So, man, it's it's awesome. And ⁓ nobody I'd rather been doing this with for for for seven seasons than than my guy. So yeah, that that's that's a good point. And boy, you're right. Fifteen weeks of bliss with better weather and sweatshirts and college football, and it's gonna be freaking outstanding. So yeah, I can't wait. And don't miss it, guys. Cherish it, man. Every every weekend is awesome. And ⁓ as I have said on this show before, but my favorite Orioles manager, Buck Show Walter, always used to say, the good old days are right now. Yeah. And ain't that the truth? So breathe it in, baby. We're we're back. College football is back. ⁓ hope everybody enjoys week zero. And man, hang with us all season. We're ⁓ we love talking it and we want to hear from you. And and if you got ideas for things we can talk about or do, we want to do that too. So we're gonna try to cover some stuff in person if we can. And yeah, man, gonna be another fun year. So thank y'all for hanging with us. And ⁓ until next time, enjoy the games and kiss your nooch.