Staff Picks
Casey Cregan – Staff Writer
Louisville @ Georgia Tech – Jeff Brohm vs. Brent Key; no real coaching match-up so I’m going with the Cards because of the talent on the roster already, not because of a coaching edge. Louisville is the pick.
South Carolina vs. North Carolina – South Carolina is riding high after beating Tennessee and Clemson to end the regular season before losing to Notre Dame in the bowl game. I’m not buying the hype from that two-game run quite yet. Do they have an RB? OL? There are a lot of questions being glossed over by the hype train, but the only one for UNC is can they replace Josh Downs at WR. Tar Heels win.
Florida State vs. LSU – Yet another media darling, Florida State with a tough test to open the season. I’m impressed with Jordan Travis and his stable of RBs (although they lost Treshaun Ward to Kansas State), as well as their defensive front is loaded. Jayden Daniels, QB for LSU is ready to shine and all they lost offensively was Kayshon Boutte at WR. Give me LSU here.
Oregon State @ San Jose State – DJU making his debut for the Beavers. There’s a lot less pressure for the former 5-star, and I think he’ll come through for his squad in a sneaky opener with the Spartans of SJSU. The Spartans hung with Southern Cal for a while in Week 0, but still, give me Oregon State in a close one.
Clemson @ Duke – Which Riley will get the best of this underrated opener? Duke QB Riley Leonard is really good, and Clemson has brought in Garrett Riley to right the ship offensively for the Tigers. Duke has a lot of athletes all over the field, but I think Clemson just has a few more than Duke. Clemson in a closer one than the fans would like.
Griffin Barfield – Staff Writer
Louisville @ Georgia Tech – In a battle of relatively new head coaches and transfer QBs, I’m going to take the Cardinals. The Cards’ new signal caller, Jack Plummer, has proven more than Georgia Tech’s Haynes King in the past, and some new transfer talent in the receiving core gives Louisville the edge here.
South Carolina vs. North Carolina – In games like this, I’m taking the team that has already proven it on the big stage. The Gamecocks went on a roll in two straight games in primetime against Tennesee and Clemson, and I think quarterback Spencer Rattler has a great game against a lackluster Tar Heel secondary. Drake Maye is the best player on the field, but the Heels struggled to close out games at the end of last season. Give me South Carolina in a shootout and a must-watch this Saturday.
Florida State vs. LSU – Speaking of must-watches, how could you not watch a primetime Sunday CFB game with two top Heisman candidates and talent all over the field? For me though, I’m going to take the Tigers to get revenge off of last season’s crazy game against the Seminoles. I think despite the LSU defense losing defensive tackle Maason Smith, the rest of the cast, as well as a Jayden Daniels-led offense, will help get it done late for Brian Kelly and LSU to start the year of with a statement win.
Oregon State @ San Jose State – I’ll be watching this game strictly for D.J. Uiagalelei, and I think the Beavers get it done away from home. I thought Oregon State was an underrated team last year, and if D.J. can get back to his best, I’m excited to see what’s to come for them in the Pac-12. I don’t think San Jose State proved enough to me last week in Week 0 to shock the world, so give me Oregon State with a comfortable win.
Clemson @ Duke – Despite looking at spreads and odds, the game will be closer than people think. Experienced teams like Duke, especially at home, don’t get blown out. I expect Garrett Riley and his offense to get it going in the second half, and the Tigers to pull away late and showcase how great this new scheme can be and get Clemson started on the right foot.
Anthony Weeks – Sports Director
Louisville @ Georgia Tech – I think Georgia Tech, with their new system under Coach Brent Key and quarterback Jack Plummer, can stay competitive against Louisville until the fourth quarter. But in the end, I see Louisville winning.
South Carolina vs North Carolina – Spencer Rattler, in his second year with South Carolina, could be good against Drake Maye in a quarterback battle. But I can’t see South Carolina winning. I’ll go with future star Drake Maye and UNC Chapel Hill for the win. Plus, considering South Carolina’s issues with their offensive line, it might cause problems for Rattler throughout the season.
Florida State vs. LSU – Who am I rooting for? Florida State, our conference rival who will compete with Clemson in the upcoming weeks, or LSU from the “GREATEST CONFERENCE EVER”? I’m not showing bias for my conference here. I’m choosing Brian Kelly in his second year with Daniels as Quarterback and standout college football player Harold Perkins at linebacker. My pick is LSU, and I think they’ll win by a good margin.
Oregon State @ San Jose State – Will the former Clemson QB DJ demonstrate to the country that his struggles were due to a poor system and play calling, or will he display the same inconsistencies seen during his time at Clemson? I don’t believe we’ll get a full picture from this game, but my prediction is that Oregon State will come out on top.
Clemson @ Duke – Recruiting and talent counts, coaching counts, and having top players matters. At the end of the day, Clemson excels in all of these aspects. My pick: Clemson by 17+.
Clifton Canady – Associate Sports Director
Louisville @ Georgia Tech – This game is a toss-up for me. The Louisville Cardinals and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will square off in what is sure to be a thrilling matchup. This game is going to be a tough one for both teams, as they are evenly matched in terms of talent and experience. Each team brings a unique style of play that could make this an exciting game.
Louisville 42, Georgia Tech 35
South Carolina vs. North Carolina – South Carolina has one 4 out of the last 5 games, but this year both teams have great quarterbacks. The Gamecocks boast a talented quarterback in Spencer Rattler, and the Tar Heels have one of the best sophomore quarterbacks in college football in Drake Maye. With two strong teams like this, it’s hard to pick a winner. I think this game will come to what defense can make a stop in the 4th quarter.
North Carolina 35, South Carolina 27
Florida State @ LSU – This is a matchup of two top-10 teams. The winner of the game could be headed to the College Football Playoff. FSU has a lot of new talent and a senior quarterback in Jordan Travis. LSU ended the year at 16th in the AP top 25 and looking to get back to greatness.
FSU 31, LSU 28
Oregon State @ San Jose State – Oregon State is eagerly anticipating their upcoming game against San Jose State, and with a new quarterback leading the charge, they’re gearing up for success. D.J. Uiagalelei, who has recently joined the team after a stint at Clemson, is ready to make a name for himself and help his teammates claim a victory. The Beavers had a remarkable season last year, finishing 10-3, and they’re setting the bar high for the upcoming game. San Jose State, however, has already faced a tough opponent in Southern Cal and is looking for redemption. With the excitement and skills of D.J. Uiagalelei, Oregon State fans are sure to be in for a treat.
Oregon State 35, San Jose State 20
Clemson @ Duke – Clemson and Coach Dabo Swinney will be traveling to Durham to take on the Duke Blue Devils in what is currently one of the most intriguing match-ups. With quarterback Riley Leonard leading the Blue Devils, they certainly won’t be a pushover. However, the Tigers have a fresh bag of tricks up their sleeve. Thanks to new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, the Clemson offense has been revitalized. Even though Duke has been improving vastly, Clemson remains one of college football’s elite programs. This Labor Day Monday game will undoubtedly be one to keep an eye on.
Clemson 52, Duke 10
Garrett Mitchell – Staff Writer
Louisville @ Georgia Tech- The Cardinals finished 2022 with an 8-5 record while Georgia Tech struggled to a 5-7 mark. Louisville is led by first-year head coach Jeff Brohm and a depth chart dominated by juniors and seniors. The Cardinals take this one.
Louisville 38, Georgia Tech 17
South Carolina vs. North Carolina – It will be a battle of the quarterbacks during the 2023 incarnation of the border war between the Gamecocks and Tar Heels. Spencer Rattler leads the Gamecocks while Heisman hopeful Drake Maye guides the Tar Heels. South Carolina took two steps forward in Shane Beamer’s second year at the helm in 2022. In this game, they take one step back against the potent Heels’ attack.
North Carolina 38, South Carolina 31
Florida State @ LSU– It is one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. A top-10 match-up between two historically successful programs will see star power all over the field. Florida State and Mike Norvell are led by Justin Travis at quarterback and tailback Trey Benson. But LSU will feature a powerful offense led by senior quarterback Jayden Daniels and junior wideout Malik Nabers. It will be a four-quarter war but LSU gets a stop late.
LSU 31, Florida State 28
Oregon State @ San Jose State- Oregon State has a new starter under center in former Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei who is looking for a fresh start after a tumultuous tenure with the Tigers. The Beavers are coming off one of the best seasons in program history that saw them go 10-3. San Jose State finished 7-5, but has already been blown out by Southern Cal in their first game of 2023. D.J. should be more comfortable playing on the west coast and Oregon State has weapons around him.
Oregon State 24, San Jose State 17
Clemson @ Duke- In one of the most intriguing match-ups from the first full week of college football, Clemson and Coach Dabo Swinney travel to Durham to take on the vastly improved Duke Blue Devils and quarterback Riley Leonard. The Tigers counter with Cade Kubnik under center and a fresh bag of tricks under new OC Garrett Riley who has revitalized the Clemson offense. Duke is not the pushover they once were, but Clemson is still one of college football’s elite programs. It will show on Labor Day Monday.
Clemson 42, Duke 24
Drew Watts – Senior Staff Writer
Louisville @ Georgia Tech- This game is truly a toss-up. Georgia Tech in 2022 finished up at 5-7 but did seem to find a new fire under at the time, interim coach Brent Key. Louisville is also coming in with a new coach, Jeff Brohm. I think the Cardinals have a little too much for Georgia Tech in This one.
Louisville 38, Georgia Tech 27
South Carolina vs. North Carolina- As much as I hate picking South Carolina… I think they win the opener. This game should be a high-scoring affair with both defenses not expected to be very good. The rule is, in a shootout take the better quarterback, which would be Drake Maye. But I think that South Carolina’s defense makes one more stop than the Tar Heels.
South Carolina 45, North Carolina 38
Florida State @ LSU– This should be the best game of the opening weekend. The reigning SEC West champion, and the most hyped team of the offseason. Is this the game in which Jordan Travis starts his Heisman run? Is FSU ready to be the top dog in the ACC and make it back to the playoffs? My feeling is that they just aren’t ready, and aren’t what the media has hyped them up to be all offseason. LSU wins by two scores
LSU 35, Florida State 24
Oregon State @ San Jose State- The only game on Sunday in the 3:30 time slot. The game that every Clemson fan will be tuned in to. We got to see San Jose State take on USC. The Spartans did show some promise on the offensive side of the ball, but will it be enough? Oregon State will start Clemson Transfer D.J. Uiagalelei at quarterback and he will get the chance to prove that the offensive problems at Clemson weren’t because of him. I think he will have more success at Oregon State in a different offensive system, and it starts on Sunday afternoon. Oregon State takes this one in a close game.
Oregon State 27, San Jose State 20
Clemson @ Duke- For the second consecutive season, Clemson opens up the season on a Monday night in a stand-alone Labor Day game. Clemson travels up to Durham, NC to take on Riley Leonard and the Blue Devils. I think that the new offensive scheme will be a welcomed commodity in Tiger Town and we will get a glimpse of it in week one. Clemson wins this one big.
Clemson 42, Duke 17
