Clifton Canady – Writer
Penn State @ West Virginia Noon
As I look ahead to the highly anticipated matchup between Penn State and West Virginia on August 31, 2024, at noon, I firmly believe the Nittany Lions will come out on top. With a potent mix of returning talent and depth, they seem poised to dominate the field. Led by a dynamic offense and a resilient defense, Penn State has the edge. While I expect West Virginia to put up a spirited fight, they may struggle to keep pace with Penn State’s firepower. I predict a decisive victory for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State 35 vs. West Virginia 21
Miami @ Florida 3:30 PM
In the upcoming Miami vs. Florida game, the Hurricanes’ robust offense, led by quarterback Cam Ward and his skilled receivers, looks poised to challenge the Gators’ defense. Despite Florida’s experienced quarterback Graham Mertz and his dependable receivers, Miami’s offensive strength is likely to dominate. Anticipating a closely fought battle, I foresee Miami securing a narrow victory.
Miami 35 vs. Florida 21
Notre Dame @ Texas A&M 7:30 PM
Notre Dame will face Texas A&M in what promises to be an exciting contest. Under Coach Marcus Freeman, the Fighting Irish will rely on their strong offensive lineup, featuring standout receiver Jaden Greathouse and a solid defense. Texas A&M, now under new coach Mike Elko, while being led by senior quarterback Blake Bost and running back Israel Benjamin, seeking to leverage their home-field advantage. However, I predict Notre Dame’s depth will be key, leading to a hard-fought victory.
Notre Dame 27 vs. Texas A&M 24
USC vs. LSU Sunday 7:30 PM
USC, led by redshirt junior quarterback Miller Moss, who was MVP of the 2024 Holiday Bowl, brings a high-octane offense that can exploit any defense. Meanwhile, LSU counters with their great running back, John Emery Jr., who has the speed and agility to break tackles and change the game’s tempo. However, the Trojans’ defensive playmaker, linebacker Shane Lee, will be crucial in containing LSU’s rushing attack. Ultimately, I predict LSU will edge out USC in a close contest.
USC 28 vs. LSU 31
Old Dominion @ South Carolina 4:15 PM
The effectiveness of South Carolina’s offense relies heavily on the performance of their offensive line, led by standout lineman Vershon Lee. This unit is crucial for creating running lanes for Raheim Sanders and providing protection for quarterback LaNorris Seller. A strong offensive line enables a successful ground game and allows the passing attack to develop, giving Seller time to find open receivers. If they can assert themselves early, the offensive line will set the tone for the game.
Old Dominion 17 vs. South Carolina 21
Clemson vs. Georgia Noon
As Clemson faces Georgia in a pivotal noon showdown, this game presents a golden opportunity for the Tigers to prove they are back among college football’s elite. For Clemson to secure a victory, they must establish a balanced offensive attack early on, leveraging the talents of quarterback Cade Klubnik and running back Phil Mafah. Meanwhile, Georgia’s Carson Beck will need to be exceptional in the passing game, especially with the Bulldogs down to their third-string running back. The pressure will be on Beck to connect with his receivers and exploit any gaps in Clemson’s defense. On the defensive side, linebacker Barrett Carter will be crucial in containing Georgia’s dynamic offense. With the stakes high and both teams eager to make a statement, I predict Clemson will edge out Georgia in a closely contested battle.
Clemson 27 vs. Georgia 24
Griffin Barfield – Staff Writer
Penn State @ West Virginia @ noon
Great game to start the season for both teams. Both teams have to work with new conference realignment for the Big Ten and Big 12, respectively. I like the rushing attack of Penn State here. QB Drew Allar will take another step, and RB Nick Singleton will be one of the best running backs in the country. The Mountaineers are incredibly experienced though. Close game, but the Nittany Lions win away from home with some help from defense.
Penn State 24 vs. West Virginia 20
Miami @ Florida 3:30PM
Another good game. Miami has all of the tools needed to win the ACC and make a playoff appearance with QB Cam Ward and RB Damien Martinez running the show. You have to focus on Florida here though, Graham Mertz had a great finish to last season and it is in the Swamp, after all. Something tells me Miami doesn’t start off right here, I like Florida.
Miami 27 vs. Florida 31
Notre Dame @ Texas A&M 7:30PM
This will be one of my favorite games to watch on Saturday, especially with Mike Elko fresh off of his new coaching job with the Aggies. Something tells me he will be able to figure out former player, QB Riley Leonard, out early. The game is in College Station too, who have some of the biggest expectations since Jimbo Fisher took hire a few years ago. Yes, Marcus Freeman and the Irish are good, but Texas A&M will shock a lot of people this year.
Notre Dame 24 vs. Texas A&M 35
Old Dominion @ South Carolina 4:15PM
Let’s get this one over with. South Carolina will showcase QB LaNorris Sellers and RB Rocket Sanders for the first time in front of the home crowd. However, with the tough SEC schedule that the Gamecocks have, I think that they will have to pour it on Old Dominion to enjoy the wins while they can. South Carolina wins, and they will need all the points that they can get to instill confidence this season.
Old Dominion 14 vs. South Carolina 35
Clemson vs. Georgia Noon
How great is it that we have an almost CFP-like game in Week 1? Clemson will hang in there, with my bold prediction being they will be tied or leading at the half due to a lot of returning guys. But this is Georgia, and they get better as the game goes on. Something wrong goes on at the end of the game, and the Bulldogs will make them pay. Georgia begins its season with a 10-point win.
Clemson 17 vs. Georgia 27
Angelo Feliberty – Staff Writer
Penn State @ West Virginia – Noon
With senior quarterback Garrett Greene and returning running back Jaheim White, who almost amassed 900 yards on just over 100 rushes as a true freshman, I do believe the Mountaineers can stay competitive in the first half, but I don’t think they can pull off the upset. After a rather disappointing 2023 campaign, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions recruited three new coordinators in the offseason. Drew Allar looks to take a bigger step at the helm of the offense, and they also kept their dynamic duo in the backfield of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who combined for over 1,600 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last season. This Nittany Lions offense simply just has too much firepower that I don’t think West Virginia can keep up with.
Penn State 34 vs. West Virginia 17
Miami @ Florida – 3:30 PM
The Hurricane’s new-look offense will be the determining factor of this game, and I believe they will absolutely dominate with their new additions of QB Cam Ward and RB Damien Martinez. They also kept their WR1 in Xavier Restrepo, who had over 1,000 yards in 2023. While Florida had one of the best recruiting classes in the country over the offseason and has starting quarterback Graham Mertz returning, I still don’t see them being able to keep up offensively due to losses over the offseason like Trevor Etienne and Ricky Pearsall. But it is in The Swamp, and Florida holds an NCAA-best 33-game win streak in home openers, so don’t be surprised if the Gators pull off the upset over the intimidating offense of Miami.
Miami 37 vs. Florida 24
Notre Dame @ Texas A&M – 7:30 PM
This looks to be an incredibly interesting matchup, as Texas A&M’s new head coach, Mike Elko, was the head coach of the current QB for Notre Dame, Riley Leonard, at Duke last season. He also was a DC for Notre Dame in the past as well. With all this being said, I fully believe Elko and the Aggies can get it done against Notre Dame, especially with them having home-field advantage. Elko will find a way to shut Leonard and their offense down; I see it being a very defensive game for both as A&M brought in loads of defensive talent in the transfer portal, and Notre Dame has explosive talent defensively, per usual.
Texas A&M 24 vs. Notre Dame 17
USC vs LSU – Sunday, 7:30
Junior QB Miller Moss had an incredible season finale, receiving the MVP award in the Holiday Bowl after throwing for six touchdowns and nearly 400 yards. With talent on both sides of the ball, USC should be entertaining to watch, but how far the Trojans will progress will depend on how well their defense plays. Garrett Nussmeier, the new starting quarterback for LSU, will need some time to adjust. However, they return great back Harold Perkins Jr., one of the strongest offensive lines in the nation, and impressive receiver talent. The only way I see USC coming away with a win is if this questionable LSU secondary gets torched.
LSU 27 vs. USC 20
Old Dominion @ South Carolina – 4:15 PM
After this game, Old Dominion won’t want to play another SEC team for some time. This is their second-ever SEC opponent, the first since Vanderbilt in 2013. Red-shirt freshman QB LaNorris Sellers and RB Raheim Sanders, who rushed for 1,400+ yards in 2022 for Arkansas, will make their first appearances as starters for the Gamecocks. Sellers impressed last season in the limited time played, and the six-foot-five, speedy receiver, Nyckoles Harbor should turn some heads to start the season as well. Remember, Old Dominion is receiving a whopping 1.5 million dollars for this contest, so South Carolina will undoubtedly want to make a lasting impression by winning handily.
South Carolina 35 vs. Old Dominion 7
Clemson vs Georgia – Noon
With Georgia sitting at No. 1 and Clemson at No. 14, this is the clash that many have been waiting for. There isn’t a better game this week. I believe Clemson can compete with the Bulldogs, even if the general public is undervaluing their offense—but only until around the fourth quarter. Georgia is going to be Georgia. This Clemson offense isn’t going to play flawlessly the entire way, which is something Georgia loves to take advantage of. But given the matchup at hand and how formidable these defenses are year-over-year, I still believe that this is a more competitive and defensive game.
Georgia 30 vs. Clemson 20
Casey Cregan – Staff Writer
Penn State @ West Virginia – Noon
Penn State comes into the season with yet another high ranking due to winning all of those big games in the past…oh wait, they’re up there with Texas A&M for doing less with more than anyone in the country. Quarterback Drew Allar has not lived up to the hype since coming out of high school highly recruited. James Franklin is seemingly stuck in Happy Valley because no other big program will snatch him away because he’s not proven he can beat the big boys of the Big 10. Well, the conference just got harder. Will this be the year they get over the hump? Doubtful. I know nothing about what West Virginia will be, but if they run the end around, they may win 70-33. Sorry, bad joke.
Penn State 19 vs. West Virginia 17
Miami @ Florida – 3:30 PM
A battle of Florida rivals in a game that pits two coaches that may have their respective fan bases clamoring for their heads if they should lose this game. Florida had a top 5 recruiting class, in theory, a season ago before that all crumbled in front of their eyes. Miami has (reportedly) spent $20 million to build a roster for a coach who really hasn’t won much but has inherited some really good jobs. Miami is too talented at the positions that matter. And Graham Mertz is still slow.
Miami 31 vs. Florida 17
Notre Dame @ Texas A&M – 7:30 PM
I have a Notre Dame fan friend who thinks their 7th ranked Irish are going to go 11-1 or 12-0. He’s delusional, but their schedule is not a normal Notre Dame schedule. There really are no “big” games outside of this one and maybe Florida State or (the real) USC late in the season. But will Florida State be good by then? We shall see. Notre Dame is talented and well coached. Riley Leonard is still nursing that ankle injury, that, coincidentally, was caused by Notre Dame. But the kid is a gamer and I like him to run that offense. Mike Elko returns to College Station looking to do something with all of the talent that Jimbo Fisher conned into going to school there. I do like Notre Dame here, on the road, close.
Notre Dame 28 vs. Texas A&M 27
USC vs LSU – Sunday, 7:30
Look out Las Vegas. Whew buddy! This is one heck of a battle, and I’m not even talking about the game yet. LSU fans versus Las Vegas. I’d pay good money to see what happens there. I think Vegas would win. They always do. But on to the game. Lincoln Riley needs to do something this season, and it was made more difficult with the move to the Big 10. LSU is getting a ton of pub from the national media as being a team they could see in the playoff. If they can get decent defensive play this season, I will believe the hype.
LSU 34 vs. USC 20
Old Dominion @ South Carolina – 4:15 PM
We had to pick this one. In-state rivals opening up their new season at home against Old Dominion, a team that beat Virginia Tech over the past few years. I am actually excited to see LaNorris Sellers at quarterback for the Cocks. I think he is going to be really special for them. They should roll in week 1 and answer none of the questions they have going into the season.
South Carolina 41 vs. Old Dominion 10
Clemson vs Georgia – Noon
A rivalry renewed. This one could be really fun. Or it could be really bad. My hope is that it is the former and be really fun. I have talked to a bunch of “football guys” over the past few weeks and have asked their opinions. Of course, the first thing out of their mouths is how good Georgia is, but the second thing is, Clemson is really good too. Maybe not “Georgia good” but this Clemson team could be very special. I trust those people and hope they are right. As much as I want to pick Clemson, my gut tells me not to. Quality analysis right there.
Georgia 27 vs. Clemson 23
Garrett Mitchell- Staff Writer
Penn State @ West Virginia- Noon
Intriguing match-up. West Virginia is always a dangerous team and have a pair of dynamic young running backs including freshman Travon Dunbar who hails from South Carolina. Expect the Mountaineers to put up a game fight but the boys from Happy Valley will be too much in the end.
Penn State 31, West Virginia 21
Miami @ Florida- 3:30 PM
Always a great rivalry game, and Miami will enter as the favorite by most accounts. The Gators’ program has slipped into mediocrity in recent years, but Miami has not exactly done much to elicit the confidence of the rest of college football, either. Still, give me the ‘Canes in a close one.
Miami 27, Florida 24
Notre Dame @ Texas A&M- 7:30 PM
Along with the Clemson/Georgia game, this has the potential to be the best game of the day. Two teams who are highly talented and both still trying to reach their full potential. The Aggies have been lauded in the preseason for years, but never quite reach their full capability. The 12th Man of Kyle Field will be an intimidating factor in this one, and in an absolute street fight give me the Aggies at home.
Texas A&M 31, Notre Dame 28
USC vs LSU- Sunday 7:30 PM
Defense still stands for something, right? At least LSU plays more of it than Southern Cal. The Trojans couldn’t stop a cold in Siberia last season, and I have no expectation they will do so against one of the best teams in the SEC. Tigers geaux on to a big victory.
LSU 45, USC 27
Old Dominion @ South Carolina- 4:15 PM
Another South Carolina prospect, LaNorris Sellers, takes the reigns of the Gamecocks’ offense. South Carolina will benefit from Sellers’ toughness and athleticism, and he is definitely an upgrade from previous seasons. We will not get to hear “Never again” until November, but this game will never be in doubt. I feel dirty saying it, but I will take South Carolina in a romp.
South Carolina 38, Old Dominion 13
Clemson vs Georgia- Noon
What a marque match-up with loads of history behind it for Clemson and Georgia. There is no denying the Bulldogs have been the country’s best program the past three years, but this year’s Georgia team has a lot of question marks coming into the season. Carson Beck is a proven QB, but Georgia will be without their best returning receiver, their number two RB, and quite possibly their RB1, Trevor Etienne, though no official announcement has been made. I firmly believe, or choose to at least, that Cade Klubnik will take the final leap to stardom. The Tigers’ defense is top 5 in the country, and Phil Mafah is going to unleash his full talent as RB1. Sorry, Finebaum and the SEC pumpers, but…
Clemson 24, Georgia 17
Lacey Steele – Staff Editor
Clemson vs Georgia Noon
It will be a close game but Georgia takes the lead in the 4th quarter and holds out for the win.
Clemson 21, Georgia 27
Penn State @ West Virginia Noon
A game of two good offenses but Penn State’s defense makes enough stops to win it.
Penn State 31, West Virginia 22
Miami @ Florida 3:30 PM
This game will be a back-and-forth affair with Miami taking it late.
Miami 30, Florida 27
Notre Dame @ Texas A&M 7:30PM
Texas A&M takes this one in a battle of two great defenses.
Notre Dame 17, Texas A&M 20
USC vs LSU Sunday 7:30 PM
This will be a shootout and could come down to whoever possesses the ball last.
USC 28, LSU 35
Old Dominion @ South Carolina 4:15PM
Old Dominion 17, South Carolina 31
