by Vegas Writer
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024As the College Football season officially kicks off Thursday with two games on the main card and a slew of games on the extra board, there are storylines dominating the sport, including some that may or may not be recognized. But certain teams with certain backstories may help you when handicapping games.
Before we get to five of the top observations to look at, just a reminder that last season I finished No. 1 in College Football with both NET PROFIT and WIN PERCENTAGE. In addition, I am 115-86-7 all-time in College Football for $21,060, and cashed Michigan and Under in the 2024 Championship game. I started the 2024 campaign with a 3-0 sweep on Saturday, Aug. 24, with Georgia Tech, New Mexico and Nevada all cashing in.
Do yourself a favor and grab a subscription package so you don't miss out on a thing this season.
Now, here are five things I've observed and want you to consider:
RED RIVER MOVEMENT -- Texas and Oklahoma make their move to the SEC, which means a new conference benefits from the Red River Rivalry. Amazingly, if you think about it, there are now four former Big 12 teams in the SEC, which means we have the renewal of conference rivalries, as the Longhorns and Sooners reunite with Texas A&M and Missouri. Plus, an existing rivalry between Arkansas and Texas becomes much more meaningful. The Longhorns are probably the more intriguing of the two newcomers, as they were in the playoff last season and are poised to return with the field expanding to 12. Oklahoma could have issues without its starting offensive line from last season, not to mention with a defense that struggled to keep points off the board.
WESTWARD BIG TEN -- Conference realignment also hits the Big 10, as USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington arrive from the Pac 12, which means four more teams can contend for a spot in the 12-team playoff bracket. Of the four, don't sleep on Oregon, whose high-powered offense should pick up where it left off last season, with Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel stepping in for Bo Nix under center. Washington had its time, and won't be able to repeat its championship-game performance from last season, especially with Michael Penix Jr. in the NFL. USC and UCLA will also be rebuilding, and could find their first year in the Big 10 a bit rough.
COACH PRIME -- Forget about asking whether or not Deion Sanders will lead the Colorado Buffaloes to a winning season, the bigger question should be whether or not he lasts the entire season. A rough start could doom this program with the NFL likely calling Sanders' name in the next couple of years, and his truculent ways with the media. There's a reason this team's win total was installed at 5.5. Outside of North Dakota State and Colorado State, the rest of the season could be a crapshoot for Coach Prime's troops.
REBELS WITH A CAUSE -- Yes, for the second straight season, UNLV is included in this season-opening observation column. The Rebels lost in the Mountain West championship last season, and also a bowl game, but considering the culture has changed dramatically under second-year coach Barry Odom, they may not be done. The Rebels have transformed into an SEC-like team, as Odom brought his roots to Rebel Park. UNLV opens at Houston, and many believe a statement road win over the Cougars could propel the Rebels into another level of confidence.
DIRTY DOZEN -- So who makes it in the first year we have a 12-team playoff bracket? There really is no-telling, so let's give it a shot in seeding order: 1. Georgia, 2. Ohio State, 3. Utah, 4. Oregon, 5. Ole Miss, 6. Texas, 7. Notre Dame, 8. Michigan, 9. Alabama, 10. Penn State, 11. Florida State, 12. Liberty.
Before we get to five of the top observations to look at, just a reminder that last season I finished No. 1 in College Football with both NET PROFIT and WIN PERCENTAGE. In addition, I am 115-86-7 all-time in College Football for $21,060, and cashed Michigan and Under in the 2024 Championship game. I started the 2024 campaign with a 3-0 sweep on Saturday, Aug. 24, with Georgia Tech, New Mexico and Nevada all cashing in.
Do yourself a favor and grab a subscription package so you don't miss out on a thing this season.
Now, here are five things I've observed and want you to consider:
RED RIVER MOVEMENT -- Texas and Oklahoma make their move to the SEC, which means a new conference benefits from the Red River Rivalry. Amazingly, if you think about it, there are now four former Big 12 teams in the SEC, which means we have the renewal of conference rivalries, as the Longhorns and Sooners reunite with Texas A&M and Missouri. Plus, an existing rivalry between Arkansas and Texas becomes much more meaningful. The Longhorns are probably the more intriguing of the two newcomers, as they were in the playoff last season and are poised to return with the field expanding to 12. Oklahoma could have issues without its starting offensive line from last season, not to mention with a defense that struggled to keep points off the board.
WESTWARD BIG TEN -- Conference realignment also hits the Big 10, as USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington arrive from the Pac 12, which means four more teams can contend for a spot in the 12-team playoff bracket. Of the four, don't sleep on Oregon, whose high-powered offense should pick up where it left off last season, with Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel stepping in for Bo Nix under center. Washington had its time, and won't be able to repeat its championship-game performance from last season, especially with Michael Penix Jr. in the NFL. USC and UCLA will also be rebuilding, and could find their first year in the Big 10 a bit rough.
COACH PRIME -- Forget about asking whether or not Deion Sanders will lead the Colorado Buffaloes to a winning season, the bigger question should be whether or not he lasts the entire season. A rough start could doom this program with the NFL likely calling Sanders' name in the next couple of years, and his truculent ways with the media. There's a reason this team's win total was installed at 5.5. Outside of North Dakota State and Colorado State, the rest of the season could be a crapshoot for Coach Prime's troops.
REBELS WITH A CAUSE -- Yes, for the second straight season, UNLV is included in this season-opening observation column. The Rebels lost in the Mountain West championship last season, and also a bowl game, but considering the culture has changed dramatically under second-year coach Barry Odom, they may not be done. The Rebels have transformed into an SEC-like team, as Odom brought his roots to Rebel Park. UNLV opens at Houston, and many believe a statement road win over the Cougars could propel the Rebels into another level of confidence.
DIRTY DOZEN -- So who makes it in the first year we have a 12-team playoff bracket? There really is no-telling, so let's give it a shot in seeding order: 1. Georgia, 2. Ohio State, 3. Utah, 4. Oregon, 5. Ole Miss, 6. Texas, 7. Notre Dame, 8. Michigan, 9. Alabama, 10. Penn State, 11. Florida State, 12. Liberty.
