College Football Week 1 Predictions

Published: Aug. 30, 2023, 12:56 a.m.

b'Thanks for listening to Guys at the Bar Talking Sports. The podcast dedicated to the endless sports controversies covered at bars daily, but we decided to capture our bar talk and stream it straight to our 13 listeners every week. \\n\\nToday were going to talk about \\n\\n\\n1. Last weekend we had two top 25 teams play, it may or may not have been a sampling of what is coming for these two teams this season. So let\\u2019s cover the Notre Dame Fighting Irish game vs Navy game, and the USC Trojans game vs San Jose State. \\n* I have seen USC listed on so many preseason playoff predictions. Last weekend I did not see it. Well at least on Defense. USC put up the points you\\u2019d have expected, while even getting a TD from a kick return. 2 weaknesses, defense did not get the ball back into the offenses hands throughout the game, and San Jose State kick returns averaged 17 yards per return. Those two things have to change before USC becomes a serious contender. In October they play Notre Dame and Utah, so they better get it under wraps by then.\\n* Notre Dame played Navy. Obviously expectations were low for Navy with a brand new coach, and a team that really has not been a top tier team in decades. Sam Hartman showed he is ready to lead this team with a stellar first appearance. 19/23 and 251 passing yards, with 4 TD\\u2019s. 444 yards of total offense. Defense did not have to contend with much, as Navy was shut down from every direction. Nothing more needs to be said in review, but does this dominance legitimize Roosters statement that they are a playoff contender in December?\\n\\nMost exciting part of the season is right now, because all my hopes are still ahead of me. Friday though, I may be in a bad mood, or I may be in a good mood. For now though, I am a Florida going 10-2 guy and Nebraska going 8-4 guy\\u2026\\u2026. Friday that may change, but today I have hope. \\n\\nLet\\u2019s talk about that first official game of week 1 CFB though. Last season Utah was the favorite in this game, but I think all of us thought that Florida would pull out the win since we were playing at home. This season they are in Utah. \\nCameron Rising is not certain for this game, he had knee surgery at the end of last season. \\n\\nFlorida will need to get a strong running game going early to beat down and wear out Utes defense. Graham Mertz will have to establish a quick passing attack which is his strength, while a terrible defense from last season needs to see major improvements against a veteran offense at Utah which may or may not be led by Cam Rising.\\n\\n\\nSadly there are not a lot of really big games week 1 as there have been in the past. Outside of the games we have already decided we would talk about, I wanted to see if there was a game you think can be a big upset in week 1? Of course you know mine is Florida over Utah, but do any of you think there will be an upset in the making this weekend? \\n\\nLet\\u2019s talk about a few games? \\n\\n1. Duke vs Clemson? Duke went 9-4 last season, Riley Leonard threw for 2967 yards last season, and is back this season. Could #9 Clemson be the biggest beast to fall this week?\\n\\n\\n2. University of South Carolina Gamecocks vs North Carolina Tarheels. \\n3. LSU vs Florida State University- who\\u2019s the favorite, does a win make a statement for both teams. Which team is this win more important for? \\n\\nWhat Da Fu\\n\\n\\nLast Call? Where do you prefer to watch a really big game? Home, bar, alone, with others, at the game live? Where and why?'