Hello friends,

Scream it from the rooftops. College football is back. I can’t wait to get this season under way but first let’s do some housekeeping.

The last time I wrote to you I handicapped the Notre Dame Ohio State national championship game pretty damn well.

Gambling wise we did okay last season. We finished up by a hair, but this season I want to dominate. I want you the reader to bankrupt the bookies. So let’s talk about some futures first.

If you guys have been listening to the pod (please check out the booster club) I’ve plugged a few of my picks.

Let’s start with some win totals,

Kentucky: I think the Mark Stoops era is nearing an end in Lexington. Things have been going backwards since he nearly left for Texas A&M. Looking at the schedule there’s 2 absolute gimme winners. The nonconference schedule is not ideal, they open the season with Toledo, who could possibly be one of the best teams in the group of 5. Then they close the season with their rivalry game against a damn good Louisville team. The conference schedule is an SEC schedule. For those reasons I like under 4.5 -110.

Southern Cal: If you listened to the pod you know I’m buying the Trojans heavily. I love the talent on the outside with Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane at receiver. I believe in Jayden Maiava to get those guys the ball. On the other side I think D’Anton Lynn is as good as any defensive coordinator in the country. Anthony Lucas returning at edge with 2 SEC transfers at defensive tackle should sure things up front. This is a USC team that led in 11 of 12 games in the 4th Quarter. It’s a decent amount of juice but over 7.5 -164 feels like a no brainer to me.

Pittsburgh: The Panthers led by Coach Narduzzi have been pretty steady for most of his tenure. Kenny Pickett raised that ceiling. With Eli Holstein coming back for another year at QB if he can stay healthy I can see Pitt having a very good season. I’ll take over 6.5 +112.

Tennessee: I guess you could call it an eventful offseason in Knoxville. Nico Iamaleava after a dramatic spring transferred out of Tennessee to UCLA. The Vols will likely start Joey Aguilar at QB. They also lose star running back Dylan Sampson to the draft. I think the Vols defense will be good but not good enough to overcome a potentially average to below average offense. Give me the Vols under 8.5 wins -142.

I’m not just going to throw a conference winner at you for shits and gigs. Based on how I feel and the odds here’s the conference winners I like.

Georgia Tech +1200: Why not Georgia Tech? I love the attitude Coach Brent Key has brought to this program. With experienced quarterback Haynes King at the helm and a favorable conference schedule that avoids Miami and Clemson comes to Atlanta. I’m buying the Yellow Jackets.

Alabama +500: I think this Bama team is loaded. Now Ty Simpson has to prove himself but the rest of the roster is loaded. Blue chip talent with experience all over. The road game in Athens is a huge test but I think the tide will take care of business in its other conference games bringing them back to Atlanta for an SEC Championship Game.

Last but certainly not least, a national champion pick drum roll please… I take no pleasure in this.

Clemson +1200: I’ll be completely honest I cannot stand Dabo Swinney or the Clemson Cult. They have an old Penn State vibe to them with the holier than thou stuff. With that said Clemson has a hell of a team. In a college football season where it seems all the favorites have questions at Quarterback, Clemson does not. Cade Klubnik is very talented and he’s throwing to a couple of stud receivers with Bryant Wesco and Antonio Williams at receiver. The defense is loaded with high end talent. Get to know the names Peter Woods, TJ Parker, Sammy Brown, Aveion Terrell. If Klubnik can deliver, with the path this team will have I think they can get to the title game no question.

We’re not done yet folks, can I interest you in week zero picks?

Iowa State @ Kansas State -3.5 O/U 50.5

A ranked matchup in week 0? In this economy? This is a big game in the Big 12. Two big questions for the K-State offense are simple ones really. Has Avery Johnson developed? And can they replace DJ Giddens? On the other side Iowa State lost 2 awesome receivers in Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. They’ll rely heavily on their ground game with Carson Hansen and Abu Sama. My pick is under 50.5. I think both these teams have to prove they can replace all the production they lost. If I’m wrong I can live with it.

Stanford @ Hawaii -2.5 O/U 50.5

Stanford is a program in shambles. The roster is a proverbial revolving door with the transfer portal. They lost Elic Ayomanor, their star receiver to the draft. I think the Rainbow Warriors find a way at home. Hawaii -2.5.

On twitter you can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon.