Lowell's Locks: Week One

Welcome back, college football! Things have already gotten off to a whacky start, with Georgia Tech taking down No. 10 Florida State during week zero last weekend. This season is shaping up to be one for the books, as along with a feeling of parity around the league, we get the first 12-team playoff. 

It all starts with a big slate of games this weekend. Let’s dive in.

Saturday, August 31st: 

#8 Penn State (-7.5) at West Virginia:

West Virginia is a highly improved team compared to the one that got rolled over by Penn State in last season’s opener. Their offensive line should be among the best in the Big 12, they have two great playmakers at runningback and the defense is loaded up in the secondary and on the line (remember the name T.J. Jackson). Penn State may have its most talented team under Franklin, but can quarterback Drew Allar take the next step and finally become the guy he’s supposed to be? The Mountaineers keep this one tight, but the Nittany Lions have just a little too much to handle. A late 4th quarter score ends this one for good.   

Lowell’s Lock: Penn State covers -7.5

#19 Miami (-2.5) at Florida:

To say this is a big game for Miami’s Mario Cristobal and Florida’s Billy Napier is an understatement. Both coaches are entering their third season, with Cristobal entering the year at 12-13 overall and Napier just 11-14. Both of them need a strong start to the season. Miami is a program that has hit the portal hard, bringing in former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward and former Oregon State running back Damien Martinez to help bolster their offense. They’ll get a big test against a Florida defense that has the talent to be much improved, and quarterback Graham Mertz is back leading Florida’s offense for a second season. If this game was later in the season, I might take the Canes here, but trying to overcome The Swamp with so many new faces will be a tough task in game one.

Lowell’s Lock: Florida covers +2.5

#7 Notre Dame at #20 Texas A&M (-3):

Despite being the No. 7 team in the country, Notre Dame feels undervalued in this situation. While new A&M head coach Mike Elko will certainly have his team fired up and ready to go, Notre Dame will boast one of the strongest defenses in the nation. Texas A&M will have a strong defense of its own, particularly along the defensive line. Still, the Irish brought in one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country, Riley Leonard, via the transfer portal. I like the Irish against the points here in a slugfest. 

Lowell’s Lock: Notre Dame covers +3

Old Dominion at South Carolina (-21):

This is a sneaky, scary game for South Carolina. Old Dominion has talent in sports, particularly along their defensive front, and South Carolina has a lot to prove when it comes to their offense this season. The offensive line was one of the worst in the country last season, and they’ll be breaking in a new quarterback in LaNorris Sellers to try and replace Spencer Rattler, who is off to the NFL. The Gamecocks have some talent of their own on defense and will have the home crowd behind them to help them pull out the win, but it could look ugly at times.

Lowell’s Lock: Old Dominion covers +21

Sunday, August 31st:

#23 USC vs. #13 LSU (-4.5), Allegient Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada:

Both defenses struggled heavily last year, and both teams are replacing their incredible starting quarterbacks. LSU has more talent defensively to go along with a strong offensive line, and I expect them to be able to control the ball and get enough stops to escape Vegas with a jackpot.

Lowell’s Lock: LSU covers -4.5

GAME OF THE WEEK (Saturday, noon):

#14 Clemson vs. #1 Georgia (-13.5), Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA)

You’re forgiven if you tuned out of Clemson, South Carolina, after the Tigers started 4-4 last season. The Tigers, however, won five straight games to end the season, including wins over No. 15 Notre Dame and No. 20 North Carolina, before capping things off with a bowl win over SEC foe Kentucky. If you did happen to tune out on Clemson, it might be the right time to tune back in. The Tigers will have a young but incredibly talented defense, led by defensive end Peter Woods and linebacker Barrett Carter.

The offense is getting an influx of talent, particularly at wide receiver, with explosive freshmen Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore entering the mix, along with more veteran guys like Antonio Williams, Tyler Brown, Adam Randall, and Troy Stellato, all of who are healthy for the first time in a long time. Phil Mafah is the man at running back after splitting carries with Will Shipley, and the power back looks ready for a starring role. This all will come down to Cade Klubnik at quarterback for the Tigers. I’m expecting a big jump in his second year under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who finally seemingly has the talent to make this offense work.

Georgia has the more talented team on paper, which is why they’re almost two touchdown favorites. The defense is going to be what they always hang their hat on with Kirby Smart, and I don’t expect this season to be different. Carson Beck is a Heisman and No. 1 quarterback off-the-board hopeful. Still, the Bulldogs are replacing a lot of talent on that side of the ball, including Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey, who combined for 86 catches and 1,192 yards to go with eight touchdowns last season for the Bulldogs. There are also questions about if transfer running back Trevor Etienne will play after a DUI arrest earlier this year, and not having him out there would be a big blow. 

There is a quiet confidence emanating from the Clemson camp right now, and while no one has or will say it publicly, the Tigers are taking this game personally. They understand a win means turning the entire narrative of the program, which has had an ever-growing chorus of doubters over the past few seasons, and the season as a whole, on its head. 

The Tigers make a statement. Welcome back, college football, indeed.

Score Prediction: 27-21 Clemson

Lowell’s Lock: Clemson covers +13.5