Lowell's Locks: College Football Week One
Feel the difference - The best user experience on mobile devices or personal computers. Avoid clickbait and sites bloated with advertising! Join us today for just $1 or get a full year for $63.17.
College football is back, and with it, Lowell’s Locks! For those of you who have been loyal listeners to Clemson Sports Talk on the airwaives, you may remember me doing this segment with Swanny on Friday evenings. If you’re not familiar, here’s how it works.
I pick the most interesting games of the week. I give you my picks for those games, against the spread. Easy enough? Then let’s get to it.
Quick disclaimer, I’m combining the first two weeks into one, as there are only two games on the first Saturday.
Saturday, August 24th
Miami vs. Florida (-7.5) in Orlando:
This big Sunshine State Rivalry is back. The last time these two squared off, Miami won a slobberknocker of a game in 2013, 21-16. You can expect more of the same this time around. Miami’s front seven on defense should be among the best in the country, while Florida returns seven starters on that side of the ball. The difference comes down to the quarterback, where Florida’s Felipe Franks is expected to take the next step and Miami just named redshirt freshman Jarren Williams the starter. Franks makes enough plays to help Florida escape The U.
Lowell’s Lock: Florida wins, Miami covers
Thursday, August 29th
Georgia Tech at Clemson (-35.5):
Out is the triple option, in is Geoff Collins (pronounced Gee-Off, don’t at me). The Yellow Jackets will look to throw the ball around a little more this season, which has to be a relief for fans in the ATL. Clemson, meanwhile, lost a lot on the defensive side of the ball, including three first-round defensive linemen. The Tigers will look to throw it around themselves, relying on a couple of potential Heisman candidates in the backfield in quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne. This game will feel uncomfortable for a couple quarters, and you may even hear some grumbles as Clemson plays around with potential lineups and works on any kinks in a game that is unnecessarily close. In the end, the Tigers strike quick a few times in the second half, the starters rest, and Clemson wins comfortably.
Lowell’s Lock: Clemson wins, Georgia Tech covers.
Utah (-5) at BYU:
The Holy War gets a Thursday night primetime game. Utah is riding an eight-game winning streak in this series, and is poised to break out as a real Pac-12 threat with 14 starters coming back for head coach Kyle Whittingham. Their defense was among the top in the Pac-12 and the country last year, but they travel to take on a BYU team who is pretty stingy in their own right. The home crowd keeps BYU in it for a half, maybe even for three quarters, but this Utah team is a force to be reckoned with this season.
Lowell’s Lock: Utah covers
Saturday, August 31st
South Carolina (-7.5) vs. North Carolina in Charlotte:
It’s the return of the Mack! Mack Brown is back in Chapel Hill, and Tar Heel fans are so excited that they’d probably even skip a basketball exhibition at the Dean Dome for this one. South Carolina is entering year four of the Muschamp era, and this game is a pivotal one for them in terms of confidence and bowl eligibility, as they face one of the toughest schedules in the country. UNC brings back a decent amount of key players on offense, but their defense is a major concern until proven otherwise. The Gamecocks will be able to control the clock and grind it out with Clemson transfer Tavien Feaster, and the defense will rise up enough times to thwart an upset in Brown’s first game.
Lowell’s Lock: South Carolina covers
Northwestern at Stanford (-6.5):
I personally love what both of these programs have been able to accomplish in turning out decent football teams each year. Stanford has been on the cusp of being a top tier team, but hasn’t been able to turn the corner. With K.J. Costello returning at quarterback, they’ll hope to finally breakthrough in a wide-open Pac-12. Northwestern, meanwhile, has former 5-star and Clemson quarterback Hunter Johnson at the helm. Johnson has an ultra-talented arm and improves Northwestern immediately, but asking him to go to the Farm and win in his first start is a tough task. Stanford finds their offensive footing with Costello and forces a couple of key turnovers against a Northwestern team who will take a few more chances than usual.
Lowell’s Lock: Stanford covers
Auburn (-3) vs. Oregon in Dallas:
The game of the week(s). Auburn is looking to bounce back from an eight-win season in 2018, and if they’re going to do so, it will start with what looks to be an elite front seven on the defensive side of the ball. Oregon, meanwhile, should have one of the more explosive offenses in the country with quarterback Justin Herbert forgoing the NFL draft and returning to the Ducks. It’s a true strength vs. strength matchup, but I believe the Ducks are a darkhorse college football playoff team this season while Auburn is doing some retooling on the offensive side of the ball. Herbert leads the Ducks to the upset.
Lowell’s Lock: Oregon wins outright
Lowell’s Locks |
||
| Weekly Results | Season Results | |
| Week 1 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Week 2 | ||
| Week 3 | ||
| Week 4 | ||
| Week 5 | ||
| Week 6 | ||
| Week 7 | ||
| Week 8 | ||
| Week 9 | ||
| Week 10 | ||
| Week 11 | ||
| Week 12 | ||