Today was a bit of cloudy, rainy day in Columbia, South Carolina. The first chill of Fall was in the wind, and the city that's "Famously Hot" finally got an afternoon of relief from the heat for once.
That wasn't even the biggest indicator that Fall was in the air...
On my ride home from work, I threw a random YouTube mix on to listen to for my commute home. Sure enough, "The Horse" began to play out of the speakers. This particular version that I was listening to was from the University of Auburn Marching Band.
"Football starts tomorrow," I thought to myself with a smile forming in the mirror.
If you don't know which song I'm talking about, trust me you've heard it. "The Horse" is played by countless marching bands across the country each weekend. The song is one of the staples of many university and high schools, synonymous with "Hey Baby" in popularity. If you're still drawing a blank, here's the version I listened to today:
This will be season number NINE for me picking games on here. That being said, I wanted to give the most sincere of thank you's to all of you for reading my thoughts on this silly game throughout the years. I feel extremely blessed to have readers that value my opinion, and each of you are appreciated more than you know!
I also wanted to give a special shout out to my wife (LOVE YOU JESS) and family for always having my back throughout the years. I also would like to thank Justin Godsey, Justin Hall and Gabe Keister for sharing their opinions with me either through writing, podcasting or both. Thank you!
Simply put, I wouldn't be doing this without the support and love from my readers, family and friends. I love how this funny game unites us each Fall, and offers us an escape for a while to debate and show pride for our respective teams.
Before making my picks, I'd like to invite you to check out my podcast, "The Curious Mind of Griff", on wherever podcasts are available! Here's a link to the show on Apple Podcasts:
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Subscribe, leave a review and let me know how I'm doing! New shows will be available every other Monday, starting Monday, October 20th!
In all seriousness, THANK YOU for reading, and I hope life is treating you kindly. Please feel free to reach out to me on Twitter at my personal account - @griffaldo - and let us know how we're doing!!!
Each week, I'll have the weekly picks posted by midnight on Thursday! Enjoy!
2021 Season Power 5 Conference Picks
ACC
Atlantic: Clemson
Coastal: North Carolina
Conference Champion: Clemson
Big 12
Big 12 Champion: Oklahoma
Big 10
East: Ohio State
West: Iowa
Conference Champion: Ohio State
PAC 12
North: Oregon
South: Southern Cal
Conference Champion: Southern Cal
College Football Playoff
ROUND ONE
#4 Ohio State vs. #1 Alabama
#3 Oklahoma vs. #2 Clemson
National Championship
Alabama beats Clemson
SEC+3: Week One
Year #9!!! Let's get right into our picks for this 2021 season:
Thursday - 9/2/21
Bowling Green vs. Tennessee
The Josh Heupel era begins in Knoxville, as the Vols kick the season off with MAC opponent. Bowling Green didn't win a game in 2020, but then again, the Falcons only played five total games in a season shortened due to COVID-19.
Bowling Green might give the Heupel's squad a legitimate ball game for a little bit, but I have faith in what Heupel will do with that offense in this game. Heupel gets a win to start his tenure in Knoxville.
Prediction - Tennessee 31 Bowling Green 13
Saturday - 9/4/21
UL-Monroe vs. Kentucky
The Warhawks, like Bowling Green, were winless in 2020, but at least the team from Monroe, Louisiana received the opportunity to play 10 games.
There's no secret to what Mark Stoops' strategy will be in this one. UL-Monroe had a tough time on defense last season, and I fully expect Kentucky to attack that defense with a power running game. Kentucky rolls with some good old "ground and pound" in this one.
Prediction - Kentucky 55 UL-Monroe 10
Rice vs. Arkansas
This game is interesting to me because Rice played some tough, close games in 2020, only to have the season ended early by the pandemic. Arkansas will get the win, but the Owls give the Hogs all they want in this one.
Prediction - Arkansas 31 Rice 24
#1 Alabama vs. #14 Miami - In Atlanta, GA
The big stage this weekend is this matchup at 3:30 on Saturday. I have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to picking against Nick Saban in week one, and I ain't breaking that tradition anytime soon.
This game will serve as a great measuring stick for both teams. For Alabama, this game provides an ample opportunity for the Tide to show this team belongs in a tier of its own. For Miami, this game provides a measurement of legitimacy to show the Hurricanes can compete for an ACC Title.
Alabama 38-point rule is in effect.
Prediction: Alabama 38 Miami 17
Louisiana Tech vs. Mississippi State
I think we see a lot of points scored in this game, at least on the Bulldogs' side...
See what I did there?
Jokes aside, I think this game has the potential to be a high scoring affair. The difference in this game will be the Mississippi State defense, but Louisiana Tech has all the potential to make this one close out of the gate in Starkville on Saturday. Mike Leach's sophomore campaign as Mississippi State's head coach will be an interesting theme to keep an eye on in 2021.
Prediction - Mississippi State 38 Louisiana Tech 23
Central Michigan vs. Missouri
Missouri gets off to a good start with a big win. That's all I got.
Prediction - Missouri 51 Central Michigan 10
Akron vs. Auburn
Our second game in week one for a SEC-team that had a regime change this offseason. Auburn rolls in a tune-up game against the Zips. Tank Bigsby could end up being the top back in the SEC this season, but plenty of Tigers will get reps in this one.
Prediction - Auburn 52 Akron 6
Eastern Illinois vs. South Carolina
South Carolina fans are beyond excited for the beginning of the Shane Beamer era. I don't think you see the full identity of the Gamecocks' plan on offense in this one, but this matchup provides Beamer's squad to get plenty of action. Hopefully for Carolina fans, the Shane Beamer era begins 1-0 without a hitch.
Prediction - South Carolina 42 Eastern Illinois 17
#5 Georgia vs. #3 Clemson - Charlotte, NC
Game two of an ACC/SEC opening weekend matchup. Clemson has played well in these big opening games, but the Tigers have also had some failures in week one. For me, Georgia has too many questions at quarterback, and Clemson has too many weapons for #5 to play catch with.
I ultimately think that Clemson's defense matches up well with Georgia, and this game will be fun! A lot more defense than your average Clemson performance, but a top 10 win to start the season, nonetheless.
Prediction - Clemson 23 Georgia 17
FAU vs. #13 Florida
Imagine if Lane Kiffin was still coaching at FAU? The level of trolling in Gainesville would be an amazing thing to witness. That's the only exciting angle that I could find on this one. I'll make an exciting score prediction. Not sure how Florida gets to 47, or more importantly, how FAU gets to 9.
Prediction - Florida 47 FAU 9
Kent State vs. #6 Texas A&M
Jimbo Fisher's team should've been the #4 team in the playoff last year, I believe. This Saturday is the Aggies' revenge tour, from not making the four team playoff in 2020. Chapter one starts and ends well in College Station Saturday.
Prediction - Texas A&M 63 Kent State 14
East Tennessee State vs. Vanderbilt
Our fourth and final opening game for a new coach in the SEC. The Commodores will be interesting to watch this season under a new coaching staff.
Prediction - Vanderbilt 24 East Tennessee State 17
#16 LSU vs. UCLA
UCLA won its week zero game, but boy, how things can change in a week. LSU head coach Ed Orgeron will have to see which quarterback he'll move forward with to head up play calling duties for the Tigers this Fall. One thing I'm looking for in this game, is LSU's improvement running the football. It seemed like the lack of a rushing attack (uncharacteristic to LSU teams of past) really got the Tigers in trouble on third downs in 2020. I'm rolling with the Bayou Bengals in this one.
Prediction - LSU 31 UCLA 20
Monday - 9/6/21
Louisville vs. Ole Miss
This Labor Day game is really exciting to me. I'm curious to see where both of these teams are after last season. This game marks the third and final round of the SEC/ACC games this opening weekend. I think Lane Kiffin's creativity with the Rebel's vertical passing attack will get the best of Louisville, but this game could prove to be close until the very end.
Prediction: Ole Miss 28 Louisville 24
PLUS 3 GAMES:
#12 Wisconsin 21 #19 Penn State 14
#21 Texas 31 #23 Louisiana-Lafayette 20
#9 Notre Dame 34 Florida State 20
As always, thank you for reading my week one predictions and picks! Please feel free to reach out to me on Twitter - @griffaldo. Have a great and safe Labor Day Weekend! See you next Thursday!!!
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