Take 2! - CFB Week 1 Preview 2025 Edition

Hello football fans! It's that time of year again and there's no better way to celebrate than by taking another try at keeping this blog updated. I'm so excited for this season. Georgia has an exciting regular season schedule that I think they can handle, Tua is looking and sounding like he has something to prove after getting paid, and even Georgia Tech fans are feeling cocky after a big week 1 against FSU in Ireland. I have to admit that I feel bad for not re-starting the blog 1 week earlier to share my game tips, I'm a believer in Tech being a fringe top 25 team this year so I bet a unit on GT +10.5 and sprinkled a half unit on their moneyline at +340 before last week's game which has made me ready to abandon all discipline and bet every dollar in my account this weekend. Here are the games I'm watching and betting on this weekend.

North Dakota St @ Colorado: There are 4 top 25 teams playing Thursday night, but this game between unranked Colorado and FCS opponent NDSU has me the most intrigued. Deion Sanders and his eternal bluster play a great role as a Goliath in this game against the lower league David in NDSU, but don't underestimate the Bison. They have won 90% of their games and 9 Division 1 FCS Championships in the last 14 years and have beaten the last 6 FBS opponents they've played. While the upset risk is very present, I think Coach Prime will be in peak form and looking to start the season strong after an offseason full of criticism and Shedeur Sanders will be looking to start a Heisman campaign against a defense that will be down their best player. Colorado -10.5

Temple @ Oklahoma: Meaningful football on a Friday night is such a treat that I had to indulge. Unfortunately the slate is weak so I'll be looking to do some early season scouting of one of the newest SEC teams. I heard reports (read some tweets) yesterday about Oklahoma still having tickets for sale and some of their fans claiming it was because there is some weather in the area and people are expecting it to be boring against a weak opponent. They may have a point, but in SEC speak that sounds like an unenergized team and fanbase to me. Is Venables still the coach there? I think Oklahoma wins but it's ugly so I like Under 59. When in doubt in week 1, bet the under and hope for offensive mistakes. 

and that brings us to Saturday.

Clemson vs Georgia: Georgia -14 I won't even waste time telling you my pick or explaining it. I'm really interested to see what Dabo and Clemson look like this year as he continues to build his program through recruiting and ignores the transfer portal, but even if that proves to be the right move I think playing this Georgia team in Atlanta is a challenge for any team in the country. Kirby continues to reload the defense with talent, Carson Beck should be ready to lead the offense even without some of the elite weapons that have moved to the NFL, and I think the whole program is ready to get some revenge after a tough loss to Alabama kept them out of last year's playoff. 

Miami @ Florida: A Floridian Civil War, week 1, in the Swamp. I really hope this game is not chippy because the chances of a fight breaking out between two annoying looking men wearing jerseys and jorts are HIGH. I'm low on Florida this year, but both of these coaches are on seats that are quickly warming up as fans clamor for results. I think it'll be close but better quarterbacks win out in college and I like Cam Ward way more than Graham Mertz. Miami ML 

Notre Dame @ Texas A&M: No one benefits more from the 12 man playoff than Notre Dame who now just has to survive the schedule they make for themselves to make it in. They're walking into this season as the preseason #7 but are slight underdogs to #21 in their first matchup of the year. While I don't think Texas A&M will be one of the top teams in the  SEC this year, I think they have more than enough to take care of ND and show us again why preseason rankings don't mean anything. Texas A&M ML

James Madison @ Charlotte: One of these things is not like the other...not quite a power 5 matchup here like my other Saturday picks. but Charlotte's down 50% of their starters ahead of week 1 according to their head coach so I'm throwing a unit on it and hoping for the best. JMU lost their coach and a lot of transfers this offseason, but I think the program could still show signs of promise this year if they're able to continue with last year's momentum. JMU -8

Hopefully once we get through that gauntlet I'll have some money and energy left to live bet a late game but we'll see. I'm also looking forward to the Sunday Night game between USC and LSU but am deciding not to wager at this time. I'm leaning towards LSU in the battle of teams that lost their QB to the draft, but last year's dud in the season opener is keeping me away.