The college football season gets underway this weekend and I have no idea who the best team in the country is so I am not going to try and predict that. Although, if you were to say Alabama I would not argue considering they have been in the College Football Playoff the past four years. However, I am going to make my weekly picks.

Just a reminder that this is not financial advice. If you are seeking financial advice, I also recommend not getting it from former Browns linebacker Mychal Kendricks. Unlike Kendricks, I will give full transparency and update my record weekly.

Let’s get to it.

Louisville Cardinals vs Alabama Crimson Tide | September 1 | 7:00 PM CT | Orlando, FL

Line: Alabama -24.5 | Total: 62.5

The defending champions open the season taking on the Louisville Cardinals. The Cardinals’ biggest offensive weapon, quarterback Lamar Jackson, is now in the NFL. That makes Alabama a huge favorite in this matchup.

Conventional wisdom says to take the Tide considering they have won every season opener under Saban by double digits and has only failed to cover the spread once. A quarterback making his first start against a Saban defense should have no chance. However, twenty-four and a half points is too many to lay for an opener, in my opinion.

While Alabama very well could cover that spread, I feel that the over is the better pick here. No matter who starts at quarterback for the Tide, they should score at will against a Louisville defense that gave up thirty-one points to Mississippi State their last time out. Also, it was against their backup quarterback making his first start. Furthermore, the Cardinals lost eight starters from that defense.

On the other side of the ball, Louisville may be able to do some scoring of their own. While Bobby Petrino has yet to defeat Nick Saban, and probably will not this weekend, his familiarity should lead to some success this weekend. I expect Petrino to use some creative playcalling to get his young quarterback, Jawon Pass, comfortable. I also expect a young Alabama secondary to have trouble with receivers senior Jaylen Smith, junior Seth Dawkins and sophomore Dez Fitzpatrick, who combined for twenty touchdown receptions a season ago.

While I do expect Alabama to win comfortably, I expect Louisville to have enough offensive success to hit the over of 62.5 and cause Saban to chunk his headset a few times.

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Tennessee Volunteers | September 1 | 2:30 PM CT | Charlotte, NC

Line: West Virginia -9.5 | Total: 61

West Virginia quarterback Will Grier has gotten plenty of preseason publicity, and rightfully so. However, football always has been, and always will be a team game. It may come as a surprise, but the Volunteers probably have more talent on their roster than the Mountaineers. Recruiting rankings are not perfect, but Tennessee has a clear advantage with their past four classes. Tennessee’s recruiting classes from 2015 through 2018 have been ranked 4th, 14th, 17th, and 21st, respectively. Meanwhile, in that same span West Virginia’s classes have been ranked 35th, 39th, 57th, and 35th.

While the Volunteers went winless in conference a season ago, new coach Jeremy Pruitt brings a winning mentality with him from Alabama.

Unlike their previous coach, Butch Jones.

I’ll go with Tennessee to keep it close and cover +9.5.

Ole Miss Rebels vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders | September 1 | 11:00 AM CT | Houston, TX

Line: Texas Tech -2.5 | Total: 67

Ole Miss has a high-flying passing game with senior quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and a deep receiving corps. Junior receiver A.J. Brown led the way last season with 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017. DaMarkus Lodge and D.K. Metcalf also combined for 1,344 yards and 14 touchdowns a season ago. They will be facing a Texas Tech defense that ranked 122 out of 129 FBS teams in 2017 in pass defense allowing 282 yards per game. The Red Raiders also gave up 32 points per game last season.

Ole Miss actually had a worse defense than Texas Tech last season. The Rebels ranked 115 in total defense allowing 460 yards per game. However, while Ole Miss offense gets the bulk of its weapons back, Texas Tech will be replacing most of its key offensive players. The Red Raiders will be replacing their quarterback, leading rusher, and three of its top four leading receivers from a season ago.

This game will almost assuredly be a shootout, so I’ll go with the team with the better weapons. I am taking Ole Miss +2.5 and I think they win outright.

Miami Hurricanes vs. LSU Tigers | September 2 | 6:30 PM CT | Arlington, TX

Line: Miami -3.5 | Total: 46.5

Sunday night’s showdown in Arlington features two teams that are very similar. Both teams are talented, especially on defense, but still have question marks at quarterback. Miami quarterback struggled down the stretch, losing three of its last four. Quarterback Malik Rosier only complete 47% of his passes and threw 7 interceptions in those games. At LSU, it is Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow getting the start. This will be his first career start at the collegiate level.

I believe that the mystery in LSU’s offense could be a major key in this game. If you are Miami, how do you prepare for an offense called by a new offensive coordinator with a new quarterback. While Miami is going to do everything they can do bring pressure, that did not seem to affect Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook in the Orange Bowl last time out. Hornibrook set a career-high in passing yards with 258 and matched a career-high with 4 touchdowns.

Miami’s defense thrived off turnovers in 2017 as they finished third in country in takeaways with 31. The “turnover chain” was one of the biggest storylines in college football last season. Say what you will about the LSU offense; one thing they have not done is turn the ball over. The Tigers lead the country in 2017 with only eight turnovers.

Did I mention Miami’s last time out?

Yep, the turnover chain is dead.

You know what else?

LSU covers +3.5 and I expect them to win this game.

Just remember that football games are not played on paper; they are played on TV.

OUTTA HERE!