Week 0 Cloud Coverage
At long last, the 2024 college football season is here.
The lengthy offseason has finally come to an end.
College football is back this week, albeit with a new look. A few power conferences became even more powerful and the Pac-12 is no longer, while keeping up with the transfer portal and NIL is a daily affair.
But the games are what really matters, and they are finally back. Week 0 is lean, no doubt. But it’s ball. And it’s back.
Let’s take a look at what’s on Saturday’s slate, which is centered around Florida State and Georgia Tech battling in Dublin, where ESPN’s College GameDay will be for its first international broadcast.
No. 10 Florida State vs. Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland (Noon ET, ESPN):
Georgia Tech returns to Dublin eight years after the Yellow Jackets beat Boston College, 17-14, in the program’s first game played outside of the United States. Meanwhile, Florida State is coming off an undefeated regular season and boasts former Clemson and Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei, who will be working behind a very experienced and stout offensive line led by tackle Darius Washington and center Maurice Smith. The Yellow Jackets addressed the front seven in the transfer portal, but it remains to be seen if the pass rush will be improved for new defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci and his aggressive 4-2-5 scheme.
We’ll see Uiagalelei, as well as wide receiver transfers Malik Benson and Jalen Brown, in a Seminoles uniform for the first time. Uiagalelei is replacing 2023 ACC player of the year Jordan Travis, and he brings plenty of experience to the position. He also has the benefit of handing off to Lawrance Toafili and Alabama transfer Roydell Williams. Meanwhile, coordinator Buster Faulkner did wonders for the Yellow Jackets last season. GT’s offense took a big jump and averaged more than 30 points per game, though its defense allowed 438.2 yards per game. This offense should remain prolific behind QB Haynes King, but can the defense make enough stops? And while King led the conference with 27 passing TDs, he also threw 16 INTs.
Montana State at New Mexico (4:00, FS1):
Former BYU and Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall was hired to stabilize the New Mexico program, and he’s seemingly the perfect man for the job. Mendenhall was previously DC/associate head coach for the Lobos under Rocky Long, and his track record of earning bowl eligibility should serve this program well after seven years without a postseason appearance. This season opener will be tricky, though, against a Montana State team that aspires to win an FCS national title. The Bobcats averaged 39.9 points and 291 rushing yards per game last season. The prolific rushing attack returns all of last season’s main contributors, including second-team all-Big Sky dual-threat QB Tommy Mellott, so their ground game could give the Lobos—porous against the run last fall—a ton of trouble in their new 4-2-5 scheme.
Offensively, coordinator Jason Beck inherited athletic QB Devon Dampier and a backfield led by Andrew Henry and transfers Javen Jacobs (Arizona State) and Eli Sanders (Iowa State). However, the Lobos lost all five starters from last season’s O-Line. Can it gel quickly and hold up?
SMU at Nevada (8:00, CBSSN):
SMU begins a new era as a member of the ACC, and QB Preston Stone is back after suffering a leg injury late last season. He had 28 passing TDs and only 6 INTs while completing 59% of his throws in ‘23. Head coach Rhett Lashlee will also be able to rely on an aggressive front seven. Meanwhile, new Nevada head coach Jeff Choate is looking to improve a poor Wolf Pack defense. Offensively, expect new coordinator Matt Lubick to rely on the ground game with Sean Dollars and Boston College transfer Pat Garwo III. Can QB Brendon Lewis find more success in this new-look offense? The nasty Mustangs defensive front is likely to be too much for the Wolf Pack to overcome. Led by Elijah Roberts, SMU notched 47 sacks last season, while Nevada allowed 41.
Delaware State at Hawai’i (11:59):
The Rainbow Warriors were initially supposed to take on No. 3 Oregon, but the Ducks asked to drop the game to help balance their schedule. So Hawai’i added Delaware State, which will be its first HBCU opponent since 1979. The Hornets are heavy underdogs, as they have been one of the weaker MEAC squads for awhile. Meanwhile, this experienced Hawai’i offense is expected to improve on last year’s numbers and be very fun to watch with QB Brayden Schager and WR Pofele Ashlock, among others. Overall, this is head coach Timmy Chang’s most experienced team, and it should cruise to victory over the Hornets, who are led by TE E.J. Core and defensive linemen Darren Cook and Eric Montes. But this was a team that went 1-10 and really struggled on both sides of the ball last fall, so UH should be able to impose its will from the get go.
This week’s best bets
*Florida State -10.5
*New Mexico +13.5
*SMU/Nevada O 56
Preseason AP Top 25 poll:
1. Georgia
2. Ohio State
3. Oregon
4. Texas
5. Alabama
6. Ole Miss
7. Notre Dame
8. Penn State
9. Michigan
10. Florida State
11. Missouri
12. Utah
13. LSU
14. Clemson
15. Tennessee
16. Oklahoma
17. Oklahoma State
18. Kansas State
19. Miami (FL)
20. Texas A&M
21. Arizona
22. Kansas
23. USC
24. N.C. State
25. Iowa
Cocktail of the week: Spicy Watermelon Margarita
While football season has returned, it’s still summer time. So I’m always looking to cool down. That’s why our first cocktail of the season is very refreshing—but it does bring a little heat. So you might want to watch Saturday’s games in the AC.
The drink is a twist on a margarita, but it’s the perfect blend of fruity and spicy. Simply put, it’s watermelon heaven. And here’s how you craft it:
-In a shaker, muddle 3 jalapeno slices and 3 watermelon cubes to extract the juices (Note: If you want to substitute the jalapenos, you can roll with cucumber slices, basil or mint sprigs.)
-Add 2 oz. blanco tequila, .5 oz. lime juice, .5 oz. agave syrup and ice.
-Shake until well chilled.
-Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
-Enjoy every sip!
Week 1 look-ahead:
Labor Day weekend, as always, is going to be beautiful. The action kicks off Thursday, which features North Carolina-Minnesota and North Dakota State-Colorado, and continues Friday, Saturday—headlined by No. 14 Clemson vs. No. 1 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&M—Sunday and Monday. No. 23 USC against No. 13 LSU is the Sunday tilt. I cannot wait!
I hope everyone enjoys the opening games!
Follow me on X @Miller_Dave & email me at david.matthew.miller@gmail.com