College Football Week 1 Predictions, Key Matchups in College Football, Players to Watch Week 1 College Football
The initial week of college football establishes the ground rules for the entire season, representing for the first time, a chance for fans and analysts to start to see how the top teams and players are really going to perform. The excitement, and sometimes uncertainty, gets real as preseason hype attempts to meet on-field reality. As we head into this pivotal opening week, let’s explore what we might expect from traditional powerhouses such as Texas, Notre Dame, Georgia, Clemson, USC, and LSU. We’ll consider interesting matchups, players to look for, and preview it all in this College Football Week 1 review.
Heading into Week 1, Texas has a lot of anticipation, and a few interesting stories. After an eventful off-season filled with changes in coaches and rosters, the Longhorns are hoping to show that they are back at the elite-level of college football.
Offseason Modifications
The offseason was enormous for Texas, as they hired new assistant coaches and had multiple rank level players transfer into their program. The hiring of an offensive coordinator has already made the team’s fan base excited, as Texas looks to overhaul its offensive system. Texas also signed elite high school talent in addition to transfers that will improve the depth chart.
Impact Players
There are some special players on the Texas offense and defense that could help provide an ample impact in Week 1 of the college football season. Quarterback Quinn Ewers is recognized as a top recruit in the nation and will be in the spotlight as he plays the quarterback position. Depending on how Ewers’s play goes, his performance can reflect the rest of the season for the team. On the Texas Longhorns defensive side, linebacker Jaylan Ford will be in the lead role for a highly talented unit that is capable of disrupting the opposing team’s offense.
Season Expectations
With a strong roster and with renewed focus, Texas fans have high hopes this season for their return to prominence. This week will be important for the Longhorns as they face off against one of the top teams in Alabama. A win would catapult them into the College Football Playoff conversation; the loss would raise some questions as to whether they were ready to compete at the highest level of college football.
Notre Dame Spotlight
With that in mind, Notre Dame enters the year with a very defined mission in place: build off of last year’s success and work its way towards a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Fighting Irish have a tough schedule, but Week 1 gives them an opportunity to set the stage for a successful campaign.
Coaching Strategy
Discipline and execution have been the talking points by head coach Marcus Freeman all offseason. The coaching philosophy has been about tempo control on both sides of the ball and limiting mistakes. That will be put to the test early, as Notre Dame opens up with Navy.
Pivotal Games in September
While Week 1 against Navy is important, Notre Dame has a number of pivotal matchups in September that will go a long way toward defining their season. Big games against Ohio State and USC loom large on the schedule, but for now, the focus will be on executing the game plan first against Navy. If they want momentum going into the crucial games, then they have to get off on a strong start.
Players to Watch
The roster is oozing with talent, but Notre Dame will have all eyes on its new quarterback, Sam Hartman, after his transfer from Wake Forest. Hartman brings experience and leadership to perhaps guide the Fighting Irish through a difficult schedule. On defense, lineman Rylie Mills projects as a disruptive force in anchoring a unit that needs to be stout to contend with top-tier opponents.
Georgia’s Dominance
The Georgia Bulldogs enter Week 1 as the defending national champions, with expectations through the roof for another title run. With a loaded roster, Georgia is once again the team to beat in college football.
Recent Championships
It’s pretty well-documented: Georgia won back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. Under head coach Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have recruited and developed some of the best high school talent in the country to create a dynasty. Now they will add the extra pressure of pursuing a third-straight title.
Defensive Strengths
The Georgia defense has been the anchor which holds the sustained success of this team together, and this year is no different. Even after seeing several of their key contributors take their talents to the NFL, the Bulldogs are one of the best defenses that college football has to offer. Led by linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. and defensive lineman Mykel Williams, the Bulldogs will attempt to stall any offense that steps in their path in Week 1 and beyond.
Offensive Outlook
While the defense gets most of the attention, the Georgia offense won’t be ignored. The quarterback position, which now rests in the hands of Carson Beck, is probably the main position that will determine how good the Bulldogs are this season. Beck will have some good receivers around him, in combination with an efficient running game spearheaded by Kendall Milton. Beck’s early-season adaptation to the job will be one of the top storylines during the first weeks.
A Shot at Redemption for Clemson
The Clemson Tigers seek to return to the College Football Playoff after a miserable season last year, for which they have plenty of talent and staff, but Week 1 could be a test of whether they are ready or not.
Lessons Carried Over from Last Season
It was a wake-up call for Clemson last year, as they were not able to live up to the expectations of such excellence. Head coach Dabo Swinney has used the offseason to take care of some of those issues that plagued them, especially on offense. The Tigers have retooled a playbook and are focused on playing more consistently.
Star Players
Clemson’s success will largely depend on contribution from the likes of quarterback Cade Klubnik, who at times shone bright a year ago. Development by Klubnik is crucial for the Tigers offense that sputtered their way through stretches last season. Lineman Tyler Davis will be among the stalwarts on defense, a unit that needs to control play for the Tigers to return to the elites in college football.
Big Games Ahead
For Clemson, it’s Week 1. Florida State and Notre Dame will be hard-nosed contests from the get-go. A good start to the season will be important in finding confidence and momentum for those key confrontations. The Tigers can’t afford to slip up if they want to return to the College Football Playoff.
USC’s Resurgence
The USC program is trending upward under head coach Lincoln Riley. Coming off a very encouraging season last year, the Trojans are in position to make a real run not only at the Pac-12 title but perhaps at the College Football Playoff as well.
New Coach’s Impact
At least, Lincoln Riley’s arrival at USC has been transformative. With a reputation for his offense, Riley brought much life to a program that had been lackluster in the past few years. Under his tutelage, the Trojans have grown into one of the more exciting outfits in the nation, an offense capable of hanging points in a big hurry.
Offensive Power
USC’s offense is led by returning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams for another season with the Trojans. Williams is an electrifying playmaker-one that can beat defenses both with his arm and his legs. His connection with wide receiver Dorian Singer, a transfer from Arizona, will be one to watch in Week 1.
Defensive Challenges
While this offence is poised to blow up, the USC defence remains a question mark. The Trojans improved on this side of the ball, but Week 1 will go a long way in proving whether those moves will be enough to compete at the highest level. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch challenged his players for more physical play and better tackling, two areas that will be under scrutiny right out of the gate.
High Hopes for LSU
LSU begins the 2024 season ranked, and for good reason as head coach Brian Kelly attempts to build upon last year’s encouraging season. The talent is there for the Tigers to make a run at an SEC Championship, but it won’t be easy considering their schedule.
Impact of Key Transfers
The transfer portal has been kind to LSU, as several key additions have strengthened the roster. Quarterback Jayden Daniels returns for his senior season after a stellar 2023 campaign. The addition of transfer wide receiver Aaron Anderson will bring speed and additional playmaking into the Tigers offense.
Schedule Overview
LSU’s schedule is one of the toughest in the nation as the Tigers draw Alabama, Texas A&M, and Florida State. It’ll be a tall order in Week 1 as the Tigers take on Florida State in a neutral-site matchup. A win would give LSU a massive boost in the first College Football Playoff rankings, but a loss would put the Tigers in a hole from the outset.
Top Players
Complementing Daniels and Anderson will be linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., who projects as one of the top defenders in the SEC this fall. How much chaos Perkins causes for opposing offenses will go a long way toward determining how much success LSU will ultimately have this season, especially given the gravity of some of the matchups on its schedule.
Week 1 Key Matchups
Week 1 is chock-full of great matchups that will set the bar for the season. So let’s take a further look at a few of the most highly-anticipated games.
Texas vs. Alabama
Perhaps the biggest game of Week 1, Texas vs. Alabama is a clash of titans. With Nick Saban, the Alabama team is always a contender in every season’s run for the championship, whereas Texas wants to show they belong to the top. This game pits Texas’ Quinn Ewers against Alabama’s new starter, Tyler Buchner, and big implications for the College Football Playoff race could be part of the outcome.
Notre Dame vs. Navy
Notre Dame opens up against Navy, as the Irish get to show off the new-look offense. While this matchup is clearly a Notre Dame-heavy favorite, Navy’s triple-option is always such a stumbling block for defenses. This game gives Notre Dame an opportunity to work out the early-season kinks before their schedule ramps up and gets more difficult.
Georgia vs. UT-Martin
But while Georgia will have the heavy advantage going into its Week 1 matchup against UT-Martin, the game will also be an opportunity to get all of the new starters that Georgia will suit up this season acclimated. The expectation will be to see Georgia dominate in this outing but also to work on its strategies for those tougher games ahead.
Game-Day Predictions
Picks for Week 1 games are always difficult due to the uncertainty that begins each new season. However, some key matchup picks based on talent and preparation could be the following.
Texas vs. Alabama Prediction
In a battle pitting the experience and home-field advantage against Texas, Alabama simply has the upper hand in this matchup. Texas will put up a fight but Alabama comes away on top in this one. Prediction: Alabama 31, Texas 27
Notre Dame at Navy Prediction
Notre Dame should handle Navy with relative ease though the overall tempo of the game could be different due to Navy’s run heavy offense. Look for Notre Dame to win, 28-14.
Prediction: Georgia over UT-Martin
Depth and talent should overwhelm their opposition as Georgia should beat UT-Martin from wire to wire. Take Georgia 45-7 in this one.
Players to Watch Across All Teams
Week 1 isn’t all about the teams; it’s also about individual players who might make a name for themselves early in the season. Here are some of the top players to watch.
Top Quarterbacks
Caleb Williams, USC – The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is expected to light up the scoreboard once again.
Quinn Ewers (Texas): The performance by Ewers against Alabama will be huge for Texas’ season opener.
Jayden Daniels (LSU): Daniels brings one of the most dangerous dual-threat capabilities in the SEC.
Rising Stars
Aaron Anderson (LSU): Transfer wide receiver who could become pivotal for the Tigers this season.
Mekhail Sherman (Georgia): This young linebacker has the potential to become one of the cornerstones in Georgia’s defense.
Impact Freshmen
Dylan Raiola (Georgia): The consensus No. 1-ranked quarterback in the 2024 class, Raiola could see early-season action.
Nyckoles Harbor (South Carolina): Freak athleticism; every athlete who has it can hit the ground running and make an instant impact as a freshman.
Coaches Under Pressure
A new season means a clean slate, but it also turns up the heat in coaching hot seats across the country. Here are some coaches who figure to be under the microscope come Week 1:.
Hot Seat Candidates
Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M): Coming off of a disappointing 2023 season, the pressure is on Fisher to get out of the gates hot, or he will surely start to hear rumblings about his job security.
Steve Sarkisian (Texas): Ultimately, Sarkisian’s success at Texas will be measured by how well the Longhorns do in the biggest games. That includes the Week 1 matchup against Alabama.
Potential Surprises
Brent Venables (Oklahoma): In his second year in Oklahoma, fans will be expecting improvement from a so-so 2023 season. Mario Cristobal (Miami): Cristobal’s first year at his alma mater didn’t go too well, but a solid recruiting class provides some optimism. Long-Term Job Security Nick Saban (Alabama): While Saban’s job security will never come into question, the goal will be to keep the Crimson Tide atop the mountaintop.
Kirby Smart – Georgia: With Smart building a dynasty in between the hedges, he will further cement his status as one of the best coaches in the sport with another strong season.
Week 1 Storylines: Defense
When talking about Week 1, much discussion is thrown around offense, but teams can’t win without having some sort of defense. So, let’s get into some of the best defensive units and players heading into the season.
Top Defenses Entering the Season
Georgia: The defense is one of the best in the country even with several of its key contributors lost to the NFL.
Alabama: The Tide reloaded on defense and are set to be an elite unit once again.
Key Defensive Players
Smael Mondon Jr. (Georgia): One of the leaders on Georgia’s defense, look for Mondon Jr. to make a big impact in Week 1.
Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU): Perkins is one of the most versatile linebackers in college football and will be pivotal in how far LSU goes this season.
Impact on Opening Games
The defenses will be a deciding factor in who wins during Week 1. Defensively sound teams like Georgia and Alabama have a great shot at winning their opening games, but teams with suspect defenses might not be as fortunate.
Week 1 of College Football is more than a season opener, but one of skill, game plan, and a first stage of what should be a really interesting campaign. While many programs face Texas, Notre Dame, Georgia, and Clemson powerhouses against very formidable rising programs like USC and LSU, this week’s matchups will give a real first look at who is ready to compete for a national title. Storylines with key matchups, players to watch, and coaches under pressure.
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