UGA Football is Back | Picks for the Dawgs, Texas-Ohio State, Taters-LSU and More
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ATHENS - Kirby Smart and No. 5 UGA football open the season in Athens against Marshall. Here is what will happen this weekend for the Dawgs and all over college football... according to the Dawg Post crew.
Georgia Institute of Technology and State University (-4) at Colorado | ESPN | 8:00 PM Friday
Matt’s Pick: The JAckets are a program that’s improving. I think. I’m not sure I can say the same for Colorado. Buster Faulkner and Haynes King should lead the offense to victory here. If Colorado can’t stop the run they’re in deep trouble. Tech is looking for a big season and it starts on Friday night. The better team wins this one on the road. Georgia Tech (-4).
Ryan’s Pick: Between these two programs right now, I feel like Georgia Tech is a little bit more put together this season. Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter were most of Colorado's identity the last couple of years. Transfer Kaidon Slater beat out Julian Lewis from Carrollton.
Haynes King put up one of the best individual performances in a game that I have ever seen in person in the 8OT loss to the Dawgs. They lost their best wide receiver, but I think his experience and skillset is enough for the Yellow Jackets to have a good season. I think Georgia Tech (-4) kicks off the season with a road W.
Dean’s Pick: I’m supposed to be at a game in Atlanta Friday night, but I’m wager to watch this game. Georgia Tech had about as much momentum as possible heading into the fourth quarter in Sanford Stadium last year. Then the Dawgs came back in an epic eight overtime win.
Then the loss to Vanderbilt in the bowl game.
Tech has something to prove and not just in this game, but this season. Its time not just to see the corner, but turn it. Things are not nearly as bad as they were pre Covid, but Tech is so up and down its hard to know what’s next.
Give me the Jackets covering the four points on the road. That’s a lot. But if Haynes King and Buster Faulkner are as good as advertised, Tech should leave Boulder with a win. Take the Jackets (-4) to cover.
Texas (+2) at Ohio State | FOX | 12:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: I was leaning Ohio State’s way all summer, but there are too many in that boat right now. Texas has a team that can absolutely win it all. They’re loaded on defense and are expecting Arch Manning to lead them to championship. However, I’m expecting a defensive battle here. I think the Longhorns defense shows out and makes things tough for Julian Sayin and the Buckeye offense. It wont be easy to win up there on the road, but this Texas team has enough talent to get the job done. Texas (+2).
Ryan’s Pick: It very well could be true that Texas has the best roster in college football. Arch Manning could be the real deal. I won’t be surprised, but I think that the Longhorns will open up the season with a non-conference loss.
I believe that Julian Sayin has enough talent to do enough at home with the ultra skilled weapons that he has around him. I think that Ohio State (-2) wins and covers at home. This game being in Columbus matters, and Ohio State’s top end talent is better than anybody’s in the country.
What an amazing way to kick off the season.
Dean’s Pick: I’m not sure which of these teams is the better team. We will find out Saturday. Should Texas win that should cement them as the best team in the country. I’m not sure a win for the Buckeyes at home is “quite” the same thing. Playing at home matters - particularly the first game of the season.
While the stakes in the game are… shall we say inflated? I’m not sure the loser of this game is in any real trouble. Ohio State should find its way to the Big Ten Championship game (which is in Vegas this year? Or Seattle?) Texas has a more challenging schedule, but the Horns have to travel to Dallas, Athens and The Swamp as well as playing Texas A&M.
I’ve got Ohio State winning this game, and therefore covering. I’m not real firm in my conviction here. My view of the world here is that this game is a glorified scrimmage - don’t overthink the outcome of this game. Its August - Give me Ohio State (-2) covering.
Syracuse (+13.5) vs. Tennessee | ABC | 12:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: This one is interesting. Neutral game in Atlanta, but Tennessee fans will take up most of the stadium. Fran Brown is a good coach and will have his guys ready to play. It won’t be enough when the final whistle is blown, but they’ll make the Vols earn it. Close game throughout, but Tennessee wins by a touchdown. Syracuse (+13.5).
Ryan’s Pick: I am having a difficult time forming an opinion on this Tennessee team. I was always lower on Nico Iamaleava than the general consensus, and I thought he was a big part of the reason why the offense struggled in big moments last season.
Tennessee should have enough talent in its wide receiver room for transfer QB Joey Aguilar to improve upon his 2024 year at Appalachian State, in which he threw 14 interceptions.
I think Tennessee (-13.5) will just be a little too talented for Syracuse, and will win by double digits.
Dean’s Pick: So I’m a little hesitant here to go with the Vols. Tennessee should win, and I expect them to, but I also expect Syracuse to put up a fight. Both teams are changing quarterbacks, but its the Vols that did so in a microwave in the spring.
Have they recovered from that? I’m not sure. I couldn’t say. The other part that probably makes this game closer is SU coach Fran Brown’s understanding of playing the UT offense from his brief time in Athens. The Vols - although quite explosive - can be stopped. Tennessee struggled to score in SEC play last year. Tennessee only score 30 or more twice in conference games - against Mississippi State and Vandy.
Syracuse is better than those two, but look for the Vols to win. Give me the Orange (+13.5).
Alabama (-13.5) at Florida State | ABC | 12:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: Alabama. It’s Alabama. Not overthinking this one. This is a game that could get ugly. The Tide are hoping to bounce back this year and have their eyes on a deep playoff run. They are loaded on defense, have plenty of talent on offense, and they shouldn’t have much of a problem down in Tallahassee. Alabama rolls big. Alabama (-13.5).
Ryan’s Pick: I am not overthinking this one. Florida State’s season was a disaster. I think it will be better, but drawing Alabama, even in Tallahassee, is just too difficult of a way to try to begin the restart. Alabama (-13.5).
Dean’s Pick: Florida State is pretty bad. Should Alabama not cover this line I would be slightly concerned about the Tide. The explanation for not covering nearly two touchdowns on the road can be many. I mean, a two-score win can be pretty decisive. That Georgia is playing during this game is disappointing, but TV dictates kickoff times.
Give me Alabama (-13.5 | Lock of the week) to cover - even though that sure seems like a lot (even as bad as Florida State looks like).
Notre Dame (-2.5) at Miami | ABC | 7:30 PM Sunday
Matt’s Pick: This is one I’ve got back and forth on. In the end, I’ll take the better-coached team, and that’s Notre Dame. That’s a tough, well-coached team that plays hard and doesn’t make many mistakes. The Hurricanes are talented and should take a step forward, but Notre Dame is the better football team. Playing on the road won’t be a factore. They’ll take care of business and leave Coral Gables with a close win. Notre Dame (-2.5).
Ryan’s Pick: Like many, I am very curious as to how well Carson Beck’s season in South Florida is going to go. What I am confident in is that it is going to get off to a slow start. Not being able to throw during the spring during a season in which he transferred to a new program is almost certainly going to stunt the chemistry building portion of being a part of a new team.
We have seen over and over with transfer quarterbacks that the second season in the new system ends up yielding vast improvement. He is coming off of that elbow injury, and I think it will take some time to get things going.
Notre Dame is probably the more talented team, as well. I feel good about taking the Irish (-2.5).
Dean’s Pick: Very curious game here. There are a lot of moving parts for both teams. Notre Dame came within a game of winning it all… now they have to start all over, and the schedule isn’t what it was a season ago.
Miami has gone all in on Carson Beck, who is apparently earning more than Mark Richt did when he was the coach there a few years back. Can Miami get it together on game day? That’s what insiders I talk with around the country ask. As good as Miami has done restocking its roster - the coaching can fail on game days.
Marcus Freeman is a pretty good coach. He outcoached Kirby in New Orleans. Outcoaching Kirby Smart? That doesn’t happen very often. Notre Dame’s defense should still be good. There’s a lot of new with Miami.
Give me the Irish (-2.5) to cover at the least difficult venue to play on the road in major college football (yes, including Mark Richt Field at Bobby Dodd and Vanderbilt Stadium).
South Carolina (-8) vs. Virginia Tech | ABC | 3:00 PM Sunday
Matt’s Pick: The Gamecocks will fall on their face and dissapoint at some point this season, but it won’t happen on Sunday. They’re another team with plenty of talent and one of the top quarterbacks in the country. If they are tough again defensively, the Cocks are looking at a strong season. This one will be close at the half, but the Cocks pull away and get a late cover. Gamecocks (-8).
Ryan’s Pick: LaNorris Sellers will be one of the most exciting players to watch this season. Will he take a step forward as a passer and will his receivers live up to expectations? If those things happen, the the Gamecocks are SEC contenders.
I don’t know if that will happen, but I think South Carolina (-8) will overwhelm Virginia Tech.
Dean’s Pick: Folks I talk to think Virginia Tech is lost. I would expect South Carolina - even with the Shane Beamer Experience - to slam them this game. Gimmie them Cocks (-8 | Stone cold lock of the week)
LSU (+4) at Clemson | ABC | 7:30 PM
Matt’s Pick: The smart pick here is LSU. They have one of the best rosters in the game and they’re getting four points. I just don’t trust them yet. I have to see them win a big road game to start the season before I put faith in LSU. I like this Clemson team a lot and think their defense will really test Nussmeier and the LSU offense. In the end, I think Clemson gets the win and covers. Might be my dumbest pick of the week. Clemson (-4).
Ryan’s Pick: One of my hot takes is that LSU is going to be a top-3 team in the SEC and make it to the conference championship. I am predicting that Garrett Nussmeier makes a jump and has a big year throwing to one of the best wide receiver rooms in college football. I like the running back Caden Durham to have a strong season. I think that LSU has enough talent on defense to at least finish middle of the pack in the league.
I think LSU will be better than Clemson. Both of these teams will be in the playoff, if you are asking me. Clemson seems legit to me, but I am not on board with Cade Klubnik being a top-5 pick. That is how he is being discussed now, and that is helping Clemson's projection. I just haven't seen that type of play out of him enough times for me to get on board with that.
You have to be bold to win these picks, and I plan on winning this season. I think LSU (+4) is going to help me do that.
Dean’s Pick:
I don’t trust LSU under Brian Kelly. Nick Saban? Les Miles? Easy Ed - shit, even Jerry DeNiardo - I would take any of them to win this game. But there is something off with Kelly and LSU. Something is going to have to change for me to get behind believing in LSU winning in this moment.
LSU has always had players - always. That’s not the issue for them… its usually coaching. Overcoming the coaching of Easy Ed or even Miles is one thing when you have guys like Joe Burrow - its another when LSU is not so obviously the better team.
And in this situation they are not.
Clemson has stacked up defensively once more. This game is also at Memorial Stadium. The discussion of Cade Klubnik is a little too friendly for the results I have seen. He’s going to have to prove it - and not just in one game.
Dabo “is doing it his way” is the dumbest and overdone thing in college football right now - and we’ve got Arch Madness, which is really saying something. Narrowly beating SMU to get into the CFP, and losing to every SEC team you play might work for a while… but losing to LSU in this situation does nothing to indicate to me that Clemson is a real threat to win the national title.
I’ll take the Taters (-4) to win at home because LSU just is not trustworthy in these situations, and I have no reason to believe that’s changed.
Marshall (+39.5) at Georgia | ESPN | 3:30 PM
Matt’s Pick: Lot of points. Almost too many. But I’m taking Georgia here. The Marshall offense shouldn’t be able to do much at all in this one. The Bulldog offense needs to come out firing and play at a high level to start the season. They’ll get the cover, but not by much. I’m thinking a 48-7 type of game to kick off the 2025 season. Dawgs win big and cover the point. Georgia (-39.5).
Ryan’s Pick: Let’s just do it. I have Georgia (-39.5). I think it is important to this program that the offense is explosive against a weaker opponent. I think Georgia would be wise to keep its foot on the gas for most of the game, even with the second string.
Dean’s Pick: Massive line. That’s a really massive line. Georgia isn’t great at covering lines this big. Kirby’s teams have “never” covered a 40-point line (or above). Never. 0-12. I’m betting they get it done this week.
The line is sitting at 39.5, but I am seeing the over/under at 55.5, which means UGA should win the game something like 48-8. By the way, Kirby’s teams have averaged 47 points a game in these situations, but they’ve allowed an average of 11… the over might be the play in this one.
I’m going to take UGA (-39.5), but more than anything I am looking at an over of 55.5, and that really looks low to me.
Season ATS
Matt: 1-2-0
Ryan: 3-0-0
Dean: 0-3-0
