Week One Score Predictions

by Chris Paschal

There are a lot of big games throughout the country this weekend, but I’m going to get back to our roots and focus on some of the best games the South has to offer and give you my brief thoughts and score predictions.

Ole Miss at Memphis

I really am one of those guys that thinks Matt Luke is the man for the job. He is in it for the long haul, he has recruited extremely well for the situation the program has been in for the last few years, and he just made some all-star hires at both coordinator positions. This year is going to be tough though. The last remaining players from the Hugh Freeze era are cycling out and there are a lot of question marks on the defensive side of the ball. The offense will still be strong this year (I’m not buying this dramatic fall off that others are calling for), but in week one, on the road, at a school that loves nothing more than beating the Rebels, I think AAC Power Memphis is too much to handle.

Player to Watch: Matt Corral – Quarterback (Ole Miss)

Final Score: Ole Miss 27 Memphis 38

Duke vs. Alabama (Atlanta)

There really isn’t much to be said for this game. Alabama is pissed off at the world. Duke is starting a new quarterback. This game will not be close and the only reason I have Alabama scoring less than 50 points is because I think Saban gets the young guys in early and plays them often.

Player to Watch: Shane Lee – Linebacker (Alabama)

Final Score: Duke 6 Alabama 45

South Carolina vs. North Carolina (Charlotte)

The Gamecocks are more talented, have a senior at quarterback, have depth on the defense, have their best offensive line in recent memory, and some high-end skill position players. Of course, it’s South Carolina, so you never know how a game will actually go, but you can’t base predictions off those types of things. North Carolina has a questionable offensive line and a true freshman at quarterback. With a really bad defense returning, I don’t think North Carolina has the horses (yet) on offense to keep up with South Carolina.

Player to Watch: Jammie Robinson – Nickel/Safety (South Carolina)

Final Score: South Carolina 31 North Carolina 20

Georgia at Vanderbilt

In the words of Steve Harvey, this “ain’t gonna go good.” Yes, Vanderbilt has one of the best running backs in the SEC, and a few great pass catchers at wide receiver and tight end. But this is still Vanderbilt. Not only is this still Vanderbilt, but they will be trotting out a new quarterback against Georgia. The Dawgs are about as hungry as Alabama is this season, and running out to see 20,000 Georgia fans in a visiting stadium will fire this team up.

Player to Watch: Demetris Robertson – Wide Receiver (Georgia)

Final Score: Georgia 38 Vanderbilt 10

Oregon vs. Auburn (Arlington)

Our NFL Draft guru out of Birmingham, Harris Oates, is going to preview this game more in-depth as it has a ton of NFL Prospects in it with national implications. My thoughts are pretty simple – defensive line play. It’s the same thought I had last year for the Auburn-Washington game. Auburn has one of the best defensive lines in the entire country, and I expect them to dominate the line of scrimmage in this game. Bo Nix will have to play a solid game at quarterback, but I think Auburn’s defense makes the plays needed to win the game.

Player to Watch: Derrick Brown – Defensive Tackle (Auburn)

Final Score: Oregon 20 Auburn 28

Georgia Tech at Clemson

This game isn’t going to be close. I want to see how Georgia Tech competes though. Geoff Collins is building a program in Atlanta that I think could eventually make some noise in the ACC. But not in year one. What’s important is that his players fight hard and recruits see an intensity that shows promise. Clemson’s too much in week one.

Player to Watch: Lyn-J Dixon – Running Back (Clemson)

Final Score: Georgia Tech 10 Clemson 52