College football is here and a full schedule of games begins tonight in Little Rock.
The usual Friday tips apply today as the Arkansas Razorbacks face the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions tonight.
UAPB in Arkansas
This is a game that should be played regularly and has been for years. Overall, the Razorbacks are almost 50-point favorites because of their talent and depth, but Sam Pittman is known for not running up the score. Arkansas 45-7
Central Arkansas at Arkansas State
Not really a rivalry, but it should be made into one. I’m hoping for a shootout as both teams have great game potential. Butch Jones has 16 starters back, 10 on offense and quarterback Jaylen Raynor is entertaining to watch. Arkansas State 42-35
Western Kentucky in Alabama
There are several good games involving SEC teams this Saturday, but this is not one of them. Alabama 56-3
Alabama A&M vs. Auburn
Hugh Freeze is back to calling the plays, which he does very well. Auburn 49-7
Miami, Florida
Gators coach Billy Napier probably won’t be fired if he loses this game against the No. 19 Hurricanes, but a win would cool his seat a bit. He has an 11-14 record after his first two seasons. Miami 35-27
Clemson vs Georgia
The game in Atlanta makes it a home game for the Bulldogs. The shine around Tigers coach Dabo Swinney may have faded somewhat, but he has nine offensive players again. The Bulldogs are still the kings of the hill. Georgia 38-27
Southern Miss in Kentucky
The Wildcats defense, with 10 starters, is quite capable of getting a shutout here, and the offense is solid as well. The Golden Eagles have only nine starters back from a 3-9 season. Kentucky 38-0
LSU vs. Southern California
Interesting matchup and the only Sunday game as the No. 13 Tigers head to Las Vegas to face the No. 23 Trojans. Lincoln Riley returns only five offensive starters and he’s a coach who believes more in offense than defense. LSU 28-24
Furman at Ole Miss
The Rebels will win more than just the party this season starting Saturday. Ole Miss 49-7
Eastern Kentucky at Mississippi State
There are a lot of questions for the Bulldogs heading into this season, and there won’t be many answers in what appears to be a rehearsed practice game. MSU 35-0
Murray State in Missouri
This is the first of many easy wins for the Tigers, who will not be tested until October 5th in their away game in College Station. Missouri 45-10
Old Dominion, South Carolina
It won’t matter as the Gamecocks look ahead to next week’s SEC opener against Kentucky. The Monarchs have only 10 starters back. South Carolina 31-14
Tenn.-Chattanooga in Tennessee
They may share a state, but they don’t have much else in common. The Vols have some questions and may get some answers. Tennessee 42-3
Colorado State vs. Texas
Jay Norvel seems to have the Rams headed in the right direction if they could make a detour around Austin. The Longhorns will represent their new conference in a big way. Texas 49-7
Notre Dame at Texas A&M
The Fighting Irish defense, which returns nine starters after a 10-3 season, gives them a chance. New Aggies coach Mike Elko has 18 starters back and is favored by almost three, which is about right considering the game is in College Station. Texas A&M 31-28
Temple in Oklahoma
The Sooners’ debut as a member of the SEC will be nearly flawless. Oklahoma 42-7
Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt
With 21 starters, this could be a big season for the Hokies – maybe not playoffs, but a major bowl. Meanwhile, Vandy coach Clark Lea is getting hotter. Virginia Tech 35-10
