College football is back! Here’s the skinny on two of Th night’s highlight games.
Georgia Tech @ #1 Clemson
Spread: Clemson by 37
He’s back! (phot, Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports & The Atlantic)
In Game 1, the defending national champs draw conference rival Georgia Tech. The Tigers return many key playmakers on offense, most notably Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. The question is whether the defense (with seven starters gone) can be as dominant as last year. We’ll get an early answer Th night, particularly in rush defense. Georgia Tech has two running backs on the Doak Walker Award Watch List–Jerry Howard Jr. and Jordan Mason.
It’s doubtful that the Yellow Jackets will have enough to overcome the buzzsaw of a night game in SC. The game should be over by halftime, which will give us a chance to see what Clemson’s freshmen can do.
Clemson 41, Georgia Tech 6
#14 Utah @ BYU
Spread: Utah by 6.5
Kyle has Utes on track (photo, Deseret News)
Alright, Utes. How ’bout the best of, say, 17? It has been almost a decade since BYU last beat Utah in football. Who would have thought? And, unfortunately for the Cougars, a win isn’t in the offing Th. Utah is a sleeper pick in the PAC-12, perhaps even a playoff berth. The front seven is something to behold with two of the country’s best in Zack Moss and Tyler Huntley returning.
Still, though, it is night game in Provo, and the place will be rocking. BYU returns 17 of 22 starters, and that means the Utes shouldn’t expect a cakewalk. I expect yet another close contest between these two rivals. But in the end, I don’t think BYU has enough to beat Kyle Whittingham’s squad–especially with so much at stake for the Utes this season. Utah will win in Provo.
Utah 28, BYU 24
