Week Zero

Week 0!!! Before we get into my picks I want to talk about my expectations and hopes for Rutgers and Jaguars Football!

Ten years ago, in Rutgers first season in the Big Ten, they went 7-5 with a bowl win finishing 8-5. It’s time to top that season. Rutgers returns so much talent, especially on their top 25 defense. The loss of Mo Toure really stinks, and second round draft pick Max Melton will be greatly missed. But the talent on all three levels has me super excited for the season. With another strong season, defensive end Aaron Lewis, linebacker Tyreem Powell, cornerback Robert Longerbeam, and safeties Flip Dixon and Desmond Igbinosun should all be playing on Sunday’s. The offensive side of the ball wasn’t the prettiest last season but leading Big Ten rusher Kyle Monangai is back! Him and Sam Brown V will be the heartbeat for the offense again. Shoutout and best of luck to Gavin Wimsatt for choosing Rutgers when we were down, but he got beat out by QB transfer Athan Kaliakmanis. If Athan can consistently give the likes of Dymere Miller, Christian Dremel, and Naseim Brantley the ball, then Rutgers offense will be competent. A competent offense with this strong defense feels like a recipe for success. Pair that with Rutgers avoiding five of the six preseason ranked Big Ten teams (Ohio St, Oregon, Michigan, Penn State, and Iowa) and it’s time to make noise. We will find out a lot in the first few weeks. Rutgers cannot stumble vs their two tune up games, and I’m looking for them to remain healthy. They will get a bye week, then it’s go time. They travel to Virginia Tech where they will have their White Out, and then we host Washington for our blackout. 4-0 is not out of the question. Rutgers beat Virginia Tech last season 35-16. We have the physicality to slow down Kyron Drones. If Rutgers can go to Blacksberg, in that hostile environment, and escape with a win, then why not US! Washington will travel across the country and come to Rutgers for the blackout. Why not US! Start the year 4-0, get a number next to their name, and let’s see if we can party like it’s 2006.

I go back and forth if I’m a full on believer in the Jaguars. I know Trevor Lawrence is a complete stud. I know the weapons of Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr, Gabe Davis, and Evan Engram are a great core. Right Tackle Anton Harrison is one of the best in the league. The Jaguars are competent at left tackle. But man, do they have the worst combo of guards and center in the NFL? Why do they refuse to address guard? How can they establish the run? Trevor will have to run for his life again, but man is he special and I believe in his greatness to mask the horrible offensive line. Before injury last year Trevor was on a 15-5 run, with those losses coming to the Chiefs twice, the Lions, the Texans, and the Niners. The Jaguars defensive line gets a boost bringing in Arik Armstead, and drafting DT’s Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson. A lot of national folks dismiss Travon Walker, but he finished with 10 sacks last season to go with Joshua Hines-Allen’s 17.5. I love corner Tyson Campbell and safety Andre Cisco. If the defensive line can speed up the opposing quarterback, these two ball hawks will steal possessions and get interceptions. Man, everything feels great in Duval! … except those darn guards and center. If the Jaguars offensive line can improve from 31st to 20th, the Jaguars will be playing in the AFC Championship game, and I’ll take my chances from there.

2023 NCAA 7-7-1
YTD NCAA 108-110-5
2023 NFL 20-15-4
YTD NFL 143-118-10

Thursday 8pm
Jacksonville State -3 v Coastal Carolina
Jacksonville State is led by coach Rich Rodriguez who runs a high tempo offense. Their QB transfers from UConn, where Zion Turner led them as a true freshman to a bowl game, before being benched last season. The transition should be smooth as Jacksonville State ran the ball 65% of the time last season. I don’t think the great pass defense in Coastal matches up well for this Jax St run attack. Ron Wiggins and Anwar Lewis return for a combined 185 carries on 920 yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, and they add Andrew Paul who appeared in seven games for Georgia as a freshman running back last season. Coastal is built to stop the pass, but Jacksonville State won’t need the air game too much when they gash this defense. Jax St has some good size on defense for a group of five program, but their secondary is unproven. Thankfully, Coastal’s pass offense will be a work in progress with their top talent transferring or graduating. This will be their first year without legend Grayson McCall who will finish his career at NC State. Jax St catches Coastal at a good time, early before the young piece develop.

Saturday 12pm
Vanderbilt +13.5 v Virginia Tech
This isn’t a fade on Virginia Tech. They are one of the most talked about teams that can surprise this offseason, and that’s usually a sign of a flop. But, I’m semi buying the hype. This play though is a buy on Vanderbilt, who gets a baller in Diego Pavia to transfer in to the school. Pavia leaves Coach Jerry Kill and New Mexico State where the dual threat, 2023 CUSA OPOY, led them to a 10-5 record including a road win at Auburn. Pavia will be gifted a cometant offensive line by Vandy and while the receivers will be unproven, give Pavia an inch of space and he’ll move the chains in this option based offense. He will also have his former tight end as his security blanket. What are ways to beat this Virginia Tech team? Kyron Drones can sling the rock, but this is all about the run game. Can you slow down their run attack and can Virginia Tech slow down the other teams run. Vandy was always able to slow down a run game but they had swiss cheese for corners and no edge rushers. The portal won’t make Vandy’s defense nationally ranked but they attacked corner and edge to complement their star linebacker Langston Patterson and star safety CJ Taylor. Virginia tech is so balanced, but make them pass heavy behind Drones’ 58% completion percentage and I think Vandy will keep this game single digits.

Saturday 12pm
West Virginia +8 v Penn State
For the last eight seasons, Penn State has cracked the top10, and this year they are preseason number 8. Time after time I’ve seen this Penn State team come up short in big moments though. Thankfully for them, the playoffs expanded to 12 so I’m sure they will finally get in. But I’m not so sure they come out of Morgantown with a victory. I’m buying that last year’s West Virginia 9-4 team was no fluke, and they have a lot of returning talent. Penn State has one of the strongest defensive line’s in the nation and Abdul Carter is next up to be a top 3 round pick. But what helped lead West Virginia to a 9-4 record? Their OLine and DLine stepped up and protected QB Garrett Green and got after the other team’s QB. Penn State only has one returner on their OLine and I think Penn State QB Drew Allar is on alert. I think the kid had a great season last year, but he doesn’t have the most help at receiver. You speed up his clock with unproven receivers and WVU can pounce on a turnover or two. WVU will neutralize the Penn St DLine, they’ll rush Drew Allar and keep the Penn State offense in first gear, and WVU will make this game a grind. TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS.

Thank you,
Goose