With a huge slate of college football set for this weekend, the sports staff is back with their totally correct predictions of how it will shake out.
Memphis @ Temple
James Brisentine: Memphis 28 Temple 16
Memphis is going to look to bounce back after their heartbreaking loss last week. With conference play starting, they are going to make a statement that they are still a contender in the American Athletic Conference.
Brian Bada: Memphis 31 Temple 21
The Tigers got punched in the mouth last week and did not respond well. They find a way to execute in all three phases much better and win by 10 points here to kick off league play.
Johnny Hill: Memphis 31 Temple 20
The Tigers are going to rebound from a tragic loss to UTSA. Memphis still features an explosive offense and the Owls have a tough challenge on their hands dealing with Calvin Austin, Sean Dykes, and Brandon Thomas. Memphis is averaging 39.0 points a game. With this game it’s going to come down to weapons and Austin is going to be the x-factor, whether it be on offense or special teams.
Zach Thompson: Memphis 24 Temple 16
It feels like whenever the Tigers travel to Philadelphia, the game is always a struggle. They will certainly be eager to start conference play off on a positive note, but the Owls defense will look to make it tough on Seth Henigan in the freshman’s first taste of AAC competition. In the end, the Tigers get it done and improve to 4-1.
#8 Arkansas @ #2 Georgia
James Brisentine: Georgia 20 Arkansas 13
This is going to be an all-out slugfest. The old cliche "this game is going to be won in the trenches" rings true in this matchup. While I still believe in this Arkansas team, I feel like Georgia is just too much for these up and coming Razorbacks.
Brian Bada: Georgia 35 Arkansas 24
The Razorbacks have been a great story this year. They have a chance to win double-digit games this season. However, they suffer their first loss to arguably the best team in the country.
Johnny Hill: Georgia 34 Arkansas 14
Georgia has a lot of momentum coming off its 62-0 rout over Vanderbilt. This defense is elite. Headlining that group is Jalen Carter, Channing Tindall, Nolan Smith, and Christopher Smith. They are excellent from their front seven to their defensive backs. The Bulldogs have forced seven turnovers for the season, and they are only allowing an average of 5.8 points per opponent thus far. KJ Jefferson and the Razorbacks have too big a challenge on their hand facing the best defense in college football.
Zach Thompson: Arkansas 21 Georgia 20
Once again, I am calling the Hogs! Georgia’s defense is undeniably one of the very best in the country, but I like what Sam Pittman is building at Arkansas. While they may not be quite at this level yet, there probably is not anyone else out there more well-equipped to take on the Bulldogs than the man who helped recruit a lot of their players. The Hogs keep rolling in a slugfest here.
#12 Ole Miss @ #1 Alabama
James Brisentine: Alabama 44 Ole Miss 42
While Georgia and Arkansas will be won in the trenches, this game will be won through the air. This might be the game of the year. Two high-flying offenses with NFL talent everywhere will be on display. Alabama will come through in the end, but Ole Miss will give them all they want.
Bian Bada: Ole Miss 45 Alabama 42
This has a chance to be the game of the year. Ole Miss gave Alabama all it could last year, and they almost won. The same quarterback returns (Matt Corral) and is better and helps them pull off the upset in Tuscaloosa.
Johnny Hill: Alabama 45 Ole Miss 30
This Saturday is the first real test for The Lane Train this season. I am going with Alabama to beat the Rebels in Tuscaloosa. Heisman-watch quarterback Matt Corral threw for 647 yards last year on the Crimson Tide, and we all know that Ole Miss has an explosive offense, but the weakness is still their defense. Ole Miss’ opponents average 20.7 points a game. Meanwhile, Bryce Young and The Crimson Tide come in averaging 46.5 points and 465.5 yards per contest. Nick Saban's record against former assistant coaches is 23-0. By the end of the weekend, it will be 24-0.
Zach Thompson: Ole Miss 48 Alabama 41
Matty Heisman! Matt Corral and thel high-flying Rebel offense has nearly been unstoppable thus far while the Crimson Tide defense has shown some weaknesses at times. This matchup always breaks the scoreboard and I do not expect this one to be any different. Lane Kiffin becomes the first former Nick Saban assistant to notch a victory against his old boss in a wild one in Tuscaloosa.
#7 Cincinnati @ #9 Notre Dame
James Brisentine: Cincinnati 28 Notre Dame 13
I do not believe in this Notre Dame team at all. They are 4-0, which feels like it should be 2-2 at least. Notre Dame is going to get exposed big time in this game versus a tough Bearcats team.
Brian Bada: Cincinnati 31 Notre Dame 28
The Bearcats have a puncher’s chance to make the College Football Playoff. In order to do that they have to run the table. Notre Dame’s quarterback Jack Coan got banged up last week so how effective will he be? In the end, the Bearcats win a close game in South Bend.
Johnny Hill: Notre Dame 26 Cincinnati 24
Both the Fighting Irish and The Bearcats are undefeated. Despite the Bearcats 5-0 record, they struggled against Indiana. Notre Dame averages 35.3 points and 366.3 yards per game. On the defensive side of the ball, they have a great defensive front and the best safety in college football in Kyle Hamilton. The Fighting Irish have a 4-0 record and by the end of the weekend, it will be 5-0. They will be too much in South Bend for the Bearcats to overcome.
Zach Thompson: Notre Dame 27 Cincinnati 23
Notre Dame rolled over Wisconsin a week ago and have to be feeling confident coming into this one. While I do think the Bearcats are the best team the Irish will face this year, I have doubts about whether they will be able to match the level of physicality for a full game. If this game were being played in Cincinnati, my pick would be the Bearcats. However, in South Bend, I think Notre Dame pulls out a really close win and dashes the playoff hopes of the American Athletic Conference for yet another season.
The Tigers entered a rowdy stadium in their home opener. Saturday could see a nearly full Liberty Bowl.
