2024 – We are knocking on the door

I was about to write that this is definitely the earliest I have started the season, but it’s not true. I kicked off the 2019 season, on August 24th with a game at Hawaii. This week’s scenery is probably not quite up to the level of that weekend, but we have high hopes for University of Nevada at Reno nonetheless. Honestly, my biggest worry about this game is getting there. I have had some awful traveling experience lately so my confidence is shaken. Once there, the weekend should be a blast with a great mix of friends and family attending the game. We are tailgating so that should add some fun to a potential blowout.

This week’s picks

• Florida State should have enough fire power to cover the spread against Georgia Tech.
• Montana State is a FCS powerhouse but I am hoping New Mexico has enough pride to keep it close.
• I am basically picking Nevada so I have something to root for in that game.
• Delaware State was 1 – 10 last year. Going to Hawaii isn’t going to help them improve.

Observations from the preseason

• The preseason AP Top 25 does not have much in terms of surprises, not that I put much stock in a poll this early. It was disappointing to note that it was all Power 5 conference teams. There’s not one Group of Five dark horse on the list.
• On the plus side, the new 12 team playoff bracket rolls out this year. We finally get the playoffs we deserve where winning is more important than popularity. And, if your team is number 13 looking in – DO NOT COMPLAIN – your team just wasn’t good enough.
• All these conference moves are certainly different. It is weird to see the likes of Washington at PSU, Virginia Tech at Stanford, and Oklahoma at Auburn when looking at a regular season schedule.
• Kennesaw State joins the FBS this year and they are on my schedule. Two teams have announced they will jump to FBS – Delaware and Missouri State. Luckily, I picked up Delaware several years ago so only Missouri State adds to my total.