2019 Lock Of The Week, Week 1

As we've alluded to, this is not the most impressive opening salvo of a college football season one will experience.  By my count:

41 FBS v. FCS games

18 games with spreads larger 18.5 points

This has made choosing a lock difficult.

With that said:

Ohio State -27.5 v. Florida Atlantic

I went back and looked, and Ohio State was my choice Week 1 last season as well.  Florida Atlantic is a team in flux (shocker under Kiffin) and I think a new look Buckeye team will be eager to get off to a flyer.

Last season:  8-5-1

2019 Predictions

Your Playoff 4 are Alabama, Clemson, Michigan and I think Oklahoma would be given the edge over Washington and undefeated-going-into-the-Michigan game Ohio State.  As long as the field is set at 4, it will be very difficult for a team that only has one loss, but lost late, and didn't even win their division to make the playoff as Alabama did a couple years ago.

I really want the Big Ten West to shake out as I have projected with a bunch of teams in a wacky 5- or 6-way tie.  Similarly, I am looking forward to a fun Big XII season.

Auburn joins USC and Florida State as bluebloods I'm bearish on, and 7 wins might be generous for the Tigers. Media consensus seems very high for USC.  Since 1987, they rank 14th in winning % and that's with the Carroll years skewing the average.