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- Jacob Rhee

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Each Saturday morning of the college football regular season, I will be predicting the outcome of the six best games of the weekend. Every time I pick the wrong team to win, it costs me $15. At the end of the year, I will use the total pot of money to buy gifts for random Glass Slipper subscribers. That’s right; you literally benefit from my failures. Let’s go.

Game 1: No. 11 Illinois vs. Duke

The pick: Illinois wins, 30-24.

This is a fascinating matchup. I think Darian Mensah is an absolute star, and he’s got a chance to formally introduce himself to the nation here. The Blue Devils become legitimate playoff contenders if they pull it off this afternoon; Clemson is the only other ranked opponent on their schedule.

I can’t abandon my darlings in orange that easily. Aaron Henry’s defense stands tall in the closing moments, and the Illini dodge the upset.

Game 2: Iowa vs. No. 16 Iowa State

The pick: Iowa wins, 16-13.

Midwest football nerds - myself included - treasure this rivalry. Ground game. Grass stains. Field position. It’s everything that I grew up on. The uglier the final score, the better.

Pads will certainly be popping in Ames. Rocco Becht produced a miracle a year ago, and it’s time for some revenge; give me the Hawkeyes on a late field goal.

Game 3: Baylor vs. No. 17 SMU

The pick: SMU wins, 33-21.

It’s going to take a lot for me to fully trust the Mustangs, after that CFP massacre we all witnessed. Beating Penn State in Happy Valley is indeed really difficult. 28-0 at the half is completely unacceptable, though. At least put up a fight.

Kevin Jennings is reliable at home, so SMU gets the job done. The Bears’ start to the campaign shifts from disappointing to disastrous.

Game 4: Oklahoma State vs. No. 6 Oregon

The pick: Oregon wins, 41-16.

If I ordered every FBS head coach based on how much I believe in their culture, only two names would be written in Sharpie. Dan Lanning at the top. Mike Gundy at the bottom. I hope the Ducks win by a million.

Game 5: USF vs. No. 13 Florida

The pick: Florida wins, 38-17.

I can’t say I was expecting to discuss South Florida at any point this year. The Bulls had lost 47 of their previous 65 contests, then suddenly humiliated a playoff squad in Week 1. College football is still the most chaotic realm in sports, and I love it dearly.

Maddux Madsen is not DJ Lagway, however. Big No. 2 had the same amount of touchdowns as incompletions in the Gators’ season opener, yet was legitimately disappointed in himself after the game. It’s pretty rare to see a teenager hold himself to that kind of standard; I’m feeling a 300-yard day for DJ, and a comfortable Florida victory.

Game 6: No. 15 Michigan vs. No. 18 Oklahoma

The pick: Oklahoma wins, 23-20.

Here we go. Gut check time for everyone involved. John Mateer has never beaten a ranked team as a starter. Bryce Underwood was literally a high school student in June. Sherrone Moore is itching to conquer his alma mater. Brent Venables needs another signature win to remain employed. We’re set for three hours of concentrated emotion.

Coveted transfer Jaydn Ott got one more touch than me in his Sooners debut. It sure felt like the staff was just trying to protect that shoulder so he could be ready to shine tonight. An electric atmosphere in Norman helps coax Underwood into a couple of turnovers, and Oklahoma sneaks it out.

• Week 1 Results: 4-2

• Overall Season Picks Record: 4-2

• Current CFB Prize Pot: $30

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