College Football Week 1: Picks, Sneaky Games & Parachuting into 2026

College Football Week 1: Picks, Sneaky Games & Parachuting into 2026

Author: iHeartPodcasts September 3, 2026 Duration: 1:23:04

College football’s first full weekend is finally here, and Week 1 is throwing a whole lot of unknowns directly into the fire. We make our picks for the biggest games on the schedule and try to figure out which teams are actually ready for the moment across five days of games from Thursday night through Labor Day.

How quickly can new quarterbacks and new coaches settle in? Can Clemson’s offense find enough answers in Death Valley? What should we expect from Auburn and Baylor in Atlanta, Louisville and Ole Miss in Nashville, and Wisconsin and Notre Dame at Lambeau Field? We also dig into SMU-Florida State, UCLA-Cal, Boise State-Oregon and several other games where one matchup could tell us much more about these teams than the final score.

Then we go hunting for the games hiding beneath the radar, identify our Window of Opportunity, make our locks and upset picks, and prepare to leap into the great unknown of our 19th season of college football podcasting.

Listen to the full episode, rate and subscribe wherever you get the show, and join us at Verballers.com to play Run The Board, where this week’s winner takes home a $500 Visa gift card.

Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbal

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


For over fifteen years, The Solid Verbal College Football has offered a distinct and engaging alternative to standard sports talk. Hosts Ty Hildenbrandt and Dan Rubenstein built this podcast from the ground up, bringing a conversational and often humorous energy to their analysis that feels more like a passionate discussion between friends than a formal broadcast. They dive into the weekly chaos, triumphs, and endless debates that define the college football season, providing insights that go beyond the typical headlines. What you’ll hear is a genuine back-and-forth: spirited debates on rankings and rivalries, deep dives into strategic nuances, and a handful of recurring segments that have become beloved trademarks for their dedicated audience. This isn't about simply recapping scores; it's about capturing the culture and unpredictable narrative of the sport. Their long-running chemistry ensures every episode is both informative and entertaining, making the complexities of the game accessible whether you've followed it for decades or are just finding your way in. As part of the iHeartPodcasts network, The Solid Verbal remains a foundational voice in the space, consistently delivering that unique blend of commentary that first set it apart. It’s the kind of podcast that makes the vast landscape of college football feel a little more personal and a lot more fun.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Solid Verbal College Football Show
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