Week 1 is here for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero

Celebrated from coast to coast by sports fans, bag men, bartenders, mafia kings and mathematicians, Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero is the greatest resource for college football shenanigans on the internet. This is the 15th season for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero in its various forms.

This is the second season of the grand experiment for readers to get in on the action. Sign up for Joe’s newsletter, “SPORTS! Happy Hour,” to keep up with who wins the 6-0 Challenge each week. Make your picks and compare your wits against the experts (and Joe). Win the 6-0 Challenge and enjoy eternal glory. The newsletter comes out every Thursday afternoon at 4:20 p.m. Enter your email to subscribe.

Joe subscribes to ol’ Billy Shakespeare’s philosophy of picking football games. “Jesters do oft prove prophets,” mused the Great Bard. What is Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero? Consider it a gift to society.

THE GRAND EXPERIMENT

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for AL.com. What happens when a sportswriter picks some of the toughest games of the week and goes head-to-head against a sharp and a football expert with a Harvard education? It’s a gift for college football fans every week in the state where college football is like a religion.

The Pro is Lee Sterling, a noted numbers man of national success. Sterling features his best picks on his website, ParamountSports.com, but The Pro fearlessly picks the most difficult college games of the week against Joe and the Hero. Joe is just a hack and a slacker who everyone loves to hate.

No one works harder than Hero Ben Abercrombie. Ben played football at Hoover High School and Harvard, and he’s working every day to regain his ability to walk. He’s a student at Harvard, and an inspiration to all. To thank him, we want everyone to stand up for Ben and show him some love.

Show Joe no love at all. Besmirch his name at small dinner parties, and troll him with signs on ESPN College GameDay.

6-0 CHALLENGE

Click the link here to make your picks for Week 1 of the 6-0 Challenge. We’re also embedding the picks form each week in Joe’s columns and here in Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero. Thank you to everyone for making Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero so fun. We’re already over 1,000 entries for Week 1.

LAST SEASON

Joe: 59-31 straight up, 39-48-2 against the spread

Pro: 60-30 straight up, 44-42-2 against the spread

Hero: 65-20 straight up, 49-38-2 against the spread

Notes: The Hero wears the crown for another season after destroying Joe and the Pro in 2023. How does Joe still have a job? On to the picks!

No.14 Clemson vs. No.1 Georgia in Atlanta

When: 11 a.m., Sat.

Where: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Atlanta

TV: ABC and ESPN+

Series: Georgia leads 43-18-4.

Spread: UGA by 13.5.

Trendy: Georgia coach Kirby Smart is 2-1 against Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.

GAME NOTES: Georgia is the only team to have finished in the top seven of the final AP poll in each of the past seven seasons. The last team to begin and finish a season at No. 1 in the AP poll was Alabama in 2017.

Joe says: With Nick Saban retired, there’s suddenly more pressure on Georgia coach Kirby Smart to win the national championship. The real pressure this week, however, will be on Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. He can struggle with his deep passes, so that’s a recipe for disaster against the Bulldogs.

Joe’s pick: Georgia 31, Clemson 20

Pro says: On paper, both teams return about the same amount of starters, 14 for Georgia and 13 for Clemson. But that’s where the similarities end. The Bulldogs pulled in three top-level offensive starters in the transfer portal from Miami, Florida and Stanford while Dabo still refuses to supplement his dwindling talent pool since his last title in 2020. I guess with that comment I won’t get invited to come on his weekly radio show anytime soon. Throw in the fact that you have Georgia QB Carson Beck with a decided advantage over Tiger counterpart Cade Klubnik. Bulldogs pull away late.

Pro’s pick: Georgia 30, Clemson 16

Hero says: Clemson hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020, but Dabo seems confident that this team will recapture championship status in 2024 after seeing the progress second-year starter Cade Klubnik has made in the offseason following his underwhelming performance last season. Georgia has an abundance of talent on both sides of the ball and is returning one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Carson Beck. Clemson’s confidence won’t be enough to upset a giant in Georgia.

Hero’s pick: Georgia 31-17

No.8 Penn State at West Virginia

When: 11 a.m., Sat.

Where: Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, W.V.

TV: Fox

Series: Penn State leads 49-9-2.

Spread: Penn State by 8.5

Trendy: Nittany Lions were 4-1 on the road against the spread last season.

GAME NOTES: Mountaineers have 45 players who have played in 20 or more games, including 23 on defense and 22 on offense.

Joe says: This one feels like it could be the game of the weekend. WVU quarterback Garrett Greene can give Penn State trouble with his legs. I’m bucking the Penn State road cover trend burning couches in Morgantown.

Joe’s pick: West Virginia 24, Penn State 21

Pro says: Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar ripped the Mountaineers for 325 passing yards and three TD passes in their 23-point opening night win last season and he’s only gotten better since his 1st start ever. Only one of the Penn State wins last year came by less than 17 points. They seem to be able to handle the average and poor teams with ease, but still might not be able to match up with heavyweights, Ohio State and Oregon. West Virginia will have a solid season but an upset in week 1 isn’t in the cards.

Pro’s pick: Penn State 31, West Virginia 20

Hero says: Penn State had one of the best defenses in the country last year and returns an outstanding pass rusher in Abdul Carter to go along with a sticky hard-hitting secondary led by safety Kevin Winston. West Virginia returns one of the best kept secrets in the Big-12 in quarterback Garrett Greene and a solid offensive line. Playing in Morgantown along with playmaker Greene may keep this game close, but Penn State’s defense is too strong.

Hero’s pick: Penn State 23-17

No.19 Miami at Florida

When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Fla.

TV: ABC and ESPN+

Series: Miami leads 29-27.

Spread: Miami by 2.5

Trendy: Gators dropped five in a row to end the 2023 season.

GAME NOTES: Florida is an underdog in a season opener in The Swamp for just the second time since 1970.

Joe says: Texan Cam Ward declared for the NFL Draft after a stellar season at Washington State. Two weeks later, the talented quarterback transferred to Miami along with Oregon State’s running back, Damien Martinez. Bring back the Seminole War Canoe trophy for the Canes and fill it with NIL loot.

Joe’s pick: Miami 28, Florida 24

Pro says: To go on the road and beat an SEC school you have to match their physicality. Miami coach Mario Cristobal has been building this squad in Year 3 from the trenches on out. I’ve got the Miami offensive and defensive lines both ranked in the top 12 while Florida’s barely get into the top 30 and 40, respectively. Canes might also have their best QB since Vinny Testaverde in the mid 1980′s in Cam Ward. He has 50 starts under his belt and you add in Oregon State transfer running back Damien Martinez and Miami might finally live up to the hype for the first time since the early 2000′s.

Pro’s pick: Miami 31, Florida 24

Hero says: Florida and Miami are both looking to bounce back after disappointing seasons last year, and while Miami is coming in with all the hype after adding talented transfers in quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez, Florida is expected to win 4.5 games in a brutally tough schedule. However, playing at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium isn’t easy for opposing teams and Florida has the offensive firepower to keep up with Grahm Mertz returning at quarterback. Florida plays mad and claws out a win.

Hero’s pick: Florida 34-31

No.7 Notre Dame at No.20 Texas A&M

When: 6:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas

TV: ABC and ESPN+

Series: Notre Dame leads 3-2.

Spread: TAMU by 3

Trendy: Notre Dame hit the over in total points in its last six games of the 2023 season.

GAME NOTES: Notre Dame and Auburn are the only FBS programs that have three or more receivers who were the leading receiver (either in yards or receptions) on an FBS roster in 2023: tight end Mitchell Evans (led Notre Dame with 29 receptions); wide receiver Jayden Harrison (led Marshall with 410 receiving yards); and wide receiver Kris Mitchell (led FIU in both receptions and yards – 64 receptions for 1,118 yards).

Joe says: Such a sizzling sweat season opener. Mike Elko’s Duke played so tough last season that the Aggies powerbrokers came calling. Duke’s old quarterback, Riley Leonard, is now at Notre Dame and surrounded with weapons. I’ll walk the coals and take the team with Leonard.

Joe’s pick: Notre Dame 31, Texas A&M 28

Pro says: New Aggies Coach Mike Elko did a solid job in the portal putting the roster back together after Jimbo Fisher was fired. The problem lies in that they lost their top two starting receivers to graduation and the portal plus their best running back is out for the season with an injured knee. They bring in four transfer portal players to possibly start on defense, but it might take time for that unit to come together. Aggies quarterback Connor Wegman returns and is an NFL prospect, but the Fighting Irish pulled in dual-threat Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, who might make a play or two that tilts the scales. Wrong team favored.

Pro’s pick: Notre Dame 20, Texas A&M 16

Hero says: The Mike Elko Era in College Station starts out with a tough test in Notre Dame, which is returning a great defense led by corner Benjamin Morrison. The offense is led by scrappy veteran quarterback Riley Leonard. Texas A&M’s defense was inconsistent last year, but with the talent they have on defense to go along with the new blue-collar culture that Mike Elko develops, I expect them to be tough to score on this year. A&M’s defense paired with an offense led by quarterback Connor Weigman is going to make them a dangerous team. Notre Dame will make this a fight, but in College Station, Texas A&M will win.

Hero’s pick: Texas A&M 27-20

No.23 Southern Cal vs. No.13 LSU in Las Vegas

When: 6:30 p.m., Sun.

Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.

TV: ABC and ESPN+

Series: Tied 1-1.

Spread: LSU by 4.5.

Trendy: USC lost its final three games against Pac-12 opponents to end the 2023 season.

GAME NOTES: LSU’s top returning running backs are both 1,000-yard career rushers in sixth-year players Josh Williams (1,012 yards, 11 touchdowns) and John Emery (1,062 yards, 14 touchdowns).

Joe says: I remember the last time USC opened the season against an SEC opponent. It was supposed to be the game of the century. Alabama won 52-6. USC coach Lincoln Riley begins life in the Big Ten on the hot seat.

Joe’s pick: LSU 42, USC 35

Pro says: The question here might come down to which third-year head coach do you trust more, LSU’s Brian Kelly or USC’s Lincoln Riley? LSU will have a different look without quarterback Jayden Daniels, but they return three potential all-conference offensive line starters who could open up some massive holes for running back Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson. Riley is a great offensive mind, but he’s already made a defensive coordinator change in Year 3 and I doubt that first-year man D’Anton Lynn can fix a run defense that gave up 4.8 yards per rush with only one defensive-line starter returning. My money is on Brian Kelly here!

Pro’s pick: LSU 35, USC 24

Hero says: Will LSU and USC decide to play defense this year with both teams hiring new defensive coordinators? It will be tough to tell in this game as these offenses are two of the best in the country despite losing the last two Heisman Trophy winners. USC’s Miller Moss scored six touchdowns in the Holiday Bowl and will throw to a dynamic playmaker in wide receiver Zachariah Branch. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier threw for 395 yards and three touchdowns in the Gator Bowl. The difference in this game will be a sack by linebacker Harold Perkins to seal a win for LSU.

Hero’s pick: LSU 49-42

Western Kentucky at No. 5 Alabama

When: 6 p.m., Sat.

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

TV: ESPN

Series: Alabama leads 3-0.

Spread: Alabama by 31.5

Trendy: Washington covered the points in each of its two season openers under new Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer.

GAME NOTES: Jalen Milroe recorded 23 passing touchdowns last season. Twenty of those scores were from at least 15 yards out, including eight TD throws from 40-plus yards.

Joe says: I feel a big season coming for Jalen Milroe, who seems to love playing for his new coach. Alabama’s defense could be a question down the road, but WKU quarterback TJ Finley is in for a long night.

Joe’s pick: Alabama 45, Western Kentucky 10

Pro says: Former LSU, Auburn and Texas State quarterback TJ Finley slots in to start at quarterback for the Hilltoppers. It may not help much. Former starter Austin Reed was more than capable, but when the Tops stepped up in competition last year vs Ohio State the results weren’t pretty, a 63-10 loss. With the Hilltoppers returning only two starters in the front front on defense this game could get ugly early. Katy bar the door!

Pro’s pick: Alabama 49, Western Kentucky 13

Hero says: Kalen DeBoer’s debut as the coach of Alabama will be a fun one as the offensive-minded coach inherited a load of talent with none more excited than quarterback Jalen Milroe. The Crimson Tide defense welcomes back veterans everywhere except corner, but three five-star freshmen await to display their talent. And who better to do that against than the pass happy Hilltoppers? Western Kentucky has a lot of talent at wide receiver, starting with Dalvin Smith, but Alabama will look to make a statement on their way to a dominant victory.

Hero’s pick: Alabama 55-20