Colorado opened its season in dramatic fashion, escaping Atlanta with a 14-13 win over Georgia Tech in a game delayed by lightning and decided in the final seconds. This was nothing like the high scoring shows fans grew used to during the Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders years. Instead, the Buffaloes leaned almost entirely on a physical ground attack, piling up 183 rushing yards to Georgia Tech's 51 while their defense carried the load for most of the night.

Defensive lineman Lamont Lester Jr had a breakout performance with three sacks, including a crucial third down stop that shifted momentum in Colorado's favor. Georgia Tech still found a way to extend a late lead on a field goal with under two minutes remaining, setting up what looked like another gut punch finish similar to last year's loss to the Yellow Jackets.

Instead, Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis, who had struggled for most of the game, engineered a clutch scoring drive capped by a touchdown pass with under a minute left. Georgia Tech still had one more chance, but a blocked field goal attempt as time expired sealed the win for Colorado.

The bigger story here is the identity shift under new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion. His run heavy scheme, previously proven at UNLV, appears to be reshaping how this Colorado team competes. Instead of relying on explosive passing plays, they showed they can control the ball and manage the clock, a stark contrast to a program that ranked near the bottom of the country in rushing during Coach Prime’s first two seasons.

For a team coming off a rough 3-9 finish, this win offers early proof that the offseason changes are working. The defense, despite returning just one starter, looked disciplined and disruptive throughout. The defense didn’t allow a single touchdown, with Tech’s only trip to the endzone coming off a 100-yard kick return.

If Colorado can continue leaning on the run game and getting big defensive stops, this style could give them a real chance to be competitive in Big 12 play as the season progresses.

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🏈 Seattle Seahawks: The Division's Coin Flip

Seattle won it all and their new season line is set at 10.5 wins, a full win behind the Super Bowl favorites that they beat twice down the stretch.

The defense was historically good, finishing first in points allowed at 17.18 per game, first in yards per play, first in yards per carry, first in touchdown percentage allowed, and third on third down while surrendering nine rushing touchdowns all year.

Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II produced 108 pressures, 35 quarterback hits, and 14 sacks between them, and nearly the whole unit returns with Devon Witherspoon locked up on a record four year, $132 million extension.

The offense has some questions. Sam Darnold led the NFL in turnovers during the regular season before tightening up in January, and the team threw 15 interceptions, 26th in the league. Jaxon Smith Njigba posted a league leading 1,793 receiving yards on a target share near 36%, the highest since 2012, which is also a dependency. Kenneth Walker III took his Super Bowl MVP trophy to Kansas City, and Zach Charbonnet sits on PUP after a divisional round ACL tear, not eligible until Week 5. 

Klint Kubiak left for the Raiders job, replaced by first time playcaller Brian Fleury off Kyle Shanahan's staff. The schedule offers no relief, with the Patriots, Chargers, 49ers, Broncos, Chiefs, Bears, and Cowboys all inside the first 13 weeks and the Rams twice in the final three.

Elite defense, unsettled backfield, new playcaller, and a target on their back. A repeat Super Bowl seems out of the question and I lean towards Under 10.5 wins for the Seahawks this season. 

🌲 The Pine Line

🤯 The Belichick era at UNC just got a whole lot messier. This investigation is far from over.

🏈 Think of the dumbest thing you’ve ever heard. The result of new eligibility rules might take the cake.

🏀 The Chicago Sky are facing a lawsuit. The former NBA player is doing anything he can to be relevant.

🎾 Influencers have officially taken over the courts. Turns out nobody taught them the proper etiquette.

⚽️ Two Teams with Vulnerable Defenses

Liverpool have undergone a massive squad overhaul. Bradley Barcola's move from PSG will make them the first club to start three players valued over one hundred million pounds at once, but the roster turnover has come at a cost. Losing key figures like Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andrew Robertson has stripped away much of the team's leadership and stability, and the early results reflect that. The backline has been exposed, conceding first in both matches so far.

Ipswich have built something functional under Gary O'Neil, who has a strong track record keeping newly promoted sides competitive. The addition of Julio Enciso has already paid off with two assists in his opening matches, and Portman Road has been a tough place to visit historically. Still, their defense was torched for five goals at Old Trafford, and injuries to Florentino and Matusiwa leave their midfield thin heading into this one.

🔥Total Match Goals Over 2.5

Given both sides have seen goals flow freely in their opening matches this season, the smart plays here center on scoring rather than picking a winner. Every match involving these two clubs so far has featured both teams finding the net, and they have gone well over two and a half total goals.

🔥 Both Teams to Score: Yes

With Liverpool's attacking depth in Isak, Gakpo, and Munoz likely to trouble a shaky Ipswich defense, and Ipswich's pace on the break capable of exploiting Liverpool's fullbacks, the value lies in backing goals at both ends. Add in blustery weather that could cause problems from crosses and set pieces, and this shapes up as a potentially chaotic match.

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