CFB’s Real Opening Weekend, Plus NFL Over/Unders with Nate Tice

September 7, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The opening weekend of college football was supposed to be a showcase, but for most of the top ten teams, it was a parade of mismatches against overmatched opponents. LSU’s 44-21 demolition of Clemson was the exception—a game that actually told us something. The Tigers piled up 644 total yards and 309 rushing yards, a staggering number for a program that finished last in the SEC in rushing per game the previous two seasons. The catalyst was running back Dylan Jones, a transfer from Wisconsin who had only 92 total carries in two seasons with the Badgers. After entering the transfer portal, recruiting services dropped him from a four-star prospect to a three-star, a downgrade that Ryen Russillo found absurd. “It’s like, well, they didn’t use him, so why are we gonna keep him a four-star? But that’s not true, because he was a beast,” Russillo said. Jones got the touches that some of LSU’s more heralded recruits never did, and the result was a running game that transformed the offense.

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What you'll learn

1 Timestamped Outline
2 (03:07) **LSU's Dominant Opening Statement** - Russillo breaks down LSU's thorough demolition of Clemson, focusing on the ground game revival and transfer portal success
3 (06:55) **Dabo's Transfer Portal Problem** - The Clemson program's refusal to adapt to the new landscape is catching up to them
4 (09:04) **Oregon's Ugly Win Over Boise State** - The Ducks survived but showed major cause for concern as a national title contender
5 (10:41) **The Growing Conference Talent Gap** - Russillo worries about the structural imbalance between the SEC/Big Ten and everyone else
6 (13:03) **Opening Weekend Schedule Reality Check** - Russillo runs through the top 10 teams' laughably weak opponents
7 (19:43) **Eagles Concerns and Cowboys Bullishness** - Nate Tice and Russillo debate Philadelphia's ceiling and Dallas's floor

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Ryen Russillo

Show Notes

Ryen opens with his thoughts on College Football Week 1, including LSU blasting Clemson, Oregon’s test, and the overall lack of quality scheduling early in the season. Then, Nate Tice joins for their five favorite NFL over/under picks before getting into some college talk, including Michigan, Underwood’s struggles, and some quarterbacks who stood out. Finally, Kyle and Ceruti stop by for a quick recap of Kyle at a bachelor party this weekend, plus some listener-submitted Life Advice, including a guy lying to his wife about playing college hoops. CFB WEEK 1 (2:30) LSU smashes Clemson (8:20) Oregon survives Boise State (12:15) Non-conference games getting worse NATE TICE (18:00) Eagles as contenders (21:00) 5 Favorite NFL Over/Unders (57:00) CFB Reaction: Alabama’s new QB (1:02:10) Arch Manning looked good (1:06:20) Sellers and Mensah (1:11:10) How far has Stanford fallen? (1:16:55) Michigan escapes, but Bryce looks the same LIFE ADVICE (1:25:00) _ _ _ _ _ Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. One Love. _ _ _ _ _ Reese’s. The Official Candy Partner of Barstool Sports. Go Get Reese’s Wherever You Shop _ _ _ _ _