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We made it.

Months of anticipation for a new year — that seemed to drag on even longer with the heightened expectations for Florida State this season — have finally come to an end. College football is back in our lives.

Yes, it’s a snack size week zero once again, but it’s more than we had a week ago. For that, I am thankful.

The new year comes with some new and exciting changes, or really I should call them additions to the content many of you have come to enjoy from this article.

For those of you new to the proceedings, each week I pull together 10 games that I think we are worth your time to watch. I make some picks, you make picks in the comments and we all have a great time naming Comment Section Champions each week until one of us stands supreme at the end of the year. I’ll name a champ by adding up wins and losses before the following week’s article and give a salute to whoever dominates the weekend. I don’t have prize other than the pride of being better than everyone else (unless one of you is interested in sponsoring one, in which case let me know).

It’s a pretty simple formula that I’ve followed for two years that continues to be the most fun part of my college football experience and I hope plays a small part in yours.

If you’re new, welcome. Get those picks in before the first game starts please (or at least don’t include ones that already started. If you’ve been around, welcome home.

Could you be the first Comment Section Champion of the season? Leave your picks in the comments.

I mentioned changes — or sorry, additions — for this season so let’s not waste anymore time getting to them.

First, once again off the rip, nothing is going away. I will still give you the usual college football picks article that I’ve given you each week of the last two years (including from my hotel in Paris last year while on a trip with my wife). As I said, I love this thing.

The first new big addition will be a new accompanying podcast, Sharpen the Point.

Each Friday when this article drops, we’ll also drop a podcast episode of myself and long-time friend Chris Tyndall talking about the games that most standout that weekend — some week’s maybe two games others may be all 10 — as well as, another new addition, which matchups will make the difference.

Chris is an avid college football daily fantasy player who I believe knows more about third-string running backs and college football injury reports than many college coaches may know. So we’ll leverage his deep knowledge of those things to hopefully give us a deeper look into the games and his perspective on where he’s interested in building lineups for this week’s competitions.

Remember, that we are just two guys with keyboards and microphones, not gambling pros, so this isn’t advice. I’d call it more a viewing guide for the weekend with some deeper insights and hopefully provide us all rooting interest as we watch the football season.

To update the format of the article to better match the format of the podcast, we will be getting all the lines and salaries from DraftKings because they provide lines and DFS prices so it’s easier to track picks.

Note: I will add a half point to any even line so that we don’t get any ties in our fun contest. I’ll try to remember to make note of it.

One final note, we will make the podcast (like the article has been) FSU-centric. We’ll talk Florida State each week they play and discuss the games an FSU fan should keep an eye on. That could be the best matchups for FSU or how the Clemson/USC games could impact their ACC or CFP chances.

Whether you like picking games or playing DFS, we want the podcast to be something any fan of college football can enjoy and learn something from and hopefully we can accomplish that for you. Allow us some growing pains as we build the plane in the air and let’s have some fun with what’s shaping up to be a very fun college football season for the Garnet & Gold.

Without any further adieu (I promise these will be shorter going forward), let’s get rolling with our seven-game slate.

Another year where the college football season starts on the Emerald Isle this time with the Fighting Irish. The perennial kings of will they won’t they college football realignment have decided to realign themselves to Europe and they’re bringing the U.S. Navy with them. The Midshipmen arrive to the shores of Ireland as a bit of a mystery with a new head coach and a new offensive coordinator. The word going around is new wrinkles to the option offense. Is that good? Is that bad? I don’t know, but it might prove hard to defend because the option is tough enough to defend. I’ll likely be wrong here, but I’ll go with Navy grinding this down enough to stay within three scores. Note: The DK line is 21, but it’ll be 21.5 for our purposes.

Brian’s Pick: Navy +21.5

I won’t drag this pick out since I’ve rambled on long enough. I know nothing about either team and won’t pretend to know anything. Jacksonville State always seems pretty strong and they’re at home. I won’t bring it up either.

Brian’s Pick: Jacksonville State -1.5

Same as above. I don’t know anything and won’t drag it out. Let’s go with some early season MACtion.

Brian’s Pick: Ohio +2.5

I promise I won’t do this every week, but it’s a small slate and I’ve given you enough to read about above so I’ll once again make this short.

Brian’s Pick: New Mexico State -6.5

Vanderbilt always has low expectations in football. I figured the bare minimum I could ask for as an alum of a fellow SEC school (I graduated from LSU if you’re new) would be win your group of five games and don’t embarrass the conference in your power five games. They’ve got a renovation project still ongoing at the stadium so don’t be surprised to see a construction site behind the endzones. Vandy, don’t embarrass me please.

Brian’s Pick: Vanderbilt -17.5

If Jordan Travis wants to win the Heisman, he’ll have to unseat the reigning best player in college football and expected top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams. It’s not hard to see why Caleb is getting that level of praise. He was prolific last season and excelled in his brief time at Oklahoma. He showed everything you’d want in a quarterback and is just waiting to be eligible before he makes the jump to pros. The issue was his Trojans struggled, especially defensively, against more physical teams. I don’t expect SJSU to be that team though.

Brian’s Pick: USC -30.5

Once again, I don’t know anything about this one. I’m from Louisiana so the expectation is I should go with LA Tech. But... Not. So. Fast, my friend. I’m a Florida man now. Sorry, Tech. Note: The DK line is 11, but it’ll be 11.5 for our purposes.

Brian’s Pick: FIU +11.5

Chris’ College Football Daily Fantasy (DFS) Plays

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

More From Tomahawk Nation

Council on Culture & Arts

After years of producing work for CBS, NBC, Telemundo and Univision, Chucha Barber embraces her identity as a storyteller to bring Tallahassee Film Festival audiences a taste of truth in her latest documentary, "Unfiltered: The Truth About Oysters." The festival runs Sept. 2-3.

Documenting the demise of oysters

Those of us with large sea legs and even larger sea bellies burn into our memory the months that have an “R” in them, to partake in the delicious decadence of an oyster. Though the myth that urges avoiding oysters that have been harvested in the warmer summer months of May through August have been disproven, the allure of the oyster is very real.

Oysters are integral to maintaining our ocean’s health by filtering the waters and protecting our shores from storm erosion. The beauty and substance of something so small can remind us of our purpose, then inspire us to act. For the past few years, Emmy award-winning writer and producer Barber has collected stories and spoken to scientists to capture the alarming realities of a deteriorating ecosystem.

"Unfiltered" delves into the ramifications of our over-exploitation of oysters in Apalachicola Bay and throughout. “What I like most about TV is that it is very scripted. (You know) what you want to accomplish and what you want the viewer to take away,” says Barber.

“With 'Unfiltered,' we didn’t know. Frankly, we didn’t know much about oysters — other than they tasted good with a cold beer. In amazement, we looked at each other with so much we learned.” This film joins over 60 others in the 15th Annual Tallahassee Film Festival, an event created to entertain and educate through film. As one of the original founders and leaders of the organization, Barber feels that life has come full circle and is delighted to have a film at the festival.

Moving north

Barber was raised in Miami in the 1960s and '70s, a time of significant change for the city and its residents. Growing up with a journalist father and a librarian mother, Barber found a love for language and storytelling. She first branched out professionally in radio, creating sound foliage for a mystery program for CBS radio. Still, the screen called.

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television, Barber began a career as the Director of Institutional Advancement at the Miami Museum of Science. There she found her footing in film, as she produced "Dig Those Dinos" with CBS, which garnered her first Emmy. “If you can’t be good, be lucky,” chuckles Barber. “It’s really interesting about awards. They are so subjective. Sometimes I create video art, and I think that's the best thing I’ve ever done, but nothing happens. Other times I’m like, ‘eh…’ and I’ll win an award. You just never know.”

In 1992, tragedy led Barber to Tallahassee. Hurricane Andrew plummeted through South Florida, leaving destruction in its wake. Although Barber and her husband rebuilt, crime activity increased, and their home was burglarized five times in two years. Barber knew they needed a change. So they leaped into their car, drove north, and settled in Tallahassee, where she served as the Executive Director for the former Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science.

Focusing on the future

The dedication of producers Barber and Mike Campbell, director Josh McLawhorn, and editor Gabriela Rodeiro gave "Unfiltered: The Truth About Oysters" the wings to fly through the film circuit. It has won over 10 awards, including a 2021 Suncoast Emmy Award. Like most filmmakers, Barber has many irons in the fire and is constantly cultivating new stories to tell.

She uses the ongoing success of this film to propel her into planning the next project. This time, she is leaving the comfort of her documentary roots to play in the realm of television in her newest docu-fiction, "90 Miles." For seven years, Barber has been researching and writing the story of the Cuban Revolution from her father's eyes.

Barber does not shy away from rawness and authenticity. What she views from behind the lens captures the narrative journey she's telling. Her storytelling continues to pave a path forward for filmmaking that connects us back to the earth and our ancestors. "Unfiltered" and many other incredible films will have cinema fans diving all-in at this year’s 15th Annual Tallahassee Film Festival.

If you go

What: 15th Annual Tallahassee Film Festival

When: Sept. 2-3, 2023 | "Unfiltered: The Truth About Oysters," Sept. 3

Where: Various locations near Railroad Square and Duval Street

Cost: All-Access Pass $45 | VIP Pass $90

Contact: info@tallahasseefilmfestival.com

Tickets: tallahasseefilmfestival.com

Dr. Christy Rodriguez de Conte is the feature writer for the Council on Culture & Arts (COCA). COCA is the capital area’s umbrella agency for arts and culture (tallahasseearts.org).

LSU exhausted all options in an attempt to restore the eligibility of defensive tackle Maason Smith for the top-10 showdown against Florida State next weekend, including attempting to schedule a Week 0 game, coach Brian Kelly said in an interview with Yahoo Sports.

The school filed multiple appeals to the NCAA while exploring a way to hurriedly reschedule a nonconference game for this weekend. The Tigers play Grambling State in Week 2. Smith would've presumably served his suspension in a Week 0 game and then been eligible against the Seminoles in Week 1.

Logistically, it didn’t work out.

“We looked at all the options out there, certainly, and wanted to make sure that we examined everything that was possible,” Kelly said. “We looked at everything. We looked at a Week 0 game to bring in another opponent prior to Florida State. We looked at every imaginable option, but time ran out.”

Smith, expected to be a key cog on the defensive front for No. 5 LSU and an All-SEC Freshman Team selection in 2021, will miss the Sept. 3 game against No. 8 FSU in Orlando while serving a one-game suspension in connection with an autograph-signing event that took place in 2021.

The news emerged this week from The Advocate in Baton Rouge and stunned a college football universe more than two years into the era of name, image and likeness.

NFL season is approaching, which means it’s punishment season. Create your Yahoo Fantasy Football league, invite your friends, and let the trash talk begin.Create or join a league now

The timing of the autograph signing — the summer of 2021 — is at the center of the case. On July 1, 2021, the NCAA lifted its rules to permit athletes to earn money from their likenesses in events such as autograph signings. But the autograph signing in which Smith was involved took place about one month before NIL was legalized.

An NCAA spokesperson declined comment.

The NCAA denied at least two appeals from the school, Kelly said, and rejected the program’s attempt to use NIL’s legalization as a reason. NCAA officials told the school that there is no “grandfather clause” that can be used in the case, and LSU’s attorneys could not find such an option.

“We have enough people that looked at it from an NCAA and legal perspective, and there’s nothing in the bylaws about a grandfather rule,” Kelly said. “Once it came down, we were looking if we could pick the game [in which to use the suspension]. Is there an option to do that? A lot of those appeals were exhausted, and we were left with the eventual one-game suspension.”

NCAA policy is notoriously stringent on player suspensions. In normal such rulings, once the suspension is ruled final, a player must miss the next game for which he or she is eligible and medically cleared to play. The suspension was presumably final last fall.

Smith played in LSU's season-opening loss to FSU last year in New Orleans, when, in a fluke injury, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee while celebrating with teammates after a tackle. He missed the rest of the season and was ineligible to serve the suspension because he was not medically cleared.

“The appeals didn’t turn out in our favor, and we are going to abide by the ruling,” Kelly said. “We accept the ruling. We’re going to move on and get ready for Florida State.”

The autograph-signing event featured another player, former LSU receiver Kayshon Boutte, who presumably served his suspension last season, according to a report from Baton Rouge radio host Matt Moscona.

UPDATE: Multiple sources have confirmed Maason Smith and Kayshon Boutte participated in an autograph signing in the summer of 2021 prior to NIL going live.Boutte served a one game suspension during the 2022 season. He missed the New Mexico game for the birth of his son and the…

— Matt Moscona (@MattMoscona) August 24, 2023

The FSU-LSU game is the premier event of the opening week of the college football season. The two playoff hopefuls tangle in the featured primetime game at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC from Camping World Stadium.

Smith’s absence is a blow for LSU against a team such as Florida State, which many expect to challenge for an ACC championship this season. The Tigers will have to rely on defensive tackles Jacobian Guillory, a redshirt junior with two career starts, and Jordan Jefferson, a senior transfer from West Virginia, Kelly said.

“Maason is a guy who impacts the game,” Kelly said. “You’ve got to have other guys step up. We feel like Guillory is a guy ready to step up for us. Jefferson is going to be counted on to play a bigger role for us.”

It's a hot weekend in more ways than one. If you've been to Target you know students are back, and the entertainment lineup has heated up to match the 98 degree happy hour temperatures.

FAMU's Grape Harvest Festival uncorks a new element this year, Revival checks into Adderley Amphitheater for a downtown concert at Cascades Park and the Sauce Boss stirs up a big pot of gumbo at BBC at the Legion.

Here's a roundup of entertaining happenings around Tallahassee, culled from emails, the Council on Culture & Arts online listings and elsewhere.

1. Sauce Boss stirs the pot at the Legion

After a summer tour all the way to Ottawa Bluesfest (where the Foo Fighters played), Tallahassee's Sauce Boss is back with Extra Sauce and a pot of gumbo.

Mac Daddy Blues Production presents Bill Wharton and crew at BBC at The Legion at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug 25. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the door. Visit bbclegion.com.

Wharton is a powerhouse entertainer, mixing his Bluesy slide guitar and soulful voice into an unforgettable, high energy show. Wharton's sauce spices up the gumbo while he spices up the show with his own original blues.

Blues club regular E.G. Kight takes up the blues fight at BBC at The Legion at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 advance and $30 at the door. Visit bbclegion.com.

2. Get stomping at Grape Harvest Festival

Florida A&M University's Annual Grape Harvest Festival, now in its 21st year, will open with an inaugural “UnCorked” event from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at the Art Garden, 620-1 Railroad Square.

“UnCorked” will serve as the official kickoff for the Grape Harvest Festival and a scholarship fundraiser for students in the University’s 14 colleges and schools. Guests can enjoy wine from FAMU’s Center for Viticulture and local wineries, mingle with guests and bid on FAMU memorabilia to support scholarship funds.

The Grape Harvest Festival runs from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the FAMU Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research, 6361 Mahan Drive. The festival celebrates family, food, fun, and agricultural discovery in honor of FAMU’s leadership in viticulture research, recognized internationally for excellence in warm climate grape research.

Activities include vineyard trailer rides, grape and wine sampling, grape stomping contests, water slides, grape throwing competitions, hula hoop contests, live entertainment, vineyard run and walk-a-thon, grape picking, health fairs, and more than 60 exhibitors and vendors from the community.

Tickets for “UnCorked,” which include admission to the Grape Harvest Festival, are $35 general admission and $60 for VIP. General admission festival is $10 per person, with free entry for children under 12 and FAMU students. Festival parking will be available at the Antique Car Museum, 6800 Mahan Drive. A complimentary shuttle bus to the festival grounds will be provided every 10-15 minutes. For tickets, visit my.famu.edu.

3. Swing out for Hot Tamale Southern Soul Review

Tallahassee acoustic duo Hot Tamale is teaming up with Scott Buchanan, the frontman of the Lil’ Grizzly Boogie Band, to put on a full-blown theatrical stage show called “The Hot Tamale Southern Soul Review” at the historic Quincy Music Theatre, 118 E. Washington St., Quincy, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26.

This show will celebrate the great southern tradition of Blues, Soul and R&B music, including songs by such artists as Robert Johnson, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, and the great Ma Rainey, a blues singer from the 20s and 30s who has been a profound inspiration for Hot Tamale. This power trio of musical talent premiered the show last year at the Palaver Tree Theater in Crawfordville. They are offering a new and improved version of the high-energy show. Tickets are $10. For reservations call 850-875-9444.

4. Downtown Concert Series lights up Cascades Park

The summer's free Downtown Concert Series continues with local bands Revival headlining and Moonbleach (formerly Kids on Call Street) opening at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Adderley Amphitheater in Cascades Park, 1001 S. Gadsden St. A Tallahassee powerhouse, Revival is led by Avis Berry’s dynamic voice and stage presence with ensemble of gifted local musicians including Jeff Davis on bass, Dillon Bradley-Brown on drums, Chris Skene on guitar and vocals, John “JB” Babich on piano and vocals, and Paul M Harvey on percussion and vocals.

5. Raisin' Cane gets clicking at Blue Tavern

Kick off the weekend with piano jazz at happy hour from 5-6 p.m. Friday at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., with Everett Young. Vocalist Lori Grills, who is in a band with Everett called "Clever Girl," joins during the second set for a fun trip through the world of pop music. Young Lions Collective gets jazzy at 8 p.m. Young Lions is a jazz quintet headed by Manny Lumapas, saxophonist, in collaboration with Keshawn Hardy (trumpet), Nygel Anderson (drums), Kaleb Thompkins (bass), and Asher Pereira (piano). $5 cover.

4th Saturday Old Time Jam runs from 4-7 p.m., followed at 8 p.m. by Raisin' Cain, Elizabeth Fravel's new band with Chris Wright and Rob Schoen. Featuring blazing newgrass and blistering covers with special guests Ross Beck and Dave Langston. $5 cover.

OTHER EVENTS

Blue Tavern: Happy hour with Shanice Richards, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, followed at 8 p.m. by Tuesday is Bluesday with Belmont & Jones. $5 cover. Happy with Mes Amis from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, followed at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night with Doc Russell. Happy Hour Haiku Slam runs 5-7 p.m. Thursday, followed at 8 p.m. with more Japanese themed entertainment with the film "House," a 1977 Japanese experimental comedy horror film directed and produced by Nobuhiko Obayashi.

Fire Betty's: 8 p.m. Saturday, Adam & The Testifers, free funk show, 1122 Thomasville Road.

Great Oaks Pub in Southwood: Bada Bing, Bada Boom: It’s time for Sonic Boom to hit the stage at the Great Oaks Pub, 3750 Grove Park Drive, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday. Frank Simmons will be headlining the show with his group playing all the danceable favorites from the '60s forward. Check out his newest member and Sax player, Elliot Shea. Music will be on the outdoor stage. No cover, full bar and restaurant, and reservations at 850-942-4653.

House of Music: Electric Mayhem, 5-piece classic rock band of musicians in the St. Marks/Tallahassee area, takes the stage at 8 p.m. Friday at House of Music, 2011 S. Monroe St. $10 at the door. Nightshift takes over at 8 p.m. Saturday, featuring musicians Rick Christian, Stan Gramling, and Bobby Jett for a wide variety of great dancing, listening and singing along tunes. $10.

Have an event coming up? Email details to limelight@tallahassee.com.

Football:

Another defensive end is breaking the rock; this time it’s Jared Verse:

Breaking the rock might be the easiest part of the journey. #ItTakesMore @powerade_us pic.twitter.com/xJ0IpW0nGv

— Jared Verse (@JaredVerse1) August 24, 2023

Fabien ‘Fabo’ Lovett has returned to practice; just in time for game week.

The past and the present:

A mentor and a friend, Gene means the world to me and so many! https://t.co/M1nYaWrOx3

— Jeff Culhane (@jeffculhane) August 24, 2023

Rece Davis is feeling the Seminoles and Kirk Herbstreit is feeling Jordan Travis:

Bullish on @FSUFootball our @ACCFootball preview. @CollegeGameDay pod w/@PeteThamel https://t.co/Na1BihNWjT pic.twitter.com/fkXWztyzNd

— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) August 22, 2023

A dream deferred yet ultimately realized; Destyn Hill is happy to be a Seminole:

“I’m at Florida State University. It’s a dream come true for me.”@_fatastic and @jeffculhane bring you today’s practice report presented by @TheBattlesEnd #NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/s9mCE80Rwi

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) August 24, 2023

More preseason projections with FSU in the NY6/CFP.

CFP breakdown

Bonagura: In some order, there’s probably a consensus top four nationally — Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, Ohio State — but the idea that two non-champions will qualify for the playoff seems like a bad bet. With that understood, Ohio State is out and replacements are considered. There’s not a clear “next team up.” It would be fitting, in a way, for the Pac-12 to qualify a team when its lack of playoff participation contributed to its death, but the parity there is still a massive hurdle. TCU showed that the Big 12 can get a team through, but that’s a tough conference to navigate this year, too. Which leads us to the ACC and preseason No. 8 Florida State. The Seminoles get LSU in their opener, which will be either (A) a good résumé-building win or (B) an early-enough loss to overcome late. Then they have as easy a conference path as there is for any Power 5 contender.

Recruiting:

FSU is in position for two highly-rated south florida four-star DB recruits: Zaquan Patterson and Jamari Howard.

Patterson intends to announce his decision on ESPN2 during half-time of the Chaminade game.

Other Sports:

FSU Soccer spent some time with the ACC Network: