Kirk Herbstreit raves about Week 1 college football games: 'This week is going to be bananas'

The 2024 college football season got underway this past weekend with a handful of games, including Georgia Tech upsetting Florida State. Now the action really picks up with everyone else getting underway this week, beginning Thursday night. ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit joined The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday to preview the loaded Week 1 slate.

There are a number of games that Herbstreit is anxious to watch over the next several days.

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“I think this week is going to be bananas, I mean you’ve got real games,” Kirk Herbstreit said.

There are 20 games involving FBS teams on Thursday, with North Carolina at Minnesota as the headliner. Another game of interest is North Dakota State at Colorado as Deion Sanders and company being play in Year 2 in Boulder.

The games continue on Friday, with TCU vs. Stanford being the most intriguing matchup. Then the Saturday slate is loaded with multiple games that have ranked teams facing off.

There are even games on Sunday and Monday this week as the college football season is beginning with a bang.

“It starts Thursday night. I guess the big one is North Carolina and Minnesota. Friday night you’ve got some great games,” Kirk Herbstreit said. “And then you can just see what’s going on over the weekend. Massive games with Georgia and Clemson.”

Georgia is a big favorite over the Tigers, but Herbstreit expects the game to be close.

“I know Georgia, look at that. They’re favored by almost two touchdowns,” Herbstreit said. “You know, I’ve told you, I think Clemson is going to win the ACC. I think they’re heading to the playoff. I think they’re much better, and I think they’ve got a lot of pride on their roster. I think that game’s a lot closer.”

In addition to Clemson vs. Georgia, Herbstreit is also fascinated by some other games on opening weekend.

“Miami and Florida, holy cow. Billy Napier – you talk about a lot at stake in that one,” Kirk Herbstreit said. “Notre Dame and [Texas] A&M, we’re going to be down there for that one, can’t wait. Then we fly over to Las Vegas to call the LSU–USC game. So man. That is massive.” 

Napier is on the hot seat in Gainesville as the 2024 season begins, while expectations are high in Miami as Cristobal has done a nice job of recruiting both the transfer portal and in high school.

Other intriguing games on Week 1 of the college football season include Penn State at West Virginia, as well as Boston College at Florida State on Monday night.