A one-point contest last year, LSU was playing Game 1 both with Brian Kelly as coach and Jayden Daniels as quarterback. With a full year of experience under their belts and Florida State feeling a bit overrated entering this season -- FSU did win six straight to end last year but only beat a pair of sub .500 teams by a total of 10 points in their two toughest games -- the play here is the Tigers. Plus, we already had a rare ACC over SEC result Saturday night, and the likelihood of getting two of those in Week 1 -- let's just be honest -- is rather slim.

This game comes down to one matchup -- LSU's defensive backfield vs. Florida State's wide receivers. Advantage: Seminoles. Johnny Wilson is a mismatch for any team, but they also have three other studs that can take pressure off of Jordan Travis. The secondary is LSU's one weak spot, and the Tigers won't be able to prevent Travis taking the top off the defense.

What a game to kick off the year. I think Florida State is a little undervalued here in the neutral site matchup. Jordan Travis makes highlight reels with his legs, but he's actually a quality arm with a ton of weapons this season. Adding Keon Coleman from Michigan State and returning over 80% of snaps on the offensive line is a nice boost for the Noles' offense. Florida State is loaded with seniors (many of them redshirt seniors) on the defensive side of the ball. My concern in this matchup is the LSU secondary holding up against Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman while Jordan Travis is running. I make Florida State -1 favorites at the neutral site.

Brian Kelly is a GREAT coach. Don’t let last year’s silly introductory southern accent gaffe distract you: This guy gives us an edge. And until further notice, I take talented, well-coached SEC teams vs. non-SEC teams. Especially when it’s under a field goal. Let’s be safe and take them to win.

With elite programs and elite conferences, the defenses are ahead of the offenses this early in the season. This is simply too many points. If either team doesn’t light it up, we should cover this easily. The only thing that scares me is OT, but I’ll risk that.

FSU held on to beat LSU 24-23 a year ago in New Orleans, a slight edge FSU had with a game played the week prior. It was Jayden Daniels first game at LSU. I bet LSU because of Daniels and his blocking unit which includes four starters on the offensive line and also the returning TE. The dynamic Daniels was LSU's leading rusher (885 yards, 11 TD) last season. He also completed 68% of his passes with only 3 interceptions. He’s going to be better than last season. The number is proper, but Daniels is the edge. I bet LSU to win, moneyline.

This is all about strengths and weaknesses. Florida State's wide receiver room was already pretty strong, but it got a huge boost with the summer transfer of Keon Coleman from Michigan State. LSU's wide receiver is arguably the best in the SEC with Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas leading that group. Both of these quarterbacks are excellent, and meanwhile the secondary is arguably the weakness for both of these defenses. Good wide receivers and quarterbacks, suspect defensive backs, it all leads to points in Orlando on Sunday night.

I don't know if we can expect the same insanity of last year's meeting, but I do expect another close game. One LSU wins more likely than not, so I'm not messing with the spread.