College football Week 1 predictions: TCU vs. Colorado, picks and more

College football offers the greatest regular season in sports, with high-stakes games and the potential for title hopes to be dashed early on.

College football is a peculiar love affair. It's a sport that we know will never love us back, yet we can't help but be captivated by it. We've all been 16 and caught up in the excitement of college football. We've witnessed the irrationality of the system, where undefeated teams are denied the opportunity to prove themselves against each other. We've endured the frustration of thrilling games being halted by endless targeting reviews. We've even accepted the absurdity of conference realignment, where traditional rivalries are thrown aside for the sake of TV contracts. But despite all its flaws, college football still offers the most thrilling regular season in sports.

No other sport can match the intensity and stakes of college football. Every game matters, and a single loss can derail a team's championship hopes. This Sunday, we will see two top-ranked teams, LSU and Florida State, face off in a season opener that could have championship implications. It's a far cry from last year's opener, where both teams were unranked and Florida State narrowly won on a blocked extra point. This year, both teams are loaded with talent and have their sights set on the College Football Playoff.

The matchup between LSU and Florida State is just one of many high-profile games that will take place this season. The sport consistently delivers thrilling matchups and keeps fans on the edge of their seats. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with moments of triumph and heartbreak. And despite all the ugliness, greed, and arrogance that exists within college football, we keep coming back for more.

In this season opener, we'll also see a battle between coaches Mike Norvell and Brian Kelly, who have faced off in the past. Norvell's Florida State team will be looking for redemption after losing to Kelly's Notre Dame squad in overtime last year. LSU, led by coach Ed Orgeron, is favored to win this matchup, with quarterback Jayden Daniels expected to make a difference with his scrambling ability.

But it's not just the marquee matchups that make college football special. It's the stories of redemption and transformation that unfold throughout the season. Players like Hendon Hooker, who went from being an underwhelming option at Virginia Tech to a Heisman Trophy contender at Tennessee. Or Joe Milton, the former Michigan quarterback who is expected to thrive in Josh Heupel's system at Tennessee. These are the narratives that capture our attention and make us fall in love with the sport.

Of course, there are also the perennial powerhouses like Alabama and Clemson, who seem to be in the hunt for a national championship every year. But even they are not immune to challenges. Alabama, in particular, faces the daunting task of replacing their star quarterback Bryce Young and defensive standout Will Anderson Jr. The Crimson Tide may still be favored to win, but their reputation has inflated the line, making it a closer matchup than expected.

In the Big Ten, Penn State is a team to watch. With 16 returning starters and a highly touted quarterback in Drew Allar, the Nittany Lions have the potential to make a run at the championship. They dominated the weaker teams in their division last season, and the same is expected against the worst team in the Big 12.

Rivalries also add another layer of excitement to the college football season. The matchup between North Carolina and South Carolina is always a highly anticipated game. This year, North Carolina's weak pass rush and secondary could be their downfall, giving the edge to South Carolina.

In the end, college football is a sport that captivates us with its unpredictability and drama. It's a sport that can break our hearts one moment and lift us up the next. It's a sport that we love, despite its flaws. And that's why we'll keep watching, season after season, year after year. Because no matter how perplexing and frustrating it can be, college football still offers the greatest regular season in sports.