College Football 2019: 5 bold predictions for Week 1 action

4. Clay Helton’s and Gus Malzahn’s seats get hotter

Last season, both Clay Helton of USC and Gus Malzahn of Auburn struggled to push the heat off of themselves as they tried to lead their programs to success. Both have big games to open the season that could easily heat their seats up even more.

First comes Auburn, coming in at No. 16 in the preseason AP Top 25, which takes on No. 11 Oregon. This is the marquee matchup of Week 1, and let me tell you, it’s an exciting one.

The rematch of the 2010 BCS National Championship live from AT&T Stadium will draw quite a few viewers, especially those who want to see Auburn not blow it against a Pac-12 team that really needs this win. Auburn is looking to start their season off well, much like they did a year ago against Washington.

USC is taking on Fresno State, which really shouldn’t be a hard game for them. The question is though, how easy will it really be for a team that went 5-7 a year ago with a head coach that struggled through yet another year at the helm of the Trojan program. The schedule doesn’t get easier for Helton so this is a must-win.

Both Auburn and USC come out losers in Week 1 or at the very least it’s a sloppy enough win that fans are not happy with the performance of their head coach. Hot seats are getting hotter, ladies and gentlemen.