It's a new season, and a new season means a new start. That's exactly what I'm looking for in 2017 after a rather mediocre 2016 in this Pick Six column. We finished only three games over .500 last year, and quite frankly, that's just not good enough. When it comes to picking games against a spread, it's ridiculous to think you're going to be right every single time, but I should have been better than I was last season.

And I will be.

Just because thinking you're going to go undefeated is unrealistic doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying to do it, let's get the 2017 season started with a 6-0 week.

Games of the week

No. 1 Alabama (-7) vs. No. 3 Florida State: This is a fantastic way to start the 2017 season, but it's not one that's easy to pick a side. For most of the past month, I was all on board with taking Florida State and the points, but I've changed directions in recent days. The biggest reason?

Just look at how Alabama has performed in the opening week of seasons. Yes, Florida State is the best opening week opponent Alabama has faced in a long time, but the Tide have opened each of the past five seasons against a Power Five team. Alabama has won all five of those games by an average of 25.2 points with no victory by less than 10 points. If we take away last season's 52-6 decimation of USC, the average margin of victory is still 20 points per game.

So even though I think it's entirely possible Florida State wins this game, history suggests Alabama will, and it's going to do so somewhat easily. Alabama 31, Florida State 21

No. 11 Michigan (-3.5) vs. No. 17 Florida: This is another game in which I've changed sides. I was originally on Florida, but that was when I figured Florida would have an entire roster at its disposal. That's not the case as the Gators have suspended numerous players, including key starters, all of which makes it much more difficult to trust them in this game.

Meanwhile, Michigan might not be naming its starters, but I bet Jim Harbaugh has a much better idea of who will be leading his offense than McElwain does at the moment. I do worry about Michigan's defense a bit simply because it has so much to replace, but there's still plenty of talent there. So, in the end, I have to go with Big Blue down in Jerry World. Michigan 27, Florida 17

Lock of the week

Navy (-9.5) at Florida Atlantic: Lane Kiffin sure has brought a lot more attention (as well as half the roster of Last Chance U) to FAU than the Owls are used to, but that might not be the best news here on opening weekend. I do believe that Kiffin will improve FAU and that those improvements will come on offense. As far as the Owls' defense, I'm not sure I can trust it to slow down Navy's option attack in its very first game, and I think the Middies are going to roll here. Navy 42, FAU 24

Underdog of the week

Miami (Ohio) (+2.5) at Marshall: The RedHawks are a team that could surprise in 2017. They started last season 0-6 before winning six straight to become bowl eligible, and then they took Mississippi State to the wire in their bowl game. It's a team that I believe will be in the running to win the MAC this season, and I don't know that it should be considered the underdog against Marshall. Miami (Ohio) 27, Marshall 24

Over of the week

California at North Carolina (Over 55.5): I know there has been a coaching change at Cal, but sweeping changes usually aren't made before the first game of a new regime. So when I look at Cal and North Carolina, I think of two teams in recent years that are great at two things: scoring points and allowing points. I honestly can't believe this total is under 60. North Carolina 38, Cal 30

Under of the week

Nevada at Northwestern (Under 60.5): There are a few teams out there that you can rely on to provide you with an under on almost a weekly basis. Northwestern is one of them. The Wildcats typically have a salty defense and an offense that never seems to be in a hurry to score points when it doesn't have to be. So when I see Northwestern hosting a Nevada team that wasn't exactly explosive on offense last year, I see an under I need to take. Northwestern 34, Nevada 14

Who are the pros picking? Visit SportsLine to see which college football teams Vegas pros are hammering on opening weekend, plus see which side of Florida-Michigan is getting all the action.