Leave your GPT nonsense at home, for no AI model can duplicate the pigskin picks of the great Kosmo.

Yes, folks, it’s that time of year again. The wizard of wide receivers, wing-T, Walled Lake and all things Oakland County football is ready to forecast via the crystal ball for another fall. Not that Kosmo could figure out any of this artificial intelligence stuff if he tried, but who needs that fancy pants tech when it’s all up in this ol’ noggin for your consumption.

The 2024 season was another heckuva year for footballing in the OC, and this looks like it’ll be no different. While some will kick it off on Friday, plenty of programs will find out if all the hard work they put in over the dog days of summer paid off on Thursday night.

Here’s a heavenly seven games that will be part of the Week 1 slate.

Thursday, Aug. 28

Clarkston vs. Belleville (at Wayne State), 4 p.m. — Right up there with Rockford and Saline, it may not have Bryce Underwood, but this remains one of the state’s best games of the opening week, and that’s the bottom line, ‘cuz Kosmo says so. Seriously, though, the Tigers remain more than formidable with Tre Britton at receiver and Kendall Franklin stepping up into Underwood’s shoes. Your wise one also hears Belleville’s next batch of beasts are in the oven, but Clarkston QB Alex Waszczenko isn’t so green for this one. If it was later in the year, it might be the Tigers’ game, but Kosmo really believes this one can go the way of the Wolves. Kosmo says: Clarkston

Lake Orion vs. Northville (at Wayne State), 7 p.m. — Two years ago, Northville defeated Clarkston by two scores in the Battle at the Big House to start the year, then Lake Orion exacted some OAA revenge in the season opener in 2024, beating the Mustangs 21-13. After playing in Northville last season, the teams will go toe-to-toe on neutral turf. Veteran coach Chris Bell felt he caught a young Northville at a good time by facing them so early last season. With some talent back along the lines, the Dragons are capable of grinding out another low-scoring victory again. Kosmo says: Lake Orion

South Lyon at Lakeland, 7 p.m. — The Lions are going to be determined to get revenge from last year’s meeting. Lakeland put up four TDs in a row to put a damper on homecoming festivities for South Lyon, with credit to running back Sam Broome for laying it on. Don’t expect a South Lyon team with some key linemen back to lay down, either. It should be a close game, but the Eagles should pull it out if they can avoid early mistakes at home. The way Walled Lake Western is expected to be strong again, it’s hard to afford losing a game like this to open the year in the LVC. Kosmo says: Lakeland

Bloomfield Hills at Troy, 7 p.m. — Scott Merchant looks to begin shaping Bloomfield Hills into a winner beginning Thursday. And there might be some bumps along the way this season. Troy will have a student section loud and ready to greet them, but this is a good draw for the Black Hawks getting a team that’s turning the page at QB and graduated its best WR, too. Kosmo says: Bloomfield Hills

Friday, Aug. 29

Farmington at Oak Park, 7 p.m. — Similar to Bloomfield Hills and Troy, this is one of the few OAA league games to start the season. This one, though, is more likely to involve teams in the hunt for the Blue Division title, with the teams doing battle in Oak Park picked to finish third (Farmington) and fourth. The Knights’ offense sputtered in last year’s 17-6 loss, but yours truly is under the impression there will be more scoring in this one. Kosmo says: Oak Park

Football, Warren Michigan Collegiate at Clarkston Everest, 7 p.m. — Everest might not have gotten deep into the playoffs last season, but it did win a bunch of games handily throughout its 9-0 start to 2024. The exception was its season opener in Warren, a 27-24 victory. Now, the Mountaineers will again face WMC. Kosmo expects Everest to have another winning season, make no mistake, but the Cougars bring back something like 15 starters from a team that, after the loss to the Mountaineers, didn’t taste defeat again until Marine City in the playoffs. Kosmo says: Warren Michigan Collegiate

Football, Chippewa Valley at Detroit Catholic Central, 7 p.m. — OAA vs. MAC games often litter the lineup of Week 1 and 2 games, but here’s a MAC/CHSL crossover for the masses. The Reds have some college-bound talent, like sophomore receivers Jude Tyler and (small but speedy) Joel Williams, as well as some quality players in the front seven of the defense like Dominik Kosznicki. It’ll provide the Shamrocks’ secondary a fun test before getting into the league portion of the schedule the following weekend, but this is likely to be no more than a flex of what other teams are in for from CC. Kosmo says: Detroit Catholic Central