Week 1 Predictions

It's that time of year again! Each week, I will be making my predictions as to the outcome of each week's top ten games. Usually I will select the games that ESPN's College Pick'em does, though notably, I will include non-Saturday games.

Thursday, September 1
UNLV 14 @ #11 Wisconsin 41
Though UNLV should be improved this year, they are simply no match for the Badgers at Camp Randall. Wisconsin puts up big numbers on the ground, and Russell Wilson doesn't even need to pass in the second half.


Friday, September 2
#14 TCU 28 @ Baylor 20
This one will be quite entertaining. The Bears return a bunch from the best team they've fielded in years and years. The Frogs will take a step back. But not that big of a step. This one will stay close, but TCU's defense is simply too strong for Baylor. A key interception will seal this one up in the Fourth Quarter.


Saturday, September 3
BYU 30 @ Ole Miss 28
UPSET ALERT! BYU is much improved over last year's beginning of the season debacle, and the Cougars are ready to take it up a few notches. Remember last time that BYU opened against an AQ team? They beat the Sooners at JerryWorld. Granted, this is a true road game. But Ole Miss isn't Oklahoma either. This one will be close right up to the end.


UCLA 21 @ Houston 31
UPSET ALERT! Yes, last year a bad UCLA team creamed Houston. But this one is at home, and the Cougars get star QB Case Keenum back for one more year. Keenum has a great shot at becoming the NCAA's all-time leading passer in a number of categories this year, and Houston is on a mission to prove they belong among the big boys. Big 12 "Interview," anyone?


Northwestern 28 @ Boston College 24
UPSET ALERT! Three upsets in one weekend? You better believe it! Though, honestly I'm not sure why BC is favored here. Northwestern has a better offense, and BC's "O" is so bad that it doesn't matter how dysfunctional the Wildcat's "D" is.


Colorado 28 @ Hawaii 38
Last time the Buffs went to a "mid-major" school with a good offense, they were de-pantsed by Toledo. Hawaii has a great shot at winning the WAC, and the Buffs have the same chance to go winless in the Pac-12. I'll take Hawaii.


Minnesota 17 @ #25 USC 28
Minnesota-USC is one of the only AQ-AQ games this week, yet it always seems to be glossed over. USC is a 21-point favorite. If you're a betting person, take the under. Minnesota will keep it a lot closer than the Trojans hope. USC has too much talent to be upset here, but the Gophers will strike some fear into Lane Kiffin.


South Florida 28 @ #16 Notre Dame 35
What is Lou Holtz going to do watching this game? Root for his son, against the Irish? Root for the Irish, forsaking his own blood? Spit all over the camera? What am I saying? He does that every week.


Boise State 34 vs Georgia 28
In a de-facto Georgia home game, the boys in blue (actually, for this game, white) will have to do what they did last year to Virginia Tech in Washington, DC. No problem. Boise Bus rollin' on.


Game of the Week (GOTW) 
Oregon vs LSU @ Cowboys Stadium


Oregon "O" vs LSU "D" - The last time we saw Oregon take on an SEC team, the result for the offense wasn't pretty. Last time Oregon started the season against a high-powered team (Boise, 2009), the result was down-right ugly. Maybe Chip Kelly has changed something up. Probably not, though. 
LSU +3


LSU "O" vs Oregon "D" - The last time we saw an SEC team take on Oregon, the result for the SEC's offense wasn't pretty. Last time the SEC team had an outstanding offense. LSU's offense is poor, to be kind, and just lost its starting QB to arrest. Maybe new offensive coordinator Kragthorpe has something up his sleeve. Probably not, though.
Oregon +3


Special Teams - Oregon's Cliff Harris is out on a suspension. LSU's Patrick Peterson went to the NFL. Though the Duck's Lamichael James, if he returns punts, might be a good player. Maybe you've heard of him. Oregon +1


The Venue - LSU fans will probably outnumber Oregon fans 2 to 1, though JerryWorld isn't the loudest of environments. LSU +1


Distractions - Oregon is being investigated by the NCAA for its dealings with a certain Mr Lyles. LSU is being investigated by the NCAA for its dealings with the same Mr Lyles. LSU also lost its starting QB to arrest, as already mentioned. I count that as two for LSU, one for Oregon. Oregon +1


The Verdict: Oregon +1


The Prediction: Do I really think it will be distractions that pushes Oregon over the top? No. But I do believe the loss of QB Jefferson is big for the Tigers, and I feel that Oregon's special teams and the mind of Chip Kelly will come up with something. Also, crucially, the grass in JerryWorld is NOT edible. Looking at you, Les Miles. Oregon 27, LSU 20