WEEK 1 PICKS

     Praise God, college football is finally returning on Thursday. While the opening week does provide everyone with a clean slate and a new beginning, it doesn't change the fact that every game during the college season is a must-win. Unlike previous years where the entire week 1 schedule has consisted of top ranked teams pounding non fbs teams by 50 or more, this week actually provides some appetizing matchups. Each week I'll predict all top 25 games in order of schedule. Starting now.

North Carolina @ #6 South Carolina: 

     The Gamecocks ride into 2013 with high expectations, despite losing Marcus Lattimore to the draft. But playing on Thursday night on national TV is no easy way to break into a new season either. This game will be interesting for a half, but in the end South Carolina's SEC speed, strength, and athleticism is too much for UNC to overcome on the road.    South Carolina 27 North Carolina 10

#24. USC @ Hawaii

     While I do think USC is overrated and undeserving of their position in the top 25 rankings, they should still beat Hawaii. The Trojans will break in a new QB, most likely Max Wittek, but having Marqise Lee return at wide receiver will take off some of the heat. While this early USC will sturggle to find their identity, they will still receive big plays from their star athletes and begin the season on the right note.  

USC 31 Hawaii 13

Buffalo @ #2 Ohio State

     Ohio State may get the opening day jitters seeing as it's their first time playing a game that actually means something in 2 years. The good news is they're playing Buffalo. Expect a slow first quarter before the Buckeyes get into their groove, but it will be ugly in the end.     Ohio State 42 Buffalo 3

Massachusetts @ #23 Wisconsin

     Wisconsin will embark on life without Brett Bielema sitting on the throne. The Badgers will sturggle to match their recent performance, attending 3 straight Rose Bowls and filling huge shoes. Fortunately, every good football player in Massachusetts plays on the New England Patriots, so Wisconsin will be alright for this week.    Wisconsin 28 Massachusetts 6

Toledo @ #10 Florida

     Florida returns from an off season filled with arrests and allegations, but they return a tremendous amount of talent as well. This game will start slow, with Jeff Driskel adjusting to a new group of receivers, and Toledo is no slouch either when it comes to mid-majors. But like we saw with Bowling Green last year, Florida will benefit from playing in the Swamp and create a couple turnovers to ensure an opening win.

   Florida 23 Toledo 10

Rice @ #7 Texas A&M

     We're assuming the Johnny Football will indeed be eligible on Saturday. Although he's had an off-season far more eventful than he would have preferred, he's still one of the premier players in college football. And though he may not match up to his incredible 2012 season, he should still have no trouble putting up big numbers against Rice.     TAMU 45 Rice 7

Mississippi State vs #13 Oklahoma State  (neutral location):

     This is actually a pretty juicy matchup. Both teams had heated quarterback battles during the summer, and both teams are on the uprising in their programs. I normally like picking SEC teams over non-SEC teams, but I think OkSt is better equipped offensively and will take this one by double digits.

Ok State 26 Miss State 14

Temple @ #14. Notre Dame

     Despite losing Everett Golson, Tommy Rees has played enough big minutes in an Irish uniform to help ND feel a bit more secure. Though Temple's program has made great improvements in recent years, they're not ready to compete with the big boys yet.    Notre Dame 29 Temple 13

Central Michigan vs #17 Michigan: 

     Devin Gardner has the starting job locked up now, which should allow him to play more freely then with Denard Robinson at his back heel. This is a in-state "rivalry" that Michigan has dominated for years now, and I see no reason to predict this season will be any different.      Michigan 45 Central Michigan 7

Nicholls State vs. #3 Oregon:

     Even without Chip Kelly, this is a joke. Let's not even waste time talking about it. Oregon 63 Nicholls State 3

#1 Alabama vs Virginia Tech (neutral location):

     I think Va. Tech can actually make this somewhat interesting....for a bit. Alabama will experience the normal pressures that come with defending a national title, and Virginia Tech is coming off one it's worst years and is hungry to remind the rest of the nation that it can hang with the best. This game is tight at the half, but Bama gets the last laugh with their smashmouth football.      Bama 31 Va. Tech 13

Eastern Washington vs #25 Oregon State:

Oregon State earned itself a top 25 ranking with it's cinderella run early in 2012. While their true colors will be exposed this year, I still predict they will finish in the top half of the conference, and will surely be able to manage EW on their home turf on Saturday.      Oregon State 30 E. Wash 10

Louisiana Monroe @ #16 Oklahoma:

     ULM won't back down easily. They've faithfully played top 20 teams in the first couple weeks every year so they have some experience playing in loud stadiums against elite teams. On the contrary, Oklahoma will have to break in new kid on the bock Trevor Knight at QB after losing Landry Jones. Experience can only take you so far though, and Oklahoma should still be safe in their house.     Oklahoma 27 ULM 9

#5. Georgia @ #8 Clemson:

     By far the best match-up of opening week. Both teams are going to be offensive monsters, so expect a shitload of points. The real question is...can either of them defend? I'm again going to break my SEC rule and take the Tigers. I feel like their offense it's a bit more dynamic, their defense is a bit more experienced (Georgia only returns 1 starter), and homefield will come in handy too.     Clemson 49 Georgia 41

New Mexico State vs #15 Texas:

     Texas struggled in every game they played last year, but still managed to win 75% of them. Now they're the most experienced team in the nation. While they will still struggle to establish themselves as on par with the college football elite, their experience will carry them past New Mexico without too much to worry about.      Texas 34 New Mexico 13

Wyoming @ #18 Nebraska:

     I'm expecting a big day from Taylor Martinez to kick off his senior campaign with the Cornhuskers. Does Wyoming's population even realize they have an fbs football team, do their students?? 

Nebraska 52 Wyoming 7

#12. LSU vs #20. TCU (neutal location):

     Here's another big one. However unlike the Georgia/Clemson score fest, I wouldn't expect too many points in this one. Both teams return QB's who are talented, but still have things to prove and both teams pride themselves on their defensive tenacity. Although TCU will be pumped to be playing in front of the world on opening night against an SEC powerhouse, LSU has a rich history of winning these kinds of games with the Mad Hatter in charge. Expect two or three big plays to make all the difference.     LSU 24 TCU 14

#19. Boise State @ Washington: 

Boise will try to build this up to be something it isn't, simply because their playing a Pac-12 team in prime time. While Washington will have its fair share of things to cheer about, Boise should still have enough offensively to pick up the W.    Boise 30 Washington 19

Nevada vs #21 UCLA:

Make no mistake, Nevada is no slouch and shouldn't be taken lightly. They could give the Bruins quite the scare and maybe...just maybe...have enough to pull out the big upset. The Wolfpack pride themselves in competing toe to toe with power conference teams. But UCLA is also experiencing their best success in awhile under Jim Mora's leadership. But I'm itching to pick an upset, so I'll go with the gambling state.
Nevada 31 UCLA 29

#22 Northwestern @ California:

     Northwestern is that ranked team you really never think about. This year they don't get the privilege of beating on small schools like their other Big 10 foes, but rather play across the country late at night This will be interesting, but Northwestern will be rewarded for their consistency and hard work in recent years.

NW 20 Cal 14

Ohio @ #9 Louisville:

Louisville benefits from playing the most god-awful schedule in college football. Ohio may scrap out a few scores, but Louisville is still running of the emotional high that came with pounding UF in the sugar bowl and Teddy Bridgewater should tear apart the Bobcat-D.     L'Ville 45 Ohio 13

#11 Florida State @ Pittsburg

     It pains me to say this as an FSU student...but this game will also be much closer than most anticipate. The Noles are forced with the challenges of breaking in a plethora of new starters into a hostile environment on a Monday night. Pitt will be loud and pulling for the upset to go with the day off from school, but I'd like to believe that FSU still has enough talent to overcome the adversity. Perhaps a late turnover to cue the fat lady.    FSU 27 Pitt 13

    As always, any comments or predictions of your own can be listed below or any upset alerts you think I should add to my radar. See you all next week!