College Football Picks: Week 1

Thursday, September 2:

#15 Pittsburgh at Utah:

This is an important early game for the Panthers who lost the Big East Title last season in gut wrenching fashion to Cincinnati.  Pitt has plenty of stars such as RB Dion Lewis, WR Jonathan Baldwin and DE Greg Romeus but questions remain at QB with the graduation of Bill Stull.  Utah is always an underrated team and their playing at home.  I like Utah in a squeaker.

Utah 27-23

Saturday, September 4:

Youngstown State at #19 Penn State:

This game is a so called “cupcake” for Penn State.  However the Nittany Lion coaching staff will look to experiment with new QBs Matt McGloin, Kevin Newsome and Robert Bolden.  This will keep the score much closer than it should be.

Penn State 30-3

Purdue at Notre Dame:

The Fighting Irish begin the Brian Kelly in style over a mediocre Purdue team.  Former coach Charlie Weis did in fact leave the cupboard full of offensive weapons (RB Armando Allen, WR Michael Floyd, and TE Kyle Rudolph) for Kelly to use.  The only way the Irish do not score a lot of points is if its offensive line can’t protect new QB Dayne Christ from All-Big Ten DE Ryan Kerrigan.  The game also marks the first game for new Purdue QB Robert Marve (transfer from Miami)

Notre Dame 31-17

Connecticut at Michigan:

Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez is on the hot seat in Ann Arbor after a disappointing first two seasons (and NCAA violations).  Michigan is littered with questions on both sides of the ball and have a Quarterback controversy similar to Penn State.  Denard (Shoelace) Robinson appears to have won the job over last year’s freshman sensation Tate Forcier.  Connecticut is led by one of the sport’s most underrated coach in Randy Edsall and will look to be a factor in this season’s championship race in the Big East.  This game is much more important for Michigan and a loss for the Wolverines could lead to the beginning of the end for the Rich Rod era in Ann Arbor.

Connecticut 24-20

(24) Oregon State at (6) Texas Christian University:

Texas Christian is riding a wave of momentum after last season’s appearance in the Fiesta Bowl.  The Horned Frogs are led by a strong defense and returns QB Andy Dalton.  Oregon State always seems to be underrated and have a dynamic running back in Jacquizz Rodgers.  However, the Beavers are notorious slow starters to the season and TCU will look to impress fans/voters as they try to return to a Bowl Championship Series Bowl Game.

TCU 27-17

(21)LSU vs. (18) North Carolina (in Atlanta, Georgia)

LSU and the other SEC Conference Schools) has a habit of thrashing competition from the ACC.  To make matters worse North Carolina’s Defense is going to be riddled by suspensions due to an ongoing academic scandal.  On an even playing field, this game would be a toss-up since the Tar Heels have the most talented Defense in the country and LSU’s struggles offensively are linked to subpar play from QB Jordan Jefferson.  However with Carolina’s Defense likely ravaged by suspensions, LSU should win comfortably due to the UNC’s incompetent Quarterback play (T.J. Yates) which is even worse than LSU.

LSU 27-10

Monday, September 6:

(3)Boise State vs. (10) Virginia Tech (in Washington DC)

The Boise State Broncos will look to return to a BCS Bowl for the second time in four years.  The defending Fiesta Bowl Champions return 20-22 starters including standout Quarterback Kellen Moore.  What is interesting is that the Broncos have defeated marquee competition the past couple of seasons including Oklahoma and Oregon twice.  What will be interesting is that even though this game will be a neutral site game, it will be a de-facto Virginia Tech home game.  Virginia Tech returns a powerful running game with QB Tyrod Taylor and RBs Ryan Williams and Darren Evans.  We’ll see if “Cinderella’s slipper” will continue to fit Boise State.

Virginia Tech 20-17