Week 1 College Football Picks

Week 1 College Football Picks (Lines according to Station Casinos at 4PM PT Tuesday)

Boise St. (-2.5) vs Virginia Tech (game being played at FedEx Field in Washington D.C.) – Monday Night 5PM PT, ESPN

Lee Corso has always said 80% of games are won by the team with better talent. Well I can't really tell which team has the better talent and I rate the coaching match-up as even. With all of that in mind, Boise has 21 of 22 starters returning. The continuity that will bring will lead the Broncos to a big opening victory, but it won't be easy.

Boise St. 27, Virginia Tech 21

TCU (-13) vs Oregon St. (game being played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX) - Saturday 445PM PT, ESPN

This game comes down to one match-up and one match-up only: Ryan Katz versus the rebuilt TCU defense. If Katz can keep the chains moving and therefore keep running lanes open for Jacquizz Rodgers, the Beavers have a chance. If not, the TCU offense will eventually explode for a barrage of second half points. I think Katz is going to be the real deal. Oregon St. wins late to spring the first major upset of the new college football season.

Oregon St. 34, TCU 28

Pittsburgh @ Utah (-3) – Thursday 530 PM PT, Versus

Sophomore quarterback Jordan Wynn is the real deal. Pitt has Dion Lewis and not much else on offense. In a game with than kind of match-up, take the home team.

Utah 23, Pittsburgh 14

LSU (-3.5) vs North Carolina – Saturday 5PM PT, ABC

This game really shouldn't be on the betting boards. Nobody knows who North Carolina is actually going to be able to have on the field on their ferocious defense. With that in mind, I have to pick LSU despite not being very enamored of this version of the Tigers. Even though their talent is likely to be significantly better than the Tar Heels, this will still be close and if all the Carolina starters somehow get cleared, this pick changes.

LSU 20, North Carolina 10

Washington @ BYU (-3) – Saturday 4PM PT, CBS College Sports

Washington has the better quarterback (especially since BYU can't decide and one of the two quarterbacks is a true freshman) with Jake Locker but he can't play defense. Unless Locker comes up with some incredible heroics (certainly possible), Washington won't win this shootout on the road.

BYU 38, Washington 30

SMU @ Texas Tech (-14) – Sunday 1230PM PT, ESPN

June Jones has SMU looking strong and poised for back-to-back bowl seasons, but I don't get the hype. I also don't understand the skepticism of Tommy Tuberville's Red Raiders. Mike Leach left plenty of talent for this season and Tuberville is a good coach who made the mistake of keeping some under performing assistants too long at Auburn. None of them are in Lubbock.

Texas Tech 52, SMU 24

USC (-21.5) @ Hawaii – Thursday 8PM PT, ESPN

USC has way too much talent to lose this game, even if they lack motivation.

USC 41, Hawaii 14

Connecticut @ Michigan (-3) – Saturday 1230PM PT, ABC Regional/ESPN2

Michigan seems to be in total disarray and this game might not even make the list here if Connecticut had a passing game to speak of considering the lack of options in the Michigan secondary. That said, Michigan's offense could be good, depending on the quarterback. It will be good, but not this week.

Connecticut 27, Michigan 17

UCLA @ Kansas St. (-2) – Saturday 1230PM PT, ABC Regional/ESPN2

UCLA is really injured and Kansas St. is kind of an unknown. When in doubt, go with coaching and I trust Snyder at home more than I trust Neuheisel and Chow with a new offense. This is going to be ugly.

Kansas St. 20, UCLA 7

Purdue @ Notre Dame (-11) – Saturday 1230 PM PT, NBC

Brian Kelly is going to be ready for Purdue with his incredible offensive scheming. Purdue has no defense despite possessing a pretty good offense. Shootout with the Irish's superior talent ultimately winning out.

Notre Dame 34, Purdue 31