College Football Picks Week 1: B/R's Expert Predictions for Top 5 Games

It has begun.

It's been eight long months since hardcore college football fans have been without that for which they live and breathe. Eight long months since they saw the Ohio State Buckeyes hoist the national championship trophy in the inaugural season of the College Football Playoff. 

But now, it's on—football is back! And Week 1 offers some intriguing matchups sure to whet the whistle of everyone who can't wait till Saturdays. 

B/R

With questions about its starting quarterback still lingering, Nick Saban's Alabama team kicks off the season with a tough game against the always-pesky Wisconsin Badgers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 

Two traditional college football powerhouse programs face off as Notre Dame hosts Texas. The Longhorns are looking to put a disappointing 2014 season in the rearview as the Charlie Strong era begins to take shape. And Notre Dame is hoping new starting QB Malik Zaire can be the man to carry it to CFB's promised land. 

Will Auburn's new starting QB Jeremy Johnson live up to the hype? The Tigers host Louisville in a nonconference throwdown. 

Out west, Arizona State hopes to improve on an impressive 2014 campaign but will face a tough test against the Texas A&M Aggies in a battle of two high-powered offenses. Don't blink in this one, or you might miss something great. 

In our fifth game, the Nebraska Cornhuskers host BYU. The Cougars' do-everything quarterback Taysom Hill returns after fracturing his leg in a game against Utah State last season. 

Each week of the 2015 season, Bleacher Report’s college football experts Adam Kramer, Michael Felder, Barrett Sallee, Ben Kercheval and Greg Couch will be making their predictions on the top five games of the week. These five have a strong background in college football and bring great knowledge and insight to readers.

Whether you agree or disagree with our expert picks, be sure to sound off in the comments below!

*All picks made straight up. Spread is not a factor.