College Football Week 1: Flynn's 15 Fearless Picks

LSU QB Jordan Jefferson
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Week 1 of the college football season is finally upon is, and it’s now time to finally scratch that betting itch we’ve all had for far too many months. This first weekend has some real potential lopsided affairs, but it’s also filled with intriguing match ups between balanced teams.

The first few weeks of the season are usually some of the hardest to predict because we have yet to get a real good feel for the teams and what they’re bringing to the table this season.

This is the first edition of my weekly picks column which will come out every Thursday afternoon during the college football season.

These selections are all freebies, and I’ll be the first to admit I’m far from a quality sports handicapper. So if you choose to follow the picks, do so with a bit of caution and sensible thinking.

Colorado Buffaloes (-13) Vs Colorado State

Coach Dan Hawkins
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It's do or die time for Colorado coach Dan Hawkins and he knows he needs a real good showing against the Rams in this rivalry game. I expect the Buffaloes to make up for last year's 23-17 loss with a real big performance on Saturday.

Fresno State (-2.5) Vs. Cincinnati

Fresno State Coach Pat Hill
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It's never easy to bring a team out west, especially if it's your first game as coach. Thus is the dilemma that new Cincinnati coach Butch Jones is facing.

The Bearcats have a lot of talent, but the Bulldogs are primed to take a big bite out of them on Saturday night.

Washington State (+15.5) at Oklahoma State

Washington State QB Jeff Tuel
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The last time these two teams met to start off the 2008 season, Oklahoma State handed the boys from Pullman a 39-13 beat down.

The Cougars have been on a downward spiral ever since, but they do have an experienced group this year.

They'll want to start off on the right foot this season and put the problems of the last two years in the rear view mirror.

Vanderbilt (+4.5) Vs. Northwestern

Vanderbilt LB Chris Marve
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If you want to look at it from a talent perspective, both of these squads probably rank at the bottom of their respecitve conferences.

I'll take the less talented SEC team over the less talented Big Ten team any day of the week.

The Commodores are a little better than people think.

Miami-Ohio (+36) at Florida

Miami (Ohio) QB Zac Dysert

Florida has been notriously dominant in their season openers recently, but something tells me they might be a little bit sluggish this year.

They'll win this one fairly convincingly, but I don't think the offense is running on all cylinders quite yet.

Also, I like what Zac Dysert brings to the table as a quarterback.

Thursday Night Special: Utah (-2.5) Vs. Pitt

Utah QB Jordan Wynn
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These two teams played in the Fiesta Bowl just a couple of years ago when an Urban Meyer led Utah team absolutely crushed the Panthers.

It won't be quite as big of a blowout this year, but sophomore quarterback Jordan Wynn has a little magic up his sleeve to pull this one out for the Utes.

Leaner: UAB (-14) Vs. Florida Atlantic

UAB Blazers

Something tells me the Blazers are going to come up big this year. They might be a team to ride throughout the season.

Let's see if they come out of the gates fast.

First Half Special: Oklahoma

Oklahoma QB Landry Jones
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You know I actually kind of like this Utah State team with Diondre Borel behind center, but they are about to get caught up in a storm of pent up frustration.

The Sooners have a lot of demons from 2009 that need to be exercised.

I expect this one to be over by half time.

Small School Special: Northern Illinois (+3.5) at Iowa State

Northern Illinois RB Chad Spann

Don't doubt Chad Spann!

The Huskies will win this one outright.

Upset Special: Louisville (+3) Vs. Kentucky

Louisville RB Victor Anderson
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I really like this Kentucky team, but I think they could get caught sleeping against the two headed monster of Victor Anderson and Bilal Powell.

Give the Cats some time though, they're going to make some noise in the SEC this year.

Gator fans beware!

Money Line Special: Oregon State

Oregon State RB Jacquizz Rodgers
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Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers, a Texas native, is going to play out of his mind in front of his home state crowd at Cowboys Stadium.

I like this Oregon State team, and I have a feeling that affection is going to grow throughout the season.

All the talk is about TCU's defense, but we might come to find out just how overrated they are pretty quick this year.

Oregon State big!

Total Special: North Texas at Clemson (Over 57.5)

Clemson RB Andre Ellington
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C.J. Spiller may be gone, but that doesn't mean the scoring has stopped for Clemson.

This game could be new Clemson running back Andre Ellington's coming out party.

I expect Clemson to approach 50 points in this one. Hopefully North Texas can throw in a garbage touchdown or two for good measure.

Big Game Pick 1: LSU (+1) Vs. North Carolina

LSU QB Jordan Jefferson
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With all the distractions, it would be hard to side with North Carolina in this one.

From the way the reports are sounding, they could be without a majority of their big names.

Even if the Tar Heels were at full strength, I was still leaning towards LSU. They've shown they can get it done in big games in Atlanta before.

Big Game Pick 2: Virginia Tech (+2) Vs. Boise State

Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor
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Boise State is a nice story, but i think the Hokies are just a bit too tough to stop.

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is maturing and really putting it all together. If your an opponent of Virginia Tech - that's not something you want to hear.

Diamond Pick: Maryland (+7) Vs. Navy

Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen
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I love the Terps in this spot. They're coming off a down season, but they are a sneaky talented bunch that should beat the less athletic Navy team pretty handily.