Well folks, Thursday night is in the books, and the college football season is officially underway. And through just a few games, we’ve already learned a lot.

We learned that Stephen Garcia actually looks like a quarterback this year. And that USC’s defense looks to be in real trouble.

We learned that Jacory Harris might throw for 50 touchdowns in 2010. And that it only takes Dave Wannstedt a few quarters to get in mid-season form.

Anyway, with the appetizers out of the way, it’s time to get to the main course. And we’re going to do it by dusting off my Friday picks column, which are back by the popular demand of no one in particular.

After a slightly above .500 2009 season, I worked hard in the weight room all winter, and expect to do even better this year. I’m even hoping for a New Year’s Day bowl appearance.

As always, the home team is in bold.

(Because of length, this is just PART of Aaron's preview. To read the rest, including his take on Virginia Tech- Boise and a few other big games, please click here, or visit him at www.aarontorres-sports.com)

NOTRE DAME (-11) over Purdue: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. NBC

You all know that I could go on and on about Brian Kelly, but I’ll spare you. Mainly since I always feel a little weird talking about the guy, like I’m some doting dad watching his kid score a goal in soccer or something. Yayyy Brian!

Either way, Notre Dame wins this game big.

I keep hearing about how good new Purdue quarterback Robert Marve is, which is nice. It is, of course what I’m not hearing about is the severe lack of talent around him in West Lafayette. The cast of Friday Night Lights has more pure football skill than the Boilermakers.

Also, does “Danny Hope,” really sound like the name of a coach you want to back? To me Danny Hope sounds more like the leader of a lousy grunge band, than a Big 10 football coach.

As in…

“Next on stage, put your hands together for Tulsa’s newest underground sensation… It’s Danny Hope and the Outsiders!!”

Come on now.

UConn (+3) over MICHIGAN: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ABC

To put it as simply as I can, it really comes down to this: Based on across the board talent, UConn is the better team. Really, it’s not even close. But because the uniforms say “UConn,” and “Michigan,” this line is the way it is.

I’ve been touting my UConn Huskies for a whole month, and I’m not backing down now.

(Random side note: I don’t know if I speak for every Big East fan, or if I’m pulling this out of my you-know-what, but in a weird way, I’m actually going to be rooting for Michigan in this game.)

Let me explain: Obviously, Rich Rodriguez left West Virginia in about as ugly a way as he possibly could’ve. It got nasty. It got personal. The two sides are still fighting over custody of Noel Devine. Again, it was really, really bad.

At the same time, Rich Rod was pretty much the patriarch of the new Big East, and along with Pat White, single- handily kept the conference afloat when everyone was saying their automatic BCS bowl bid should stripped.

If West Virginia doesn’t go into the Georgia Dome and beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl a few years back (yes the Sugar Bowl was in the Georgia Dome. Remember, this was right after Hurricane Katrina), I honestly don’t know where the Big East is right now, or what your perception of the league might be. Every school and coach in this conference owes a debt of gratitude to Rodriguez.

Because of that, I wouldn’t be upset to see Michigan get the win on Saturday. I’ll be rooting for UConn, and honestly expect them to win. But after all he did, I just don’t want to see Rich Rod go out like this.

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Washington (+2 ½) over BYU: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. CBS College Sports

Maybe it’s because of the conference expansion talk. Maybe it’s because this game is being televised by a network that only 36 percent of American households get. Or maybe, with TCU-Oregon State and Boise State-Virginia Tech, America is just tired of talking about “the small school vs. the big boys.”  But for the life of me, I can’t understand why this game isn’t getting more hype.

Anyway, I like Washington in this game, if only because I don’t think Jake Locker came back for his senior year to lose the season opener. If he wanted to do that, Locker could have just gone to the NFL, gotten drafted by the Bills, been making a lot more money than he is now, and be dating one of those girls from upstate New York with a cute face but a really big ass that hangs out at pool halls on Friday night’s.

Doesn’t sound half bad to me.

So what’s my point in all that? I’m not sure. I think it’s that I like Washington to win this game.

TCU (-13 ½) over Oregon State (Dallas, TX): Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ESPN

I don’t really get why everyone thinks this one will even be close. Oregon State is the slowest starting team in college football. Period. They make Ron Zook’s Illinois teams look like the 2008 Patriots by comparison.

Also, did anyone besides me actually watch TCU last year? They didn’t just beat teams, they destroyed them. Eviscerated them. Pillaged the village and burned it to the ground.

Am I the only one that remembers that?

Cincinnati (+2) over FRESNO STATE: Saturday, 10:00 p.m. ESPN2

Of every game on this weekend’s schedule, this is the one I’m most afraid of.

Quite frankly I’m terrified of it. Terrified of new Cincinnati coach Butch Jones. Terrified of Zach Collaros doing something dumb at the wrong time. Terrified of Fresno’s defense. Terrified of Pat Hill’s mustache. Just terrified.

I’d rather just set my money on fire than sit through the heartburn of this game.

Just stay away.

(Because of length, this is just PART of Aaron's Week 1 College Football preview. To read his thoughts on Virginia Tech-Boise State, LSU-North Carolina and much more, please click here, or visit him at www.aarontorres-sports.com

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