College Football: Week 1 Predictions

By Nostradamus, College Expert at Football Maniaxs

A mere one day before the big boys kick it off in College Football for the 2008 season. 

No more talk. No more hype. Time to put up or shut up. 

This year, I'll continue my series of weekly previews of the biggest games of the weekend, along with some of the most intriguing matchups awaiting us in College Football.

Thursday, August 28th:

Oregon State @ Stanford (+3):  Oregon State, year in and year out, is one of the most undervalued teams in the country.  Stanford is trying to claw their way out of the cellar in the Pac 10.  An interesting conference matchup to start the season is in tail for both of these teams, and very interesting for the bowl aspirations of the Beavers.

The Tree improved by leaps and bounds under Harbaugh's first year guidance. They are even talking bowl game this year as well.  Last year the Beavers handled the Tree pretty handily at home by the final tally of 23-6.  In that game, they held Stanford to -8 yards rushing, and 181 yards of total offense. 

But with only three starters returning on defense, including the loss of their entire front seven don't expect that to happen again.  Watch for RB Toby Gerhart from the Cardinal to pose an interesting threat in this one as the Beavers break in their defensive front seven. 

I'll call for the short-priced upset in this one…

Stanford 27 Oregon State 23.

NC State @ South Carolina (-12 1/2):  Tom O'Brien enters his second season as the head coach of the 'Pack. Spurrier enters his fourth in charge of the Gamecocks.  O'Brien is coming off a very humbling first season leading NC State, and Spurrier needs to start proving his worth to some of the newly formed doubters, self-included.  A very intriguing matchup kickoffs our first BCS matchup of the season. 

South Carolina has 10 starters back on defense including stud LB Jasper Brinkley.  The defense has not been the problem in Columbia.  It has been the often times stagnant offense that has been the major reason for some of the Gamecocks struggles. 

Hard to imagine a Steve Spurrier’s offense that has not averaged more than 27 points in any of the four years he has been at USC east.  But such is the case.  Toss in the always persistent QB controversy, and we may well be on our way to witnessing the offense struggle yet again. 

You think South Carolina's offense is a bit suspect, the Wolfpack offense was downright miserable last year.  Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers.  They came early and often for the O'Brien led 'Pack attack last year.  And if they want to be competitive with the 'Cocks in this one, they need to secure the ball. 

They also need to play some better defense to boot.  But with only four starters returning on that side of the ball, and a lack of talent, it is doubtful there will be much improvement on that side in '08.

Tough to give 12 1/2 points with the often times inept offense of the Gamecocks, but they have a serious chance of their defense pitching a shutout.  Look for a defensive or special teams score out of the Gamecocks, some offensive spark and we have a fairly safe and easy win.  Lay the 12 1/2...

South Carolina 34 NC State 10.

Saturday, August 30th:

Utah @ Michigan (- 3 1/2):  We all know the story in Michigan.  New coach, new offense, and a completely new set of players to run it.  In fact, only three starters return on offense for the Wolverines.  However, they should have a pretty good defense even with the departures of Shawn Crable and Jamar Adams. 

Utah returns 14 starters from a very competitive 9-4 team, and has Mountain West conference champion aspirations.  Brian Johnson is a solid playmaker at QB, and should cause some problems for Michigan.  They also play much better defense than anyone would give them credit for. 

I doubt I'm in select company in picking this upset.  A tough first game for Rodriguez to begin his career at Michigan against a very tough mid-major team.  Look for a tight, low-scoring affair in Ann Arbor, and the more seasoned Utes to hold on for the victory...

Utah 20 Michigan 16.

Western Michigan @ Nebraska (-14):  Yeah, call me a homer, but this is a pretty big game for the new regime in Lincoln, NE.  Western Michigan isn't exactly a complete creme puff, and when you consider the Huskers are rebuilding the worst defense in the entire BCS from last year, and this matchup may get a little more intriguing than most would expect.

Look for some early struggles out of the Huskers, but their overall talent should prevail.  They should also be able to score some points.  The real question is if their sieve-like defense has improved to a status of respectability.  This is a fairly decent start to see just how far they have come, but in the end the Huskers have too much depth and talent, lay the 14. 

Nebraska 41 Western Michigan 17.

Virginia Tech @ East Carolina (+9 1/2):  East Carolina is a pretty damn good football team.  Virginia Tech is looking to replace seven starters on defense including Xavier Adibi, Vince Hall, and Brandon Flowers.  They are also looking for a RB and any WR that can catch the ball on a regular basis. 

Last year, East Carolina gave them all they wanted in an emotional opening game for the Hokies.  Don't expect it to be any easier, especially with it being on the road.  Skip Holtz is building himself into a pretty good coach at ECU, and returns 16 starters from an 8-5 ballclub that is coming off a bowl victory.  Hard to call for the outright upset, but this one should be interesting till the very end...

Virginia Tech 23 ECU 19.

Illinois vs. Missouri (- 8 1/2):  Both teams are coming off breakout seasons, but Missouri returns a lot more of the key parts from last year than Illinois does.  Last year, Mizzou held on for a 40-34 win in one of last year’s best games of the early season.  Don't look for it to be that close this year, as the Tigers have one of the best offenses in the entire country.  They also have the much better defense.  Unless Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn can make a ton of plays for the Fighting Illini, I really don't expect this one to be that close.  Lay the 8 1/2...

Missouri 41  Illinois 13.

Michigan State @ California (-4 1/2):  This could end up being the most exciting game of the weekend.  Mark Dantonio is bringing in a very much improved Spartan squad that went bowling last year.  Cal is looking to wipe away their late season collapse from last year.  Cal is more talented, but MSU is more seasoned. 

This is a tough call either way.  I really don't have an opinion on this one, other than this is a game that I will definitely try to catch.  Much like Mizzou and Illinois last year, this early season match up could have much bigger implications around it than anyone thinks.

GAME OF THE WEEK:

Clemson vs. Alabama (+5):  We are hearing the talk again.  'This is Clemson's year'.  The Tiger's have a ton of offensive talent at the specialty positions. Their offensive line has just a few questions since they are starting five underclassmen, and three new starters.  On defense, Clemson should have one of the better stop units in the country.  With that said, it is games like this that Clemson has the tendency to lose.  And lose late. 

Alabama is still in a bit of rebuilding mode in Saban's second year, but they aren't dearth of talent.  John Parker Wilson is entering his third year as the starting QB, and we should see some vast improvement in his Senior year. 

They should also have a pretty good defense on their side of the ball.  I really only see two likely outcomes.  Either Clemson is ready to put a hurt on Alabama and beat them by two TD's or more, or it remains close throughout and Alabama pulls off the upset.  I'll side with history and take the Tide in a low scoring see-saw battle...

Alabama 23  Clemson 20.

Labor Day:

Fresno State @ Rutgers (+ 5):  I'll be short and sweet.  This is a trendy upset pick.  I'm not buying into it.  Rutgers still has talent even with the departure of Ray Rice, and Fresno has to travel clear across the country for this one.  I'll take Rutgers and lay the five.  This line will likely go down by game time to around three or so. 

Rutgers 34 Fresno State 22.

Tennessee @ UCLA (+7):  The Vols are making that dreadful early season voyage to the West Coast again.  This time against a rebuilding Bruins squad with new headman Rick Neuheisel.  Fulmer is under some heat this year, and if he were to lose this early contest, the grumblings could start very early.  Taking history into consideration, I very much expect that to happen.  Take the money line and the Bruins as they play inspired ball for their new coach and offensive guru Norm Chow. 

UCLA 27 Tennessee 24.