College Football Week 1: Flynn's 15 Fearless Picks

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

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 10: Head coach Dan Hawkins of the Colorado Buffaloes gets his team ready before a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 10, 2009 at the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

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

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Head coach Pat Hill of the Frenso State Bulldogs looks at the field during the game against the UCLA Bruins on September 27, 2008 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 24: Jeff Tuel #10 of the Washington State Cougars passes against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

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

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 31: Chris Marve #13 of the Vanderbilt Commodores tackles Montel Harris #41 of the Boston College Eagles during the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl at LP Field on December 31, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Get

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

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Jordan Wynn #3 of the Utah Utes reacts in the second quarter of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners drops back to pass against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl on October 17, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 02: Victor Anderson #20 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on October 2, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy

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

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

CORVALLIS, OR - NOVEMBER 15: Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers runs with the ball against the California Golden Bears at Reser Stadium on November 15, 2008 in Corvalis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

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)

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 05: Running back Andre Ellington #23 of the Clemson Tigers is knocked out of bounds by defenders Mario Butler #2 and Mario Edwards #33 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the 2009 ACC Football Championship game at Raymond James Sta

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

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Jordan Jefferson #9 of the Louisiana State University Tigers against the Florida Gators at Tiger Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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

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MIAMI - JANUARY 01: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs the ball for a toucdown against Brandon Underwood #8 of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the FedEx Orange Bowl against at Dolphin Stadium on January 1, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by

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

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ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Ralph Friedgen of the Maryland Terrapins watches his team take on the Purdue Boilermakers in the Champs Sports Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl December 29, 2006 in Orlando, Florida. Maryland defeated Purdue 24-7. (Photo

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.