Predictions For Week One of The 2010 College Football Season

FROM:  http://machorhino.com/?p=15968

Week 1 of the 2010 college football season opens tonight! It’s time for my picks for the games involving Macho Rhino’s Top 25 teams. This season I will make my picks on Thursday or prior to the start of the first game involving a Macho Rhino Top 25 team. I will link to “experts” and see how my picks do against there’s each week also.

1. Alabama vs. San Jose State – Even without the injured, returning Heisman winner Mark Ingram, the defending champs should roll in their opener. The starters will get to pad their stats some before being able to watch from the sideline in the fourth quarter.Alabama 55, San Jose State 3

2. Boise State vs. 8. Virginia Tech – This one is the big one. The game everyone will be watching Monday night as the Broncos travel to Washington D.C. to take on the Hokies. If the Broncos can win it sets up a run towards the BCS and hopefully a shot at the national championship, a loss is a crushing defeat. Boise won’t have seen a runner like Ryan Williams but Kellen Moore will guide their offense to a victory. Boise State 28, Virginia Tech 24

3. Ohio State vs. Marshall – Terrelle Pryor should kick off his Heisman campaign with a huge game. I’d look for over 300 yards total offense from him as the Buckeyes win easily. Ohio State 34, Marshall 7

4. Miami vs. Florida A&M – Jacory Harris and the Canes have big expectations for the first time in years and should put up big numbers in this one. The Canes will get a lead and put the subs in so they don’t risk injury heading in to next week’s huge game at Ohio State. Miami 49, Florida A&M 7

5. Texas at Rice – Rice is no match for the Longhorns. Luckily for Rice, the rest of the season gets easier but they open with an ugly loss. Texas 55, Rice 6

6. Florida vs. Miami (OH) – Last year’s seniors who were some of the most successful in college football history are gone leaving huge shoes to fill at several positions for the Gators. Not much to worry about though as Urban Meyer has a roster stocked with supreme talent. Florida 42, Miami (OH) 13

7. Iowa vs. Eastern Illinois – While the Hawkeyes have struggled in openers in the past, this one shouldn’t be much of a problem. Their defense should control a good FCS team and put the offense in good position for several scoring drives. Iowa 38, Eastern Illinois 10

9. TCU vs. 16. Oregon State – This is the second biggest game of the weekend as BCS crasher TCU looks to defeat one of the favorites to win the Pac-10 this season. TCU returns several starters from a very good team last year that went 12-1. Oregon State brings back Jacquizz Rodgers, one of the best runners in the country. This one takes place at Cowboys Stadium so while it’s technically a neutral site game, the crowd should be overwhelmingly behind the Horned Frogs. Andy Dalton will make plays to get his team a tough victory. TCU 31, Oregon State 28

10. Wisconsin at UNLV – Wisconsin opens up on the road in Vegas against an overmatched Runnin’ Rebels. John Clay runs wild in this game as the Badgers O-line simply dominates. Wisconsin 35, UNLV 10

11. Oregon vs. New Mexico – Oregon will break in a new QB but should have no trouble against the Lobos. LaMichael James has a huge game and carries them to an easy W to start the year in Eugene. Oregon 45, New Mexico 6

12. Nebraska vs. Western Kentucky – The Huskers will boast one of the country’s best defenses again this year but the questions are on offense. Can they get consistent play at QB to challenge not just for the Big XII title but make them national title contenders? Western Kentucky isn’t the type of team to use as a measuring stick. Nebraska 38, Western Kentucky 3

13. Auburn vs. Arkansas State – Auburn debuts new QB and Florida transfer Cam Newton. He’s a dynamic run/pass threat who should thrive in the spread offense at Auburn. There might be some kinks to work out this game which is the only Arkansas State has. Auburn 41, Arkansas State 13

14. Oklahoma vs. Utah State – Utah State is trending upward but they’re way out of their league in this one. The Sooners are out to prove last year was a fluke and should dominate this game. Oklahoma 38, Utah State 7

15. Pittsburgh at Utah – Pitt travels across the country for a dangerous opener against a good Utes team. Pitt comes prepared with Dion Lewis and a great offensive attack. It’s not going to be an easy place to have a QB making his first start but Lewis should find enough holes to let Pitt leave with a win. Pittsburgh 28, Utah 27

17. Arkansas vs. Tennessee Tech – This one should get ugly fast. The Razorbacks will unleash Ryan Mallett and crew against a FCS team that will be lucky to stay within 50. Arkansas 63, Tennessee Tech 6

18. Florida State vs. Samford – Jimbo Fisher starts his tenure at the helm of Florida State against the school Bobby Bowden began his coaching career with. Mickey Andrews retired as defensive coordinator and Mark Stoops has taken over that role now. Samford is in this for the paycheck and a big loss. Christian Ponder throws four touchdowns. Florida State 41, Samford 3

19. LSU vs. 21. North Carolina – UNC has had to deal with controversy in the offseason regarding player eligibility while Les Miles has had to hear he might be out after this season if they don’t win more than they did last year. Miles is a great bowl coach and I think will treat this game in Atlanta as such and find a way for his team to pull it out. With suspensions looming for UNC, I can’t see them being 100% focused on this game and LSU will be. LSU 16, North Carolina 10

20. West Virginia vs. Coastal Carolina – The Chanticleers will be greatly overmatched by the speed of West Virginia. Look for Noel Devine to rack up 150 yard before allowing the backups to see some action. West Virginia 56, Coastal Carolina 7

22. Penn State vs. Youngstown State – Evan Royster will run wild in this one as the Nittany Lions beat up one a FCS team. Youngstown needs to just try to get a touchdown which there were unable to do in two games against FBS teams last year. Penn State 42, Youngstown State 6

23. Washington at BYU- Jake Locker has to know how big of a game this is for his Huskies. He’s the multi-talented QB leading Washington to take on the Cougars. BYU will be replacing Max Hall and has had success recently against the Pac-10. This game becomes a back and forth affair and I’m going to go with Locker to make a play in the fourth that sets up the win. Washington 31, BYU 30

24. Georgia Tech vs. South Carolina State – Another mismatched FCS team going for the payday this Saturday. The triple option is hard enough to defense when you have top shelf athletes. Tech will run all over their outmatched competition. Georgia Tech 56, South Carolina State 3

25. Navy at Maryland – The Midshipmen will run all over Maryland in this one and should cruise to a win. Not the start Coach Fridge is looking for this year. Navy 31, Maryland 10

Each week I’ll also make three bonus selections of intriguing games outside of our top 25.

Missouri vs. Illinois – The last chapter of this rivalry for the foreseeable future ends in St. Louis this Saturday. Missouri had the shocking loss of running back Derrick Washington to suspension last week while Illinois is trying to improve on a hugely disappointing season last year. The Tigers should be fine in this one without Washington, they’re a pass first team and as long as Blaine Gabbert stays healthy for four quarters of this one, he should dissect the Illini defense like he did last year. Illinois is starting what’s likely Ron Zook’s last year and they’ve got holes to fill at many positions from last year’s team. While the new blood may improve them, it’s unlikely to make a huge jump from last year. Missouri 34, Illinois 14

Connecticut at Michigan – This fall UConn has high hopes. They’ve got the schedule and team they think can challenge for the Big East Championship. Michigan desperately needs to win this game. A loss will be a blow to Rich Rodriguez and keep the talk of his dismissal as coach at the forefront for at least another week. I think Michigan has eight win potential this year as Rodriguez has players who understand his system now and some playmakers who can execute it. This is a game that will motivate both teams as they know a win will be a confidence boost. I think it ends up being a back and forth game and I’ve just got a feeling the Wolverines will find a way to win at home. Michigan 27, Connecticut 24

Northwestern at Vanderbilt – Bobbie Caldwell gets his first shot and leading the Commodores on the sideline against the visiting Wildcats. He’s only had a little over a month to get his message across to the team since taking over. Pat Fitzgerald thinks his Wildcats are ready for a big season, hoping they can challenge the top tier of teams in the Big Ten. Northwestern showed they could play with the SEC last year in taking Auburn to overtime in their bowl game. They should have no problem with Vandy. Northwestern 28, Vanderbilt 17