College Football Predictions: Predicting the Winners of 5 Big Week 1 Showdowns

The college football 2011 season is fast approaching as it begins in a few days. As with other years, Week 1 is producing some big-time showdowns that will be sure to impact the BCS outlook for the rest of the season.

Here are predicted outcomes of arguably the five biggest games of this weekend and the fate of the season for each of these five winners.

5. USF vs. Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have yet to rebound from the Brady Quinn era. Many think that with their schedule this year, they could potentially reach nine wins, making them BCS Bowl eligible for the first time in a long while.

Unfortunately for Notre Dame, USF is no cupcake first opponent. USF quarterback B.J. Daniels is more than capable of leading his team past the Irish in upsetting fashion.

Brian Kelly and company, I wish you the best.

Prediction: Notre Dame 24, USF 14

Notre Dame will go on to win nine games this season and make it to a BCS Bowl due to their bowl tie-in.

4. TCU vs. Baylor

This Friday at 8:00 PM TCU and Baylor square off. In my opinion this game is a tossup for many reasons. First, Baylor's quarterback Robert Griffin III is one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the nation. He has potential to literally will his team to victory.

Second, although TCU won the Rose Bowl last year, they have some real gaps in their team this year, especially at the quarterback position. Casey Pachall is expected to be the man to take over for Andy Dalton, but he has been nursing a sore shoulder this offseason so who knows what to expect come Friday.

Prediction: TCU 28, Baylor 24

TCU squeaks past Baylor and eventually finishes second in the Mountain West Conference.

3. SMU vs. Texas A&M

Aside from the multiple scandals involving some of the traditional powerhouses (Miami, LSU, Oregon), the biggest offseason storyline was whether or not Texas A&M will leave the Big 12 and join the SEC. 

Anyway, Texas A&M had better not underestimate SMU because SMU has a solid quarterback and some decent playmakers in Kyle Padron and Zach Line.

Jeff Fuller and Texas A&M will take care of business and contend for the Big 12 title this year.

Prediction: A&M 28, SMU 12

2. Boise St. vs. UGA

Last season could not have gone worse for the Dawgs as they posted their worst record under Mark Richt's tenure, going 6-7 and losing to UCF in their bowl game.

Boise St. almost completed its magical season, losing one game, to Nevada, and failing to make a BCS Bowl game.

This year the Dawgs are looking to save Richt's job and contend for the SEC title, while the Boise St. Broncos hope to get past Week 1 and run the table in hopes of finally getting their shot at the BCS National Title.

Prediction: UGA 27, Boise St. 21 (The fans will play a huge role in this game)

UGA will win the SEC East but lose in the SEC Championship game

1. Oregon vs. LSU

This offseason was not the smoothest for either LSU or Oregon. LSU had its starting quarterback, Jordan Jefferson, suspended indefinitely for his participation in a bar fight roughly a week ago. Oregon had its top cornerback suspended for his run-in with the law.

This being said, the showdown at Jerry Jones' stadium in Dallas will surely have the biggest immediate impact on the rest of the college football outlook.

Prediction: LSU 24, Oregon 20

Despite the loss of Jefferson, LSU will go on to win the SEC and eventually the national title.