College Football Predictions 2011: Week 1 Picks

College football is finally back, and it's bringing with it an exciting slate of games for its first week.

Picks for the biggest and best games of Week 1 are right here.

From the Pac-12 to the SEC, I'll go through the biggest match ups of the upcoming weekend of college football. I'll tell you who is going to win and what the score will be.

Let's get it on!

UNLV vs. No. 11 Wisconsin

Wisconsin was one of the best teams in the country last season, and they look to only get better in 2011.

The addition of NC State transfer Russell Wilson is an upgrade at quarterback, and their power game will be too much for UNLV.

Prediction: Wisconsin 46-17

No. 14 TCU vs. Baylor

TCU had a season to remember last year, beating Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl and finishing as a top five team.

Baylor's 2010 was also memorable, as they went to their first bowl in over a decade.

TCU has lost some guys, most notably quarterback Andy Dalton.

Baylor has one of the most exciting players in college football in quarterback Robert Griffin.

I'm going out on a limb here.

Prediction: Baylor 27-24

LA-Lafayette vs. No. 9 Oklahoma State

These two teams played last year, and Oklahoma State actually trailed at halftime before pulling way ahead in the second half.

It won't be as tough this time around.

Quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon will start another record-breaking season off with a bang.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 56-21

Tulsa vs. No. 1 Oklahoma

Tulsa has talent and is one of the best non-BCS conference teams out there.

But it won't be enough.

Even with their injuries and lack of depth at certain defensive positions, OU will have no trouble in this one.

Prediction: OU 59-28

Kent State vs. No. 2 Alabama

Any point in even talking about this one?

Alabama has the best defense in the country, and their offense will be carried on the shoulders of Trent Richardson.

Nick Saban is a big-time coach, who has plenty of big-game experience.

Prediction: Alabama 38-7

No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 4 LSU

This is by far the biggest matchup of Week 1.

Unfortunately, LSU's whole team won't be there.

Fortunately for them, they're playing at home and have a great all-around team.

Oregon's fast-paced offense doesn't work as well against an SEC defense, as proven in last year's national championship.

Prediction: LSU 27-20

No. 5 Boise State vs. No. 19 Georgia

A few years ago this would have been a much easier pick.

But Georgia has gone downhill; Boise has done the opposite.

This is the second-biggest matchup of this first week, and it'll be a knock-down, drag-out "dogfight."

Unfortunately, puns don't translate to wins.

Prediction: Boise State 31-29

LA-Monroe vs. No. 5 Florida State

Florida State has been a sexy dark-horse national championship pick this preseason.

They just brought in a great recruiting class and have an improving defense under Mark Stoops.

E.J. Manuel is taking over the starting  QB job, and it is encouraging that he already has experience playing the quarterback position in big games.

Their championship hopes won't be derailed this week.

Prediction: FSU 47-13

Akron vs. No. 18 Ohio State

They've got a brand new head coach.

They're losing some of their biggest playmakers for the first five games of the season, including starting running back Dan Herron.

But they are still Ohio State, and that will be enough to take care of Akron.

Prediction: Ohio State 42-17

Utah St. vs. No. 23 Auburn

I hope Gene Chizik enjoyed it while it lasted. It's over now.

Auburn lost Cam Newton, who many would argue single-handedly won last year's championship.

A pending NCAA investigation casts a shadow on the future of this program.

They'll be okay for now but just okay.

Utah State is more talented than most realize.

Prediction: Auburn 28-24

Minnesota vs. No. 25 USC

USC is still under the cloud of NCAA sanctions.

But they had a good season last year and hope to build on that this season.

They have lots of talent, the peak of that talent being quarterback Matt Barkley.

But they didn't utilize that talent as well as they should have last year, and that will continue.

Still, Minnesota isn't very good.

Prediction: USC 34-24

SMU vs. No. 8 Texas A&M

After a shaky start to last season, A&M finished the year at 9-3 with wins over Oklahoma and Texas.

This year, the press surrounding the team has been about their impending move to the SEC, largely ignoring how good their team is.

They're predicted by many to be second in the Big 12, and that certainly isn't a stretch.

June Jones is trying to return SMU to its former glory, but it ain't happening this first week.

Prediction: Texas A&M 45-21

Marshall vs. No. 24 West Virginia

New head coach Dana Holgorsen is one of the best offensive minds in football.

He had an immediate impact last year at Oklahoma State, and West Virginia will be no different.

Quarterback Geno Smith will become the best quarterback in the Big East under his tutelage.

Marshall has some added motivation as a rival, but it won't be enough.

Prediction: West Virginia 52-27