NCAA Football Picks: Week One
It is finally here the weekend we have been waiting for since the final whistle of the National Championship game. Opening weekend. There are some well-matched teams. Then there are those that make you think the game was scheduled just to make one of the teams look really good in their season opener. Who will win and who will lose? No one knows for sure because in any given game anyone can win or lose. We can however make some educated guesses. Here are my predictions, including the Winner and a Player to Watch, for ten games that include top twenty-five teams.
UCF at Connecticut
The University of Central Florida comes off a perfect season as self-proclaimed national champions and travel to Connecticut to play their first game. The Knights lost head coach Scott Frost to Nebraska. Connecticut has an advantage in that they have the home field and a veteran coach. But, UCF should take this game.
Player to Watch: McKenzie Milton the Central Florida Quarterback is described as a stud and is coming off a 4,000 plus yard season. Look for big things from Milton.
WINNER: UCF Knights
Oregon State at Ohio State
The big question has been how will Urban Meyer’s suspension affect the Buckeyes. The Beavers only managed to pull out one win in the 2017 season. While they are working on rebuilding the Beavers do not have what it takes to overtake the Buckeyes. Meyer or not you can count on Ohio State to win this one.
Player to Watch: Jake Luton the big quarterback for the Beavers at 6’7” and 230 pounds, Luton has the potential to be a game changer. Going into his Senior season he has something to prove.
WINNER: Ohio State Buckeyes
Washington vs. Auburn
The Number Six Huskies travel across the country to face Number Nine Auburn. This is a neutral site game played in the Mercedes-Benz Dome in Atlanta, where Auburn finished last season with a loss to Atlanta in the SEC Championship game. While it is much closer to home for Auburn it is not a true home field advantage. The teams are well matched. I think the motivation of seeing two teams they had beaten in the National Championship game will carry over into this season and give Auburn that extra something it takes to win a game like this.
Player to Watch: Myles Gaskin the Senior running back for the Huskies has had three years with over 1,300 yards rushing. This year he is likely to reach new heights.
WINNER: Auburn Tigers
Boise State at Troy
Boise State ranked Number 22 leaves the blue filed of Albertson’s Stadium to travel to Troy. As of now Troy is unranked but they are coming off a seven win streak to end last season that included a win against LSU, in Death Valley, at LSU’s homecoming game. Some may consider a Troy win in this game an upset; however, these teams are well matched. Look for a hard-fought game. With back and forth scoring. I believe the last team with the ball will win the game and that team will be Troy.
Player to Watch: Octavius Evans, Wide Receiver for Boise. Evans’ hard work earned him the right to wear the number 1 on his jersey.
WINNER: Troy Trojans
Florida Atlantic at Oklahoma
Lane Kiffin takes his Owls and flies to Oklahoma to face the Sooners sans Baker Mayfield. Even without their Heisman winning quarterback, Oklahoma starts the season ranked #8. Florida Atlantic is coming off an 11-3 season and showing great promise. The promise will lead to a great game, but it won’t be enough to topple the Sooners at home.
Player to Watch: Trey Sermon Oklahoma’s sophomore running back. If his freshman performance is any indication of what’s to come you will want to watch Sermon long after this game is over.
WINNER: Oklahoma Sooners
Michigan at Notre Dame
Ranked #14, the Wolverines head to South Bend to take on the #12 Fighting Irish. Michigan brings a well experienced team to face the Irish. The dual threat quarterback Brandon Wimbush and the undeniable home field advantage give them the edge; however, experience will win out in the end and Michigan will go home victorious
Player to Watch: Sean McKeon the big tight end from Michigan. Expect big, brash play from the Freshman who is eager to play and make things happen.
WINNER: Michigan Wolverines
Miami (Fla) at Louisiana State University
The Hurricanes will come into Baton Rouge in a manner befitting their name. They will expect to cause devastation and destruction, but the Tigers know how to hunker down and prepare for a storm. It is my opinion that the Tigers and Coach Ed Orgeron are the most under-rated team and coach in the NCAA. I think they are going to surprise a lot of folks including Mark Richt and his Hurricanes.
Player to Watch: Joe Burrow quarterback, LSU. Many folks are resting their hopes on the shoulders of Burrow. Quarterback has been the position where LSU has been lacking in recent years. Burrow has the potential to be the savior for the Tigers.
WINNER: LSU Tigers
Louisville vs Alabama
Louisville has the advantage that Alabama does not have home field advantage in this neutral site season opening game. That is probably the only advantage Louisville has. The big question of the game is who will be taking the most snaps for the Crimson Tide, Jalen Hurts or Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback who has been credited with saving the National Championship for Alabama. With great depth at every position look for Alabama to defeat the Cardinals handily.
Player to Watch: The Alabama Quarterback whomever it may be.
WINNER: Alabama Crimson Tide
West Virginia at Tennessee
West Virginia is ranked 17 and Tennssee is yet to be ranked. Jeremy Pruitt has been working hard to get Tennessee back to up to par. After the long overdue firing of Butch Jones, Pruitt had a mess to clean up when he arrived. Tennessee has the potential to be competitive this will be a good game, but it will be a settling in game and West Virginia should be able to emerge as the winner.
Player to Watch: Ty Chandler sophomore running back from Tennessee. His bigger and more versatile than in his freshman year. His additional skills, including running up the middle will make Chandler dangerous to his opponents.
WINNER: West Virginia Mountaineers
Virginia Tech at Florida State University
Numbers 19 (FSU) and 20 (Va. Tech) face off to wrap up the blockbuster opening weekend. What a close match this one looks to be. Advantage to FSU for this game in that they will be playing at home before a home crowd that wants a win. FSU also has the advantage of Willie Taggert. Jimbo Fisher left a bad taste in the mouths of Florida State fans and players. Look for a fresh start from this team and win.
Player to Watch: Cam Akers Sophomore running back from FSU. After an explosive freshman season the year of maturity and practice should make Akers even better. Look for big runs and lots of scoring from Akers.
WINNER: Florida State University Seminoles