College Football Picks: Week 1

Rejoice. My picks blog - for entertainment purposes only - is back. For those new to the program, I pick ten games of interest every week, both winners and against the spread.

The season is here! So, feast your eyes on a fresh round of picks.

Utah State at Utah (-3) (Thursday)
It's a rivalry game, and the first college football game on Fox Sports 1. Utah State took this game last year in overtime and went on to have an outstanding 11-2 season. Then Coach Gary Andersen left for Wisconsin.
Utah was a disappointing 5-7 a year ago, but I'll pick the Pac-12 program to win a rivalry game at home.
The pick: Utah 21-17

North Carolina at #6 South Carolina (-11) (Thursday)

Jadeveon Clowney is about to be let loose on college football.

Unleash the Clowney. The top NFL prospect in college football begins unleashing his terror on opposing quarterbacks. I can't remember a defensive prospect being hyped this much for the Heisman before a game has been played, and there's no reason to doubt that he's worthy of the hype. He's looked like an NFL player since he was in high school.
Besides Clowney, South Carolina has plenty of talent and SEC title dreams. I don't expect them to have any trouble at home against UNC.
The pick: South Carolina 33-13

Texas Tech (-5.5) at SMU (Friday)
Did you know that Garrett Gilbert is still in college? The freshman who replaced an injured Colt McCoy in the BCS title game once open a time has one year of eligibility left, and he's back at SMU. While I'd like to see the kid break through and have a big season, I'm not sure it's happening.
Texas Tech should feature an exciting offense under Kliff Kingsbury, and Red Raider fans are thrilled to see it. I think they'll throw it all over the field on an overmatched SMU defense.
The pick: Texas Tech 38-24

Mississippi State vs #13 Oklahoma State (-12.5) (in Houston, TX)
Ever since Oklahoma State barely missed out on a chance to play in the BCS title game two years ago, OSU fans have been dying to get a shot at the SEC. Well, here you go... kind of. Mississippi State isn't exactly the cream of the crop in the SEC, but MSU is no bottom-feeder either.
I saw a cute stat today from a press release. It said Mike Gundy is 8-1 in his last nine games against "current SEC teams." Of course, seven of those wins are against Missouri and pre-Sumlin Texas A&M. Adorable stat, but I'm going with 1-1 in his last two games against actual SEC teams (a win over Georgia and loss to Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl).
The Cowboys appear to be going with a two-quarterback system of Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh. That isn't official, but Gundy hasn't named a starter yet. I expect to see some of both, though. Regardless of who is at quarterback, OSU has plenty of talent to go around on offense, even if they're not household names yet. While the Bulldogs' SEC talent may keep them in it for a while, I think OSU will pull away and win comfortably.
The pick: Oklahoma State 38-21

Temple (+30) at #14 Notre Dame
Why pick this game? Well, research shows 50% of my readership is Notre Dame football fans. Know your audience, folks. (Hi, Dad. Hi, Stan.)
The Irish begin this season still probably licking their wounds after being destroyed in the BCS title game by Alabama. The question is if the defense can replace the playmaking of Manti Te'o and the offense can replace the production of Everett Golson. I don't think victory should be in doubt, but Notre Dame tended to play down to lower competition quite a bit last year, although the opener against Navy was the exception.
The Irish should win easily, but I think asking a Tommy Rees-led offense to outscore someone by 30 is asking a lot.
The pick: Notre Dame 35-9

#1 Alabama (-19.5) vs Virginia Tech (in Atlanta)
The champs are here! We get our first look at the defending national champions and overwhelming favorites to do it again. While I always pick Virginia Tech to make some noise and be a player in the ACC, I can't have any faith in them against Nick Saban when he's had seven months to prepare. I don't care how many NFL players Alabama lost, the next crop steps in now.
The pick: Alabama 35-3

#5 Georgia (-1.5) at #8 Clemson

Tajh Boyd could start a 2013 Heisman campaign against
a young... but talented... Georgia defense.

Georgia fans are talking SEC and national title. If that's going to happen, it starts here. This the beginning of a brutal first month for Georgia that also includes South Carolina and LSU (both at home though). I think Tajh Boyd could emerge as the best NFL QB prospect in this year's class, and I expect a big game from him against a rebuilt Georgia defense.
Georgia's offense, though, is stacked: a seasoned veteran quarterback in Aaron Murray and two dynamite running backs. I think the Dawgs will put up a lot of points in a shootout win.
The pick: Georgia 45-42

#12 LSU (-4) vs #20 TCU (in Arlington, TX)
I like this game almost as much as Georgia-Clemson, but for different reasons. Not many people are picking LSU to win the SEC, and I think the Tigers love to be able to play the "no respect" card, something they haven't been able to play much under Les Miles. TCU, meanwhile, gets Casey Pachall back at quarterback after drug issues cost him most of his 2012 season. It's not a lock that he's starting, though. Gary Patterson has yet to say whether he's starting Pachall or Trevone Boykin (last year's starter). When he's right, Pachall can be a very good player, maybe the best in the Big 12. But, I have no idea what to expect from him after a year away. What really hurts TCU in this game is the suspension of Devonte Fields on the defensive line.. at least it should. It's almost looking like Fields may play after all. If he does indeed sit out, I expect LSU to take advantage and move the ball just fine. TCU is playing close to home and won't get embarrassed, but I think the Tigers will have too much.
What I would love to see, though: LSU down 4 with a few seconds left, facing a fourth-and-goal on the one... and Patterson sweating bullets as he thinks long and hard about sending Fields into the game.
The pick: LSU 24-17

#19 Boise State (+3.5) at Washington
This is the annual "Boise State tries to prove something out of conference" game. It's not exactly a top ten opponent, but it's obviously a challenge seeing as how Washington is a slight favorite. While I still think Chris Petersen is a fantastic coach, I think some of that Boise State magic that helped them win marquee games against Virginia Tech and Georgia has faded. Washington won't be taken by surprise at home.
Gus Johnson is calling the game, though. The Rule of Gus tells me it will be close.
The pick: Washington 24-23

#22 Northwestern at California (+6)
What's a picks blog without an upset pick? Northwestern has been getting a fair amount of preseason hype, and the Wildcats are becoming a nice program under Pat Fitzgerald. Cal is looking to rebuild under new coach Sonny Dykes, and they have an exciting freshman quarterback in Jared Goff taking over the offense. While Northwestern looks pretty legit and should compete in the Big Ten, I just see this as a trap: a west coast trip against a team unveiling a new wide-open offense. Upset.
The pick: Cal 31-30

Finally, the ridiculous line of the week: Oregon is -59 against Nicholls State. I feel for the Colonels because I covered them when I got my first job down on the bayous of Louisiana. I hope it doesn't get that bad, but I fear it might be. Good luck, NSU.

College football is back, everybody. Let's enjoy the ride. We'll be arguing about BCS standings before you can blink.