Week 1 College Football Preview
We couldn’t resist. The NFL kicks-off in just seven days but the college game gets started this Thursday. Each week, Pat Greissing will highlight three of the weekend’s biggest match-ups and unveil BumpAndRun.com’s Top 15.
Pittsburgh vs. Utah: Thursday, 8:30PM EST, Versus
The college football season kicks-off on Thursday night with two of our top 15 teams playing on Versus. Pittsburgh opens up the season after crumbling in their regular season finale last year. A half of football away from a BCS game and the Panthers failed to deliver. They return sophomore sensation Dion Lewis at RB, but running against the Utes could prove difficult.
The Utes begin their last season in the underrated Mountain West Conference with a home game against a BCS school. The Utes are very tough on defense and have an All-American caliber DE in Jabaal Sheard. The game will rest on the arm of QB Jordan Wynn as he attempts to begin the season where he left off last year.
Pick: Utah 27-Pitt 17
Oregon St vs TCU: Saturday, 7:45 EST, ESPN
It is hard to believe but the Horned Frogs have built themselves into a college football powerhouse. They didn’t lose last year until the Fiesta Bowl against Boise St., and they return nine offensive starters. Andy Dalton returns at QB for TCU and if he can start the season off by putting up big numbers, he could very well be starting a Heisman campaign for himself. The Horned Frogs defense took a few hits with players being drafted and graduating, but they always seem to be a top 15 defense every year.
Oregon St. is traveling to Cowboys Stadium for this game but it’s not with a lack of talent. While Oregon St. has a new starting QB, they have the explosive Rodgers brothers back for another year. The tandem at RB and WR are two of the most explosive players in the Pac-10 and will provide a great challenge for TCU to start the season.
Pick: TCU 31-Oregon St 28
Boise St. vs. Virginia Tech: Monday, 8:00 EST, ESPN
Week 1 concludes on Monday night with a matchup of top 10 teams at a “neutral” site at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. The stadium will be filled with 98% Tech fans. The winner of this game takes a major step in establishing itself on a path to the BCS title game. Virginia Tech will have to establish their running game early if they hope to move the ball against Boise St. They have a great two-headed monster in Ryan Williams and Darren Evans. Tyrod Taylor returns at QB, but is much more of a threat with his legs than his arm.
Boise St. is returning almost all of their starters from last years Fiesta Bowl winning team. QB Kellen Moore is set for another huge season with both of his main targets returning. Titus Young will pose a big problem for Tech’s cornerbacks. You never know what to expect from the Broncos as head coach Chris Petersen is an offensive genius.
The powerhouse conference against the king of the little conferences; it should be a gem and an excellent way to conclude the first week of the college football season.
Pick: Boise 23-Tech 14
BumpAndRun.com’s Top 15
1. Alabama
2. Boise St.
3. Ohio St.
4. TCU
5. Texas
6. Iowa
7. Florida
8. Va Tech
9. Miami (FL)
10. Oklahoma
11. Oregon
12. Wisconsin
13. Pittsburgh
14. Utah
15. Nebraska
