9 South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt
The college football season kicks off with a war of SEC teams. With Marcus Lattimore healthy the Gamecocks will be heavy favorites over Vandy. Not too fast. The Commodores have experience on offense from Jordan Rodgers and Zac Stacy. If the offensive line can keep Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor from murdering Rodgers they might have a chance. The player I'm watching? Connor Shaw is now the starter for sure after last year's craziness. How will he react to his new duties? Lattimore and Shaw run all over Vanderbilt's weak rush defense South Carolina wins.
South Carolina, 28 Vanderbilt, 17
Washington State vs. BYU
As good as the Michigan-Alabama game is, and the Michigan State-Boise matchup, I'm just as excited about this one. BYU could be dangerous under Riley Nelson and a bunch of talented receivers including Cody Hoffman and Ross Apo. Meanwhile, a usually unexciting Washington State team unveils Mike Leach and his new Air Raid offense. BYU's defense is vastly underrated and they should be able to play strong against Jeff Tuel and the Cougars. In order for a win, BYU must score points and a lot of them. That means a big game from Nelson and solid contributions on the ground from Michael Alisa. If they do, BYU should win easily.
BYU, 34 Washington State, 24
24 Boise State vs. 13 Michigan State
Both these teams will be breaking in a new quarterback as Boise debuts Joe Southwick and the Spartans Andrew Maxwell. Maxwell impressed me in the spring game and he'll be playing a Broncos defense that lost a lot of leadership. Expect a big game from Spartans back Le'Veon Bell as he has the talent to do serious damage against this rebuilding front seven of Boise. Meanwhile, for Boise they have to get a lot of good play from Southwick. The good thing is that he is passing to talented receivers in Matt Miller and tight end Gabe Linehan. Though this defense could end up shutting down this Broncos offense. Actually, they will shut down this offense.
Michigan State, 31 Boise State, 14
2 Alabama vs. 8 Michigan
The game of the week features two teams who could end up vying for a championship slot. Alabama lost a lot of talent on both sides of the ball but should still have a good shot at beating the Wolverines. A.J. McCarron could end up having a big year if he continues what he did in last year's National Championship game. Though that won't be how the Crimson Tide can win. They need big play from their reloaded defense which includes tackle Jesse Williams and linebackers Nico Johnson and C.J. Mosley. Will they be able to shut down Denard Robinson and Fitzgerald Toussaint. If they do, it's a win.
Alabama, 27 Michigan, 24
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