2009 College Football - Week 1

The wait is over college football fans. The 2009 season is here. And it's not here with a whimper. In fact, a couple good games on the slate tonight to kick it off. But there are more than just games today. There are a slew of good games spread over the opening weekend, which is great news for everyone.

If you're new to my college football weekly preview posts, it's a pretty simple format. I will preview the 15 best games of the week. I will single out a game of the week, because that's the fad. I will also preview OU (my alma mater) and OSU (my hometown team) games, if they aren't already in the top 15. And finally, I will continue with my upset pick of the week, called the APPY, which is short for Appalachian State, who shocked the college football world with their upset of Michigan in 2007. Many times, I will choose an APPY that seems ridiculous. But that's the point. Oh, and finally, I use AP rankings, not coaches or BCS rankings. That's all there is to it. Here we go.

TOP 15 GAMES

GAME OF THE WEEK:
1. #5 Alabama vs. #7 Virginia Tech (in Atlanta) - Can't ask for much more in Week One than a Top-10 matchup of two teams hoping to make national title runs. I don't think either will but the one who wins will feel that way. Bama comes in with a new QB and a young O-Line. VT comes in with a young defense but a solid core on offense, including talented QB Tyrod Taylor. Last year, VT fell in their first game to East Carolina but this year, I'll pick VIRGINIA TECH to open the season with a convincing win.

BEST OF THE REST
2. #16 Oregon @ #14 Boise State (THURS) - I'm a big fan of BCS schools of Oregon's caliber taking a chance and playing a school of Boise State's caliber on the road. Unfortunately, I don't think this is going to end up well of Oregon. Last year, BSU beat Oregon in Eugene. This time, it's on the blue field, where the Broncos seem to never lose. I'll take BOISE STATE in a close one.

3. #20 BYU vs. #3 Oklahoma (in Arlington) - Oklahoma has a lot to prove this year, after their lack of offensive output in the BCS national championship. They'll get their chance against a BYU team that gives up a lot of points. But they know how to score too, and with senior QB Max Hall leading the way, look for this game to have plenty of points and fairly close through 3 quarters. But OKLAHOMA will survive a semi-scare in week 1.

4. #13 Georgia @ #9 Oklahoma State - This is just the first of many tough games for the Dawgs. It's also the first start for UGA QB Joe Cox, who will be charged with scoring a ton of points to match a potent OKST offense. The Cowboys are led by QB Zach Robinson and WR Dez Bryant and if last year was any indication, they will be quite the tandem this season. Both teams will have fine seasons but OKLAHOMA STATE is the one who starts 1-0.

5. Cincinnati @ Rutgers (MON) - Yes, it may be a battle of unranked teams but this game will be big in the Big East. Cincinnati is the preseason favorite, thanks to its recent success and returners such as QB Tony Pike and WR Mardy Gilyard. But Rutgers only lost to Cincy 13-10 last year in the Queen City and will be playing their first game in their newly renovated stadium. It should be an exciting Labor Day game in Piscataway but I'm going with CINCINNATI in a close one.

6. Nevada vs. #23 Notre Dame - The casual college football fan may see this as an easy win for the Irish. But Nevada is no slouch. Their offense was ranked 5th last year, thanks to their Pistol offense led by WAC player of the year QB Colin Kaepernick. Their defense though was in a word, awful. That's why if the Irish can score like they did in their bowl game with Hawaii last year (49-21 win), they'll be just fine. NOTRE DAME wins but not without sweating through 3 quarters.

7. Miami (FL) @ #18 Florida State (MON) - Last year, the 'Noles struggled against the 'Canes in a 41-39 win, despite being the superior team. This year, expect the same. It's just the product of it being a rivalry game. FSU is the better team but Randy Shannon will have the 'Canes ready to go. Not sure this one will be another instant classic but I am fairly sure that FLORIDA STATE will come out victorious.

8. Missouri @ Illinois (at St. Louis) - Last year, this was a game between top 25 teams hoping to gain national respect in September. This year, it's just a battle of two teams, hoping this jump starts what will be a good season. Mizzou lost QB Chase Daniel. Illinois brings back QB Juice Williams. That will be the difference in the first game. ILLINOIS wins by a healthy margin.

9. Western Michigan @ Michigan - The Broncos aren't gonna be scared of the Wolverines at all. Last year, WMU beat Illinois in Champaign, in what was seen as an upset. The same could happen here, especially with all the talk about Michigan and coach Rich Rodriguez. Will they be a distraction come Saturday. Only time will tell. I'll pick MICHIGAN to avoid the upset but wouldn't be surprised to see them fall either.

10. Minnesota @ Syracuse - This actually may not be one of the best games but it is one of the most intriguing. The Gophers return 15 starters but are switching offenses, so could look a bit messy in the first game. Meanwhile, Syracuse is starting former Duke point guard Greg Paulus at QB. How well will he play in his first football game since high school? Who knows but I can't wait to see. I'll pick SYRACUSE to win, mainly cause I don't trust Minnesota.

11. #11 LSU @ Washington - This should be an easy win for LSU on paper but on the field, it may be different. The Tigers have all the talent to compete for an SEC title but they're still a young team. Meanwhile, the Huskies are coming off a winless 2008, much of that thanks to a thumb injury to QB Jake Locker, their lone playmaker. He's back and healthy and former USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian takes over as head coach. LSU will still win this game but it'd be a good sign for Washington if they hang with the Tigers for a half.

12. South Carolina @ NC State (THURS) - A battle of two teams hoping to really improve upon mediocre seasons. The Gamecocks did make a New Year's bowl game but in now ways, were happy with a 7-6 season. Stephen Garcia returns as starter and is expected to do big things. Meanwhile, NCST rallied to make a bowl game and could carry that momentum into 2009. This game is a virtual toss-up, which should mean it's a close game. My pick is SOUTH CAROLINA by 3 points or less.

13. Baylor @ Wake Forest - Don't look now but the Baylor Bears are on the rise. Art Briles made strides in his first year and should make more this season. QB Robert Griffin should improve upon his freshman campaign and the defense should improve as a unit as well. On the other hand, Wake returns 9 starters on what was an anemic offense in 2008, but that does include reliable QB Riley Skinner. Last year, Wake won 41-13 at Baylor. It won't be that lopsided this time but WAKE FOREST will still win the ballgame.

14. #8 Ole Miss @ Memphis (SUN) - The last thing Ole Miss can afford to do in the beginning of the season is struggle out the gate on the road, playing a team like Memphis. It's not easy opening on the road, which is why this game makes the list. But Memphis is not a good team by any means this season. OLE MISS should roll but if this game is within 21, the doubters will surface early.

15. Central Michigan @ Arizona - The Chippewas struggled mightily down the stretch last year, losing their last 3. This year, they get the chance to start the year with a bang. QB Dan LeFevour is one of the more dynamic players in the nation and with 10 players on defense, CMU is no cupcake. Arizona returns 13 starters from last year's 8-5 team. They must replace their QB and their starting WRs so there may be a learning curve for the offense. That's enough for me to use my APPY pick on CENTRAL MICHIGAN to beat the Wildcats in Tucson.

EXTRA GAMES
Navy @ #6 Ohio State - All week, I've read all these quotes from Jim Tressel and QB Terrelle Pryor commenting on how good Navy is. While they are being politically correct and sportsmanlike, they are also lying. The Naval Academy will be no competition for the Buckeyes. The only concern is if OSU will be looking ahead to USC and not stumble out of the gates, like they did against OU in September 2008. OHIO STATE 45, NAVY 7

UConn @ Ohio - The last time a Big East school traveled to Peden Stadium, it was the MAC school that won the game. Granted, that was thanks to two infamous INT returns from Dion Byrum, but hey, a win is a win. This OU team has the potential to win the MAC East and I know how much this would mean to the Bobcat program. But UConn will be ready for this one and their defense should be stout enough to slow down the Bobcat offense. UCONN 27, OHIO 14

There they are. I'll keep tabs of my picks and compile how good/bad I do all season. Feel free to leave your opinions of my picks in the comments section. Most times, I will respond. Better chance if I actually know who you are by leaving your name. Enjoy the football everyone!