The Return of College Football: Week 1

College Football is Back this week, and so there are a lot of games on the docket.

THURSDAY:
Marshall Thundering Herd at (2) Ohio State Buckeyes
Remember the movie We are Marshall. Terrelle Pryor doesn't care, because he doesn't want anything to get in the way of the Heisman. This game will be over by halftime as the Buckeyes will stampede the Herd. Buckeyes 55-0

Speaking of Ohio State, guess who they have next...
Florida A&M Rattlers at (13) Miami Hurricanes
This game is basically meaningless, and the Canes will prepare for their trip up north by blowing away the Rattlers. Canes 67-0

Southern Mississippi Eagles at South Carolina Gamecocks
Pick: South Carolina 23-16

(15) Pitt Panthers at Utah Utes
The Utes are capable of playing with the "big kids" (BCS division teams), having knocked off the Maize and Blue in the Big House two years ago. Utah 24-21

(14) Southern Cal Trojans at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
The Trojans begin the Lane Kiffin era in the Aloha State, but will it be a Honolulu hangover the next day, or will these Trojans not miss a step? USC 21-10

SATURDAY:
Miami Red Hawks at (4) Florida Gators
This is not the Miami-Florida matchup that many of us were expecting. But in this post-Tebow era, the Gators have to start small if they want to get back to the National Championship. Florida 31-10.

Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Fighting Irish want Coach Brian Kelly's first game to be a great one, but the Boilermakers want to spoil the party. Purdue 24-21

Connecticut Huskies at Michigan Wolverines
If UConn's football team was like the UConn basketball programs, these Huskies would be mauling the Wolverines much worse than the Tresselball-led Ohio State Buckeyes. Will the third year be the charm for Rich Rodriguez, or will the trigger-happy athletic department at U of M get ready to show Rich Rod the door? I think that Michigan will finally get it done this season, and it begins with taming these Huskies. Michigan 35-31

(24) Oregon State Beavers vs. (6) Texas Christian Horned Frogs
PICK: TCU 41-20

(21) LSU Tigers vs. (18) North Carolina Tar Heels
These Bengals travel to Chapel Hill to play the Tar Heels, who are trying to be as successful as the basketball counterparts. LSU 38-20

MONDAY
Navy Midshipmen vs. Maryland Terrapins
PICK: Navy 30-20


LOCAL COLLEGE TEAMS
Otterbein Cardinals at Husson (ME) Eagles
The last two seasons were very successful for the Cardinals, ranging from their best start in school history (8-0 in 2008), first ever playoff appearance (2008- L 62-45 to Franklin College [Indiana]), and an overall 17-4 record. Throw all that aside as the Cards take their gridiron show on the road to jolly old New England to play the Husson Eagles from Husson University in Maine. Will the Cards keep up the momentum, despite losing a few key players, or will they be jetlagged in Maine? Husson 33-20.