COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS WEEK 1 FT. ALABAMA VS WISCONSIN
Welcome back College Football, I missed you. I am so excited for this season to start. Last year I took on Phil Steele’s College Football Picks challenge, and defeated arguably the greatest mind of College Football Analysts with a 116-34 record compared to Steele’s 111-39. This year I will take on the challenge again.
My Record: 0-0
Phil’s Record: 0-0
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. 
North Carolina Tar Heels
Thursday at 6:00 p.m., ESPN
The First game of the year should be an exciting one as two 6-6 teams from last year face off. While the records would indicate both teams were close in talent, most of South Carolina’s losses were close games, unlike North Carolina where most of the L’s were blow outs. Look for the Gamecocks to come out of the gate slowly but eventually pick up the win with good defense.
The Pick: South Carolina
Oklahoma State Cowboys at 
Central Michigan Chippewas
Thursday at 7:00 p.m., ESPNU
If you are looking for a fun high scoring shoot out on the first day of the season, this might be it. The Chippewas are a bit of a sleeper in the MAC, however, Oklahoma State’s 16 returning starters, including Quarterback Mason Rudoplh should be able to get the job done in their season opener, especially against a new head coach for the Chippewas.
The Pick: Oklahoma State
Michigan Wolverines at 
Utah Utes
Thursday at 8:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1
This is a must-watch game with Jim Harbaugh making his debut as Head Coach of the Wolverines. Last year, The Utes found a way to shock the Wolverines in the Big House with a 26-10 win, this year a Utah win will be far from shocking. In what should be a fun, hard-hitting defensive battle look for Utah to reign supreme.
The Pick: Utah
No. 15 
Arizona State Sun Devils vs. 
Texas A&M Aggies
Saturday at 7:00 p.m., ESPN
In this Pac-12 vs SEC showdown don’t be fooled by the “neutral” site, the Aggies will have a big home field advantage as the game is in Houston. While both teams will have improved defenses, this should be a fun, fast tempo game with two explosive quarterbacks. Despite being the unranked team, Texas A&M, a sleeper team for some people (not me) has the advantage in Vegas. Look for the upset here, my first of many predicted upsets this year.
The Pick: Arizona State
No. 20 
Wisconsin Badgers vs. No. 3 
Alabama Crimson Tide
Saturday at 8:00 p.m., ABC
In a matchup of Top-15 defenses and inexperienced QB’s these two top 20 teams will clash for supremacy. Looking at the Alabama quarterback situation shows how much a upset is a possibility here however, it has worked in the past. Look to the Battle of the Trenches for the key to this contest with Wisconsin’s inexperienced offensive line going up the best D-Line in the nation. Roll Tide.
The Pick: Alabama
Texas Longhorns at No. 11 
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Saturday at 7:30 p.m., NBC
In a matchup that would headline a season years ago this game could get lost in the shuffle come Saturday. We will see Notre Dame cornerback KeiVarae Russell for the first time in a while as one of the top corners in the country had to sit out last year. This Notre Dame team is better than the team that went to the title game in 2012 in my opinion and could turn some heads this coming season. Look for them to get started on the right path with a win over a floundering Texas squad.
The Pick: Notre Dame
No. 6 
Auburn Tigers vs 
Louisville Cardinals
Saturday at 3:30 p.m., CBS
A matchup between two teams that ended their seasons with a disappointing bowl game loss. Auburn has a defensive genius with Will Muschamp as their Defensive Coordinator, someone who most likely will receive a head coaching job over the 2016 offseason. Although they lost talent in the draft, Louisville has added talent through transfers like Devonte Fields. I’m giving the Cardinals a upset win.
The Pick: Louisville
Bowling Green Falcons at No. 25 
Tennessee Volunteers
Saturday at 7:00 p.m., SECN
Bowling Green and Tennessee both should be very improved from the year prior. The Vols can’t be caught looking ahead to their matchup vs Oklahoma next week. The Falcons lost star Quarterback Matt Johnson to injury and he will likely miss the entire year. For that reason an upset seems highly unlikely, Bowling Green should keep it interesting for about a quarter, but won’t be able to hang with the Vols.
The Pick: Tennessee
Arkansas State Red Wolves at No. 8 
USC Trojans
Saturday at 11:00 p.m., PAC12
After all that has been going on with USC coach Steve Sarkisian over the past couple of weeks it will be nice to get away from that and play some real football for the Trojans. Although Arkansas State should be the winner of the Sun Belt this coming season, it is the Sun Belt, look for the Trojans to cruise to a win.
The Pick: USC
No. 1 
Ohio State Buckeyes at
Virginia Tech Hokies
Monday at 8:00 p.m., ESPN
A Virginia Tech night game is an atmosphere like no other, the crowd will be electric when the Buckeyes come to town as one of Bud Foster’s best defenses in years takes on the number 1 team in the nation. With Joey Bosa and Noah Brown out for Ohio State for this one, it will be closer than people expect, however the unanomous number one team in the nation should pick up the win here.
The Pick: Ohio State