Here are my picks for week one of the 2019 College Football season.
Thursday, August 29th
UCLA at Cincinnati- 7:00, ESPN: Chip Kelly's team is a popular pick to have a bounce back season, but this Bearcats team wants to come out and prove to people that they can play with brand name schools in what should be a ruckus atmosphere. Give me the Bearcats and don't forget, this team beat UCLA in the Rose Bowl last year!
Pick: Cincinnati
Wagner at Connecticut- 7:00, ESPN3
Pick: Connecticut
Albany at Central Michigan- 7:00, ESPN3
Pick: Central Michigan
Morgan State at Bowling Green- 7:00, ESPN3
Pick: Bowling Green
Robert Morris at Buffalo- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: Buffalo
FAU at (17) UCF- 7:30, CBSSN
Pick: UCF
Central Arkansas at WKU- 7:30, ESPN+
Pick: WKU
Gardner-Webb at Charlotte- 7:30, ESPN+
Pick: Charlotte
Georgia Tech at (1) Clemson- 8:00, ACCN: It's awesome that the best team in the sport opens on the new ACC Network as it's first game, but too bad the Yellow Jackets are a rebuilding squad that will finish at the bottom of the conference.
Pick: Clemson
FIU at Tulane- 8:00, ESPN3: It's a little bummer that this game won't be on a bigger network channel because these are two teams that can make noise in their respective conferences. Give me the Green Wave at home.
Pick: Tulane
Alabama A&M at UAB- 8:00, ESPN+
Pick: UAB
Texas State at (12) Texas A&M- 8:30, SECN
Pick: Texas A&M
South Dakota State at Minnesota- 9:00, FS1
Pick: Minnesota
Kent State at Arizona State- 10:00, Pac-12
Pick: Arizona State
Northern Colorado at San Jose State- 10:00
Pick: San Jose State
(14) Utah at BYU- 10:15, ESPN: Best game of the Thursday night slate between these two instate rivals. The Utes are a team that could be a surprise college football playoff contender with key pieces returning and I like them here in what should be a fun game.
Pick: Utah
Friday, August 30th
Rice at Army- 6:00, CBSSN
Pick: Army
Tulsa at (18) Michigan State- 7:00, FS1
Pick: Michigan State
(19) Wisconsin at South Florida- 7:00, ESPN: Some folks think the Bulls have a chance to steal this game. I don't think that and I feel the Badgers are poised to get off a good start led by Jonathan Taylor.
Pick: Wisconsin
Massachusetts at Rutgers- 7:15, BTN
Pick: Rutgers
Utah State at Wake Forest- 8:00, ACCN: There are folks that think the Aggies will pull off the upset with their quarterback Jordan Love, but I don't see it. The Demon Decons are a team that I think can surprise folks in the ACC this season and I like them to get the win here.
Pick: Wake Forest
Purdue at Nevada- 9:30, CBSSN: Here is another interesting game. The Wolf Pack are a team that people like for a Week 1 upset, but I don't think they can get enough stops with the Boiler Makers high powered offense.
Pick: Purdue
Colorado State vs Colorado- 10:00, ESPN: This game will be played in Denver as it is every year. I don't expect either of these teams to make bowl games, but the Buffaloes are the choice here to get off to a good start.
Pick: Colorado
Oklahoma State at Oregon State- 10:30, FS1: There are folks that like the Beavers to pull off a Week 1 upset, but I don't see it. The Beavers defense is Swiss cheese and I like the Cowboys to roll here.
Pick: Oklahoma State
Saturday, August 31st
FAU at (5) Ohio State- 12:00, FOX
Pick: Ohio State
Northern Iowa at (21) Iowa State- 12:00, FS1
Pick: Iowa State
South Alabama at (24) Nebraska- 12:00, ESPN
Pick: Nebraska
East Carolina at NC State- 12:00, ACCN: This game is somewhat interesting. The Pirates will keep this competitive, but the Wolfpack will win it.
Pick: NC State
Akron at Illinois- 12:00, BTN
Pick: Illinois
Indiana vs Ball State- 12:00, CBSSN: This game will be played in Indianapolis. I don't see this being that competitive as the Hoosiers are the more superior team.
Pick: Indiana
Howard at Maryland- 12:00, BTN
Pick: Maryland
Indiana State at Kansas- 12:00, Jayhawk: Every year a FCS team upsets an FBS team. This is the choice for that as the Sycamores will spoil Les Miles's Jayhawks debut.
Pick: Indiana State
Toledo at Kentucky- 12:00, ACCN
Pick: Kentucky
Ole Miss at Memphis- 12:00, ABC: This game will have a bunch of points scored in it for sure. The Rebels made good coordinator hires, but I don't see it paying off right away as the Tigers led by Brady White will get the home win.
Pick: Memphis
Mississippi State vs Louisiana- 12:00, ESPNU: This game will be played in New Orleans in the Superdome. The Rajun Cajuns are a team that is somewhat competitive with the big dogs and I can see them hanging around, but the Bulldogs pulling away.
Pick: Mississippi State
Boise State at Florida State- 12:00, ESPNEWS: This game got moved to Tallahassee due to the prospect of Hurricane Dorian. My pick doesn't change with the game being moved as well as the time and I like Cam Akers to lead the Seminoles to a win.
Pick: Florida State
James Madison at West Virginia- 2:00, Root Sports: This is a spot folks like for an FCS over FBS upset, but the Mountaineers aren't as bad as people think. I think they win this in Neal Brown's debut although the Dukes will be competitive with a chance to steal the game.
Pick: West Virginia
Rhode Island at Ohio- 2:00, ESPN+
Pick: Ohio
Eastern Washington at (13) Washington- 3:00, Pac-12
Pick: Washington
Bucknell at Temple- 3:00, ESPN3
Pick: Temple
Duke vs (2) Alabama- 3:30, ABC: This game will be played in Atlanta in the Mercedez Benz Dome. The Tide have dealt with injuries lately most notably linebacker Dylan Moses suffering a season ending knee injury. That said, they're still miles better than the Blue Devils and should roll to a win.
Pick: Alabama
Idaho at (15) Penn State- 3:30, BTN
Pick: Penn State
Colgate at Air Force- 3:30
Pick: Air Force
Holy Cross at Navy- 3:30, CBSSN
Pick: Navy
Eastern Michigan at Coastal Carolina- 3:30, ESPN+
Pick: Coastal Carolina
South Carolina vs North Carolina- 3:30, ESPN: This game will be played at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Tar Heels bring back Mack Brown to be their head coach, but this first season won't go well and I like the Gamecocks here to get an important win.
Pick: North Carolina
Georgia State at Tennessee- 3:30, ESPNU
Pick: Tennessee
East Tennessee State at Appalachian State- 3:30, ESPN+
Pick: Appalachian State
Northwestern at (25) Stanford- 4:00, FOX: Everyone knows Pat Fitzgerald's success as an underdog and now he has a five-star quarterback in Hunter Johnson. My issue is that the Cardinal are a team I feel is flat out better led by quarterback KJ Costello and I like them to get the win here.
Pick: Stanford
Portland State at Arkansas- 4:00, SECN
Pick: Arkansas
Montana State at Texas Tech- 4:00
Pick: Texas Tech
Virginia Tech at Boston College- 4:00, ACCN: This is a seismic game for this early in the season between these two conference foes. Steve Addazio is coaching for his job this season and he has a good offense and I believe AJ Dillon will lead the way to a Week 1 win.
Pick: Boston College
(22) Syracuse at Liberty- 6:00, ESPN+
Pick: Syracuse
Sam Houston State at New Mexico- 6:00, ESPN3
Pick: New Mexico
Incarnate Word at UTSA- 6:00, ESPN3
Pick: UTSA
Campbell at Troy- 6:00, ESPN+
Pick: Troy
UC Davis at California- 6:30
Pick: California
VMI at Marshall- 6:30
Pick: Marshall
Norfolk State at Old Dominion- 7:00, ESPN3
Pick: Old Dominion
Alcorn State at Southern Miss- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: Southern Miss
Illinois State at Northern Illinois- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: Northern Illinois
Monmouth at Western Michigan- 7:00, ESPN3
Pick: Western Michigan
SMU at Arkansas State- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: SMU
Nicholls at Kansas State- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: Kansas State
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: Baylor
(3) Georgia at Vanderbilt- 7:30, SECN
Pick: Georgia
Georgia Southern at (6) LSU- 7:30, ESPNU
Pick: LSU
Middle Tennessee at (7) Michigan- 7:30, BTN
Pick: Michigan
(11) Oregon vs (16) Auburn- 7:30, ABC: This game will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. College GameDay will air from Forth Worth for this game. This should be an interesting game with Justin Herbert returning for his senior season for the Ducks and the Tigers rolling with freshman Bo Nix. The Tigers defense is very good and I think they are more capable of getting big stops than the Ducks.
Pick: Auburn
Miami-OH at (20) Iowa- 7:30, FS1
Pick: Iowa
Missouri at Wyoming- 7:30, CBSSN
Pick: Missouri
Abilene Christian at North Texas- 7:30, ESPN+
Pick: North Texas
Virginia at Pittsburgh- 7:30, ACCN: This is another big ACC game to start the season. Folks are high on the Cavaliers and quarterback Bryce Perkins leading them to big things. That said, I like the Panthers here at home led by Kenny Pickett.
Pick: Pittsburgh
Louisiana Tech at (10) Texas- 8:00, Longhorn Network
Pick: Texas
Houston Baptist at UTEP- 8:00, ESPN+
Pick: UTEP
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU- 8:00
Pick: TCU
Grambling at UL Monroe- 8:00, ESPN3
Pick: UL Monroe
Weber State at San Diego State- 9:00
Pick: San Diego State
New Mexico State at (23) Washington State- 10:00, Pac-12N
Pick: Washington State
Southern Utah at UNLV- 10:00
Pick: UNLV
Fresno State at USC- 11:00, ESPN: This is an interesting game. The Bulldogs are coming off a great season, but they've lost a ton from last years squad. The Trojans are under immense pressure this season with coach Clay Helton coaching for his job week by week. I think the Trojans survive this one at home.
Pick: USC
Sunday, September 1st
Houston at (4) Oklahoma- 7:30, ABC: This should be an offensive extravaganza between these two squads. Jalen Hurts is a player with a lot to prove this season after transferring from Alabama and I think the Sooners will come out on top in Dana Holgersen's debut with the Cougars.
Pick: Oklahoma
Monday, September 2nd
(9) Notre Dame at Louisville- 8:00, ESPN: A few years ago, this game would have been outstanding. Now, not so much. The Cardinal are rebuilding and have a new coach in Scott Satterfield and this will be a rude awakening with Ian Book and the Fighting Irish coming to town.
Pick: Notre Dame
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