Another year of predictions is back. And off we go ...
Some key results so far in this opening week:
No. 21 Texas A&M 52, No. 9 South Carolina 28
BYU 35, Connecticut 10 (UVa plays BYU in a few weeks)
Game of the week: No. 16 Clemson at No. 12 Georgia, 5:30 p.m. ESPN
Clemson is down its top QB, RB, and WR from last year and has a tough first game to begin to feel out what it has for the 2014 season. QB Cole Stoudt, RB D.J. Howard, and WR Adam Humphries lead the team "Between the Hedges" for a battle with the Bulldogs. A Clemson victory could set the stage for an ACC-contending season and a huge battle early in the season with FSU on Sept. 20.
Georgia 28, Clemson 26
Also worth watching: No. 14 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 LSU in Houston, Texas, 9 p.m. ESPN
Without delving too much into the teams, I think LSU wins this with a homefield advantage in Houston. The SEC typically has pretty good teams, too, I hear. The Badgers are capable of punching teams in the mouth, though.
LSU 20, Wisconsin 17
ACC game of the week (besides Clemson): No. 1 Florida State vs. Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, 8 p.m. ABC
Florida State begins its title defense in Jerry World against a Cowboy team that is normally high flying on offense but usually weaker on the defensive side. I think Jameis Winston and the rest of the FSU offense will expose this and take advantage early.
Florida State 38, Oklahoma State 21
Keep your enemies closer: William & Mary at Virginia Tech, 4 p.m. ESPNews
The Hokies start off at home against a Tribe team that is supposed to have a good defense heading into this season. Any upset chance W&M has relies on how the Hokies' offense performs with a new QB, Michael Brewer, under center. My prediction: Not a ton of fireworks, but Tech will get it done.
Virginia Tech 31, William & Mary 10
ACC upset alert (no prediction): Georgia Southern at N.C. State, 12:30 p.m. ESPN3.com
Already, Wake Forest has lost to Louisiana Monroe and Syracuse needed two OTs to beat Villanova. Georgia Southern is its first year at the FBS level but was a respected FCS school and it beat Florida last season. N.C. State was not very good in 2013. Also keep an eye on Delaware at Pittsburgh. The Panthers have a new QB and are not a particularly imposing team while Delaware is a good FCS program. Also, Heinz Field is not a rabid college atmosphere so the stadium could be a little sleepy for this noon kickoff.
ACC Monday night football: Miami at Louisville, 8 p.m. ESPN
Miami closed last season with a 36-9 bowl game loss to Louisville. This is a tough first assignment for new Hurricanes starting QB Brad Kaaya. Louisville is minus its head coach and QB from last season but I still like it in this contest
Louisville 27, Miami 17
No. 7 UCLA at Virginia, Noon ESPN
I just told you a lot about the Cavaliers. What you need to know about the Bruins is they are good. Sixteen starters return to a team that mauled Virginia Tech, 42-12, in the Sun Bowl last season. Lots of analysts like the Bruins to make the new four-team championship playoff. No. 7 in the preseason with a Heisman-contending QB in Brett Hundley under center. He completed 67.2 percent of his passes a year ago for 3,071 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine INTs in 2013. A wideout to watch is Devin Fuller (43 catches in '13). Two RBs return who had over 500 yards last season: Paul Perkins and Jordon James. The defense is imposing, led by linebackers Eric Kendricks (106 tackles) and Myles Jack (75 tackles, seven for loss). This 11 will probably give some fits to the UVa offense working in a new QB and lots of new linemen. After last year's epic defeats against top-10 foes Oregon and Clemson (59-10 both times), I am just hoping for Virginia to lose by 28 or fewer points and to look good losing and while getting blown out, if that is possible.
UCLA 45, Virginia 20
Some key results so far in this opening week:
No. 21 Texas A&M 52, No. 9 South Carolina 28
BYU 35, Connecticut 10 (UVa plays BYU in a few weeks)
Game of the week: No. 16 Clemson at No. 12 Georgia, 5:30 p.m. ESPN
Clemson is down its top QB, RB, and WR from last year and has a tough first game to begin to feel out what it has for the 2014 season. QB Cole Stoudt, RB D.J. Howard, and WR Adam Humphries lead the team "Between the Hedges" for a battle with the Bulldogs. A Clemson victory could set the stage for an ACC-contending season and a huge battle early in the season with FSU on Sept. 20.
Georgia 28, Clemson 26
Also worth watching: No. 14 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 LSU in Houston, Texas, 9 p.m. ESPN
Without delving too much into the teams, I think LSU wins this with a homefield advantage in Houston. The SEC typically has pretty good teams, too, I hear. The Badgers are capable of punching teams in the mouth, though.
LSU 20, Wisconsin 17
ACC game of the week (besides Clemson): No. 1 Florida State vs. Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, 8 p.m. ABC
Florida State begins its title defense in Jerry World against a Cowboy team that is normally high flying on offense but usually weaker on the defensive side. I think Jameis Winston and the rest of the FSU offense will expose this and take advantage early.
Florida State 38, Oklahoma State 21
Keep your enemies closer: William & Mary at Virginia Tech, 4 p.m. ESPNews
The Hokies start off at home against a Tribe team that is supposed to have a good defense heading into this season. Any upset chance W&M has relies on how the Hokies' offense performs with a new QB, Michael Brewer, under center. My prediction: Not a ton of fireworks, but Tech will get it done.
Virginia Tech 31, William & Mary 10
ACC upset alert (no prediction): Georgia Southern at N.C. State, 12:30 p.m. ESPN3.com
Already, Wake Forest has lost to Louisiana Monroe and Syracuse needed two OTs to beat Villanova. Georgia Southern is its first year at the FBS level but was a respected FCS school and it beat Florida last season. N.C. State was not very good in 2013. Also keep an eye on Delaware at Pittsburgh. The Panthers have a new QB and are not a particularly imposing team while Delaware is a good FCS program. Also, Heinz Field is not a rabid college atmosphere so the stadium could be a little sleepy for this noon kickoff.
ACC Monday night football: Miami at Louisville, 8 p.m. ESPN
Miami closed last season with a 36-9 bowl game loss to Louisville. This is a tough first assignment for new Hurricanes starting QB Brad Kaaya. Louisville is minus its head coach and QB from last season but I still like it in this contest
Louisville 27, Miami 17
No. 7 UCLA at Virginia, Noon ESPN
I just told you a lot about the Cavaliers. What you need to know about the Bruins is they are good. Sixteen starters return to a team that mauled Virginia Tech, 42-12, in the Sun Bowl last season. Lots of analysts like the Bruins to make the new four-team championship playoff. No. 7 in the preseason with a Heisman-contending QB in Brett Hundley under center. He completed 67.2 percent of his passes a year ago for 3,071 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine INTs in 2013. A wideout to watch is Devin Fuller (43 catches in '13). Two RBs return who had over 500 yards last season: Paul Perkins and Jordon James. The defense is imposing, led by linebackers Eric Kendricks (106 tackles) and Myles Jack (75 tackles, seven for loss). This 11 will probably give some fits to the UVa offense working in a new QB and lots of new linemen. After last year's epic defeats against top-10 foes Oregon and Clemson (59-10 both times), I am just hoping for Virginia to lose by 28 or fewer points and to look good losing and while getting blown out, if that is possible.UCLA 45, Virginia 20
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