Last week: 1-0
The first full Saturday of college football includes plenty of interesting matchups, so I'll dive right into some predictions.
Boise State at Florida State, Noon ESPNews
This game was moved from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, and the starting time was switched from 7 p.m. to noon with Hurricane Dorian bearing down on the state. So this is now a home game for the Seminoles, who are looking to take a jump in Year 2 under Willie Taggart. The Broncos won 10 games a year ago, so this is far from an easy win for FSU.
Florida State 24, Boise State 17
East Carolina at N.C. State, Noon ACC Network
This is the first game for former James Madison coach Mike Houston at ECU, and he has his work cut out for him. The Wolfpack must figure out life without QB Ryan Finley. Matthew McKay is getting the start.
N.C. State 34, East Carolina 17
Duke vs. Alabama in Atlanta, 3:30 p.m. ABC
I'm sure the Tide will be eager to get off to a fresh start after its blowout loss to Clemson in the title game. The Blue Devils are probably going to be off to a rocky start with new QB Quentin Harris.
Alabama 45, Duke 14
South Carolina vs. North Carolina in Charlotte, 3:30 p.m. ESPN
The Gamecocks, beaten by UVa 28-0 in the Belk Bowl last year at this stadium, will hope to start quickly against a UNC team that will be trying to find its footing under coach Mack Brown.
South Carolina 27, North Carolina 20
Virginia Tech at Boston College, 4 p.m. ACC Network
This is a big game as the Hokies try to show they have put last season behind them. Boston College is always a physical team, and Tech was not strong on defense last season. BC won in Blacksburg, 31-21. Tech will have to contend with Eagles RB AJ Dillon again, but the Hokies are favored by four points.
Virginia Tech 27, Boston College 23
No. 22 Syracuse at Liberty, 6 p.m. ESPN+
Syracuse 38, Liberty 17
No. 11 Oregon vs. No. 16 Auburn in Arlington, 7:30 p.m. ABC
The game of the week pits the Ducks and Tigers at Jerry World. Their only meeting was in January 2011 when Auburn topped Oregon in the national championship, 22-19.
Auburn 27, Oregon 24
Monday
No. 9 Notre Dame at Louisville, 8 p.m. ESPN
It's looking like a tough opener for new Cardinals coach Scott Satterfield.
Notre Dame 38, Louisville 13
Virginia at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. ACC Network
It's time for the Cavaliers to show how far they've come in three seasons. In 2016, UVa opened at home against Richmond and lost, 37-20. Now, in 2019, an opener on the road. Night ACC game. A team that has given them fits. This is probably a situation where UVa would normally stumble. So this time, can the Hoos start to build a positive narrative for 2019? Bronco Mendenhall said this week that Pitt has been the more physical team at the line of scrimmage in the first three meetings between these squads in his UVa tenure. But, for the first time since he arrived in Charlottesville, Virginia has an advantage in the trenches against the Panthers. Pitt has few returning
starters on either side of the ball, lost two 1,000-yard rushers to graduation, their best pass rusher,
Rashad Weaver, is out this season with an injury, and quarterback Kenny Pickett wasn't special in 2018. UVa, meanwhile, is stacked on defense, and the offense has Bryce Perkins back. Last year in Charlottesville, Pitt won a sloppy game in the mud, 23-13. It ended up being a crucial game as Virginia fell out of first place in the division, and Pitt grabbed control, eventually claiming the crown. But in better weather and with experience on UVa's side this time, I think things might turn out differently. But the Panthers are the division champs and are playing at home, and Pitt is just always a tough team to figure out and not one to bow easily. I think UVa has the capability to win fairly easily, but I don't see that happening. I'm thinking it will be a slugfest.
Virginia 20, Pittsburgh 17
The first full Saturday of college football includes plenty of interesting matchups, so I'll dive right into some predictions.
Boise State at Florida State, Noon ESPNews
This game was moved from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, and the starting time was switched from 7 p.m. to noon with Hurricane Dorian bearing down on the state. So this is now a home game for the Seminoles, who are looking to take a jump in Year 2 under Willie Taggart. The Broncos won 10 games a year ago, so this is far from an easy win for FSU.
Florida State 24, Boise State 17
East Carolina at N.C. State, Noon ACC Network
This is the first game for former James Madison coach Mike Houston at ECU, and he has his work cut out for him. The Wolfpack must figure out life without QB Ryan Finley. Matthew McKay is getting the start.
N.C. State 34, East Carolina 17
Duke vs. Alabama in Atlanta, 3:30 p.m. ABC
I'm sure the Tide will be eager to get off to a fresh start after its blowout loss to Clemson in the title game. The Blue Devils are probably going to be off to a rocky start with new QB Quentin Harris.
Alabama 45, Duke 14
South Carolina vs. North Carolina in Charlotte, 3:30 p.m. ESPN
The Gamecocks, beaten by UVa 28-0 in the Belk Bowl last year at this stadium, will hope to start quickly against a UNC team that will be trying to find its footing under coach Mack Brown.
South Carolina 27, North Carolina 20
Virginia Tech at Boston College, 4 p.m. ACC Network
This is a big game as the Hokies try to show they have put last season behind them. Boston College is always a physical team, and Tech was not strong on defense last season. BC won in Blacksburg, 31-21. Tech will have to contend with Eagles RB AJ Dillon again, but the Hokies are favored by four points.
Virginia Tech 27, Boston College 23
No. 22 Syracuse at Liberty, 6 p.m. ESPN+
Syracuse 38, Liberty 17
No. 11 Oregon vs. No. 16 Auburn in Arlington, 7:30 p.m. ABC
The game of the week pits the Ducks and Tigers at Jerry World. Their only meeting was in January 2011 when Auburn topped Oregon in the national championship, 22-19.
Auburn 27, Oregon 24
Monday
No. 9 Notre Dame at Louisville, 8 p.m. ESPN
It's looking like a tough opener for new Cardinals coach Scott Satterfield.
Notre Dame 38, Louisville 13
Virginia at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. ACC Network
It's time for the Cavaliers to show how far they've come in three seasons. In 2016, UVa opened at home against Richmond and lost, 37-20. Now, in 2019, an opener on the road. Night ACC game. A team that has given them fits. This is probably a situation where UVa would normally stumble. So this time, can the Hoos start to build a positive narrative for 2019? Bronco Mendenhall said this week that Pitt has been the more physical team at the line of scrimmage in the first three meetings between these squads in his UVa tenure. But, for the first time since he arrived in Charlottesville, Virginia has an advantage in the trenches against the Panthers. Pitt has few returning
 |
| Bryce Perkins and his teammates will try to lift the Wahoos to their first win over Pitt since 2014. |
Virginia 20, Pittsburgh 17
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