College football Week 1: Preview and picks

Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush is the Knights starting quarterback, but freshman Dillon Gabriel is expected to see some first-half snaps in this game. Though Central Florida might not be as overly talented as in years past, we don't see its 24-game regular-season winning streak coming to an end in this contest.

Prediction: UCF 54, Florida A&M 13

There will be plenty of excitement when the Tigers take the field for the first time as reigning national champions. Led by preseason Heisman Trophy favorite Trevor Lawrence (3,280 passing yards, 30 touchdowns) leading the offense and All-American linebacker Isaiah Simmons (97 tackles) pacing the defense, Clemson is ready to roll. That's not necessarily good news for Georgia Tech and new coach Geoff Collins. Clemson has won four straight in the series by an average of 20 points.

Prediction: Clemson 42, Georgia Tech 14

There's a lot of excitement around College Station for Jimbo Fisher's second season in charge of the Aggies. It will be interesting to see the ongoing progression of Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (3,107 passing yards, 24 TDs, seven rushing TDs), who enjoyed a breakout sophomore season under Fisher. The only concern here for the Aggies is that they not look ahead to next week's clash with Clemson.

Prediction: Texas A&M 30, Texas State 16

The "Holy War" has been one-sided of late, with Utah winning the last eight in a row over the Cougars. The Utes needed 28 unanswered, second-half points to put away BYU last season. But they did not have seniors quarterback Tyler Huntley (5,115 career total yards) and running back Zack Moss (2,651 career yards, 23 TDs) healthy for that contest. BYU sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson (1,578 yards, 12 TDs, three interceptions) is also fit and appears ready to go.

Prediction: Utah 23, BYU 13

The knock on the Spartans has never on their defense, which again should be strong behind star defensive end Kenny Willekes (8.5 sacks) and linebacker Joe Bachie (102 tackles). What the team needs is a consistent offense and quarterback Brian Lewerke to rebound from a tough 2018, in which he threw just eight touchdowns to go with 11 interceptions. Tulsa has dropped 15 straight against Top 25 teams.

Prediction: Michigan State 24, Tulsa 7

After being stunned by BYU at home last season, Wisconsin likely has no reason to take any non-conference opponent lightly, especially on the road. While the Badgers quarterback spot will be under the microscope early on, having the country's best running back in reigning Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor (4,171 yards, 29 TDs in 2017 and '18) makes life a little easier. Charlie Strong and South Florida begin the season trying to halt a six-game losing streak.

Prediction: Wisconsin 24, South Florida 20

Quarterback Brock Purdy (2,558 combined yards) went 7-2 starting as a freshman last year. However, the key for the Cyclones will again be on defense where defensive end JaQuan Bailey (eight sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss in 2018) and safety Greg Eisworth (87 tackles) return from a unit that allowed a Big 12-best 22.9 points per game. UNI, out of the FCS, has won twice in Ames over the last six seasons.

Prediction: Iowa State 26, UNI 10

While the Cornhuskers are expected to be better in Year 2 under coach Scott Frost, let's hold off on crowning them Big Ten champs. Things were slated to be better in 2018, but Nebraska went 4-8 for a second straight campaign. The program still has a lot to prove and once again expectations are high, but a Week 1 win should be all that matters. South Alabama actually beat then-No. 19 San Diego State in 2016.

Prediction: Nebraska 24, South Alabama 14

There is a lot of excitement surrounding the full-time coaching debut of Ryan Day in Columbus — not to mention new quarterback and former Georgia Bulldog Justin Fields. However, keep an eye on running back J.K. Dobbins, who has rushed for 2,456 yards and 17 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Lane Kiffin's Owls are trying to bounce back from a disappointing 5-7 season.

Prediction: Ohio State 44, FAU 20

This might be one of the more intriguing FBS-FCS matchups all season. Eastern Washington played for the FCS title in 2018 and enters this contest ranked fourth in the STATS FCS Poll. Washington won the last two meetings with EWU but by a combined 10 points. There will be plenty of eyes watching ex-Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason, who is now running the Huskies offense.

Prediction: Washington 34, EWU 21

It's a case of unfinished business for Tua Tagovailoa (54 career TD passes, 195.1 career passer rating) and the Crimson Tide in 2019. Nothing less of a national championship, after falling short last season, will do. This will be a nice early challenge for Alabama, but one it should have no problem putting away. It's time for the Blue Devils, meanwhile, to officially move on from quarterback Daniel Jones.

Prediction: Alabama 35, Duke 17 

Some recent off-field distractions could potentially cloud the Nittany Lions opener, but that probably will have no bearing on what happens on it. Sean Clifford will start under center, and there will be plenty of intrigue surrounding Penn State's offense and the holes that need to be filled. Idaho is 0-25 against Top 25 opponents since 1998.

Prediction: Penn State 32, Idaho 13

Academics come first at both Stanford and Northwestern, but Saturday it will be all about football. K.J. Costello (3,540 passing yards, 29 TDs) is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in America. He'll try to get the best of a Northwestern defense that features two of the Big Ten's best in linebacker Paddy Fisher (116 tackles) and defensive lineman Joe Gaziano (21 sacks in three seasons).

Prediction: Stanford 27, Northwestern 24

Though it could be tough for Syracuse to reach 10 wins for a second straight season, new starting quarterback Tommy DeVito is certainly somebody to keep an eye on. This game might be closer than many think, considering Liberty beat Troy last season and won at Baylor in 2017. Though, we're not sure if ailing Flames coach Hugh Freeze will be on the sidelines for this contest.

Prediction: Syracuse 27, Liberty 17

This is the only matchup of the week featuring two teams in the Top 25. Behind star quarterback Justin Herbert (7,070 career yards, 63 career TDs) the Ducks appear to be the better team, at the moment, than embattled coach Gus Malzahn's Tigers. This is the first meeting between these storied programs since Oregon lost to Auburn in the BCS title game of the 2010 season.

Prediction: Oregon 31, Auburn 21

Iowa has lost just nine non-conference home games since the start of the 2000 season. Four of them have come against teams from the Mid-American Conference and two this decade. Miami is hoping for big things in the MAC this season, but the Hawkeyes have an experienced quarterback in Nate Stanley and one of the nation's best defensive ends in A.J. Epenesa (10.5 sacks).

Prediction: Iowa 33, Miami 14

In a lot of ways, LSU overachieved with 10 wins in 2018, but now some believe it can be even better this season. A lot will depend on how much quarterback Joe Burrow (3,293 total yards) progresses and the Tigers can successfully move on from losing star linebacker Devin White. LSU has won 52 of its last 53 non-conference home games.

Prediction: LSU 30, Georgia Southern 7

Once again expectations are high at Michigan. The Wolverines may get off to a strong start and should certainly win their opener, but the question remains as to whether they are good enough to win the Big Ten and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. MTSU must move on from quarterback Brent Stockstill.

Prediction: Michigan 42, MTSU 10

Kicking off the season with an SEC clash: Now that's fun — maybe for the Bulldogs, who have to get it done on the road off the bat. The big news surrounding this matchup is the status of aching running back D'Andre Swift  (1,049 yards, 10 TDs), who is listed as questionable for this contest. Still, Georgia has too much talent not to make it three in a row against the Commodores.

Prediction: Georgia 38, Vanderbilt 16 

While much of the Longhorns' potential success in 2019 could fall on the arm — and legs — of quarterback Sam Ehlinger (41 combined touchdowns in 2018), it's going to take a true team effort if this is to be a special season. The Texas defense has a chance to get off to a strong start after giving up 17 or fewer points six times last season.

Prediction: Texas 35, Louisiana Tech 15

Longtime Cougars backup quarterback Anthony Gordon beat out FCS-transfer Gage Gubrud to start this game, and it probably won't make a difference who is under center in Week 1. While long-term success for Washington State is uncertain due to games at Utah, Arizona State, Oregon and Washington, plus, a neutral site date with Houston, this is one game the hosts should have little trouble winning. New Mexico State has lost 23 in a row against Top 25 programs.

Prediction: Washington State 38, New Mexico State 16

Jalen Hurts' season of redemption with the Sooners begins in prime time. The former Alabama quarterback is part of one of the more intriguing storylines of the 2019. He has quality talent to work with, but the key to Oklahoma's chances of winning a CFP game depends on how much a defense that yielded 33.3 points per contest in 2018 can get better. That unit will be tested early against versatile Houston quarterback D'Eriq King, who is healthy and posted 70 career touchdowns passing, rushing, receiving and returning.

Prediction: Oklahoma 32, Houston 23 

Getting back to the CFP is not expected to be easy for the Irish, though they should not be left for naught. Quarterback Ian Book (2,638 yards, 27 TDs, four rushing TDs) is a year wiser, and Notre Dame might boast the best secondary in the nation. With new coach Scott Satterfield in place, Louisville could improve on last year's two-win total, but this will not be one of them.

Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Louisville 13

It was the Bearcats who handed Chip Kelly a home loss in his UCLA debut last season. This time around the Bruins are a heavy underdog on the road. The good news for the boys from Westwood: Running back Joshua Kelley (1,243 yards, 12 TDs) appears to be over an early preseason injury. The bad news for UCLA is that Cincinnati has some talent back from a defensive unit that held five teams to seven or fewer points and pitched two shutouts in 2018.

Prediction: Cincinnati 27, UCLA 23

Mel Tucker begins his coaching tenure at Colorado, which is looking to snap a seven-game losing streak. Receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (86 receptions, 1,011 yards) and quarterback Steven Montez (6,902 career passing yards, 46 career TDs, 23 INTs) lead a capable offense. However, a defense that allowed 30.2 points per game in Pac-12 play a year ago must improve. The Buffaloes have won four straight in this series.

Prediction: Colorado 34, Colorado State 24