Here we go, folks. Everybody ready for some more college football? You can bet that the staff at LWOS is. We expect a fantastic season. Let’s get right to it.
All game times in Eastern Daylight Time.
| Last Season: | 96- 56 | (.632) |
DK’s 2015 Week 1 CFB Game Picks
Washington @ Boise State (Friday, September 4th, 10:15 p.m., ESPN)
Boise State is coming off a terrific first year under new coach Bryan Harsin, finishing 12-2, with a Fiesta Bowl championship as the cherry on top. The old Boise State coach is the new Washington Coach, Chris Petersen, who did much of the heavy lifting that put the Broncos on the map in the first place. Gimme the home team on the smurf turf.
Pick: Boise St. 28, Washington 17
Stanford @ Northwestern (Saturday, September 5th, 12:00 p.m., ESPN)
The Cardinal brings a totally retooled defense to Evanston to play the ever-dangerous-at-home Wildcats. If you don’t believe me on that last point, ask B1G West champs Wisconsin about what happened last year at Ryan Field. The Cats haven’t settled on a QB, though, and the Cardinal bring back 8th year starter Kevin Hogan. I’ll take the experienced QB over the unknown one.
Pick: Stanford 38, Northwestern 21
Virginia @ UCLA (Saturday, September 5th, 3:30 p.m., FOX)
On paper this game looked like a total mis-match last season in Charlottesville, but the Hoos showed up with a surprisingly stout defense and gave the Bruins all they wanted. Should be easier for the powder blue Bears at home, even with true freshman QB Josh Rosen pulling the trigger for the offense.
Pick: UCLA 24, Virginia 17
Louisville @ vs. Auburn (Saturday, September 5th, 3:30 p.m., CBS)
Bobby Petrino teams tend to take a leap in their second year with him at the helm. This season figures to be no different for the Cardinals. They’ll be better, but not “beat Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium the Georgia Dome in the season opener” better. Auburn will get the win.
Pick: Auburn 40, Louisville 24
Arizona State vs. Texas A&M (Saturday, September 5th, 7:00 p.m., ESPN)
Seeing the PAC-12 and the SEC square off is like seeing a unicorn with a four-leaf clover stuck in its teeth. This is a rare treat. Although this is a putative home game for Kevin Sumlin and the Aggies, the Solar Satans are just a better team. Mike Bercovici was arguably better than Taylor Kelly a year ago, and the Sun Devils are unquestionably his team now. Expect TAMU’s defense to be better than last year’s with their new DC John Chavis, but the talent differential should carry the day for ASU.
Pick: Arizona State 35, Texas A&M 27
Texas @ Notre Dame (Saturday, September 5th, 7:30 p.m., NBC)
The Domers have settled on Malik Zaire at QB, and figure to have a say in the final CFP standings, even if they don’t claim one of the final four spots themselves. It will be hard to predict how Texas will do this year until we see them take the field, but the Irish will be ready to go at home to open the season under the lights. ND rolls.
Pick: Notre Dame 42, Texas 14
Wisconsin vs. Alabama (Saturday, September 5th, 8:00 p.m., ABC)
Another big SEC-Power 5 conference matchup pits two division winners against each other on a neutral field during opening weekend. Bucky has much to prove, and could go a long way toward helping Ohio State’s strength of schedule argument (as if the Buckeyes will need it) by showing well against the QB-less Crimson Tide. Wisconsin will show up and play well for a half, but will miss MGIII dearly throughout the game. Look for Bama to win this one in the trenches.
Pick: Alabama 24, Wisconsin 10
Ohio State @ Virginia Tech (Monday, September 7th, 7:00 p.m. ESPN)
Is another “shock the world” upset by Virginia Tech over the Buckeyes in store, this time in Blacksburg? Nope. Doesn’t matter which QB Urban Meyer chooses. This one could get out of hand early. Look for the Scarlet and Gray to flex, just because they can.
Pick: Ohio State 50, Virginia Tech 19
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Malik Zaire #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball during the third quarter against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
