No. 19 North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0) vs. Connecticut Huskies (1-0)
North Carolina blocked three punts in a 38-12 win over the Huskies last season. UConn is trying to re-establish its Donald Brown-less offense under new coordinator Joe Moorhead. UNC returns eight starters as well.
North Carolina isn't in the top 20 for no reason. I think the Tar Heels' eight returning starters will be the factor in this game.
Pick: North Carolina
No. 20 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-0) vs. Michigan Wolverines (1-0)
The Wolverines overcame distractions to thump a Western Michigan team, who many believed would upset Michigan, in the Big House.
Notre Dame also impressed with a shutout victory over Nevada, who some believed would upset the Irish.
While both coaches have been under fire, it's Charlie Weis and the favored Irish who have non-negotiable expectations of a BCS berth, making this game more valuable to the Irish.
This game could be decided by only a touchdown or two, but I do believe that Michigan will pull off the upset and the downward spiral that has been Charlie Weis' coaching career at Notre Dame slowly begins to fade.
Pick: Michigan
UCLA Bruins (1-0) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (1-0)
Tennessee looked great in last years opener against the Bruins, but UCLA stormed back to upset the Vols in overtime. This year's UCLA team is lacking at the skill positions, but has the defense to compete in Knoxville.
The Vols showed that they know how to put up some big points last week, beating Western Kentucky 63-7. Regardless of who their opponent was last week, Tennessee proved to me that they are ready to surprise some other teams on their schedule. There offense could be very good in the near future. Lane Kiffin, as of right now, has this team going in the right direction.
I'm looking for RB Montario Hardesty, 160 yds and 1 TD last week, to have another big game. This game could be decided by around 10 points or so.
Pick: Tennessee
South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0) vs. No. 21 Georgia Bulldogs (0-1)
This series has been a defensive one recently, with Georgia managing just one offensive score in the past two seasons and the winner passing the 20-point mark just once in the past eight meetings.
It's also been a series of close games, with six of the past eight decided by a touchdown or less. The Gamecocks survived their first test against N.C. State, but Georgia needs this one badly after losing its opener to Oklahoma State last week.
I think The Bulldogs win this game by about two touchdowns.
Pick: Georgia
Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-0) vs. Auburn Tigers (1-0)
These programs (both now guided by first-year head coaches) could be battling for the cellar in the West division for the next several seasons.
The Bulldogs won at Auburn in 2007 for their first victory in this series since 2000, but last year managed just 116 yards in a 3-2 loss.
Mississippi State blew out Jackson State last week, 45-7. Auburn, though is definitely not Jackson State.
It will be a much more difficult task than expected for the Bulldogs to upset the Tigers in Auburn. I say the Tigers get good QB and running back play in this one as Auburn pulls one out.
Pick: Auburn
No. 3 USC Trojans (1-0) vs. No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)
Last season the final score was 35-3 USC. Ohio State controlled this game, for the most part, until a second-quarter pick-six sent the Buckeyes into the tank.
This season's rematch is at the Horseshoe, but the horrendous week one performance of Ohio State, and most of the Big Ten for that matter, doesn't inspire much confidence that the Bucks truly belong on the field with the seven-time defending Pac 10 champs.
Despite the game being played in the Horseshoe, I think this game could turn into another blowout led by a freshman quarterback in Matt Barkley.
Pick: USC
Extra Point
Alabama is playing their home opener against Florida International. FIU runs a spread passing attack and return more starters on offense than any other team on the Tide's schedule. Sophomore receiver T.Y. Hilton averaged over 25 yards per catch last season as well.
WITH THAT SAID
Alabama is coming off a very impressive victory over Virginia Tech. The Tide showed that there defense is one of, if not the best in the country, and there offense, who many had questions about, trucked out an impressive 498 yards against a very stout Tech D.
Look for this game to be out of reach by the third quarter and see some future playmakers for Alabama, like Trent Richardson and Star Jackson, get good playing time by the fourth.
Pick: Tide Roll over FIU
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