Week 1 Previews-Must Watch and Under the Radar Game

Week 1-Must Watch-Under the Radar Games

The season is almost upon us and after looking at what’s in store for week 1, here are a few things to watch as the 2013 College Football season kicks off.

Must Watch

#5 Georgia @ #8 Clemson

This week 1 matchup could set the tone for each team’s season.  These are similar teams with high powered, electric offenses led by Heisman caliber, senior quarterbacks.  Both teams have a lot of questions to answer on the defensive side of the ball, so expect to see some fireworks.

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Georgia, 41-38

Nick’s Quick pick: Clemson, 45-38

#12 LSU vs. #20 TCU (at Arlington, TX)

LSU-TCU might end up being the best game of the week.  This will be a defensive slugfest and likely little excitement on the offensive side of the ball. Chances are it will be a big play on special teams that wins this game. 

Jeremy’s Quick pick: TCU, 17-16

Nick’s Quick pick: TCU, 24-21

North Carolina @ #6 South Carolina

The battle of the Carolina’s is an intriguing matchup and one that I think is a little less one sided than most people expect.  South Carolina is the favorite but a week 2 trip to Georgia could divert their focus. UNC will be competitive and are led by an experienced quarterback in Bryn Renner but I think the overall talent of the Gamecocks will be too much for Larry Fedora’s squad. 

Jeremy’s Quick pick: South Carolina, 31-17

Nick’s Quick pick: South Carolina, 38-10

#1 Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (at Atlanta)

The reason I’ve got this game on the Must Watch list isn’t because it will be a competitive game as much as it’s just a chance to see the ‘Tide open their season.  Alabama’s run for a third-straight BCS Championship starts here and as a college football fan, you can’t really miss game one.  VaTech’s defense should be pretty stout this year and they might be able to keep it close for a half but ‘Bama will run away with it down the stretch.

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Alabama, 38-13

Nick’s Quick pick: Alabama, 42-21

Under the Radar

Ole Miss @ Vanderbilt

This game represents two teams looking to breakout in their respective divisions and there’s a lot of hype surrounding both teams.  Ole Miss has some good pieces coming back from a team that surprised a lot of people a year ago and is bolstered by a top recruiting class.  Vandy is breaking in a new quarterback and looking to build on back-to-back bowl games. 

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Vanderbilt, 27-24

Nick’s Quick pick: Vanderbilt, 35-24

#19 Boise State @ Washington

This is a Must Watch for me.  Boise has a legit shot at a BCS Bowl berth this year and what better way to send off the BCS era than with another non-AQ crashing the party.  It travels to Seattle to take on a talented Husky team, breaking in a revamped Husky Stadium.  This will be an electric atmosphere and should be an exciting rematch of last year’s Vegas Bowl.

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Washington, 34-27

Nick’s Quick pick: Boise State, 42-38

UL-Lafayette @ Arkansas

UL-Lafayette has put together back-to-back 9 win seasons and had the Sun Belt’s best offense in 2012.  Arkansas is in a transition year under new coach Bret Bielema and it will be interesting to see how well they shake off the cobwebs of 2012 and open 2013.  With all the question marks at Arkansas, don’t be surprised to see UL-Lafayette come in and steal a win.

Jeremy’s Quick pick: UL-Lafayette, 31-21

Nick’s Quick pick:  Arkansas, 35-17

Interesting Matchups

Washington State @ Auburn

What will happen in year 2 of the Mick Leach experiment?  How quickly will Gus Malzahn get the Tigers back on track?  This figures to be an exciting offensive game with two of the best wide open offensive minds in college football. 

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Auburn, 45-35

Nick’s Quick pick: Auburn, 38-35

Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky (at Nashville)

Year one under Mark Stoops for Kentucky should see some improvement.  After his quick turnaround of the FSU defense, don’t be surprised to see a similar effect for the Wildcats.  Plus, how can you miss Bobby Patrino’s return to college football? 

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Western Kentucky, 27-23

Nick’s Quick pick: Western Kentucky, 31-24

Wyoming @ #18 Nebraska

Okay, so this might not be interesting for anyone outside of Wyoming and Nebraska but Nick and I are from Wyoming so you’re going to get Wyoming stuff every week… deal with it.  Now, this could actually be an intriguing game.  Not a win for the Pokes (few teams win at Nebraska and Wyo won’t change that) but they’re led by one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the nation in Brett Smith and the Huskers defense is suspect.  Nebraska will win but this could be a high scoring affair.  

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Nebraska, 56-31

Nick’s Quick pick: Nebraska, 42-38

#7 Texas A&M vs. Rice

Rice should be a solid team and really come on strong last year.  Texas A&M has a lot of questions to answer and there’s a lot of craziness surrounding this team.  Combine that with the fact that, at the moment, Johnny Manziel is a question mark and you’ve got a game could end up being pretty interesting. 

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Texas A&M, 37-17

Nick’s Quick pick: Texas A&M, 35-24

Best of the Rest

Tulsa @ Bowling Green

Front runners for C-USA and the MAC, respectively.  Big game to open the season for these teams.

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Tulsa, 24-21

Nick’s Quick pick: Bowling Green, 31-28

Rutgers @ Fresno State

Derek Carr and the Bulldogs are looking to crash the BCS party and potentially win Carr a Heisman along the way. 

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Fresno State, 35-17

Nick’s Quick pick: Fresno State, 48-21

Utah State @ Utah

Utah State could be the best team in the state and get a chance to prove it against a Pac-12 squad.  Plus, Chuckie Keeton is one of the most exciting qb’s in the country.  For the Utes, they must get off to a quick start and win their non-conference games if they plan on going to a bowl game in 2013.

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Utah State, 30-24

Nick’s Quick pick: Utah State, 38-35

North Dakota State @ Kansas State

FCS over FBS?  It could happen.

Jeremy’s Quick pick: North Dakota State, 24-23

Nick’s Quick pick: Kansas State, 35-17

Florida State @ Pitt

FSU welcomes Pitt to the ACC on a Monday night.  FSU fans get to see much-hyped quarterback Jameis Winston take the field as well as a new look defense. 

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Florida State, 38-14

Nick’s Quick pick: Florida State, 35-10

Colorado vs. Colorado State

Interstate rivalry?  First year coach Mike MacIntyre against second year coach Jim McElwain?  Hey, it will be the only college game on and what else are you going to watch?

Jeremy’s Quick pick: Colorado State, 24-21

Nick’s Quick pick: Colorado, 20-17