College football predictions

Week one of college football play began last night with USC, South Carolina and Utah all winning and staking claims to early movement up in the Top 25. Here are my predictions for the Big 12, and some select other games, in week one.

Missouri over Illinois. Will the Illini ever win again in this series? It won't be this year given issues with their secondary, which will be no match against Blaine Gabbert and company.

Kansas over North Dakota State. It will be a successful opener for the Turner Gill reign at Kansas. The questions to be answered are how well the team looks in prep for upcoming games against Georgia Tech and at Southern Miss.

Kansas State over UCLA. The Cats are two point favorites. This will be the best game of the three local schools' contests.

Nebraska over Western Kentucky. This will get ugly early--Western Kentucky could be the worst team in D-1 college football.

Colorado over Colorado State. If CU loses this game, the "Dan Hawkins Watch" will go on high alert.

Texas Tech over SMU. The Mustangs are a much-improved team but will lose in Lubbock. It's Tuberville-time at Tech...but this game could be the upset special in the Big 12.

Baylor over Sam Houston State. Welcome back, Robert Griffin.

Texas A&M over Stephen F. Austin. The second of two games where Big 12 schools play Texas heroes. A&M will trample Steve Austin.

Oklahoma over Utah State. The Sooners roll...

Oklahoma State over Washington State. WSU won one game last year. That losing trend continues tomorrow.

Texas over Rice. The Longhorns will beat up--big time--on their former Southwest Conference brethren.

Virginia Tech over Boise State. This is the best game of the weekend. If Boise State wins, a BCS bowl bid awaits. I'm going with Tech since this game won't be played on a blue field, and there will be tons of Hokie fans at this "neutral site" game in Landover, MD.

Notre Dame over Purdue. Brian Kelly's first game as Irish head coach will be a W.

LSU over North Carolina. Does UNC have anyone left on their team? Suspensions have dramatically impacted the outcome on this one.