College Football Week 1 Bold Predictions

1. Oklahoma State upsets Florida State.

Expectations are sky-high for the Seminoles who look to repeat with another perfect season this year.  But they lose key pieces on offense and could come into this game overconfident.  Look for the Cowboys to pull off the stunner Saturday night.

2. Three or more FBS teams fall to FCS opponents.

Teams that should be on the lookout: Iowa State vs North Dakota State (ND State has won three straight FCS championships and look to repeat this year, while Iowa State lost to FCS foe Northern Iowa last year), North Carolina State vs Georgia Southern (Georgia Southern shocked Florida with a win last year and NC State QB Thomas transferred after a three win season), Florida International vs Bethune-Cookman (FIU won one game last year), and possibly Wyoming vs Montana.

3. JT Barrett produces 250+ yards of offense in his debut as Ohio State's starting QB.

Barrett has big shoes to fill after Braxton Miller was ruled out for the season.  But he's surrounded by weapons and has been praised by Meyer lately.  Watch for him to come out slinging the ball around on Saturday.

4. Auburn's plan for Nick Marshall will involve him missing only one series against Arkansas.

A lot will depend on how Arkansas starts this game.  If the Razorbacks score first and the Tiger's offense stalls, I think Marshall comes in right away.  If things look more even or Auburn scores without Marshall, Malzahn may wait a bit.  But I don't think he sits his star QB for more than a quarter.

5. Josh Shaw doesn't save a child from drowning - again ("I would do it again").

So obviously this one will be correct.  We don't know for sure what actually happened (according to Shaw's recently hired criminal defense lawyer: "There is no criminal activity whatsoever"), but we can be sure Shaw won't be doing much on Saturday, including playing football, and certainly won't be jumping off of any balconies to save drowning children, this weekend or any time soon.

College Football 2014 Bold Predictions

1. The SEC will get two teams into the inaugural College Football Playoffs, but neither team will win the championship.

The SEC love-fest continues into the playoff era, guaranteeing the SEC champ one of the four playoff spots.  I think it's entirely possible the SEC runner-up or second place in the West division slips in as well.  But with FSU's championship win last year, and Alabama's thumping at the hands of Oklahoma, we've seen the SEC's championship reign come to an end (at least for now.)

2. Florida State misses the playoffs and Jameis Winston does not repeat as Heisman winner.

 Winston had a fantastic first season, but the mounting pressure from such a year makes it incredibly difficult to repeat.  I think Florida State stumbles somewhere along the way and Heisman voters look elsewhere.

3. By the end of the season, at least three fan-bases will be calling for the heads of the members of the newly established college football playoff selection committee.

 This may not be much of a stretch.  The BCS got pounded over it's 16 year span, why would the the committee be immune, especially when their selection criteria is so vague?  Schools are bound to be left out and therefore feel slighted by the committee.

4. Ball State goes undefeated, but their weak schedule keeps them out of the playoffs.

 This one is really a stab in the dark.  Ball State is a team coming off a ten win season that ended with a disappointing bowl loss.  They replace a four-year starter at QB but will lean on senior running back Jahwan Edwards.  I think they could just as easily go 6-6 and miss a bowl game altogether.  But these are supposed to be bold predictions, right?

5. For the the third straight year, a freshman wins the Heisman.

 Two years ago Johnny Manziel was the first freshman to win the award and Jameis Winston did it again last year.  I think the trend continues as another newcomer dazzles.