College Football Week 1 Bold Predictions

1. Zero upsets among top 25

In the crazy world of college football, it's actually more rare for all the favorites to come away victorious.  But that's what I'm predicting in week 1: all ranked teams getting wins over unranked or lower-ranked opponents.  The last time that happened?  Week 4... of the 2013 season.  There will be plenty of excitement in the opening week of football, but don't count on too many upsets.

2. Utes spoil Harbaugh's debut with double-digit beat-down

Jim Harbaugh will get Michigan back on track, but it won't be an overnight transformation like some fans are predicting.  Utah is a quality football team and with big questions at quarterback for the Wolverines, things could get ugly.  Maybe not as ugly as last year's offensive implosion in Ann Arbor, but I'm projecting at least a 10-point win for Utah.  Utes win at home, 24 - 14.

3. Ezekiel Elliott tops 200 rushing yards... again

If you had asked me a month ago, I would have said that there was no way Elliott has a remarkable fourth straight game (continued from last season) with over 200 yards on the ground.  With so many offensive weapons on Ohio State's roster, there would just not be enough touches for Elliott to reach that number.  But after the suspensions of Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson, and Corey Smith and now Noah Brown's injury, the Buckeyes will be without four of their top pass-catchers.  Don't get me wrong, Ohio State is still loaded with talent (though somewhat unproven) at WR and H-back, but I think they will rely much more heavily on the ground game.  Virginia Tech will stack the box, but still will not be able to stop the best running back in the country behind a veteran offensive line.  Elliott leads the charge as the Buckeyes pound their way to victory, 31 - 13.

4. Illinois falters without head coach, loses opener to Kent State

The Golden Flashes of Kent State only managed 2 wins from 2014, and were among the worst teams in the MAC.  But just a week before the start of the season, Illinois fired head coach Tim Beckman over allegations that he and his staff pressured players to play despite injuries.  Suddenly, what should have been a gimme for the Fighting Illini becomes much more interesting.  Kent State can only get better from last year (right?) while the situation at Illinois is an absolute mess.  The locker room is likely divided, with some players siding with Beckman and others glad that he's gone.  I just can't see how interim coach Bill Cubit will have them ready for this game.  Illinois has more talent, but Kent State pulls off the upset, 38 - 34.

5. Virginia Tech players make it through first game without getting fined

Recently, it became known that Hokies Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster had tried (at least) to implement a fairly complex and very ridiculous fine system for players.  Miss a class?  $45.  Dirty dorm room? $50.  Personal foul?  $100.  While the university now says the program is discontinued, it sounds like there has been (and will continue to be) some other kind of system in place which comes out of "bowl type stuff".  I don't really know what that means, but I can only guess at what possible fine-able offenses might be for VT's season opener against Ohio State:

Dropped pass: $10
Turnover: $25
Missed tackle: $15
TD given up: $50
Getting trucked by Cardale: priceless

They better hope the fine system really was decommissioned...