College Football Predictions: Staff Predicts Week 1 News

To begin week 1 of the college football season, we eagerly weigh in with a few college football predictions from our staff. As we inch closer to the season, it’s time to get the “CFB hype train” up and running yet again!

Here, fellow staff members throw out their biggest stories of the weekend, and I’ll do my best to throw in my take regarding each game.

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We begin with our resident Iowa Hawkeyes fan and editor Sayre Bedinger, who — surprisingly enough — goes with his squad for week one.

"Looking forward to seeing Iowa go up against Illinois State. It’s not a headliner, but there’s nothing like the first game of the season at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Like all other college football cities, it’s electric, and optimism is high. It’s going to be a tough test for the young Hawkeyes, too. Iowa wins 31-17."

I’ll be the last one to act like I’m an expert with the Hawkeyes, but they do have a few players to watch:

Young QB C.J. Beathard is one to keep an eye on. Going up against a team in Illinois State should provide a nice opportunity for him to get his feet wet and a nice start under his belt.

NFL Draft prospect DL Drew Ott should be of note, too. The 6’4″ DE could have a field day against the Redbirds.

(Side note: Sayre tells me, as I’m writing, that Jake Duzey the Iowa TE, has NFL potential. We’ll take that straight from the mouth of our resident Hawkeyes expert)

Prediction here: Iowa takes home the win and makes Sayre happy, 31-20.

Next up, Jonah Tuls.

"I’m interested in the Louisville vs Auburn matchup. I think that this is going to be a closer game than most people think, in fact, I have Louisville as my upset pick this week. There is so much NFL talent playing in this game, and I just can’t wait to watch. Louisville wins 28-24."

Certainly one of the better games of the weekend here.

Auburn will be of note for many reasons — QB Jeremy Johnson leading that group. A top NFL prospect, he’ll need a big game and I think he gets it.

Jonah goes against the grain, but I’m not willing to take that risk.

Prediction: Auburn 35, Louisville 24.

Our newest staff Shawn Spencer weighs in on the same game, this time making my pick look reputable.

"Really interested to see how well Jeremy Johnson plays now that he’s the starter at Auburn. He has star potential, but will face a tough front seven in Louisville to start the season. Auburn 34-17."

That’s more like it, Shawn.

In all honesty, there’s no reason this shouldn’t be a fun one. Louisville does have the up-front ability on defense to compete and the track record to be picked here. But, I like Auburn’s offense too much to presume they’ll have a tough time in their opening game towards their quest for the CFB Playoff.

Matthew Holowiak with the final note, giving some love to his beloved Georgia Bulldogs.

"I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with Georgia’s new starting quarterback Greyson Lambert. We know what Nick Chubb and the defense is capable of, now it’s time to see what happens in Athens until Jacob Eason arrives next season."

As a fan of college football, I’m totally watching this one for Nick Chubb. With this game, I’ll be the cliche college football fan who wants to watch for the star power.

After all, isn’t that what our relaxing CFB Saturdays are all about?

Give me a great running game and an exciting defense — Georgia all over ULM by 20+.

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College Football Predictions: Staff Predicts Some Week 1 News

By Joe Wedra | Sep 4, 2015