Saturday, August 30

Arkansas State at Texas A&M, 7:00 EST
Why to watch: Mike Sherman starts out his Texas A&M head coaching career with a decent first game that should be more than just a light scrimmage before dealing with New Mexico. Arkansas State's big change is in the nickname, going from the Indians to the Red Wolves, and it has a tremendous running game that should keep the Aggie defense on its toes. Of course, A&M will like to pound the ball, but this might also be a chance to see if the Aggies can throw the ball a bit more effectively last year. ASU threw a mighty scare into Texas in a 21-13 loss in last season's opener, and this year's team is better. Yes Aggie fans, there's reason to be afraid. This might be one of the most entertaining Big 12 games in week one.
Why Arkansas State might win: ASU might be the sleeper in the Sun Belt race. There are some big holes, mostly in the secondary, but the defense was the best in the league and should be even better up front. Offensively, the Red Wolves has a big, beefy line that should be able to do some shoving around. Corey Leonard is a veteran quarterback who can do a little of everything, while Reggie Arnold is a dangerous back the Aggies will have to worry about.
Why Texas A&M might win: The ASU linebacking corps should be good, but it's woefully undersized and should be pounded on by the A&M offensive line. Yes, the secondary should be fine in time, but you don't get better by Tyrell Johnson and Khyyam Burns. Stephen McGee and the A&M passing game should be able to work in the middle of the field without much of a problem.
Who to watch: With thunderback/fullback Jorvorskie Lane hurting with a variety of issues, even more of the workload should fall on Mike Goodson, the A&M star back who was going to be the main man in the attack anyway. The Aggie coaching staff has gushed from day one over Goodson, but he'll have to work behind a revamped offensive line and will be the total and complete focus of the ASU defensive front. This is a game he has to produce to set the tone for the first half of the season to allow McGee more time to get the passing attack going.
What will happen: A&M will get pushed and pushed hard before pulling away late. If you like running games, this will be for you, but don't expect much in the way of a pass rush. These were two of the nation's worst teams at generating sacks last season.
CFN Prediction: Texas A&M 27 ... Arkansas State 14 ... Line: Texas A&M -21
Must See Rating: (5 90210 - 1 90210, at least what you’ll say among your friends) … 2
- Click here to receive ATS Consultants FREE selections 

Florida Atlantic at Texas, 7:00 EST
Why to watch: Last year, Texas opened up the season at home against a Sun Belt team and got a mega-scare in a near-miss against Arkansas State. Florida Atlantic, the defending Sun Belt champion, is a better team than that Indian (now the Red Wolf) team. FAU was one of the breakthrough teams of last season led by Sun Belt Player of the Year, QB Rusty Smith, and the defense gets nine starters back. Texas is flying a bit under the radar compared to the hot new stars like Missouri, Kansas and Texas Tech, but this is a potentially great Longhorn team with the addition of defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and a slew of talented young players ready to break through. Can FAU build on the momentum of last year and the New Orleans Bowl win over Memphis, or will Texas bring back some of the nastiness from the Holiday Bowl thumping of Arizona State? This is a good measuring stick game for each team, even if Texas wins without too much of an issue.
Why Florida Atlantic might win: Muschamp might be a premier coordinator, but he'll have plenty of work to do in the early part of the year with his revamped secondary. Smith is a smart, efficient passer who won't press and won't make too many mistakes. It'll help that Smith has a fast group of receivers to stretch the field. FAU was third in the nation in turnover margin and has to be at least +2 in the takeaway department to pull off the shocker.
Why Texas might win: As good as FAU might be good, but there's still a ten-mile wide talent gap between the Owls and the Longhorns. This is a fast, veteran Owl team, but it's not going to be all that great against the run. The Texas offensive line should be able to dominate from the start.
Who to watch: Many teams have a quarterback controversy just before the season starts. Texas has a running back controversy, to a point, trying to replace Jamaal Charles. It was a three-man race throughout the summer, with the plan to go running back by committee, and Texas still might do that with Vondrell McGee getting the most work and Chris Ogbonnaya serving as a third down back and a blocker. Fozzy Whitaker will end up playing a big role, but he had issues with a knee injury late this summer and will have to work his way back into the rotation. Establishing a perking order is vital sooner than later.
What will happen: Attack, attack, attack. Texas is going to be flying all over the place on defense while the offense will explode midway through the first half on the way to a stunningly easy win.
CFN Prediction: Texas 45 .... Florida Atlantic 16 ... Line: Texas -23
Must See Rating: (5 90210 - 1 90210, at least what you’ll say among your friends) … 2
- Click here to receive ATS Consultants FREE selections 

Florida International at Kansas, 7:00 EST
Why to watch: It's one of the biggest questions of the off-season. Is Kansas the real deal? The college football world won't find out until next week against a decent Louisiana Tech and the week after at South Florida, but anything less than big-time blowout of a bad FIU team will get Jayhawk fans nervous. The Golden Panthers got better as last season went on and came up with its first and only win of the year in the finale. Even though they're experienced and should be far better across the board this year, it won't be a pretty start with another paycheck game at Iowa next week.
Why Florida International might win: The only chance FIU has of keeping this from being a laugher is if the defense can get to QB Todd Reesing and force mistakes. The linebacking corps should go from a weakness to a strength, while the line should get into the backfield just enough to make Reesing hurry. Coming up with at least four turnovers will be vital, but FIU will have to take chances to get them.
Why Kansas might win: Score. FIU's offense was the worst in America by a long shot, even though it started to find its legs late in the year. Even with a new offensive coordinator and a more promising overall attack, this isn't an offense that'll go on any sort of a scoring run. A 17-point KU first quarter should end the fun. 
Who to watch: How long will Jake Sharp be the No. 1 KU running back? He was supposed to be the main man going into last season, but that quickly changed with the emergence of Brandon McAnderson. This year, it's top JUCO transfer Jocques Crawford who appears ready to become the focal point of the ground game sooner than later, but for the time being, Sharp will get the early work. He has to make the most of the opportunity.
What will happen: KU might not be razor sharp like it was all throughout last year, but it won't matter. The machine will start humming by early in the second half.
CFN Prediction: Kansas 48 ... FIU 10 ... Line: Kansas -36.5
Must See Rating: (5 90210 - 1 90210, at least what you’ll say among your friends) … 1.5
- Click here to receive ATS Consultants FREE selections 

Eastern Washington at Texas Tech, 7:00 EST
Why to watch: If you want to see what 900 yards of passing looks like in one game, this could be it. It's not like Texas Tech ever schedules the USCs and LSUs of the world, and on the surface it appears that Eastern Washington is another light, breezy cupcake. It's not so. EWU is one of the nation's five best FCS teams and the favorite to win the Big Sky conference even though Paul Wulff has left to become the head coach at Washington State. The Eagles like the bomb away, and this just in, so does Texas Tech. The assault on the record books begins as the loaded Red Raiders look to get the machine revved up and rolling. This is supposed to be one of the nation's best teams, and it needs to play like it from the opening snap.
Why Eastern Washington might win: This is one of the few teams in America, FCS or FBS, that has a shot at keeping up the offensive pace with Texas Tech. EWU has the ability to score in bunches with QB Matt Nichols, the defending Big Sky Player of the Year, getting most of his top weapons back. This should be an ultra-efficient passing attack from the start. No warm up will be needed.
Why Texas Tech might win: Eastern Washington might be able to score in bunches, but Texas Tech is at a whole other level. Not only is this a team used to putting up big numbers, but it's used to coming from behind when needed. That might not be necessary, but there will be no panic if the Eagles pull off an early shock and come up with some big early scores.
Who to watch: The offenses will take center stage, but the real key going forward will be the Texas Tech defense, particularly the run defense. EWU won't be trying to pound the ball all that often, but if there's any Eagle rushing production, there might be tweaking needed before dealing with Nevada next week. The defensive line has the potential to be special with good depth thanks to a slew of good JUCO transfers, but for now, Brandon Williams, the team's best pass rusher, will be counted on to do even more to get to the quarterback.
What will happen: Lots of passing yards, lots of points, and lots of fun for a FBS vs. FCS matchup. The Texas Tech defense won't look as good as Red Raider fans might like, but that's not that big a deal; EWU really is that good.
CFN Prediction: Texas Tech 55 ... Eastern Washington 27 ... Line: No Line
Must See Rating: (5 90210 - 1 90210, at least what you’ll say among your friends) … 2
- Click here to receive ATS Consultants FREE selections 

North Texas at Kansas State, 7:05 EST
Why to watch: These are the two wild cards in their respective conference races. Kansas State was on its way to a great 2007 before everything fell apart in a four-game losing streak to end the year. North Texas struggled in the first season of the Todd Dodge era, but it showed off an occasionally devastating passing game that's expected to only be better now that the pieces are getting into place. The emergence of a slew of JUCO transfers will be the storyline for Kansas State, while UNT will hope experience will translate into more production.
Why North Texas might win: What's the passing game going to do? The Kansas State secondary had a nightmare of a time towards the end of last season, and the Mean Green will be getting off the bus throwing. This is an attack that put up 601 yards against SMU last season and should take advantage of any time it gets to work. However ...
Why Kansas State might win: ... the Mean Green defense doesn't appear to be appreciably better than last year when it was among the worst in America. This was the nation's worst scoring D and was 113th in total yards, and even though it's undergoing a major personnel overhaul, it's still not going to be a brick wall. Kansas State will need time to get all the new faces in the right places, but it has enough offensive talent and athleticism to simply outscore and outbomb its way to a win. The defense should be able to generate consistent pressure on UNT QB Giovanni Vizza.
Who to watch: Will Ian Campbell go back to being Ian Campbell? One of the nation's most dangerous pass rushers as a sophomore, the Kansas State star was moved to a hybrid of defensive end and outside linebacker and wasn't nearly as effective. He's better when he's able to beat a blocker off the line, and now he'll be moved back to end where he'll need to show right away that he's back to form. He could single-handedly screw up the UNT passing game.
What will happen: The Mean Green will put up plenty of yards and have its moments, but Kansas State's offense will start scoring from the opening kickoff and won't let up. Expect some huge numbers to be put on the board.
CFN Prediction: Kansas State 52 ... North Texas 23 ... Line: Kansas State -24.5
Must See Rating: (5 90210 - 1 90210, at least what you’ll say among your friends) … 2.5
- Click here to receive ATS Consultants FREE selections 
 

Sunday, August 31

Colorado State vs. Colorado (in Denver), 7:30 EST
Why to watch: Invesco Field is having a big week with the Barack Obama acceptance speech on Thursday night and one of college football's most underappreciated rivalries on Sunday. It might not be Michigan vs. Ohio State on a national scale, but no rivalry has been more thrilling or more exciting over the last six years with all six games decided by seven points or fewer. Over that span, Colorado is 4-2 beating the Rams by a total score of 155 to 148. This year, CSU is kicking off a new era as Steve Fairchild takes over for Sonny Lubick, a legend who made the program a force for several seasons, but had lost his touch in the end. Nothing would do more to kick off the new era with a bang than beating the Buffs, but this is an improved team under head coach Dan Hawkins. After a mega-disappointing 2006 and an underwhelming 2007, even with a win over Oklahoma, Colorado needs a win to get off to a hot start with a nasty Big 12 season, and non-conference dates with West Virginia and Florida State to follow.
Why Colorado State might win: The running game should be able to pound away without much of a problem. The combination of Gartrell Johnson and Kyle Bell should be the best in the Mountain West as they run behind a big, beefy line that'll try to flatten the Colorado front four. The defense might not be a prize out of the gate, but there are veterans in the linebacking corps and safeties Klint Kubiak and Mike Pagnotta are back after getting hurt last year.
Why Colorado might win: There's no real threat of a Colorado State passing game. There will be one in time, but the receiving corps is all but starting from scratch, while QB Billy Farris is being thrown into the fire in a high-energy, pressure-packed environment. The Rams will try to manufacture more of a pass rush this season after failing to get much of any last year, but that will take time. The Buff O line might be young, but it's good and should give Cody Hawkins plenty of time to operate.
Who to watch: While the Ram rushing tandem should be tremendous, all eyes will be on Colorado's Darrell Scott, arguably the nation's top running back recruit. He has the speed, the power, and the total package of skills to be the focal point of the offense in the near future, but it might not be right away. Demetrius Sumler is a good back as well. Scott got a bit out of shape this summer and is still trying to get back to form, but that doesn't mean he won't be ready.
What will happen: It's Colorado State vs. Colorado. There will be several momentum swings, plenty of big plays, and a close finish. That's what these two do. In the end, Colorado's defense will be a little bit better than Colorado State's.
CFN Prediction: Colorado 27 ... Colorado State 24 ... Line: Colorado -11.5
Must See Rating: (5 90210 - 1 90210, at least what you’ll say among your friends) … 3
- Click here to receive ATS Consultants FREE selections 
   

- Big 12 Week One Fearless Predictions