With college football's first Saturday kicking off tomorrow morning, I'm straying from my normal weekend television schedule post and trying something new. I thought it would be a good idea to highlight this weekend's top five games and provide a brief look at each one.
↵5. SMU at Texas A&M - Sunday, 6:30 PM
June Jones has been quickly turning things around for the Mustangs, but Mike Sherman's Aggie squad is garnering tons of preseason recognition and hype. It should be a great game to see if A&M can realistically challenge Oklahoma for the Big 12 title, and there are sure to be plenty of points scored in this one.
Prediction: Texas A&M 38, SMU 24
4. UCLA at Houston - Saturday, 2:30 PM
Case Keenum gets his last shot with the Cougars this year, and I'm anxious to see how he can elevate his NFL draft stock throughout the course of the season. UCLA struggled mightily throwing the ball a year ago, and this game pits the Bruins' strong running game against Houston's air attack. U of H wins in a squeaker.
Prediction: Houston 42, UCLA 38
3. BYU at Ole Miss - Saturday, 3:45 PM
Bronco Mendenhall takes his BYU team into Oxford against Houston Nutt's rebuilding Rebels, and this game pits two teams looking to vastly improve from disappointing seasons last year. BYU's 7-6 finish in 2010 was their worst season under Mendenhall, but I'm sure Ole Miss would love to just go .500 in football's toughest conference. I think BYU wins about nine games this season, and they get started this afternoon against the Rebels.
Prediction: BYU 31, Ole Miss 21
2. Boise State vs. Georgia (Georgia Dome) - Saturday, 7 PM
This neutral-site showdown between the Broncos and the Bulldogs is sure to be a great game, and I'm excited to see how Boise looks on the road in a mostly pro-Georgia crowd. It'll be a raucous environment, but Broncos' senior QB Kellen Moore could begin his Heisman-hopeful season with a very solid win if he plays well. I think he gets the job done, and Boise has another strong year.
Prediction: Boise State 27, Georgia 21
1. Oregon vs. LSU (Cowboys Stadium) - Saturday, 7 PM
One of the mostly highly-anticipated games of the season takes place tonight, but it's been marred with troubling quarterback controversies on both sides. LSU's starter Jordan Jefferson won't be playing because of felony second-degree battery charges stemming from a bar fight a couple weeks ago in Baton Rouge. The Duck's starting QB Darren Thomas was involved with the police earlier this summer, but he will still play. LSU will have to start Jarret Lee, and that's enough reason to pick the Ducks in a close one.
Prediction: Oregon 34, LSU 24