David vs. Goliath: College football predictions for Week 1

This feature used to be Joe vs. The Pro. Between The Pro working Joe over the last five falls and dealing with the Heat through South Florida winters, Joe Goodman got motivated to skedaddle back to Alabama. This leaves David J. Neal to sling his prediction skills against the professional prognostications of Lee Sterling.

David: Bethune-Cookman has talent, some of it transferred from or recruited by the state's Big Three FBS schools. But if that talent matched up with, say, the Hurricanes, it would be at one of those schools. Miami 42, Bethune-Cookman 17

Goliath: Everyone needs a freebee and this is as close as it gets for a Canes team that probably needs to win the Coastal to save Al Golden's job. Full disclosure here. My daughter is a UM cheerleader. Miami 52 Bethune Cookman 7

David: Starting sophomore quarterback Treon Harris treats New Mexico State like he used to treat Miami Edison back in his Booker T. days. Backup QB Will Grier has his fun, too. If you’re a Gator who doesn’t play in this game, that’s a hint and a half that you will be redshirted. Florida 56, New Mexico State 14

Goliath: The Aggies have one of the smallest Division I defenses in recent memory. They won't be able to sniff QB's Will Grier or Treon Harris with a 240 lb DT and LBs that tip the scales at 212 and 214 pounds. Florida 61 New Mexico State 10

David: FAU’s preparing for a shootout. The Owls know about those, having beaten Western Kentucky, FBS’s answer to the Die Hard series when it comes to shootouts. This one’s on the road, though, always a tough place to open a season. Tulsa 38, FAU 34

Goliath: To sniff a bowl game this season the Owls will need either or both RBs Jay Warren or Greg Howell to emerge and take the pressure off the passing game. This game could come down to the last possession. Tulsa 31, FAU 28

David: Auburn being an 11-point road favorite looks like line setters trying to sucker SECphiles the first week before anybody really knows anything. Still, the Tigers might be too physical for Louisville. The Cardinals lost one too many DeVantes to keep up with Auburn on the scoreboard. Auburn 31, Louisville 21

Goliath: The line is out of whack because in their bowl game Louisville got pasted by Georgia 37-14. Their revamped defense includes three former starters from TCU and Georgia and a 15-7 ATS record as a road dog tips the scale. Auburn 34 Louisville 28

David: Opening the season in Lincoln’s ultra-rousing atmosphere won’t bother BYU, a roster full of mature men, cockier than you think. Quarterback Taysom Hill’s back. Mike Ridley’s making his debut as Nebraska head coach. BYU 38, Nebraska 27

Goliath: Unless Cornhusker DTs Collins and Valentine can collapse the pocket and contain dual threat Cougar QB Taysom Hill, I doubt they can trade points with an under-the-radar BYU team. The wrong team is favored. BYU 27 Nebraska 26

David: Ah just hearing this matchup recalls names like Joe Theismann, James Street, Earl Campbell, Joe Montana from their 1970s Cotton Bowl matchups. Notre Dame once again fields players worthy to be mentioned the sentence after those above. Texas doesn’t — yet. Notre Dame 41, Texas 14

Goliath: Outside of a new punter, kicker and depth at RB this Irish team is loaded. The Longhorns are a full year or two from contending. Notre Dame 28 Texas 16

David: Did somebody hit the wrong key when punching in the line on this game? The 29.5-point spread in FSU’s favor looks appropriate for being the first half line. Stop reading now, go to your guy or website and get your kid’s Stanford education funded. Florida State 59, Texas State 0

Goliath: The first rule in handicapping is never bet with your heart. I was a QB for Southwest Texas State now Texas State in 1981. This game could get ugly as the talent gap is enormous. Romper room special! Florida State 58 Texas State 6

David: Yeah, like college football’s best recruiter is going to let this upset happen for a second consecutive season. Beamer Ball meets Urban Renewal of the Buckeye powerhouses that once trampled the Big Ten mercilessly. Defending champions usually open in the flow. Ohio State 45, Virginia Tech 24

Goliath: The Buckeyes are out to avenge their only loss of last year. Be careful here backing the national champions as the Hokies have only been a home dog six times in 10 years and have a 4-2 ATS record in that situation. Urban Meyer's boys better be ready. Ohio State 24 Virginia Tech 22

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 8:25 PM with the headline "David vs. Goliath: College football predictions for Week 1."