College football bold predictions for Week 1 put Notre Dame, SMU on upset alert
The start of the college football season is difficult to forecast. But that doesn't stop our experts offering their bold predictions for Week 1.
Week 1 of the college football season kicks off with the USA TODAY Sports staff predicting a few surprises and upsets. Pittsburgh's Mason Heintschel is expected to make a big impact as a breakout player for the ACC team, overcoming a challenging opponent. Tennessee freshman QB Faizon Brandon is projected to shine, becoming the first true-freshman starter for the Vols since 2004.
It appears that major upsets are unlikely given the strong preseason rankings, with no significant underdogs expected to pull off victories against the chalk. Florida State is predicted to overcome SMU's No. 20 ranking with the help of transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels. Notre Dame faces Wisconsin at home, where the Badgers' underdog motivation could lead to a tough game.
California and UCLA match up in late-night action, with both teams featuring first-year coaches and experienced quarterbacks expected to outshine their defenses. Lastly, Clemson faces Clemson in a matchup where Mike Norvell might be given a chance to prove his worth before the coaching change is finalized.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
