Weeknight Predictions for Week 1

IT. IS. HERE.

After more scandals and conference expansion crises, we will have kickoff tonight. With a new season comes new opportunity for our staffers, with one set to claim the prize of best predictor. Last season, Zach claimed the crown with a red-hot 85% accuracy:

2010	W	L	%
Zach	112	20	.848
Brett	107	25	.811
DJ	88	21	.807

This year, we welcome new contributor Bradford Christensen into the mix. Let's get it on! Today we post predictions for Thursday and Friday action, with Saturday's slate to be posted on Friday.

THURSDAY

UNLV @ #11 WISCONSIN
6:00 pm MT -- ESPN

ZACH: Hide Yo Kids! Bobby Hauck's club sorely needs confidence. The schedule hasn't done him any favors. Enter Bret Bielema and his propensity to run up the score. Wiscy scored 70 or more points THREE time last season in Madison. And 83 against Indiana! The Rebels defensive line has been as soft as pudding for as long as I can remember. That being said, the Rebs lost by just 20 in last year's opener against the Badgers. Hauck is a good coach and will have his kids playing hard.
WISC 45 UNLV 14
BRETT: Like Bubba Sparxxx said, It's gon get UGLY. WISC 60 UNLV 10
DJ: This game is all Badgers. No scares for Wisky in this opener. WISC 41 UNLV 7
BRADFORD: Not exactly the ideal opener if you're UNLV especially after TCU took care of Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.WISC 49 UNLV 10

#6 (FCS) MONTANA ST @ UTAH

6:00 pm MT -- KJZZ (Utah)

ZACH: The Utes start their first season in the Pac-12 with an FCS non-conference opponent from the Big Sky. The Bobcats are ranked in the preseason Top 10 and should have a fine year in the lower-division. The Utes, however, have their sight set on a trip to the Pac-12 Title. Utah will granola the offense for fear of giving away a game-plan to USC in Week 2, but dominate the second half. UTAH 38 MONT ST 14
BRETT: Montana State is no slouch. Utah has bugs of a new offense to work out. Expect them to hang in for a while before Utah gets some separation. No shame in using the game to test things out and get a footing. UTAH 31 MONT ST 16
DJ: This is a possible trap game. All accounts say Utah's offense looks terrible so who knows what their defense really looks like. When in doubt, choose Whittingham's defense. UTAH 30 MONT ST 13
BRADFORD: The Utes head into the Pac-12 with the difficult home opener against the Montana State Bobcats. UTAH 45 MONT ST 14

BOWLING GREEN @ IDAHO

7:00 pm MT -- ESPN3.com

ZACH: Guarantee: The season opener for both squads will fail in entertainment value comparison to the season finale played by between the squads in 2009. The Vandals are breaking in a new quarterback. IDAHO 23 BG 21

BRETT: I think the doctor ordered another shootout. BG 40 IDAHO 34

DJ: IDAHO 31 BG 24

BRADFORD: Can't believe I'm doing this. IDAHO 27 BG 24

FRIDAY

#14 TCU @ BAYLOR

6:00 pm MT -- ESPN

ZACH: Gary Patterson gets it done. Year in and year out, the Frog defense never changes. Dalton-less for the first time in 4 years, TCU must find an identity on offense. Prepare to meet the run game. Behind a stable of terrific backs, Frogs dominate time-of-possession and limit Griffin's big-play ability. The Bears have upgraded their talent level over the past few years, but aren't on the level of the Big-East-bound Frogs.
TCU 27 BAYLOR 13
BRETT: Sorry Bears. Patterson and Bumpas own you. Last year you averaged 475 yards of offense per game, and TCU held you to 263 (while torching you for 562). It won't be a blowout like last year, but TCU gets it done. TCU 27 BAYLOR 21
DJ: TCU shouldn't be as good this year but will still be among the best. Their offense will take a definite hit with the loss of Andy Dalton but still have great weapons in the backfield. RG3 is an explosive QB for Baylor but his injuries have hampered him. Close game but give it to Gary "My shirt is way too tight" Patterson. TCU 30 BAYLOR 26
BRADFORD: The Horned Frog defense and deep backfield help Casey Pachall get his first win in a close one over Baylor. TCU 24, BAYLOR 20