Finally college football has arrived and I know we can all hardly wait for the rest of the games to be played. Here's the start of a weekly look at the Big Ten games.

Maine @ Iowa

Iowa comes into the game favored and by all means should win this one big. Maine was a weak team last year that finished a very poor 4-7. Iowa needs to come out in this one and win it big or Iowa might take a close game to heart and begin their collapse early this year.

Why Iowa could win: Iowa should win simply because they are the better team in this one. They are better in every facet of the game. QB Jake Christensen returns from last year and should shred the Black Bears secondary. He needs to to get the fans to stop breathing down his neck to bring in backup Ricky Stanzi. Look for Christensen to look Andy Brodell's way early and often in this one.

Why Maine could win: Maine could win this game if they can rattle Christensen early and force him to make some bad decisions. They would also need to get on the scoreboard early and make Iowa have to pass and become one-dimensional.

Prediction: Iowa wins easily 38-7.

Youngstown State @ Ohio State

Could this be another Appy State over Michigan? Will OSU be looking way ahead and not focus on YSU. That all seems very doubtful as OSU comes into the year focused, experienced, and determined to pave their way back to the BCS Championship.

Why Ohio State could win: On offense, YSU should have no answer for Chris Wells. He's a beast to tackle and can fly when he gets into the wide open. OSU's line should have no problem handling the boys from Youngstown. Through the air, Boeckman should also have no problem ripping the secondary. On defense, James Laurenitis and his front 7 will own the ground game and there will be no room for the runners and no time for the pass.

Why Youngstown State could win: Maybe they know exactly what Tressel will call since it is his alumni. They would need something major to happen, like the entire OSU team to come out sleeping. If they could catch them napping and jump on them early, emotions could take control and they could pitch an upset.

Prediction: The upset isn't happening, OSU rips them 56-3.

Coastal Carolina @ Penn State

Penn State is yet another Big Ten team who sked-ed a cupcake to start the season. It will give them a chance to get Clark's and Devin's respective feet wet before the real tests come.

Why Penn State could win: The rest of PSU's offense is a veteran unit and they should have no problem running the ball up and down the field on Coastal Carolina. It should allow fans to see both Clark and Devlin in action and let Paterno get a good look at who he wants as a starter. On defense, PSU will show why they are called the Linebacker U and will own the front lines. Bani Gbadyu is a gamer and should have not only a big game, but a big season.

Why Coastal Carolina could win: Simply put, PSU's QB's are not realy battle tested. Clark did get some time last year and did a good job in their bowl game but he has never been a true starter. If they can get after him, they maybe would have a shot.

Prediction: PSU get JoePa a win 42-10.

Western Kentucky @ Indiana

This could be one of the more intruiguing matchups in week one. Indiana ran with their emotions on their way to a bowl bid last year and WKU is looking for some respect outside of the basketball program.

Why Indiana could win: QB Kellen Lewis can change a game with his dual threat ability. He was suspended but is back and the job is still his. He will be the one player who could take over the game on either team.

Why Western Kentucky could win: Indiana has been hit by waves of suspensions and 4 players including sack-leader Greg Middleton are sitting out and Indiana is also battling injuries. Western Kentucky could jump out and surprise Indiana if they are not ready. Expect them to gameplan for Lewis and force somebody else to try to win the game for Indiana.

Prediction: Indiana wins a close one 24-20.

Akron @ Wisconsin

Wisconsin comes in looking to establish itself as a Big Ten title contender. They will want to rough up on Akron and roll in this one.

Why Wisconsin could win: PJ Hill is a beast of a running back and should tear up the Zips defense. Look for Wisconsin to start to get his Heisman hopes on track. Wisky's defense should be smothering in this one as well and should make it very hard for Zips to move the ball at all.

Why Akron could win: Zips played OSU close last year so they won't come into Camp Randall intimidated. QB Chris Jacquemain returns and will have to play the best game of his career to give Zips a chance. The front 7 will also have to play much better than their 184 yards allowed on the ground.

Prediction: Hill and the Badgers roll with a 42-6 win.

 Syracuse @ Northwestern

Syracuse comes into this one looking nothing like the pro factory of the past that they were. Northwestern will come in looking to keep them that way and will look to rip them up.

Why Northwestern could win: CJ Bacher is poised to be one of the best QBs in the Big Ten. He can put up big numbers in Northwestern's wide open offense and should be able to tear apart the Orange secondary. Tyrell Sutton also comes back as one of the top backs in the Big Ten. He thrives in the spread set and has great moves to make the man miss. He can break it at any time.

Why Syracuse could win: This is most likely Robinson's last year as coach and if the players like him, they may rally around him as players have around coaches in the past. To win, Cuse will need to protect the QB. 50 sacks last year killed drives time and time again. Andrew Robinson can get the job done and if he gets time, he could make it into a shootout in Evanston.

Prediction: Bacher makes good decisions and NU wins 35-21.

Utah @ Michigan

Another matchup of intrigue in the Big Ten. Michigan has brought in a new coach in Rich Rod and players have flown the coop. He has no true spread QB and malcontent is high. Can Utah use this to start their BCS buster status?

Why Michigan could win: They are Michigan. The winningest program ever and the players will rally together. The defense should still be strong this year and will most likely take over the game. Both QB's should see time and one of them should step and take over the team.

Why Utah could win: Michigan is muddled entirely on offense. If the defense can stop anything Michigan can scrap together, they can try to take over early and make Michigan throw to catch up. QB Brian Johnson has the ability to make plays through the air as well. WR Brent Casteel can break things open and will be a key for the Ute upset.

Prediction: Michigan can't work things out, Utah wins 28-17.

Northern Illinois @ Minnesota

Minnesota's disaster of a season started with them losing to some lower level competition and it is the hope that it was only growing pains. NIU will look to keep it that way and play spoiler to the Gophers once again.

Why Minnesota could win: Minny returns its top offensive player in Adam Weber. He led the team in passing and rushing and has become much more comfortable with the offense. He also gets some help with speedy backs Jay Thomas and Duane Bennett. Eric Decker is a top Big Ten reciever and will look for help from TE Jack Simmons. The defense has reloaded with plenty of JUCO help. Tremaine Brock has taken over the secondary and should help Minny turn around its worst defense as long as Willie VanDeSteeg and company can get to the QB.

Why Northern Illinois could win: Minnesota has a ton of new faces who have not seen a snap in D-1A football. They will have to look to attack them early and get them on their heels. The Huskies are a veteran team and have the edge in experience. LB Tim McCarthy will have to be ready to shut down the running game as well as Adam Weber scrambling. On offense, the game will have to be managed well by Dan Nicholson or the young athletic Gopher defense could jump on them.

Prediction: Gophers match last season's win total with a 38-14 win.

Michigan State @ California

Here is one of the biggest games in the Big Ten for week one. Michigan State will look to solidfy itself as a Big Ten contender as Cal will look to rebound after last year's collapse.

Why Michigan State could win: RB Javon Ringer is a great back and will look to gash through the Cal defense. He is fully healthy and this could be a big coming out party for him. QB Brian Hoyer played well at times last year and will give them balence so they can't key on Ringer.

Why California could win: QB Kevin Riley will start for Cal as he beat out incumbent Nate Longshore. But still, Longshore and Riley both have experience and the ability to beat a defense. Jahvid Best will try to take the pressure off the QB as he is a great runner as well as a reciever. LB Zack Follett has the ability to take away Ringer if given the chance but if Cal can't keep him clean, it could be a long day.

Prediction: Michgan State pulls it out, 31-28.

Game of the Week

Illinois @ Missouri

In a battle of QBs, Juice Williams and Chase Daniel will face off. Both teams look to build off of last year's strong performances as Illinois went to the Rose Bowl and Mizzou won the Cotton Bowl.

Why Illinois could win: QB Juice Williams can take over a game. He is one of the top dual threats in the nation and if Illinois can keep the Tigers out of the backfield, he can tear them up. He will look to Arrelious Benn for help. S Travis Bellamy will have the job of keeping his secondary in check and slowing down the onslaught of Chase Daniel.

Why Missouri could win: QB Chase Daniel is an early pick for the Heisman and this is a big game early for him to show his skills in. Jeremy Maclin is also a gamebreaker and Illinois will have to double cover him to keep him in check. LB Sean Witherspoon will get the task of slowing down Juice and should be able to do it. If they rattle Williams early, expect this one to get ugly.

Prediction: Illinois can't keep up with Mizzou and falls 42-21.

Well that's week one in the books and its just one humble kid's predictions. Best of luck to your teams this year.

The weekends not even over yet and it has already been one of great excitement. College football has arrived (Pause for everyone's cheering.) and the upsets are already pouring in. We all have already heard of Lloyd Carr's latest debacle in a 34-32 loss to 1AA Appalachian State in the Big House (the Mountaineers did look like they could play with most 1A teams, but still), Kansas State looks very poised to beat Auburn on the road, and in a game alot of people were picking Tennessee, the Bears are on top 38-28.

Lets start with the Michigan/App. St. game. First of all, Lloyd Carr needs to go. He's too much of an ultraconservative to play in this league. Secondly, the special teams coach needs to go too. He did a horrible job coaching his field goal team. Everyone knows you block from inside out. Maybe they can hire some of these App. St. coaches who seem to prepare their players better. These kids came in wanting a win and they did what was needed to pull it off.

Now for Kansas State. They are shutting down Auburn with great run defense and awesome pass rush. They are all over Brandon Cox and laying a licking to the kid. Watching the game, I just feel bad for him. Almost every time they drop back to pass, he gets tattooed. It is amazing he's still playing. Maybe they can just manage to come back and eek one out.

Now to the Tenn/Cal game. The rankings are close, but many people (especially SEC fans) thought that Tenn was going to romp all over Cal. Erik Ainge has been very impressive to this point, as he has tallied 3 passing scores. Tennessee has to get that defense that the SEC is so well-known for going though. Nate Longshore has 3 scores and DeSean Jackson has a punt return for a TD. Tennessee will definitely have to turn it on on both sides of the ball to come back.

Finally, we have some baseball. Two very low-key pitchers had no-hit bids. First, Scott Baker of the Minnesota Twins had his perfect game broken up in the 9th on a walk. Then, gave up a 1 out hit to lose his no-hitter. And just tonight Clay Buchholz has tossed a no-hitter for the Boston Red Sox. Wow, what a crazy weekend and hopefully more is to come.