Jim Shay

Sports editor

#20 Illinois at #6 Missouri

It’s hard, but not impossible to stop Chase Daniel.

Winner: Illinois 28, Missouri 21

Utah at Michigan

Wolverines go up big in the first half, Utes comes back and makes it close.

Winner: Michigan 28, Utah 21

Appalachian State at #7 LSU

Lightning doesn’t strike the same spot twice. The Tigers walk away with an easy one in Baton Rouge.

Winner: LSU 48, Appalachian State 7

#24 Alabama at #9 Clemson

Neutral site, two very good teams, national spotlight. Sounds like an upset.

Winner: Alabama 35, Clemson 28

#18 Tennessee at UCLA

Bruins quarterbacks are dropping like flies. Shouldn’t even be close.

Winner: Tennessee 38, UCLA 21

Wes Anderson

Football writer

#20 Illinois at #6 Missouri

Illini will need both sides of the ball to be on their game.

Winner: Illinois 27, Missouri 21

Utah at Michigan

Terrelle Pryor rides pine in Columbus while the Wolverines flounder.

Winner: Utah 24, Michigan 13

Appalachian State at #7 LSU

Quarterback Armanti Edwards played the game of his life last year at the Big House, but LSU has speed on D.

Winner: LSU 42, Appalachian State 10

#24 Alabama at #9 Clemson

Seven offensive starters are returning for the Tigers. This could be Clemson’s year.

Winner: Clemson 38, Alabama 24

#18 Tennessee at UCLA

Bruins QB Kevin Craft will be thrown into the fire. UCLA won’t sniff the end zone.

Winner: Tennessee 31, UCLA 6

Dan Johnson

Football writer

#20 Illinois at #6 Missouri

Last second field goal seals game for Illinois.

Winner: Illinois 31, Missouri 28

Utah at Michigan

It will undoubtedly be a shootout, given these two, now, spread offenses.

Winner: Michigan 31, Utah 28

Appalachian State at #7 LSU

As much as I would love to see the Tigers lose, I don’t think LSU is as nearly as bad as Michigan was last year.

Winner: LSU 35, Appalachian State 14

#24 Alabama at #9 Clemson

Everyone cheer against both teams – they’re the reason GameDay isn’t in St. Louis.

Winner: Clemson 28, Alabama 24

#18 Tennessee at UCLA

What’s the over/under on how many quarterbacks UCLA will go through this year?

Winner: Tenneseee 35, UCLA 28

Laura Hettiger

Football writer

#20 Illinois at #6 Missouri

A win for the Illini will prove 2007 wasn’t an accident.

Winner: Illinois 21, Missouri 14

Utah at Michigan

Both teams would gain a lot of confidence with a win. I’m going with the Big Ten team.

Winner: Michigan 34, Utah 21

Appalachian State at #7 LSU

App. State did show up last season (can we say Michigan?), but LSU is the defending BCS national champion.

Winner: LSU 42, Appalachian State 10

#24 Alabama at #9 Clemson

It will take a lot for the Crimson Tide to leave Atlanta with a win.

Winner: Clemson 21, Alabama 17

#18 Tennessee at UCLA

The Vols have had trouble winning on the road, but this season might be different.

Winner: Tennessee 35, UCLA 28

Kyle Betts

Football columnist

#20 Illinois at #6 Missouri

Tigers are overrated. Illini avenge last year’s loss.

Winner: Illinois 30, Missouri 28

Utah at Michigan

UM should schedule someone easy for their first game. Like Appalachian Sta… wait.

Winner: Michigan 24, Utah 20

Appalachian State at #7 LSU

Appalachian State knows Les Miles didn’t accept the head coaching job at Michigan and they’re playing LSU, right?

Winner: LSU 45, Appalachian State 10

#24 Alabama at #9 Clemson

Tide rolls out of Atlanta with season’s first upset.

Winner: Alabama 21, Clemson 17

#18 Tennessee at UCLA

New coach plus no quarterbacks for UCLA equals bad news in SoCal.

Winner: Tennessee 42, UCLA 6