2012 National Preview/Week 1 Picks

Nothing too in depth, just my preseason top 25, BCS bowl projections and some picks for week 1.

Top 25:

1. LSU
2. Oregon
3. Southern Cal
4. Oklahoma
5. Alabama
6. Wisconsin
7. Florida State
8. West Virginia
9. South Carolina
10. Ohio State
11. Arkansas
12. Washington
13. Clemson
14. Boise State
15. Michigan State
16. TCU
17. Georgia
18. Michigan
19. Rutgers
20. Virginia Tech
21. Louisville
22. Nebraska
23. Stanford
24. Florida
25. Texas

Orange Bowl: Rutgers vs Florida State Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs Boise State Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs Clemson Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs Southern Cal National Championship Game: LSU vs Oregon, with LSU winning it all.

Week 1 Picks:
South Carolina 17 Vanderbilt 10
James Franklin has the 'Dores headed in the right direction, but they don't have the talent to stop the the Marcus Lattimores and Jadeveon Clowneys of the world yet.

UMass 10 Connecticut 24
The Huskies have a big advantage upfront on both sides of the ball.

Washington State 31 BYU 34
Two high scoring offenses will air it out. Mike Leach loses his first game at Wazzu on a last second field goal to his alma mater.

Villanova 3 Temple 24
Villanova sucks. Temple should run all over them.

Boise State 24 Michigan State 21
Two new quarterbacks making their debut against tough defenses. I'll never pick against Chris Peterson when he has this much time to prepare. 

Notre Dame 30 Navy 23
Everett Golson finally gives the Irish a legit duel threat at QB. The Midshipmen will put up a fight as always though.

Northwestern 20 Syracuse 16
Pat Fitzgerald has a knack for winning close games.

Ohio 16 Penn State 13
Penn State will obviously have a ton of emotions coming into this one, and it could be good or bad depending on how they start. Ultimetly I think this one comes down to the fact the Tyler Tettleton is just way better than Matt McGloin.

Southern Miss 17 Nebraska 27
The Blackshirts will stifle the Golden Eagles who have a new coaching staff and QB.

Chatanooga 0 South Florida 45
South Florida always looks good against the cupcakes.

Youngstown State 0 Pittsburgh 31
Pitt's power run game will be too much for the Penguins.

Clemson 34 Auburn 20
I'm bullish on Clemson this year. I like Boyd and Watkins a lot. Their defense is iffy, but I'm bearish on Auburn's offense. I don't see a lot of play makers there.

Michigan 10 Alabama 31
Trying to figure out how Michigan is a top 10 team. Dennard is overrated, and I'm sure Saban will scheme a way to stop him, even with a green defense. Barret Jones should dominate up front, sending Brady Hoke into a tizzy. #barrettjonesforheisman

San Diego State 17 Washington 28
How many teams have a team had a QB get drafted in the top 10 and get BETTER at the position the next year? Keith Price is damn good. The Aztecs could keep it interesting with some Pac 12 transfers in the starting lineup.

Arkansas State 13 Oregon 48
So Gus Malzahn and Chip Kelly meet once again. Too bad one offensive guru has a way more talented roster than the other.

Kentucky 10 Louisville 17
Teddy Bridgewater and a strong D lead the Cards to a win over their Blue Grass rivals.