The 2015 College Football season is finally here! With that said, let's take a look at the Pac-12 and breakdown each team's matchup to kick off the new year.
Michigan @ Utah
Utah players have expressed their displeasure with this game being called a "cupcake" matchup, and rightly so.
Utah features one of the most productive rushing attacks (190.4 yards per game—39th nationally) and running backs in the country headed by senior Devontae Booker (116.3 yards per game). On the flip side, Michigan finished 15th in the nation in rush defense, allowing just 117.7 yards per game.
Last season, the Utes held the Wolverines scoreless throughout the entire second half of their matchup. It may not be as simple a task as this year, but expect Utah to pull this one out.
Prediction: Utah 23, Michigan 17
Texas San Antonio @ No. 22 Arizona
Last season's matchup proved to be a thriller, as the Wildcats eeked out a road victory in then-freshman quarterback Anu Solomon's second career start.
Solomon is much improved from his performance last season against UTSA when he was only able to lead Arizona to six points in the second half.
This time, the result should favor much more, especially considering the game is being played in Tuscon.
Prediction: Arizona 38, UTSA 20
Colorado @ Hawaii
Mike MacIntyre's team struggled to land wins in his second season at Colorado. However, one of his team's two victories in 2014 came against the Rainbow Warriors at home.
During last season's game, Hawaii's offense featured three different quarterbacks, but with former USC Trojan Max Wittek now under center they hope to have productivity and stability to manage their high-paced offense.
MacIntyre's group is another year wiser—we'd hope—and it would ultimately be the difference in this one.
Prediction: Colorado 24, Hawaii 23
Weber State @ Oregon State
Gary Andersen's first game as in Corvallis is one that he should be able to win, despite leading an inexperienced team.
The triple threat of running back Storm Woods and receivers Jordan Villamin and Victor Bolden should prove to be overwhelming for the Wildcats; even if they decide to platoon their freshmen quarterbacks.
Prediction: Oregon State 34, Weber State 24
Washington @ No. 23 Boise State
Chris Petersen's return to the blue turf of Boise should be one of the more intriguing games of the Pac-12 slate this weekend.
Boise State trounced the Pac-12 South champion Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl to end the 2014 season, and aside from their new starting quarterback, the Broncos return a very experienced unit.
In contrast, Washington is still working to establish an identity while replacing three stars lost to the 2015 NFL Draft.
Prediction: Boise State 31, Washington 16
No. 21 Stanford @ Northwestern
Stanford finished off their 2014 campaign on a strong note, reeling off three consecutive wins. They look to carry that momentum into the new season and reassert themselves as being a dominant force out of the North division.
Expect quarterback Kevin Hogan to come flying right out of the gate.
Prediction: Stanford 30, Northwestern 21
Portland State @ Washington State
Washington State is more intriguing than its reputation may suggest.
The Cougars' high-scoring offense is going to put up points against a Portland State team that lost 59-21 in Pullman in 2014.
Don't expect the score to stray too far from the previous result.
Prediction: Washington State 52, Portland State 28
Virginia @ No. 13 UCLA
The Bruins open the year at home with a true freshman under center.
In the 2014 season opener, the Cavaliers made a close game out of what was expected to be a blow out, only losing by eight points in the end.
Without Brett Hundley, I don't see the Bruins pulling away by much more this time around.
Prediction: UCLA 26, Virginia 17
Grambling State @ California
California is entering a pivotal year in the Sonny Dykes era.
In order to kick the 2015 campaign off correctly, the Golden Bears are going to have to come out of the gates hot, and considering the amount of talent they have, they should be able to do just that against Grambling State.
Prediction: Cal 41, Grambling State 24
No. 15 Arizona State vs Texas A&M
The Pac-12 South and the SEC West are considered to be the two best divisions in all of college football—this is the only scheduled matchup featuring programs from each.
Arizona State has high hopes for the new season, while Texas A&M hopes to rebound after a rough 2014. Expect a tightly contested game.
Prediction: Arizona State 23, Texas A&M 20
Eastern Washington @ No. 7 Oregon
In his first start for the Ducks, quarterback Vernon Adams will face off against the program he recently transferred from.
Alongside him, a surplus of weapons and playmakers that still make Oregon one of the most dynamic and dangerous teams in the nation.
Prediction: Oregon 59, Eastern Washington 38
Arkansas State @ No. 8 USC
Arkansas State isn't a team that the Trojans should take lightly, believe it or not.
There's been nothing but talk, talk and more talk about how the Trojans are finally back to being the assumed leader of the Pac-12 and a national powerhouse. It's time to put up or shut up.
Their opener against the Red Wolves will be a great way to gauge whether or not that's true.
Prediction: USC 38, Arkansas State 17