This is absolutely my favorite time of year, when all the predictions, dialogue and analysis ends and we get to see it all play out on the field.

Here’s our predictions for a few of this weekend’s games.

#13 Georgia at #9 Oklahoma State. For all the talk about the Cowboys and the raucous environment in Stillwater, keep in mind the Georgia Bulldogs are a team who have been extremely successful on the road under Mark Richt, compiling a 30-4 record during his tenure. Despite losing their starting QB and RB to the NFL Draft, I think Richt will have his team ready, but Zac Robinson and 60,000 strong will be waiting. In a close one, Oklahoma State emerges victorious 24-20.

#20 Brigham Young vs. #3 Oklahoma (Dallas). BYU wants to prove they belong in the BCS discussion. Oklahoma will prove they aren’t ready for prime time just yet. Oklahoma 35, BYU 20.

#5 Alabama vs. #7 Virginia Tech. If Darren Evans were healthy, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick the Hokies. Alabama has to replace their starting quarterback, three offensive linemen and, until Wednesday night, looked like they might be without their top wide receiver, Julio Jones, and starting running back, Mark Ingram until the NCAA ruled they could play. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Frank Beamer and company emerge victorious, but something tells me Alabama is ready for this game. Alabama 24, Virginia Tech 14.

Maryland at #12 California. Last season, Maryland upended the Bears in College Park. This season, Cal welcomes the Terps to the West Coast as they kickoff what they hope will be a BIG season, led by Heisman candidate Jahvid Best. It’s payback by the Bay for Maryland. California 34, Maryland 17.

#11 LSU at Washington. Unlike the past several seasons, LSU is flying far below the radar to begin 2009. New Washington head coach, Steve Sarkisian, will get the Husky program headed back on the right track, just not this season. LSU 34, Washington 13.

#8 Mississippi at Memphis. This has traditionally been a close game for both teams early in the season. Memphis last won 10-6 in 2004, with four of the past five contests being decided by a touchdown or less. Look for Houston Nutt’s Rebels to make a statement against the Tigers that they are ready for big things in 2009. Ole Miss 38, Memphis 17.

Cincinnati at Rutgers. Has any game between two unranked teams meant so much at the beginning of the season? Both are expected to contend for the Big East Championship and a berth in, likely, the AllState Sugar Bowl. Greg Schiano will ride the home crowd to victory on Labor Day. Rutgers 23, Cincinnati 20.

Miami (FL) at #18 Florida State. Remember when this game was dubbed “The Game of the Century” every season? Here’s how far it has fallen…..tickets were still available to this game from the ticket office this week. Either way, this one is still big for FSU and “The U”. Whichever coach, Bobby Bowden or Randy Shannon, is dealt the loss will begin to hear the drumbeat for change. I believe the drumbeats of victory sound for the Seminoles. Florida State 24, Miami Hurricanes 17.

Enjoy the opening weekend of the 2009 College Football season!

When you have the top three vote getters from the previous year’s Heisman balloting as well as two Heisman trophy winners all returning, it’s pretty easy to project where the 2009 winner will come from. That’s what we have this season with 2007 Heisman winner, Tim Tebow, 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, Sam Bradford and last year’s runner up, Colt McCoy all coming back for another year of College Football.

To put into perspective how dominant these three were in the balloting last season, they garnered more than 90% of all votes and Tim Tebow, who received the most first place votes, finished third.

Is it a forgone conclusion one of these three will win? Absolutely not. That’s the beauty of college football. With that in mind, here’s five guys who could be holding the most prestigious award in college football on December 12th.

Jevan Snead, QB, Mississippi. Remember, this is the QB who originally committed to Florida and then was neck and neck with Colt McCoy for the starting job when he was a freshman. Ole Miss is the only team in the SEC West who hasn’t made it to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta. With a light road schedule (Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU all come to Oxford), the Rebels could piece together a big season and get to the conference championship game. If that happens, expect Snead to get plenty of press. Should they defeat Florida, expect him to finish in the top two at the ceremony in New York.

Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee. My sister-in-law (a UT alum) still talks about 1997 and what a travesty it was when Michigan’s Charles Woodson won the Heisman trophy instead of Peyton Manning. Berry is the best player on defense in the SEC – and perhaps the best in the country. The Vols have launched a full press campaign touting Berry’s candidacy, but the question remains whether he can make enough big plays to capture the attention of the country or if he’ll be lost in a mediocre campaign for the Vols.

Jahvid Best, RB, California. The question of whether or not Jahvid Best will win the Heisman comes down to two dates, September 26th and October 3rd. On those Saturdays, he plays at Oregon and hosts USC, respectively. When you haven’t been to the Rose Bowl since the 50′s and your current league champion has won the Pac-10 title eight straight seasons, history isn’t on your side. One thing that is? The Bears close the season at Stanford and at Washington, so big numbers should be plentiful. Although he led the league in rushing last season, Best was at his worst against big time opponents – averaging 45 yards/game. He’ll need a big season – and two big games – to make the final field for the Heisman.

Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State. Last season against USC, Pryor showed us all what he could do once he relieved Todd Boeckman. He provided a spark for the Buckeyes and never relinquished the starting job last season. With that 35-3 pasting by the Trojans fresh in our minds, Pryor could catapult the Buckeyes into the BCS National Championship mix – and him into the Heisman conversation – with a win against USC on September 12th. Should they win against USC, the only other hurdle between them and the title game is November 7th at Penn State.

Zac Robinson, QB, Oklahoma State. Passing for more than 3,000 yards, rushing for 560 more and accounting for 33 touchdowns would be a great season anywhere, unless you happen to be in the Big XII South. Robinson has helped attract a great deal of talent to Stillwater and all the pieces are in place for a run at the conference championship. The Cowboys get the Longhorns at home on October 31st (the end of a brutal four game stretch for Texas which has them playing Colorado, Oklahoma in Dallas and at Missouri in the previous three weeks), and could catch Mack Brown and company at just the right time. Robinson also gets to compete head to head with two of the Big 3 returning Heisman candidates – the only player on this list with that opportunity. Combine that with a showcase game week one against SEC power Georgia, and Robinson could win more than just the Big XII South this season.