Prediction season finally is over. Thursday's games kicked off college football's long opening weekend, and we'll soon have results to evaluate.
Not just games, either, but some bizarre conditions surrounding many teams. Like:
How will Missouri react to Derrick Washington's expulsion?
Teams often rally around a fallen player, and teammates have publicly supported Washington, who pleaded not guilty to deviate sexual-assault charges.
But that sentiment is at odds with a program that couldn't seem to dismiss Washington, a senior captain who had an excellent fall camp, fast enough.
Saturday, Mizzou faces an Illinois team tired of getting trampled by the Tigers in the opener. If nothing else, the Illini's emotional advantage ramps up. It may not be enough with Illinois' injury issues, especially in the secondary.
Will Nebraska, Penn State and Michigan even start a quarterback?
Wouldn't that be fun? Eleven offensive players take the field, and none gets behind the center.
None of the traditional powers has announced a starter, but that could only be a matter of tight Twitter clampdowns.
It's likely all of these Big Ten programs, -- oops, both current and future Big Ten programs -- will give playing time to more than the starter. For the Cornhuskers, who open against a Western Kentucky squad that's lugging a 20-game losing streak and must be power ranked No. 120, whoever plays will look good.
When will Mark Ingram make his season debut?
Alabama somehow will find a way to beat San Jose State without the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. The Tide also should give Ingram's surgically repaired knee another two weeks to recover, even as the schedule gets more challenging with games against Penn State and at Duke. Trent Richardson is prepared to handle the workload, so there's no need to rush this.
Sept. 25, at Arkansas, would be a nice return target date.
Why the Boise State hate?
Because the Broncos have committed the unpardonable sin of becoming good. They're no longer the little team that could. They're a rising power that might -- play for the national championship. Football's Butler, if you will.
If they beat Virginia Tech on Monday, you won't need to cup an ear to hear the cacophony of protest. The prospect of an undefeated Boise State team reaching the championship game over a one-loss team from the SEC, Big 12 or Big Ten starts the hatin'.
But Boise or TCU or any program from a non-BCS automatic qualifying conference will deserve its spot in a finale.
Respect in the preseason polls has eased the path to the title game for third-ranked Boise and No. 6 TCU. Folks can (and will) bag on the BCS all season, but if having a WAC or Mountain West school in the championship game makes you uncomfortable, that's your problem.
Will all North Carolina players have a hotel room to themselves this weekend?
Could be. As many as 16 players could miss the trip to Atlanta for the LSU game because of the alleged association with agents and academic misconduct. One player, stud defensive tackle Marvin Austin, has been suspended. Others in question won't travel athletic director Dick Baddour says.
When will Southern California begin to feel the effects of nuclear probation?
As soon as the Trojans lose. It shouldn't have happened in the opener at Hawaii, a game that ended early this morning in the Midwest.
The 30 lost scholarships will have lasting impact, but not playing for a bowl game this year or next will take its toll. The Trojans say they're playing for a 13-0 season, and with their schedule that goal will stay alive for several weeks. But once that goes, so will the incentive. Look for USC to match last year's 9-4 record. Or worse.
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