State College Football Is Back, And So Are Jojo’s Predictions [Video]

The college season kicks off tonight with Central, GVSU and Ferris all hosting games.

Michigan State swings into action Friday, while Western and UM play early games Saturday.

I predict only one state school will lose this weekend. Which one? Have a look…

I finished last season with a 52-12 record picking state college football games, and that means absolutely nothing going into this season, which promises to be much tighter, especially in the Big Ten East, where Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan will be vying for that lone spot in the Big Ten Championship game, and the always weird MAC West, where Central, Western, Toledo and Northern Illinois finished in a four way tie a year ago and are all strong again.

Let’s get started.

Tiffin at GVSU – Lubbers Stadium, Allendale, Thursday, 7:00pm

A brand new, 40 foot tall scoreboard will greet fans at Lubbers Stadium this season, and they’ll need it tonight, as both teams love to chuck the old pigskin around. The Lakers barely escaped an upset last year down in Ohio, 49-42, and we’ll find out if the defense has improved over last year quickly, as Tiffin’s Antonio Pipkin returns after throwing for over 3000 yards last season. The Lakers are ranked third in the nation in NCAA Division II

GVSU 50, Tiffin 28

Ohio Dominican at Ferris State – Top Taggert Field, Big Rapids, Thursday, 7:30pm

Huge questions loom about Ferris State’s offense following the departure of two time Harlan Hill Trophy winner Jason VanderLaan. Trevor Bermingham is the odds on favorite to replace VanderLaan, but EMU transfer Reggie Bell may have more mobility to deal with a very quick Ohio Dominican defense. The 12^th ranked Bulldogs have a tough start to 2016 with a Panther team that is perennially in the GLIAC title chase, but Tony Annese will have his team ready.

Ferris State 27, Ohio Dominican 22

Presbyterian at Central Michigan – Kelly Shorts Stadium, Mt. Pleasant, Thursday 7:00pm

If you think the Chippewas picked a patsy for their opener before the schedule gets nasty with a trip down to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State, you’d be right. The Blue Hose (yes, that’s Presbyterian’s nickname, it’s kind of like the Red Sox in baseball). Presbyterian was 2-9 last season, and were soundly drubbed by MAC patsy Miami of Ohio. Second year coach John Bonamego has a veteran quarterback in Cooper Rush, so look for them to throw a lot early, and then use the second half to figure out their variety of options at running back.

CMU 47, Presbyterian 6

Furman at Michigan State – Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Friday, 7:00pm

Tyler O’Connor takes over at quarterback for the departed Connor Cook, and while some consider this a downgrade, time may show O’Connor’s mettle. The gritty senior led the Spartans to a stunning upset of Ohio State down in Columbus last year, so he knows a thing or two about pressure. The Paladins, meanwhile, offer nothing but practice for the Spartans, who will try out a variety of combinations both offensively and defensively as they prepare for Notre Dame in two weeks.

MSU 44, Furman 0

Hawaii at Michigan – Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Saturday 12 noon

The Rainbow Warriors will have traveled over 12,000 miles before they take the field Saturday after getting whipped by California in Australia last week. Although Jim Harbaugh hasn’t officially announced it, Wilton Speight will get the nod at quarterback, as Michigan’s offense will try and eat up time and control the game for their vicious defense that will be at the forefront of their Big Ten title run.

Michigan 35, Hawaii 0

Western Michigan at Northwestern – Dyke Stadium, Evanston, IL, Saturday 12 noon

Before the events of this week, I would have told you Western would win this game. Now, I’m not so sure. P.J. Fleck unquestionably had his most challenging week as the Broncos coach following the arrest of two of his players on armed robbery charges last weekend. Fleck manned up and took the responsibility, but did the bad press distract the team from their goal of competing with a Northwestern team that has arguably one of the best running backs in the Big Ten in Justin Jackson?

Northwestern 28, WMU 22