Football season has arrived and all I can say is: Finally!. It’s going to be an interesting next few days with some great high school matchups and even Michigan and Michigan State have interesting opening games. I’ve decided each week I will predict the outcome of what I think are the top 10 games involving Oakland County teams. And boy is it a great 10 games this week. It seems like nobody is scheduling a patsy for Week 1 and I like it.

Week 1 predictions
Thursday
Birmingham Detroit Country Day at Birmingham Seaholm — The Maples are going to be a team to watch, but I like Bennie Fowler and the Yellowjackets. Pick: Country Day
Grand Blanc at Lakeland — Blake Heiman and company will have to be at their best in this one. Pick: Lakeland
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s at East Grand Rapids — A rematch of the five-OT state championship game from last season, the Eaglets get their revenge. Pick: St. Mary’s
Milford at Novi — Two former KVC teams hook-up in a KLAA crossover. I like the home team in this one. Pick: Novi

Friday
South Lyon vs. Walled Lake Central, 11 a.m. at EMU — This one will be worth getting up early for and yes 11 a.m. is early for me. Pick: South Lyon
Rockford vs. Lake Orion, 5 p.m. at EMU — I commend both these teams for taking such a difficult first game. The Rams win a close one. Pick: Rockford
Stoney Creek at Troy Athens — The Cougars are playing a much tougher schedule this year and won’t get past the Red Hawks. Pick: Athens
Farmington Hills Harrison at Bloomfield Hills Lahser — East Lansing transfer Drew Jackson won’t be able to lift the Knights over Harrison. Pick: Harrison
GAME OF THE WEEK
Rochester Adams at Clarkston — The Highlanders have a lot of hype surrounding them this year, but I’m going to go with the upset here. (Hopefully I’ll still be allowed to move into my new house in Rochester this weekend.) Pick: Clarkston

Saturday
Birmingham Brother Rice at Oak Park — Oak Park’s Edwin Baker will be the best player on the field, but Brother Rice is well Brother Rice. Pick: Brother Rice

Bonus college picks
Utah at Michigan — FireRichRod.com is up by 7 p.m. after the Wolverines drop their opener. Pick: Utah
Michigan State at Cal — The Spartans put up a fight, but nobody will remember anything other than they lost. Pick: Cal