Here are my picks for week one of the 2019 College Football season.
Thursday, August 29th
UCLA at Cincinnati- 7:00, ESPN: Chip Kelly's team is a popular pick to have a bounce back season, but this Bearcats team wants to come out and prove to people that they can play with brand name schools in what should be a ruckus atmosphere. Give me the Bearcats and don't forget, this team beat UCLA in the Rose Bowl last year!
Pick: Cincinnati
Wagner at Connecticut- 7:00, ESPN3
Pick: Connecticut
Albany at Central Michigan- 7:00, ESPN3
Pick: Central Michigan
Morgan State at Bowling Green- 7:00, ESPN3
Pick: Bowling Green
Robert Morris at Buffalo- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: Buffalo
FAU at (17) UCF- 7:30, CBSSN
Pick: UCF
Central Arkansas at WKU- 7:30, ESPN+
Pick: WKU
Gardner-Webb at Charlotte- 7:30, ESPN+
Pick: Charlotte
Georgia Tech at (1) Clemson- 8:00, ACCN: It's awesome that the best team in the sport opens on the new ACC Network as it's first game, but too bad the Yellow Jackets are a rebuilding squad that will finish at the bottom of the conference.
Pick: Clemson
FIU at Tulane- 8:00, ESPN3: It's a little bummer that this game won't be on a bigger network channel because these are two teams that can make noise in their respective conferences. Give me the Green Wave at home.
Pick: Tulane
Alabama A&M at UAB- 8:00, ESPN+
Pick: UAB
Texas State at (12) Texas A&M- 8:30, SECN
Pick: Texas A&M
South Dakota State at Minnesota- 9:00, FS1
Pick: Minnesota
Kent State at Arizona State- 10:00, Pac-12
Pick: Arizona State
Northern Colorado at San Jose State- 10:00
Pick: San Jose State
(14) Utah at BYU- 10:15, ESPN: Best game of the Thursday night slate between these two instate rivals. The Utes are a team that could be a surprise college football playoff contender with key pieces returning and I like them here in what should be a fun game.
Pick: Utah
Friday, August 30th
Rice at Army- 6:00, CBSSN
Pick: Army
Tulsa at (18) Michigan State- 7:00, FS1
Pick: Michigan State
(19) Wisconsin at South Florida- 7:00, ESPN: Some folks think the Bulls have a chance to steal this game. I don't think that and I feel the Badgers are poised to get off a good start led by Jonathan Taylor.
Pick: Wisconsin
Massachusetts at Rutgers- 7:15, BTN
Pick: Rutgers
Utah State at Wake Forest- 8:00, ACCN: There are folks that think the Aggies will pull off the upset with their quarterback Jordan Love, but I don't see it. The Demon Decons are a team that I think can surprise folks in the ACC this season and I like them to get the win here.
Pick: Wake Forest
Purdue at Nevada- 9:30, CBSSN: Here is another interesting game. The Wolf Pack are a team that people like for a Week 1 upset, but I don't think they can get enough stops with the Boiler Makers high powered offense.
Pick: Purdue
Colorado State vs Colorado- 10:00, ESPN: This game will be played in Denver as it is every year. I don't expect either of these teams to make bowl games, but the Buffaloes are the choice here to get off to a good start.
Pick: Colorado
Oklahoma State at Oregon State- 10:30, FS1: There are folks that like the Beavers to pull off a Week 1 upset, but I don't see it. The Beavers defense is Swiss cheese and I like the Cowboys to roll here.
Pick: Oklahoma State
Saturday, August 31st
FAU at (5) Ohio State- 12:00, FOX
Pick: Ohio State
Northern Iowa at (21) Iowa State- 12:00, FS1
Pick: Iowa State
South Alabama at (24) Nebraska- 12:00, ESPN
Pick: Nebraska
East Carolina at NC State- 12:00, ACCN: This game is somewhat interesting. The Pirates will keep this competitive, but the Wolfpack will win it.
Pick: NC State
Akron at Illinois- 12:00, BTN
Pick: Illinois
Indiana vs Ball State- 12:00, CBSSN: This game will be played in Indianapolis. I don't see this being that competitive as the Hoosiers are the more superior team.
Pick: Indiana
Howard at Maryland- 12:00, BTN
Pick: Maryland
Indiana State at Kansas- 12:00, Jayhawk: Every year a FCS team upsets an FBS team. This is the choice for that as the Sycamores will spoil Les Miles's Jayhawks debut.
Pick: Indiana State
Toledo at Kentucky- 12:00, ACCN
Pick: Kentucky
Ole Miss at Memphis- 12:00, ABC: This game will have a bunch of points scored in it for sure. The Rebels made good coordinator hires, but I don't see it paying off right away as the Tigers led by Brady White will get the home win.
Pick: Memphis
Mississippi State vs Louisiana- 12:00, ESPNU: This game will be played in New Orleans in the Superdome. The Rajun Cajuns are a team that is somewhat competitive with the big dogs and I can see them hanging around, but the Bulldogs pulling away.
Pick: Mississippi State
Boise State at Florida State- 12:00, ESPNEWS: This game got moved to Tallahassee due to the prospect of Hurricane Dorian. My pick doesn't change with the game being moved as well as the time and I like Cam Akers to lead the Seminoles to a win.
Pick: Florida State
James Madison at West Virginia- 2:00, Root Sports: This is a spot folks like for an FCS over FBS upset, but the Mountaineers aren't as bad as people think. I think they win this in Neal Brown's debut although the Dukes will be competitive with a chance to steal the game.
Pick: West Virginia
Rhode Island at Ohio- 2:00, ESPN+
Pick: Ohio
Eastern Washington at (13) Washington- 3:00, Pac-12
Pick: Washington
Bucknell at Temple- 3:00, ESPN3
Pick: Temple
Duke vs (2) Alabama- 3:30, ABC: This game will be played in Atlanta in the Mercedez Benz Dome. The Tide have dealt with injuries lately most notably linebacker Dylan Moses suffering a season ending knee injury. That said, they're still miles better than the Blue Devils and should roll to a win.
Pick: Alabama
Idaho at (15) Penn State- 3:30, BTN
Pick: Penn State
Colgate at Air Force- 3:30
Pick: Air Force
Holy Cross at Navy- 3:30, CBSSN
Pick: Navy
Eastern Michigan at Coastal Carolina- 3:30, ESPN+
Pick: Coastal Carolina
South Carolina vs North Carolina- 3:30, ESPN: This game will be played at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Tar Heels bring back Mack Brown to be their head coach, but this first season won't go well and I like the Gamecocks here to get an important win.
Pick: North Carolina
Georgia State at Tennessee- 3:30, ESPNU
Pick: Tennessee
East Tennessee State at Appalachian State- 3:30, ESPN+
Pick: Appalachian State
Northwestern at (25) Stanford- 4:00, FOX: Everyone knows Pat Fitzgerald's success as an underdog and now he has a five-star quarterback in Hunter Johnson. My issue is that the Cardinal are a team I feel is flat out better led by quarterback KJ Costello and I like them to get the win here.
Pick: Stanford
Portland State at Arkansas- 4:00, SECN
Pick: Arkansas
Montana State at Texas Tech- 4:00
Pick: Texas Tech
Virginia Tech at Boston College- 4:00, ACCN: This is a seismic game for this early in the season between these two conference foes. Steve Addazio is coaching for his job this season and he has a good offense and I believe AJ Dillon will lead the way to a Week 1 win.
Pick: Boston College
(22) Syracuse at Liberty- 6:00, ESPN+
Pick: Syracuse
Sam Houston State at New Mexico- 6:00, ESPN3
Pick: New Mexico
Incarnate Word at UTSA- 6:00, ESPN3
Pick: UTSA
Campbell at Troy- 6:00, ESPN+
Pick: Troy
UC Davis at California- 6:30
Pick: California
VMI at Marshall- 6:30
Pick: Marshall
Norfolk State at Old Dominion- 7:00, ESPN3
Pick: Old Dominion
Alcorn State at Southern Miss- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: Southern Miss
Illinois State at Northern Illinois- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: Northern Illinois
Monmouth at Western Michigan- 7:00, ESPN3
Pick: Western Michigan
SMU at Arkansas State- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: SMU
Nicholls at Kansas State- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: Kansas State
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor- 7:00, ESPN+
Pick: Baylor
(3) Georgia at Vanderbilt- 7:30, SECN
Pick: Georgia
Georgia Southern at (6) LSU- 7:30, ESPNU
Pick: LSU
Middle Tennessee at (7) Michigan- 7:30, BTN
Pick: Michigan
(11) Oregon vs (16) Auburn- 7:30, ABC: This game will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. College GameDay will air from Forth Worth for this game. This should be an interesting game with Justin Herbert returning for his senior season for the Ducks and the Tigers rolling with freshman Bo Nix. The Tigers defense is very good and I think they are more capable of getting big stops than the Ducks.
Pick: Auburn
Miami-OH at (20) Iowa- 7:30, FS1
Pick: Iowa
Missouri at Wyoming- 7:30, CBSSN
Pick: Missouri
Abilene Christian at North Texas- 7:30, ESPN+
Pick: North Texas
Virginia at Pittsburgh- 7:30, ACCN: This is another big ACC game to start the season. Folks are high on the Cavaliers and quarterback Bryce Perkins leading them to big things. That said, I like the Panthers here at home led by Kenny Pickett.
Pick: Pittsburgh
Louisiana Tech at (10) Texas- 8:00, Longhorn Network
Pick: Texas
Houston Baptist at UTEP- 8:00, ESPN+
Pick: UTEP
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU- 8:00
Pick: TCU
Grambling at UL Monroe- 8:00, ESPN3
Pick: UL Monroe
Weber State at San Diego State- 9:00
Pick: San Diego State
New Mexico State at (23) Washington State- 10:00, Pac-12N
Pick: Washington State
Southern Utah at UNLV- 10:00
Pick: UNLV
Fresno State at USC- 11:00, ESPN: This is an interesting game. The Bulldogs are coming off a great season, but they've lost a ton from last years squad. The Trojans are under immense pressure this season with coach Clay Helton coaching for his job week by week. I think the Trojans survive this one at home.
Pick: USC
Sunday, September 1st
Houston at (4) Oklahoma- 7:30, ABC: This should be an offensive extravaganza between these two squads. Jalen Hurts is a player with a lot to prove this season after transferring from Alabama and I think the Sooners will come out on top in Dana Holgersen's debut with the Cougars.
Pick: Oklahoma
Monday, September 2nd
(9) Notre Dame at Louisville- 8:00, ESPN: A few years ago, this game would have been outstanding. Now, not so much. The Cardinal are rebuilding and have a new coach in Scott Satterfield and this will be a rude awakening with Ian Book and the Fighting Irish coming to town.
Pick: Notre Dame
Thursday, August 29, 2019
2019 College Football Week 1: Schedule
Here is the Schedule for week one of the 2019 College Football season (with announcers if necessary).
8/24- Miami vs (8) Florida (Orlando); 7:00, ESPN: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor
8/24- Arizona at Hawaii; 10:00, CBSSN: Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor, Rick Neuheisel, Jenny Dell
8/29- UCLA at Cincinnati; 7:00, ESPN: Adam Amin, Matt Hasselbeck, Pat McAfee, Molly McGrath
8/29- Wagner at Connecticut; 7:00, ESPN3: Doug Sherman, Tyoka Jackson
8/29- Albany at Central Michigan; 7:00, ESPN3: Shawn Kenney, Marcus Ray
8/29- Morgan State at Bowling Green; 7:00, ESPN3: Jim Barbar, John Gregory
8/29- Robert Morris at Buffalo; 7:00, ESPN+: Robert Lee, Jerod Cherry
8/29- FAU at (17) UCF; 7:30, CBSSN: Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, John Schriffen
8/29- Central Arkansas at WKU; 7:30, ESPN+: Graham Doty, Bob Belvin, Brandon Doughty
8/29- Gardner-Webb at Charlotte; 7:30, ESPN+: Bobby Rosinski, Reggie Walker, Libby Clark
8/29- Georgia Tech at (1) Clemson; 8:00, ACCN: Dave O'Brien, Tim Hasselbeck, Katie George, Maria Taylor
8/29- FIU at Tulane; 8:00, ESPN3: Matt Stewart, Stan Lewter
8/29- Alabama A&M at UAB; 8:00, ESPN+: Curt Bloom, Chad Pilcher
8/29- Texas State at (12) Texas A&M; 8:30, SECN: Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic
8/29- South Dakota State at Minnesota; 9:00, FS1: Joe Davis, Brock Huard, Bruce Feldman
8/29- Kent State at Arizona State; 10:00, Pac-12: Roxy Bernstein, Anthony Herron, Jill Savage
8/29- Northern Colorado at San Jose State; 10:00
8/29- (14) Utah at BYU; 10:15, ESPN: Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks, Kris Budden
8/30- Rice at Army; 6:00, CBSSN: Ben Holden, Ross Tucker, Tina Cervasio
8/30- Tulsa at (18) Michigan State; 7:00, FS1: Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman, Coley Harvey
8/30- (19) Wisconsin at South Florida; 7:00, ESPN: Dave Flemming, Louis Riddick, Paul Carcaterra
8/30- Massachusetts at Rutgers; 7:15, BTN: Mike Monaco, Shaun O'Hara
8/30- Utah State at Wake Forest; 8:00, ACCN: Kevin Brown, Andre Ware, Dr. Jerry Punch
8/30- Purdue at Nevada; 9:30, CBSSN: Dave Ryan, Corey Chavous
8/30- Colorado State vs Colorado (Denver); 10:00, ESPN: Roy Philpott, Kelly Stouffer, Lauren Sisler
8/30- Oklahoma State at Oregon State; 10:30, FS1: Justin Kutcher, Petros Papadakis, Shane Vereen
8/31- FAU at (5) Ohio State; 12:00, FOX: Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, Jenny Taft
8/31- Northern Iowa at (21) Iowa State; 12:00, FS1: Chris Vosters, Ben Leber
8/31- South Alabama at (24) Nebraska; 12:00, ESPN: Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Rocky Boiman
8/31- East Carolina at NC State; 12:00, ACCN: Wes Durham, Roddy Jones, Eric Wood
8/31- Akron at Illinois; 12:00, BTN: Lisa Byington, J Leman
8/31- Indiana vs Ball State (Indianapolis); 12:00, CBSSN: Jason Horowitz, Danny Kanell
8/31- Howard at Maryland; 12:00, BTN: Joe Beninati, Chuck Long
8/31- Indiana State at Kansas; 12:00, FSN: Alex Faust, Jordan Palmer
8/31- Toledo at Kentucky; 12:00, SECN: Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb, Alyssa Lang
8/31- Ole Miss at Memphis; 12:00, ABC: Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek, Olivia Dekker
8/31- Mississippi State vs Louisiana (New Orleans); 12:00, ESPNU: Mike Corey, Rene Ingoglia
8/31- James Madison at West Virginia; 2:00, AT&T: Rob King, Rasheed Marshall, Meg Bulger
8/31- Rhode Island at Ohio; 2:00, ESPN+: Michael Reghi, Dustin Fox
8/31- Eastern Washington at (13) Washington; 3:00, Pac-12: Ted Robinson, Yogi Roth, Lewis Johnson
8/31- Bucknell at Temple; 3:00, ESPN3: Dave Leno, Tyoka Jackson
8/31- Duke vs (2) Alabama (Atlanta); 3:30, ABC: Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Todd McShay, Molly McGrath
8/31- Idaho at (15) Penn State; 3:30, BTN: Brandon Gaudin, James Laurinaitis, Elise Menaker
8/31- Colgate at Air Force; 3:30, ESPN3: Trey Bender, Al Groh
8/31- Holy Cross at Navy; 3:30, CBSSN: John Sadak, Randy Cross, Sheehan Stanwick Burch
8/31- Eastern Michigan at Coastal Carolina; 3:30, ESPN+: Jeff McCarragher, Nate Ross
8/31- South Carolina vs North Carolina (Charlotte); 3:30, ESPN: Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky, Allison Williams
8/31- Georgia State at Tennessee; 3:30, ESPNU: Clay Matvick, Ryan Leaf, Stormy Buonantony
8/31- East Tennessee State at Appalachian State; 3:30, ESPN+: Harrison Battle, Pierre Banks
8/31- Northwestern at (25) Stanford; 4:00, FOX: Joe Davis, Brock Huard, Bruce Feldman
8/31- Portland State at Arkansas; 4:00, SECN: Dave Neal, D.J. Shockley, Dawn Davenport
8/31- Montana State at Texas Tech; 4:00, FSN: Eric Collins, Max Starks
8/31- Virginia Tech at Boston College; 4:00, ACCN: Chris Cotter, Mark Herzlich, Kelsey Riggs
8/31- (22) Syracuse at Liberty; 6:00, ESPN+: Matt Warner, Joe Jauch, Bobbi Bollig, Melanie Newman
8/31- Sam Houston State at New Mexico; 6:00, ESPN3: Robert Portnoy, DonTrell Moore, Ned James
8/31- Incarnate Word at UTSA; 6:00, ESPN3: Lincoln Rose, LaDarrin McLane, Brooke Shoemaker
8/31- Campbell at Troy; 6:00, ESPN+: Matt Stewart, Wayne Gandy
8/31- UC Davis at California; 6:30, Pac-12: J.B. Long, Anthony Herron, Jill Savage
8/31- VMI at Marshall; 6:30, Stadium: Chris Hassel, A.J. Hawk, Kirsten Balboni
8/31- Norfolk State at Old Dominion; 7:00, ESPN3: Ted Alexander, Andy Mashaw, Doug Ripley
8/31- Alcorn State at Southern Miss; 7:00, ESPN+: Jason Baker, Marchant Kenney
8/31- Illinois State at Northern Illinois; 7:00, ESPN+: Mike Watts, Hutson Mason
8/31- Monmouth at Western Michigan; 7:00, ESPN3: Shawn Kenney, Marcus Ray
8/31- SMU at Arkansas State; 7:00, ESPN+: Roger Twibell, Pete Cordelli, Rich Zvosec
8/31- Boise State at Florida State; 12:00, ESPNEWS:
8/31- Nicholls at Kansas State; 7:00, ESPN+: Drew Fellios, Mike Golic Jr.
8/31- Stephen F. Austin at Baylor; 7:00, ESPN+: Joel Meyers, Barrett Brooks
8/31- (3) Georgia at Vanderbilt; 7:30, ESPN: Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic
8/31- Georgia Southern at (6) LSU; 7:30, SECN: Mike Couzens, Kirk Morrison, Ed Aschoff
8/31- Middle Tennessee at (7) Michigan; 7:30, BTN: Kevin Kugler, Matt Millen, Rick Pizzo
8/31- (11) Oregon vs (16) Auburn (Arlington); 7:30, ABC: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor
8/31- Miami-OH at (20) Iowa; 7:30, FS1: Brian Custer, Robert Smith
8/31- Missouri at Wyoming; 7:30, CBSSN: Carter Blackburn, Rick Neuheisel, Aaron Murray, Jenny Dell
8/31- Abilene Christian at North Texas; 7:30, ESPN+: Doug Anderson, John Liddle
8/31- Virginia at Pittsburgh; 7:30, ACCN: Adam Amin, Tim Hasselbeck, Katie George
8/31- Louisiana Tech at (10) Texas; 8:00, Longhorn Network: Lowell Galindo, Ahmad Brooks, Taylor Davis
8/31- Houston Baptist at UTEP; 8:00, ESPN+: Andy Morgan, Trevor Vittatoe
8/31- Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU; 8:00, FSN: Mark Followill, Brian Baldinger, Lesley McCaslin
8/31- Grambling at UL Monroe; 8:00, ESPN3: Lyn Rollins, Chris Mycoskie
8/31- Weber State at San Diego State; 9:00, Sta. FBK: Ari Wolfe, Darius Walker, Kristen Balboni
8/31- New Mexico State at (23) Washington State; 10:00, Pac-12: Guy Haberman, Chad Brown, Samantha Peszek
8/31- Southern Utah at UNLV; 10:00, MWDN: Tony Cordasco, Joe Haro
8/31- Fresno State at USC; 11:00, ESPN: Jason Benetti, Rod Gilmore, Quint Kessenich
9/1- Houston at (4) Oklahoma; 7:30, ABC: Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe
9/2- (9) Notre Dame at Louisville; 8:00, ESPN: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor
8/24- Miami vs (8) Florida (Orlando); 7:00, ESPN: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor
8/24- Arizona at Hawaii; 10:00, CBSSN: Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor, Rick Neuheisel, Jenny Dell
8/29- UCLA at Cincinnati; 7:00, ESPN: Adam Amin, Matt Hasselbeck, Pat McAfee, Molly McGrath
8/29- Wagner at Connecticut; 7:00, ESPN3: Doug Sherman, Tyoka Jackson
8/29- Albany at Central Michigan; 7:00, ESPN3: Shawn Kenney, Marcus Ray
8/29- Morgan State at Bowling Green; 7:00, ESPN3: Jim Barbar, John Gregory
8/29- Robert Morris at Buffalo; 7:00, ESPN+: Robert Lee, Jerod Cherry
8/29- FAU at (17) UCF; 7:30, CBSSN: Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, John Schriffen
8/29- Central Arkansas at WKU; 7:30, ESPN+: Graham Doty, Bob Belvin, Brandon Doughty
8/29- Gardner-Webb at Charlotte; 7:30, ESPN+: Bobby Rosinski, Reggie Walker, Libby Clark
8/29- Georgia Tech at (1) Clemson; 8:00, ACCN: Dave O'Brien, Tim Hasselbeck, Katie George, Maria Taylor
8/29- FIU at Tulane; 8:00, ESPN3: Matt Stewart, Stan Lewter
8/29- Alabama A&M at UAB; 8:00, ESPN+: Curt Bloom, Chad Pilcher
8/29- Texas State at (12) Texas A&M; 8:30, SECN: Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic
8/29- South Dakota State at Minnesota; 9:00, FS1: Joe Davis, Brock Huard, Bruce Feldman
8/29- Kent State at Arizona State; 10:00, Pac-12: Roxy Bernstein, Anthony Herron, Jill Savage
8/29- Northern Colorado at San Jose State; 10:00
8/29- (14) Utah at BYU; 10:15, ESPN: Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks, Kris Budden
8/30- Rice at Army; 6:00, CBSSN: Ben Holden, Ross Tucker, Tina Cervasio
8/30- Tulsa at (18) Michigan State; 7:00, FS1: Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman, Coley Harvey
8/30- (19) Wisconsin at South Florida; 7:00, ESPN: Dave Flemming, Louis Riddick, Paul Carcaterra
8/30- Massachusetts at Rutgers; 7:15, BTN: Mike Monaco, Shaun O'Hara
8/30- Utah State at Wake Forest; 8:00, ACCN: Kevin Brown, Andre Ware, Dr. Jerry Punch
8/30- Purdue at Nevada; 9:30, CBSSN: Dave Ryan, Corey Chavous
8/30- Colorado State vs Colorado (Denver); 10:00, ESPN: Roy Philpott, Kelly Stouffer, Lauren Sisler
8/30- Oklahoma State at Oregon State; 10:30, FS1: Justin Kutcher, Petros Papadakis, Shane Vereen
8/31- FAU at (5) Ohio State; 12:00, FOX: Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, Jenny Taft
8/31- Northern Iowa at (21) Iowa State; 12:00, FS1: Chris Vosters, Ben Leber
8/31- South Alabama at (24) Nebraska; 12:00, ESPN: Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Rocky Boiman
8/31- East Carolina at NC State; 12:00, ACCN: Wes Durham, Roddy Jones, Eric Wood
8/31- Akron at Illinois; 12:00, BTN: Lisa Byington, J Leman
8/31- Indiana vs Ball State (Indianapolis); 12:00, CBSSN: Jason Horowitz, Danny Kanell
8/31- Howard at Maryland; 12:00, BTN: Joe Beninati, Chuck Long
8/31- Indiana State at Kansas; 12:00, FSN: Alex Faust, Jordan Palmer
8/31- Toledo at Kentucky; 12:00, SECN: Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb, Alyssa Lang
8/31- Ole Miss at Memphis; 12:00, ABC: Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek, Olivia Dekker
8/31- Mississippi State vs Louisiana (New Orleans); 12:00, ESPNU: Mike Corey, Rene Ingoglia
8/31- James Madison at West Virginia; 2:00, AT&T: Rob King, Rasheed Marshall, Meg Bulger
8/31- Rhode Island at Ohio; 2:00, ESPN+: Michael Reghi, Dustin Fox
8/31- Eastern Washington at (13) Washington; 3:00, Pac-12: Ted Robinson, Yogi Roth, Lewis Johnson
8/31- Bucknell at Temple; 3:00, ESPN3: Dave Leno, Tyoka Jackson
8/31- Duke vs (2) Alabama (Atlanta); 3:30, ABC: Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Todd McShay, Molly McGrath
8/31- Idaho at (15) Penn State; 3:30, BTN: Brandon Gaudin, James Laurinaitis, Elise Menaker
8/31- Colgate at Air Force; 3:30, ESPN3: Trey Bender, Al Groh
8/31- Holy Cross at Navy; 3:30, CBSSN: John Sadak, Randy Cross, Sheehan Stanwick Burch
8/31- Eastern Michigan at Coastal Carolina; 3:30, ESPN+: Jeff McCarragher, Nate Ross
8/31- South Carolina vs North Carolina (Charlotte); 3:30, ESPN: Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky, Allison Williams
8/31- Georgia State at Tennessee; 3:30, ESPNU: Clay Matvick, Ryan Leaf, Stormy Buonantony
8/31- East Tennessee State at Appalachian State; 3:30, ESPN+: Harrison Battle, Pierre Banks
8/31- Northwestern at (25) Stanford; 4:00, FOX: Joe Davis, Brock Huard, Bruce Feldman
8/31- Portland State at Arkansas; 4:00, SECN: Dave Neal, D.J. Shockley, Dawn Davenport
8/31- Montana State at Texas Tech; 4:00, FSN: Eric Collins, Max Starks
8/31- Virginia Tech at Boston College; 4:00, ACCN: Chris Cotter, Mark Herzlich, Kelsey Riggs
8/31- (22) Syracuse at Liberty; 6:00, ESPN+: Matt Warner, Joe Jauch, Bobbi Bollig, Melanie Newman
8/31- Sam Houston State at New Mexico; 6:00, ESPN3: Robert Portnoy, DonTrell Moore, Ned James
8/31- Incarnate Word at UTSA; 6:00, ESPN3: Lincoln Rose, LaDarrin McLane, Brooke Shoemaker
8/31- Campbell at Troy; 6:00, ESPN+: Matt Stewart, Wayne Gandy
8/31- UC Davis at California; 6:30, Pac-12: J.B. Long, Anthony Herron, Jill Savage
8/31- VMI at Marshall; 6:30, Stadium: Chris Hassel, A.J. Hawk, Kirsten Balboni
8/31- Norfolk State at Old Dominion; 7:00, ESPN3: Ted Alexander, Andy Mashaw, Doug Ripley
8/31- Alcorn State at Southern Miss; 7:00, ESPN+: Jason Baker, Marchant Kenney
8/31- Illinois State at Northern Illinois; 7:00, ESPN+: Mike Watts, Hutson Mason
8/31- Monmouth at Western Michigan; 7:00, ESPN3: Shawn Kenney, Marcus Ray
8/31- SMU at Arkansas State; 7:00, ESPN+: Roger Twibell, Pete Cordelli, Rich Zvosec
8/31- Boise State at Florida State; 12:00, ESPNEWS:
8/31- Nicholls at Kansas State; 7:00, ESPN+: Drew Fellios, Mike Golic Jr.
8/31- Stephen F. Austin at Baylor; 7:00, ESPN+: Joel Meyers, Barrett Brooks
8/31- (3) Georgia at Vanderbilt; 7:30, ESPN: Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic
8/31- Georgia Southern at (6) LSU; 7:30, SECN: Mike Couzens, Kirk Morrison, Ed Aschoff
8/31- Middle Tennessee at (7) Michigan; 7:30, BTN: Kevin Kugler, Matt Millen, Rick Pizzo
8/31- (11) Oregon vs (16) Auburn (Arlington); 7:30, ABC: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor
8/31- Miami-OH at (20) Iowa; 7:30, FS1: Brian Custer, Robert Smith
8/31- Missouri at Wyoming; 7:30, CBSSN: Carter Blackburn, Rick Neuheisel, Aaron Murray, Jenny Dell
8/31- Abilene Christian at North Texas; 7:30, ESPN+: Doug Anderson, John Liddle
8/31- Virginia at Pittsburgh; 7:30, ACCN: Adam Amin, Tim Hasselbeck, Katie George
8/31- Louisiana Tech at (10) Texas; 8:00, Longhorn Network: Lowell Galindo, Ahmad Brooks, Taylor Davis
8/31- Houston Baptist at UTEP; 8:00, ESPN+: Andy Morgan, Trevor Vittatoe
8/31- Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU; 8:00, FSN: Mark Followill, Brian Baldinger, Lesley McCaslin
8/31- Grambling at UL Monroe; 8:00, ESPN3: Lyn Rollins, Chris Mycoskie
8/31- Weber State at San Diego State; 9:00, Sta. FBK: Ari Wolfe, Darius Walker, Kristen Balboni
8/31- New Mexico State at (23) Washington State; 10:00, Pac-12: Guy Haberman, Chad Brown, Samantha Peszek
8/31- Southern Utah at UNLV; 10:00, MWDN: Tony Cordasco, Joe Haro
8/31- Fresno State at USC; 11:00, ESPN: Jason Benetti, Rod Gilmore, Quint Kessenich
9/1- Houston at (4) Oklahoma; 7:30, ABC: Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe
9/2- (9) Notre Dame at Louisville; 8:00, ESPN: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
2019 College Football Bowl Projections: Week 1 Edition
Here is my Week 1 edition of my 2019 College Football Bowl Projections.
College Football Playoff
Fiesta Bowl: December 28th, 2019- 4:00/8:00, ESPN: (2) Clemson vs (3) Ohio State
Peach Bowl: December 28th, 2019- 4:00/8:00, ESPN: (1) Georgia vs (4) Alabama
Rest of New Years Six Bowls
Cotton Bowl: December 28th, 2019- 12:00, ESPN: Boise State vs Washington
Orange Bowl: December 30th, 2019- 8:00, ESPN: Florida State vs Notre Dame
Rose Bowl: January 1st, 2020- 5:00, ESPN: Utah vs Wisconsin
Sugar Bowl: January 1st, 2020- 8:45, ESPN: LSU vs Oklahoma
Other Bowl Games
Bahamas Bowl: December 20th, 2019- 2:00, ESPN: UAB vs Northern Illinois
Frisco Bowl: December 20th, 2019- 7:30, ESPN2: Cincinnati vs Army
New Mexico Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 2:00, ESPN: North Texas vs Utah State
Cure Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 2:30, CBSSN: East Carolina vs Louisiana
Boca Raton Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 3:30, ABC: South Florida vs Army
Camellia Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 5:30, ESPN: Buffalo vs Arkansas State
Las Vegas Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 7:30, ABC: San Diego State vs Washington State
New Orleans Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 9:00, ESPN: FAU vs Appalachian State
Gasparilla Bowl: December 23rd, 2019- 2:30, ESPN: Memphis vs Marshall
Hawaii Bowl: December 24th, 2019- 8:00, ESPN: BYU vs Nevada
Independence Bowl: December 26th, 2019- 4:00, ESPN: Southern Miss vs Duke
Quick Lane Bowl: December 26th, 2019- 8:00, ESPN: Wake Forest vs Iowa
Military Bowl: December 27th, 2019- 12:00, ESPN: Navy vs Syracuse
Pinstripe Bowl: December 27th, 2019- 3:20, ESPN: NC State vs Northwestern
Texas Bowl: December 27th, 2019- 6:45, ESPN: Iowa State vs Texas A&M
Holiday Bowl: December 27th, 2019- 8:00, FS1: Michigan State vs Arizona State
Cheez-It Bowl: December 27th, 2019- 10:15, ESPN: Maryland vs Oklahoma State
Camping World Bowl: December 28th, 2019- 12:00, ABC: Pittsburgh vs Baylor
First Responder Bowl: December 30th, 2019- 12:30, ESPN: Louisiana Tech vs TCU
Music City Bowl: December 30th, 2019- 4:00, ESPN: Virginia vs Tennessee
RedBox Bowl: December 30th, 2019- 4:00, ESPN: Purdue vs USC
Belk Bowl: December 31st, 2019- 12:00, ESPN: Miami vs Mississippi State
Sun Bowl: December 31st, 2019- 2:00, CBS: Virginia Tech vs Oregon
Liberty Bowl: December 31st, 2019- 3:45, ESPN: Houston vs West Virginia
Arizona Bowl: December 31st, 2019- 4:30, CBSSN: Wyoming vs Georgia Southern
Alamo Bowl: December 31st, 2019- 7:30, ESPN: Texas vs Stanford
Citrus Bowl: January 1st, 2019- 1:00, ABC: Michigan vs Florida
Outback Bowl: January 1st, 2019- 1:00, ESPN: Minnesota vs Kentucky
Birmingham Bowl: January 2nd, 2019- 3:00, ESPN: Boston College vs UCF
Gator Bowl: January 2nd 2019- 7:30, ESPN: Nebraska vs Auburn
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: January 3rd, 2019- 3:30, ESPN: Western Michigan vs Fresno State
Armed Forces Bowl: January 4th, 2019- 11:30AM, ESPN: Penn State vs New Mexico
Mobile Alabama Bowl: January 4th, 2019- 7:30, ESPN: Toledo vs Troy
College Football Playoff
Fiesta Bowl: December 28th, 2019- 4:00/8:00, ESPN: (2) Clemson vs (3) Ohio State
Peach Bowl: December 28th, 2019- 4:00/8:00, ESPN: (1) Georgia vs (4) Alabama
Rest of New Years Six Bowls
Cotton Bowl: December 28th, 2019- 12:00, ESPN: Boise State vs Washington
Orange Bowl: December 30th, 2019- 8:00, ESPN: Florida State vs Notre Dame
Rose Bowl: January 1st, 2020- 5:00, ESPN: Utah vs Wisconsin
Sugar Bowl: January 1st, 2020- 8:45, ESPN: LSU vs Oklahoma
Other Bowl Games
Bahamas Bowl: December 20th, 2019- 2:00, ESPN: UAB vs Northern Illinois
Frisco Bowl: December 20th, 2019- 7:30, ESPN2: Cincinnati vs Army
New Mexico Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 2:00, ESPN: North Texas vs Utah State
Cure Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 2:30, CBSSN: East Carolina vs Louisiana
Boca Raton Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 3:30, ABC: South Florida vs Army
Camellia Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 5:30, ESPN: Buffalo vs Arkansas State
Las Vegas Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 7:30, ABC: San Diego State vs Washington State
New Orleans Bowl: December 21st, 2019- 9:00, ESPN: FAU vs Appalachian State
Gasparilla Bowl: December 23rd, 2019- 2:30, ESPN: Memphis vs Marshall
Hawaii Bowl: December 24th, 2019- 8:00, ESPN: BYU vs Nevada
Independence Bowl: December 26th, 2019- 4:00, ESPN: Southern Miss vs Duke
Quick Lane Bowl: December 26th, 2019- 8:00, ESPN: Wake Forest vs Iowa
Military Bowl: December 27th, 2019- 12:00, ESPN: Navy vs Syracuse
Pinstripe Bowl: December 27th, 2019- 3:20, ESPN: NC State vs Northwestern
Texas Bowl: December 27th, 2019- 6:45, ESPN: Iowa State vs Texas A&M
Holiday Bowl: December 27th, 2019- 8:00, FS1: Michigan State vs Arizona State
Cheez-It Bowl: December 27th, 2019- 10:15, ESPN: Maryland vs Oklahoma State
Camping World Bowl: December 28th, 2019- 12:00, ABC: Pittsburgh vs Baylor
First Responder Bowl: December 30th, 2019- 12:30, ESPN: Louisiana Tech vs TCU
Music City Bowl: December 30th, 2019- 4:00, ESPN: Virginia vs Tennessee
RedBox Bowl: December 30th, 2019- 4:00, ESPN: Purdue vs USC
Belk Bowl: December 31st, 2019- 12:00, ESPN: Miami vs Mississippi State
Sun Bowl: December 31st, 2019- 2:00, CBS: Virginia Tech vs Oregon
Liberty Bowl: December 31st, 2019- 3:45, ESPN: Houston vs West Virginia
Arizona Bowl: December 31st, 2019- 4:30, CBSSN: Wyoming vs Georgia Southern
Alamo Bowl: December 31st, 2019- 7:30, ESPN: Texas vs Stanford
Citrus Bowl: January 1st, 2019- 1:00, ABC: Michigan vs Florida
Outback Bowl: January 1st, 2019- 1:00, ESPN: Minnesota vs Kentucky
Birmingham Bowl: January 2nd, 2019- 3:00, ESPN: Boston College vs UCF
Gator Bowl: January 2nd 2019- 7:30, ESPN: Nebraska vs Auburn
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: January 3rd, 2019- 3:30, ESPN: Western Michigan vs Fresno State
Armed Forces Bowl: January 4th, 2019- 11:30AM, ESPN: Penn State vs New Mexico
Mobile Alabama Bowl: January 4th, 2019- 7:30, ESPN: Toledo vs Troy
Saturday, August 24, 2019
2019 College Football Season Predictions
This should be a fun season to watch! Will Clemson repeat as National Champions led by Heisman Trophy favorite Trevor Lawrence? Will an SEC contender emerge as a new National Champion such as Alabama or Georgia? Here are my predictions for the 2019 College Football season.
AAC
- East
1. UCF (8-4; 6-2)2. East Carolina (8-4; 5-3)3. South Florida (6-6; 4-4)4. Cincinnati (7-5; 4-4)5. Temple (6-6; 3-5)6. Connecticut (1-11; 0-8)
- West1. Houston (9-3; 6-2)2. Memphis (9-3; 5-3)3. Navy (7-5; 5-3)4. SMU (6-6; 4-4)5. Tulane (6-6; 4-4)6. Tulsa (4-8; 2-6)
The AAC is an interesting league this season among the Group Of 5's. The UCF Knights are my pick to win the East division again. New quarterback Brandon Wimbush should put up some stats with weaker opponents coming over from Notre Dame. Their defense should be solid led by star safety Richie Grant. The East Carolina Pirates will surprise folks in this conference this season led by breakout quarterback Holton Ahlers. The South Florida Bulls are a team that could be better than my projection, but I'm not in love with how their schedule breaks for them although they will put up a fair share of points led by quarterback Blake Barnett. The Cincinnati Bearcats will be an interesting team this season too with a good head coach in Luke Fickell and a solid quarterback in Desmond Rudder. The Temple Owls are an interesting team too, but I don't love that they had turnover in their coaching staff yet again although their defense returns some guys and that will be keeping them in games. The Connecticut Huskies are just a flat out mess with Randy Edsall in his second tenure there and I will be surprised if they win a conference game this season. In the West division, I like the Houston Cougars with new coach Dana Holgersen and a very good quarterback in D'Eriq King. The Memphis Tigers can actually win this conference with a really good offense led by quarterback Brady White. The Navy Midshipmen will have a bounce back season and get back in a bowl game with their offense being improved from a season ago led by quarterback Malcolm Perry. The SMU Mustangs will be better too with new quarterback Sam Buchele coming over from Texas. The Tulane Green Wave will be improved this season despite a revamped offensive line, but they have two very good receivers in Darnell Mooney and Jalen McCleskey. The Tulsa Golden Hurricane could surprise some with quarterback Zach Smith coming over from Baylor, but I'm not buying it and coach Phillip Montgomery is on the hot seat.
AAC Championship Game: Houston over UCF
ACC- Atlantic1. Clemson (12-0; 8-0)2. Florida State (9-3; 5-3)3. NC State (8-4; 5-3)4. Syracuse (8-4; 4-4)5. Wake Forest (8-4; 4-4)6. Boston College (6-6; 3-5)7. Louisville (4-8; 2-6)
- Coastal1. Pitt (8-4; 5-3)2. Miami (8-4; 5-3)3. Virginia (8-4; 5-3)4. Virginia Tech (8-4; 5-3)5. Duke (6-6; 4-4)6. North Carolina (3-9; 2-6)7. Georgia Tech (1-11; 0-8)
There is no doubt about it that the reigning National Champion Clemson Tigers are the team to beat in the ACC. Trevor Lawrence is the best quarterback in the country and he has a loaded offense around him featuring running back Travis Etenne and wideout Justyn Ross. Their defense loses a lot of pieces, but defensive lineman Xavier Thomas looks like a breakout star on the defensive line. The Florida State Seminoles I expect a big bounce back season from with running back Cam Akers back in the fold although the offensive line isn't very good. The North Carolina State Wolfpack aren't a bad team at all and their defense has eight starters returning. The Syracuse Orange are a popular sleeper team with a good coach in Dino Babers and quarterback Tommy DeVito coming back. The Wake Forest Demon Decons can surprise folks with a favorable schedule and actually has some depth at the quarterback position. The Boston College Eagles are under some pressure to break through this season with quarterback Anthony Brown and talented running back AJ Dillon back in the fold. The Louisville Cardinals are in a transition period with a new coach in Scott Satterfield and not much talent on the roster. In the Coastal Divison, I like a few teams, but the team I see emerging due to some projected tie breakers and schedule breaks is the Pittsburgh Panthers. Quarterback Kenny Pickett will improve in his sophomore season, but the defense has a lot of questions. The Miami Hurricanes probably have the most talent in the Coastal led by freshman quarterback Jarren Williams and a very solid defense too. The Virginia Cavaliers are a popular pick to win the Coastal thanks to quarterback Bryce Perkins returning as well as good defense. The Duke Blue Devils see some turnover with Daniel Jones gone and a whole new set of skill position guys sans some talent on defense. The North Carolina Tar Heels have Mack Brown back in the fold for his second tenure with the school, but he has his work cut out for him. The Georgia Tech Bulldogs also have a new coach in Geoff Collins with his work cut out for him too.
ACC Championship Game: Clemson over Pittsburgh
Big-10- East1. Ohio State (11-1; 8-1)2. Michigan (9-3; 6-3)3. Michigan State (9-3; 6-3)4. Penn State (7-5; 4-5)5. Maryland (6-6; 3-6)6. Indiana (5-7; 2-7)7. Rutgers (1-11; 0-9)
- West1. Wisconsin (9-3; 7-2)2. Minnesota (8-4; 6-3)3. Nebraska (8-4; 5-4)4. Northwestern (7-5; 5-4)5. Iowa (7-5; 5-4)6. Purdue (7-5; 5-4)7. Illinois (4-8; 1-8)
Yes Urban Meyer is gone and Ryan Day is replacing him, but the Ohio State Buckeyes are my pick to win the Big-10 East division. They have a good young transfer quarterback with Justin Fields from Georgia and still have loads of talent on the defensive side of the ball such as talented pass rusher Chase Young. The Michigan Wolverines are the popular pick in this conference and division with Shea Patterson returning at quarterback, but their defense loses a lot of key pieces to the NFL. The Michigan State Spartans are a sleeper team in this conference with a great coach in Mark D'Antonio and a healthy Brian Lewerke at quarterback and they can do some damage. The Penn State Nittany Lions will take a step back due to some key departures although this team has some upside with some talent returning on both sides of the ball. The Maryland Terrapins could be a surprise bowl team with a new coach in Mike Locksley and a solid quarterback in Justin Jackson coming over form Virginia Tech. The Hoosiers could make a bowl game, but their schedule is not favorable at all although I think their offense will be solid led by quarterback Peyton Ramsey. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are just awful and are the worst power five team and coach Chris Ash could be coaching for his job. In the West division, my pick is the Wisconsin Badgers. Running back Jonathan Taylor returns and they have a solid defense too. The Minnesota Golden Gophers could surprise folks here with a favorable schedule and I like their deep backfield and star wideout Tyler Johnson. The Nebraska Cornhuskers are a popular pick to win the West division in Scott Frost's second season and folks like sophomore quarterback Adrian Martinez. The Northwestern Wildcats are the team that won this division a season ago and tend to overachieve when expectations are lowered, but they'll miss Clayton Thorson and the schedule is difficult. The Iowa Hawkeyes are a team that folks like in this division led by quarterback Nathan Stanley and a good defense led by pass rusher AJ Epenesa. The Purdue Boilermakers are a team that has a difficult schedule too, but I'm a fan of wideout Rondale Moore and that loaded offense. The Illinois Fighting Illini are just a mess and Lovie Smith is coaching for his job.
Big-10 Championship: Ohio State over Wisconsin
Big-121. Oklahoma (10-2; 7-2)2. Texas (9-3; 6-3)3. Baylor (9-3; 6-3)4. Iowa State (9-3; 6-3)5. Oklahoma State (8-4; 5-4)6. TCU (8-4; 5-4)7. West Virginia (7-5; 5-4)8. Kansas State (5-7; 3-6)9. Texas Tech (4-8; 2-7)10. Kansas (2-10; 0-9)
The Oklahoma Sooners are still the team to beat in the Big-12 after winning the conference the past 4 seasons. Jalen Hurts comes over from Alabama and replaces Kyler Murray and that is a drop off. The defense still isn't great although new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch could bring out a lot in the unit as a whole. The Texas Longhorns are a team people expect to improve with quarterback Sam Ehlinger back and expected to make a jump. The Baylor Bears are a sleeper team that I like in this conference to make things interesting with quarterback Charlie Brewer and a defense that returns six starters. The Iowa State Cyclones are another team I think can make some noise. Brock Purdy returns at quarterback and the defense is solid. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are a team that can sneak up on some folks with Freshman redshirt Spencer Sanders and talent around him with running back Chuba Hubbard and wideout Tylan Wallace. The TCU Horn Frogs can't be slept on in this conference too since Gary Patterson can flat out coach although there are some question marks on both sides of the ball. The West Virginia Mountaineers can surprise some folks in Neal Brown's first season in Morgantown thanks to a favorable home schedule and a competent transfer in Austin Kendall from Oklahoma, despite roster turnover. The Kansas State Wildcats have a new coach in Chris Klieman, but their schedule is not favorable at all despite quarterback Skylar Thompson returning as well as eight defensive starters. The Texas Tech Red Raiders also have a new coach in Matt Wells and have a rising quarterback in Alan Bowman with a good offensive line, but their schedule does not do them any favors. The Kansas Jayhawks now have Les Miles running the show, but I don't see them being relevant for a while.
Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma over Texas
Conference-USA- East1. FAU (10-2; 8-0)2. Marshall (8-4; 6-2)3. FIU (6-6; 4-4)4. Middle Tennessee (5-7; 4-4)5. Old Dominion (4-8; 3-5)6. WKU (3-9; 2-6)7. Charlotte (3-9; 1-7)
- West1. Louisiana Tech (9-3; 6-2)2. Southern Miss (7-5; 6-2)3. North Texas (7-5; 6-2)4. UAB (7-5; 5–3)5. UTEP (3-9; 2-6)6. UTSA (3-9; 2-6)7. Rice (1-11; 1-7)
The Florida Atlantic Owls are my pick to win the East division due to some key transfers coming in such as former Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois. The Marshall Thundering Herd should be solid again led by rising quarterback Isaiah Green and a solid backfield. The Florida International Panthers should be good offensively led by quarterback James Morgan. The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders only return eleven starters from a season ago so they're facing a bit of a transition. The Old Dominion Demon Decons won't be good although they have a good transfer wideout coming in Eric Kumah. The Western Kentucky Hilltopers are in a transition with a new coach in Tyson Helton. The Charlotte 49ers showed flashes of improvement a season ago, but they have a difficult schedule in front of them. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are my pick to come out of the West division with a favorable schedule and an offense that should improve from a year ago with a good standout receiver in Adrian Hardy and a good defense led by defensive back Amik Robertson. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles are a team that has a very good defense, which will carry them in games. The North Texas Mean Green return their quarterback in Mason Fine and are certainly capable of winning this division. The UAB Blazers people are mixed on, but I am a fan of coach Bill Clark and he has a rising star quarterback in Tyler Johnston. The bottom three teams in the division in UTEP, UTSA, and Rice are all a mess and it would be a surprise if one of them cracked five wins on the season.
Conference-USA Championship: FAU over Louisiana Tech
Independents1. Army (13-2)2. Notre Dame (9-3)3. Liberty (7-5)4. BYU (6-6)5. Massachusetts (4-8)6. New Mexico State (2-10)
The Independents are all interesting this season. The Army Black Knights are a team that could crack the top 25 at times this seasons if things break their way led by senior quarterback Kelvin Hopkins. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish made the College Football Playoff a season ago, but their schedule is a lot tougher this season. Ian Book returns at quarterback and so does a senior led defense. The Liberty Flames are a team with a new coach in Hugh Freeze that has a favorable schedule, but returns fifteen starters. The BYU Cougars are a team that returns seventeen starters including sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson, but with a difficult schedule, but could reach a bowl game again. The Massachusetts Minute Men are a team that has a new coach in Walt Bell, but the schedule is pretty hard and they only have seven returning starters. The New Mexico State Aggies are another team in a bit of a rebuild and I do not see them winning more than three games.
MAC- East1. Ohio (9-3; 7-1)2. Buffalo (7-5; 6-2)3. Miami-Ohio (5-7; 4-4)4. Kent State (4-8; 3-5)5. Bowling Green (3-9; 2-6)6. Akron (3-9; 1-7)
- West1. Toledo (9-3; 7-1)2. Northern Illinois (6-6; 5-3)3. Eastern Michigan (7-5; 5-3)4. Western Michigan (6-6; 4-4)5. Ball State (3-9; 2-6)6. Central Michigan (3-9; 2-6)
The MAC is a league that changes a lot in terms of teams that reach the top. In the East division, I have the Ohio Bobcats on top led by senior quarterback Nathan Rourke. The Buffalo Bulls will take a step back this season with so many key losses on both sides of the ball and a tougher non-conference schedule. The Miami Red Birds are a team that has a lot of questions on offense, but the defense has some key players returning. The Kent State Golden Flashes could surprise folks this season with a somewhat favorable schedule and eight starters returning on offense. The Bowling Green Falcons and Akron Zips will be in the cellar of this division with both teams in rebuilding situations. The Toledo Rockets are my pick to come out to the West division with a defense that has some key guys returning sans an offense that sees some turnover. The Northern Illinois Huskies won this conference a season ago, but I don't see a repeat due to roster turnover and they have a new coach in Thomas Hammock. The Eastern Michigan Eagles are a team that has a favorable schedule and a possible breakout quarterback in Mike Glass. The Western Michigan Broncos I'm not as high on as others are, although they bring back a lot including quarterback Jon Wassink. The Ball State Cardinals could surprise folks with eighteen starters back and have a coach under pressure to succeed in Mike Neu. The Central Michigan Chippewas have a new coach in Jim McElwain that has won in the past, but there is a lot of work to be done.
MAC Championship: Ohio over Toledo
MWC- Mountain1. Boise State (9-3; 7-1)2. Utah State (8-4; 6-2)3. Wyoming (6-6; 4-4)4. New Mexico (6-6; 4-4)5. Air Force (4-8; 3-5)6. Colorado State (1-11; 0-8)
- West1. San Diego State (10-2; 6-2)2. Fresno State (9-3; 6-2)3. Nevada (6-6; 4-4)4. UNLV (5-7; 4-4)5. Hawaii (5-8; 3-5)6. San Jose State (1-11; 0-8)
Despite roster turnover at key positions, the Boise State Broncos are the team to beat in the Mountain division. Sophomore Chase Cord will be the teams new starting quarterback and their defense brings back eight starters. The Utah State Aggies might take a step back this season after surprising many a year ago. Jordan Love is back at quarterback but he will have a lot of new faces surrounding him. The Wyoming Cowboys are a team that could be better than my projection if quarterback Sean Chambers is the real deal and the defense still is as good as people expect. The New Mexico Lobos are a team I think can surprise folks this year with better quarterback play and key defensive starters returning and head coach Mike Lobo is on the hot seat. The Air Force Falcons are a team that people think will be better, but I'm not too sold because they're schedule is tough sans Donald Hammond III possibly breaking out. The Colorado State Rams are a team that is going to be in a transition replacing a lot of talent on both sides of the ball My pick in the West division is the San Diego State Aztecs. Their offense is still a run first offense led by running back Jawun Washington and their defense is still solid despite a pass rush that is questionable. The Fresno State Bulldogs won this division a year ago and they should still be good thanks to their defense which returns six starters. The Nevada Wolf Pack are a team that has a lot of new faces, but a breakout candidate in quarterback Malik Henry. The UNLV Rebels are a team folks think can break through due to quarterback Armani Rogers returning from injury, but their schedule is not favorable. The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors could crack a bowl game with a good offense led by quarterback Cole McDonald, but I don't see it with a tough road schedule. The San Jose State Spartans are one of the worst teams in the country with so many holes on both sides of the ball.
MWC Championship: Boise State over San Diego State
PAC-12- North1. Washington (11-1; 8-1)2. Stanford (10-2; 7-2)3. Oregon (8-4; 6-3)4. Washington State (7-5; 5-4)5. California (4-8; 2-7)6. Oregon State (2-10; 0-8)
- South1. Utah (10-2; 7-2)2. Arizona State (8-4; 6-3)3. USC (7-5; 6-3)4. UCLA (4-8; 4-5)5. Arizona (5-7; 2-7)6. Colorado (3-9; 1-8)
The Pac-12 is a league where I can envision some parody. I like the Washington Huskies to win the North division due to a favorable schedule and Georgia transfer Jacob Eason replacing Jake Browning at quarterback, but the defense only returns two starters. The Stanford Cardinal folks are down on this season, but quarterback KJ Costello returns and David Shaw always gets a ton out of his players. The Oregon Ducks obviously return star quarterback Justin Herbert and have the best freshman perhaps in the country in pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, but they have some tricky spots on their schedule in which I can see some losses. The Washington State Cougars will take a step back this season despite six starters on defense returning and a good transfer quarterback coming in with Gage Gubrud. The California Golden Bears have a great head coach in Justin Wilcox and a good defense led by stud linebacker Evan Weaver, but they have a tough schedule and an offense that is among the worst in the conference. The Oregon State Beavers are rebuilding with coach Jonathan Smith, but improvement is expected. The Utah Utes are my pick to win the South division with a nice schedule setup and quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Zack Moss returning to lead the offense. The defense is among the best in the conference led by stud defensive back Jaylon Johnson. The Arizona State Sun Devils overachieved in year one of Herm Edwards and I think they'll be just as good if not better due to a defense that returns six starters and an offense thats solid too with a good running back in Eno Benjamin. The USC Trojans return sophomore quarterback JT Daniels and he should lead the offense, but pressure is on Clay Helton to put together a good season or else he'll be out of a job. The UCLA Bruins should be an improved team in year two under Chip Kelly. I don't love their non-conference schedule draw, but their conference schedule is favorable and the defense returns nine starters. The Arizona Wildcats are a team that could exceed my projected win total if things broke right and Khalil Tate performs up to his capability. The Colorado Buffaloes are a team that has a new coach in Mel Tucker, but their schedule is absolutely brutal.
Pac-12 Championship: Utah over Washington
SEC- East1. Georgia (12-0; 8-0)2. Florida (8-4; 5-3)3. Kentucky (8-4; 4-4)4. Missouri (8-4; 4-4)5. Tennessee (7-5; 3-5)6. South Carolina (5-7; 2-6)7. Vanderbilt (5-7; 2-6)
- West1. Alabama (12-0; 8-0)2. LSU (9-3; 6-2)3. Texas A&M (7-5; 4-4)4. Auburn (7-5; 3-5)5. Mississippi State (7-5; 3-5)6. Ole Miss (5-7; 2-6)7. Arkansas (5-7; 1-7)
The SEC is the most top heavy conference in terms of good teams. The Georgia Bulldogs are the obvious choice to win the East division with Jake Fromm back as well as running back D'Andre Swift and transfer wideout Demitrius Robertson. Their defense is loaded too led by stud safety JR Reed. The Florida Gators had a nice first season under Dan Mullen. Key returnees involve quarterback Felipe Franks plus a loaded group of running backs and receivers on offense and cornerback Marco Wilson on defense. The Kentucky Wildcats are a team that lost so much on both sides of the ball, but has a favorable schedule and Terry Wilson could be a breakout quarterback. The Missouri Tigers unfortunately have a postseason ban this season, but will be a tough out this season with Clemson transfer Kelly Bryant coming in at quarterback and a good offensive line to back him up. The Tennessee Volunteers in year two under Jeremy Pruitt should be interesting with expected improvement from quarterback Jarrett Guarantano. The South Carolina Gamecocks have talent on their roster such as quarterback Jake Bentley with a few talented returning starters on defense, the schedule makers did them zero favors this year. The Vanderbilt Commodores have key skill position players returning, but quarterback Kyle Shurmur is gone. The Alabama Crimson Tide are the obvious pick to win the West division as always. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back and poised after a rough National Championship game to prove some people he's still awesome. Jerry Jeudy is the best wideout in the country and Najee Harris is a darn good running back. The Tides defense is not as great, although they return some key guys such as cornerback Trevon Diggs and linebacker Terrell Lewis. The LSU Tigers are a team that folks are high on this season too. Joe Burrows returns at quarterback to lead the offense and the defense is absolutely loaded by star safety Grant Delpit. The Texas A&M Aggies have such a brutal schedule this season sans all the talent Jimbo Fisher has such as quarterback Kellen Mond. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are a team seeing a lot of roster turnover such as a new quarterback in Penn State transfer Tommy Stevens, who head coach Joe Morehead knows from his days as Penn State's offensive coordinator. The Ole Miss Rebels are a team thats in an interesting spot with coach Matt Luke hiring former coaches Rich Rodriguez and Mike MacIntyre to be their offensive and defensive coordinators respectively and I do like quarterback Matt Corral as a possible breakout candidate. The Arkansas Razorbacks are a team in transition under Chad Morris that has two interesting options at quarterback who both happen to be transfers.
SEC Championship: Georgia over Alabama
Sun Belt- East1. Appalachian State (9-3; 6-2)2. Troy (7-5; 5-3)3. Georgia Southern (7-5; 5-3)4. Coastal Carolina (4-8; 3-5)5. Georgia State (2-10; 1-7)
- West1. Arkansas State (9-3; 7-1)2. Louisiana (7-5; 5-3)3. UL Monroe (6-6; 5-3)4. Texas State (3-9; 2-6)5. South Alabama (1-11; 0-8)
In the East division, I expect the Appalachian State Mountaineers to emerge as the winners. New head coach Eli Drinkwitz comes in and has a good quarterback to work with in Zac Thomas. The Troy Trojans also have a new coach in Chip Lindsey and have twelve starters returning including running back BJ Smith and linebacker Carlton Martial. The Georgia Southern Eagles were a big surprise last year, but they have a harder schedule although they have twelve returning starters. The Coastal Carolina returns twelve starters although they need consistent quarterback play if they are to improve on their 5-7 mark from a season ago. The Georgia State Panthers are a team that expects improvement with quarterback Dan Ellington expected to take the next step. My pick to win the West division is the Arkansas State Red Wolves thanks to a defense that returns a lot of starters and skill position guys retuning as well despite a new quarterback. The Louisiana Rajun Cajuns are a team that has questions on defense and has competition for the quarterback job. The UL Monroe Warhawks should reach a bowl game thanks to retuning quarterback Caleb Evans. The Texas State Bobcats are expecting some improvement thanks to transfer quarterback Gresch Jensen. The South Alabama Jaguars return only nine starters and have uncertainty at quarterback.
Sun Belt Championship: Appalachian State over Arkansas State
College Football Playoff
- Semifinal
(1) Georgia Bulldogs vs (4) Alabama Crimson Tide: I do have Jake Fromm and the Bulldogs over Tua Tagovailoa and the Tide in the SEC Championship game, but here in the rematch I see Nick Saban making adjustments and getting a big time win over his former employer in Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs.
Prediction: Alabama
(2) Clemson Tigers vs (3) Ohio State Buckeyes: No, this game won't be a shutout win for Clemson like it was a few years back, but I do expect the Tigers led by Trevor Lawrence to sneak by the Buckeyes and Justin Fields.
Prediction: Clemson
- National Championship
(2) Clemson Tigers vs (4) Alabama Crimson Tide: Here we go. Round four on the biggest stage. The Tigers obviously should be favorites in this spot after winning it last season led by Trevor Lawrence. The Crimson Tide will have a chip on its shoulder all season long with Tua Tagovailoa leading the way to go with Najee Harris and Jerry Jeudy and Nick Saban will win his seventh title with the Tide.
Prediction: Alabama
AAC
- East
1. UCF (8-4; 6-2)2. East Carolina (8-4; 5-3)3. South Florida (6-6; 4-4)4. Cincinnati (7-5; 4-4)5. Temple (6-6; 3-5)6. Connecticut (1-11; 0-8)
- West1. Houston (9-3; 6-2)2. Memphis (9-3; 5-3)3. Navy (7-5; 5-3)4. SMU (6-6; 4-4)5. Tulane (6-6; 4-4)6. Tulsa (4-8; 2-6)
The AAC is an interesting league this season among the Group Of 5's. The UCF Knights are my pick to win the East division again. New quarterback Brandon Wimbush should put up some stats with weaker opponents coming over from Notre Dame. Their defense should be solid led by star safety Richie Grant. The East Carolina Pirates will surprise folks in this conference this season led by breakout quarterback Holton Ahlers. The South Florida Bulls are a team that could be better than my projection, but I'm not in love with how their schedule breaks for them although they will put up a fair share of points led by quarterback Blake Barnett. The Cincinnati Bearcats will be an interesting team this season too with a good head coach in Luke Fickell and a solid quarterback in Desmond Rudder. The Temple Owls are an interesting team too, but I don't love that they had turnover in their coaching staff yet again although their defense returns some guys and that will be keeping them in games. The Connecticut Huskies are just a flat out mess with Randy Edsall in his second tenure there and I will be surprised if they win a conference game this season. In the West division, I like the Houston Cougars with new coach Dana Holgersen and a very good quarterback in D'Eriq King. The Memphis Tigers can actually win this conference with a really good offense led by quarterback Brady White. The Navy Midshipmen will have a bounce back season and get back in a bowl game with their offense being improved from a season ago led by quarterback Malcolm Perry. The SMU Mustangs will be better too with new quarterback Sam Buchele coming over from Texas. The Tulane Green Wave will be improved this season despite a revamped offensive line, but they have two very good receivers in Darnell Mooney and Jalen McCleskey. The Tulsa Golden Hurricane could surprise some with quarterback Zach Smith coming over from Baylor, but I'm not buying it and coach Phillip Montgomery is on the hot seat.
AAC Championship Game: Houston over UCF
ACC- Atlantic1. Clemson (12-0; 8-0)2. Florida State (9-3; 5-3)3. NC State (8-4; 5-3)4. Syracuse (8-4; 4-4)5. Wake Forest (8-4; 4-4)6. Boston College (6-6; 3-5)7. Louisville (4-8; 2-6)
- Coastal1. Pitt (8-4; 5-3)2. Miami (8-4; 5-3)3. Virginia (8-4; 5-3)4. Virginia Tech (8-4; 5-3)5. Duke (6-6; 4-4)6. North Carolina (3-9; 2-6)7. Georgia Tech (1-11; 0-8)
There is no doubt about it that the reigning National Champion Clemson Tigers are the team to beat in the ACC. Trevor Lawrence is the best quarterback in the country and he has a loaded offense around him featuring running back Travis Etenne and wideout Justyn Ross. Their defense loses a lot of pieces, but defensive lineman Xavier Thomas looks like a breakout star on the defensive line. The Florida State Seminoles I expect a big bounce back season from with running back Cam Akers back in the fold although the offensive line isn't very good. The North Carolina State Wolfpack aren't a bad team at all and their defense has eight starters returning. The Syracuse Orange are a popular sleeper team with a good coach in Dino Babers and quarterback Tommy DeVito coming back. The Wake Forest Demon Decons can surprise folks with a favorable schedule and actually has some depth at the quarterback position. The Boston College Eagles are under some pressure to break through this season with quarterback Anthony Brown and talented running back AJ Dillon back in the fold. The Louisville Cardinals are in a transition period with a new coach in Scott Satterfield and not much talent on the roster. In the Coastal Divison, I like a few teams, but the team I see emerging due to some projected tie breakers and schedule breaks is the Pittsburgh Panthers. Quarterback Kenny Pickett will improve in his sophomore season, but the defense has a lot of questions. The Miami Hurricanes probably have the most talent in the Coastal led by freshman quarterback Jarren Williams and a very solid defense too. The Virginia Cavaliers are a popular pick to win the Coastal thanks to quarterback Bryce Perkins returning as well as good defense. The Duke Blue Devils see some turnover with Daniel Jones gone and a whole new set of skill position guys sans some talent on defense. The North Carolina Tar Heels have Mack Brown back in the fold for his second tenure with the school, but he has his work cut out for him. The Georgia Tech Bulldogs also have a new coach in Geoff Collins with his work cut out for him too.
ACC Championship Game: Clemson over Pittsburgh
Big-10- East1. Ohio State (11-1; 8-1)2. Michigan (9-3; 6-3)3. Michigan State (9-3; 6-3)4. Penn State (7-5; 4-5)5. Maryland (6-6; 3-6)6. Indiana (5-7; 2-7)7. Rutgers (1-11; 0-9)
- West1. Wisconsin (9-3; 7-2)2. Minnesota (8-4; 6-3)3. Nebraska (8-4; 5-4)4. Northwestern (7-5; 5-4)5. Iowa (7-5; 5-4)6. Purdue (7-5; 5-4)7. Illinois (4-8; 1-8)
Yes Urban Meyer is gone and Ryan Day is replacing him, but the Ohio State Buckeyes are my pick to win the Big-10 East division. They have a good young transfer quarterback with Justin Fields from Georgia and still have loads of talent on the defensive side of the ball such as talented pass rusher Chase Young. The Michigan Wolverines are the popular pick in this conference and division with Shea Patterson returning at quarterback, but their defense loses a lot of key pieces to the NFL. The Michigan State Spartans are a sleeper team in this conference with a great coach in Mark D'Antonio and a healthy Brian Lewerke at quarterback and they can do some damage. The Penn State Nittany Lions will take a step back due to some key departures although this team has some upside with some talent returning on both sides of the ball. The Maryland Terrapins could be a surprise bowl team with a new coach in Mike Locksley and a solid quarterback in Justin Jackson coming over form Virginia Tech. The Hoosiers could make a bowl game, but their schedule is not favorable at all although I think their offense will be solid led by quarterback Peyton Ramsey. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are just awful and are the worst power five team and coach Chris Ash could be coaching for his job. In the West division, my pick is the Wisconsin Badgers. Running back Jonathan Taylor returns and they have a solid defense too. The Minnesota Golden Gophers could surprise folks here with a favorable schedule and I like their deep backfield and star wideout Tyler Johnson. The Nebraska Cornhuskers are a popular pick to win the West division in Scott Frost's second season and folks like sophomore quarterback Adrian Martinez. The Northwestern Wildcats are the team that won this division a season ago and tend to overachieve when expectations are lowered, but they'll miss Clayton Thorson and the schedule is difficult. The Iowa Hawkeyes are a team that folks like in this division led by quarterback Nathan Stanley and a good defense led by pass rusher AJ Epenesa. The Purdue Boilermakers are a team that has a difficult schedule too, but I'm a fan of wideout Rondale Moore and that loaded offense. The Illinois Fighting Illini are just a mess and Lovie Smith is coaching for his job.
Big-10 Championship: Ohio State over Wisconsin
Big-121. Oklahoma (10-2; 7-2)2. Texas (9-3; 6-3)3. Baylor (9-3; 6-3)4. Iowa State (9-3; 6-3)5. Oklahoma State (8-4; 5-4)6. TCU (8-4; 5-4)7. West Virginia (7-5; 5-4)8. Kansas State (5-7; 3-6)9. Texas Tech (4-8; 2-7)10. Kansas (2-10; 0-9)
The Oklahoma Sooners are still the team to beat in the Big-12 after winning the conference the past 4 seasons. Jalen Hurts comes over from Alabama and replaces Kyler Murray and that is a drop off. The defense still isn't great although new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch could bring out a lot in the unit as a whole. The Texas Longhorns are a team people expect to improve with quarterback Sam Ehlinger back and expected to make a jump. The Baylor Bears are a sleeper team that I like in this conference to make things interesting with quarterback Charlie Brewer and a defense that returns six starters. The Iowa State Cyclones are another team I think can make some noise. Brock Purdy returns at quarterback and the defense is solid. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are a team that can sneak up on some folks with Freshman redshirt Spencer Sanders and talent around him with running back Chuba Hubbard and wideout Tylan Wallace. The TCU Horn Frogs can't be slept on in this conference too since Gary Patterson can flat out coach although there are some question marks on both sides of the ball. The West Virginia Mountaineers can surprise some folks in Neal Brown's first season in Morgantown thanks to a favorable home schedule and a competent transfer in Austin Kendall from Oklahoma, despite roster turnover. The Kansas State Wildcats have a new coach in Chris Klieman, but their schedule is not favorable at all despite quarterback Skylar Thompson returning as well as eight defensive starters. The Texas Tech Red Raiders also have a new coach in Matt Wells and have a rising quarterback in Alan Bowman with a good offensive line, but their schedule does not do them any favors. The Kansas Jayhawks now have Les Miles running the show, but I don't see them being relevant for a while.
Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma over Texas
Conference-USA- East1. FAU (10-2; 8-0)2. Marshall (8-4; 6-2)3. FIU (6-6; 4-4)4. Middle Tennessee (5-7; 4-4)5. Old Dominion (4-8; 3-5)6. WKU (3-9; 2-6)7. Charlotte (3-9; 1-7)
- West1. Louisiana Tech (9-3; 6-2)2. Southern Miss (7-5; 6-2)3. North Texas (7-5; 6-2)4. UAB (7-5; 5–3)5. UTEP (3-9; 2-6)6. UTSA (3-9; 2-6)7. Rice (1-11; 1-7)
The Florida Atlantic Owls are my pick to win the East division due to some key transfers coming in such as former Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois. The Marshall Thundering Herd should be solid again led by rising quarterback Isaiah Green and a solid backfield. The Florida International Panthers should be good offensively led by quarterback James Morgan. The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders only return eleven starters from a season ago so they're facing a bit of a transition. The Old Dominion Demon Decons won't be good although they have a good transfer wideout coming in Eric Kumah. The Western Kentucky Hilltopers are in a transition with a new coach in Tyson Helton. The Charlotte 49ers showed flashes of improvement a season ago, but they have a difficult schedule in front of them. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are my pick to come out of the West division with a favorable schedule and an offense that should improve from a year ago with a good standout receiver in Adrian Hardy and a good defense led by defensive back Amik Robertson. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles are a team that has a very good defense, which will carry them in games. The North Texas Mean Green return their quarterback in Mason Fine and are certainly capable of winning this division. The UAB Blazers people are mixed on, but I am a fan of coach Bill Clark and he has a rising star quarterback in Tyler Johnston. The bottom three teams in the division in UTEP, UTSA, and Rice are all a mess and it would be a surprise if one of them cracked five wins on the season.
Conference-USA Championship: FAU over Louisiana Tech
Independents1. Army (13-2)2. Notre Dame (9-3)3. Liberty (7-5)4. BYU (6-6)5. Massachusetts (4-8)6. New Mexico State (2-10)
The Independents are all interesting this season. The Army Black Knights are a team that could crack the top 25 at times this seasons if things break their way led by senior quarterback Kelvin Hopkins. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish made the College Football Playoff a season ago, but their schedule is a lot tougher this season. Ian Book returns at quarterback and so does a senior led defense. The Liberty Flames are a team with a new coach in Hugh Freeze that has a favorable schedule, but returns fifteen starters. The BYU Cougars are a team that returns seventeen starters including sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson, but with a difficult schedule, but could reach a bowl game again. The Massachusetts Minute Men are a team that has a new coach in Walt Bell, but the schedule is pretty hard and they only have seven returning starters. The New Mexico State Aggies are another team in a bit of a rebuild and I do not see them winning more than three games.
MAC- East1. Ohio (9-3; 7-1)2. Buffalo (7-5; 6-2)3. Miami-Ohio (5-7; 4-4)4. Kent State (4-8; 3-5)5. Bowling Green (3-9; 2-6)6. Akron (3-9; 1-7)
- West1. Toledo (9-3; 7-1)2. Northern Illinois (6-6; 5-3)3. Eastern Michigan (7-5; 5-3)4. Western Michigan (6-6; 4-4)5. Ball State (3-9; 2-6)6. Central Michigan (3-9; 2-6)
The MAC is a league that changes a lot in terms of teams that reach the top. In the East division, I have the Ohio Bobcats on top led by senior quarterback Nathan Rourke. The Buffalo Bulls will take a step back this season with so many key losses on both sides of the ball and a tougher non-conference schedule. The Miami Red Birds are a team that has a lot of questions on offense, but the defense has some key players returning. The Kent State Golden Flashes could surprise folks this season with a somewhat favorable schedule and eight starters returning on offense. The Bowling Green Falcons and Akron Zips will be in the cellar of this division with both teams in rebuilding situations. The Toledo Rockets are my pick to come out to the West division with a defense that has some key guys returning sans an offense that sees some turnover. The Northern Illinois Huskies won this conference a season ago, but I don't see a repeat due to roster turnover and they have a new coach in Thomas Hammock. The Eastern Michigan Eagles are a team that has a favorable schedule and a possible breakout quarterback in Mike Glass. The Western Michigan Broncos I'm not as high on as others are, although they bring back a lot including quarterback Jon Wassink. The Ball State Cardinals could surprise folks with eighteen starters back and have a coach under pressure to succeed in Mike Neu. The Central Michigan Chippewas have a new coach in Jim McElwain that has won in the past, but there is a lot of work to be done.
MAC Championship: Ohio over Toledo
MWC- Mountain1. Boise State (9-3; 7-1)2. Utah State (8-4; 6-2)3. Wyoming (6-6; 4-4)4. New Mexico (6-6; 4-4)5. Air Force (4-8; 3-5)6. Colorado State (1-11; 0-8)
- West1. San Diego State (10-2; 6-2)2. Fresno State (9-3; 6-2)3. Nevada (6-6; 4-4)4. UNLV (5-7; 4-4)5. Hawaii (5-8; 3-5)6. San Jose State (1-11; 0-8)
Despite roster turnover at key positions, the Boise State Broncos are the team to beat in the Mountain division. Sophomore Chase Cord will be the teams new starting quarterback and their defense brings back eight starters. The Utah State Aggies might take a step back this season after surprising many a year ago. Jordan Love is back at quarterback but he will have a lot of new faces surrounding him. The Wyoming Cowboys are a team that could be better than my projection if quarterback Sean Chambers is the real deal and the defense still is as good as people expect. The New Mexico Lobos are a team I think can surprise folks this year with better quarterback play and key defensive starters returning and head coach Mike Lobo is on the hot seat. The Air Force Falcons are a team that people think will be better, but I'm not too sold because they're schedule is tough sans Donald Hammond III possibly breaking out. The Colorado State Rams are a team that is going to be in a transition replacing a lot of talent on both sides of the ball My pick in the West division is the San Diego State Aztecs. Their offense is still a run first offense led by running back Jawun Washington and their defense is still solid despite a pass rush that is questionable. The Fresno State Bulldogs won this division a year ago and they should still be good thanks to their defense which returns six starters. The Nevada Wolf Pack are a team that has a lot of new faces, but a breakout candidate in quarterback Malik Henry. The UNLV Rebels are a team folks think can break through due to quarterback Armani Rogers returning from injury, but their schedule is not favorable. The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors could crack a bowl game with a good offense led by quarterback Cole McDonald, but I don't see it with a tough road schedule. The San Jose State Spartans are one of the worst teams in the country with so many holes on both sides of the ball.
MWC Championship: Boise State over San Diego State
PAC-12- North1. Washington (11-1; 8-1)2. Stanford (10-2; 7-2)3. Oregon (8-4; 6-3)4. Washington State (7-5; 5-4)5. California (4-8; 2-7)6. Oregon State (2-10; 0-8)
- South1. Utah (10-2; 7-2)2. Arizona State (8-4; 6-3)3. USC (7-5; 6-3)4. UCLA (4-8; 4-5)5. Arizona (5-7; 2-7)6. Colorado (3-9; 1-8)
The Pac-12 is a league where I can envision some parody. I like the Washington Huskies to win the North division due to a favorable schedule and Georgia transfer Jacob Eason replacing Jake Browning at quarterback, but the defense only returns two starters. The Stanford Cardinal folks are down on this season, but quarterback KJ Costello returns and David Shaw always gets a ton out of his players. The Oregon Ducks obviously return star quarterback Justin Herbert and have the best freshman perhaps in the country in pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, but they have some tricky spots on their schedule in which I can see some losses. The Washington State Cougars will take a step back this season despite six starters on defense returning and a good transfer quarterback coming in with Gage Gubrud. The California Golden Bears have a great head coach in Justin Wilcox and a good defense led by stud linebacker Evan Weaver, but they have a tough schedule and an offense that is among the worst in the conference. The Oregon State Beavers are rebuilding with coach Jonathan Smith, but improvement is expected. The Utah Utes are my pick to win the South division with a nice schedule setup and quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Zack Moss returning to lead the offense. The defense is among the best in the conference led by stud defensive back Jaylon Johnson. The Arizona State Sun Devils overachieved in year one of Herm Edwards and I think they'll be just as good if not better due to a defense that returns six starters and an offense thats solid too with a good running back in Eno Benjamin. The USC Trojans return sophomore quarterback JT Daniels and he should lead the offense, but pressure is on Clay Helton to put together a good season or else he'll be out of a job. The UCLA Bruins should be an improved team in year two under Chip Kelly. I don't love their non-conference schedule draw, but their conference schedule is favorable and the defense returns nine starters. The Arizona Wildcats are a team that could exceed my projected win total if things broke right and Khalil Tate performs up to his capability. The Colorado Buffaloes are a team that has a new coach in Mel Tucker, but their schedule is absolutely brutal.
Pac-12 Championship: Utah over Washington
SEC- East1. Georgia (12-0; 8-0)2. Florida (8-4; 5-3)3. Kentucky (8-4; 4-4)4. Missouri (8-4; 4-4)5. Tennessee (7-5; 3-5)6. South Carolina (5-7; 2-6)7. Vanderbilt (5-7; 2-6)
- West1. Alabama (12-0; 8-0)2. LSU (9-3; 6-2)3. Texas A&M (7-5; 4-4)4. Auburn (7-5; 3-5)5. Mississippi State (7-5; 3-5)6. Ole Miss (5-7; 2-6)7. Arkansas (5-7; 1-7)
The SEC is the most top heavy conference in terms of good teams. The Georgia Bulldogs are the obvious choice to win the East division with Jake Fromm back as well as running back D'Andre Swift and transfer wideout Demitrius Robertson. Their defense is loaded too led by stud safety JR Reed. The Florida Gators had a nice first season under Dan Mullen. Key returnees involve quarterback Felipe Franks plus a loaded group of running backs and receivers on offense and cornerback Marco Wilson on defense. The Kentucky Wildcats are a team that lost so much on both sides of the ball, but has a favorable schedule and Terry Wilson could be a breakout quarterback. The Missouri Tigers unfortunately have a postseason ban this season, but will be a tough out this season with Clemson transfer Kelly Bryant coming in at quarterback and a good offensive line to back him up. The Tennessee Volunteers in year two under Jeremy Pruitt should be interesting with expected improvement from quarterback Jarrett Guarantano. The South Carolina Gamecocks have talent on their roster such as quarterback Jake Bentley with a few talented returning starters on defense, the schedule makers did them zero favors this year. The Vanderbilt Commodores have key skill position players returning, but quarterback Kyle Shurmur is gone. The Alabama Crimson Tide are the obvious pick to win the West division as always. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back and poised after a rough National Championship game to prove some people he's still awesome. Jerry Jeudy is the best wideout in the country and Najee Harris is a darn good running back. The Tides defense is not as great, although they return some key guys such as cornerback Trevon Diggs and linebacker Terrell Lewis. The LSU Tigers are a team that folks are high on this season too. Joe Burrows returns at quarterback to lead the offense and the defense is absolutely loaded by star safety Grant Delpit. The Texas A&M Aggies have such a brutal schedule this season sans all the talent Jimbo Fisher has such as quarterback Kellen Mond. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are a team seeing a lot of roster turnover such as a new quarterback in Penn State transfer Tommy Stevens, who head coach Joe Morehead knows from his days as Penn State's offensive coordinator. The Ole Miss Rebels are a team thats in an interesting spot with coach Matt Luke hiring former coaches Rich Rodriguez and Mike MacIntyre to be their offensive and defensive coordinators respectively and I do like quarterback Matt Corral as a possible breakout candidate. The Arkansas Razorbacks are a team in transition under Chad Morris that has two interesting options at quarterback who both happen to be transfers.
SEC Championship: Georgia over Alabama
Sun Belt- East1. Appalachian State (9-3; 6-2)2. Troy (7-5; 5-3)3. Georgia Southern (7-5; 5-3)4. Coastal Carolina (4-8; 3-5)5. Georgia State (2-10; 1-7)
- West1. Arkansas State (9-3; 7-1)2. Louisiana (7-5; 5-3)3. UL Monroe (6-6; 5-3)4. Texas State (3-9; 2-6)5. South Alabama (1-11; 0-8)
In the East division, I expect the Appalachian State Mountaineers to emerge as the winners. New head coach Eli Drinkwitz comes in and has a good quarterback to work with in Zac Thomas. The Troy Trojans also have a new coach in Chip Lindsey and have twelve starters returning including running back BJ Smith and linebacker Carlton Martial. The Georgia Southern Eagles were a big surprise last year, but they have a harder schedule although they have twelve returning starters. The Coastal Carolina returns twelve starters although they need consistent quarterback play if they are to improve on their 5-7 mark from a season ago. The Georgia State Panthers are a team that expects improvement with quarterback Dan Ellington expected to take the next step. My pick to win the West division is the Arkansas State Red Wolves thanks to a defense that returns a lot of starters and skill position guys retuning as well despite a new quarterback. The Louisiana Rajun Cajuns are a team that has questions on defense and has competition for the quarterback job. The UL Monroe Warhawks should reach a bowl game thanks to retuning quarterback Caleb Evans. The Texas State Bobcats are expecting some improvement thanks to transfer quarterback Gresch Jensen. The South Alabama Jaguars return only nine starters and have uncertainty at quarterback.
Sun Belt Championship: Appalachian State over Arkansas State
College Football Playoff
- Semifinal
(1) Georgia Bulldogs vs (4) Alabama Crimson Tide: I do have Jake Fromm and the Bulldogs over Tua Tagovailoa and the Tide in the SEC Championship game, but here in the rematch I see Nick Saban making adjustments and getting a big time win over his former employer in Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs.
Prediction: Alabama
(2) Clemson Tigers vs (3) Ohio State Buckeyes: No, this game won't be a shutout win for Clemson like it was a few years back, but I do expect the Tigers led by Trevor Lawrence to sneak by the Buckeyes and Justin Fields.
Prediction: Clemson
- National Championship
(2) Clemson Tigers vs (4) Alabama Crimson Tide: Here we go. Round four on the biggest stage. The Tigers obviously should be favorites in this spot after winning it last season led by Trevor Lawrence. The Crimson Tide will have a chip on its shoulder all season long with Tua Tagovailoa leading the way to go with Najee Harris and Jerry Jeudy and Nick Saban will win his seventh title with the Tide.
Prediction: Alabama
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