Alabama vs Florida Prediction, Game Preview

Alabama vs Florida prediction and game preview. Saturday, September 18

Alabama vs Florida prediction and game preview.


Alabama vs Florida Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 18
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Network: CBS
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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Alabama (2-0) vs Florida (2-0) Game Preview


Why Alabama Will Win

For all of the great things Florida has done so far in blowout wins over Florida Atlantic and USF, it’s still a rebuilding team.

The  offense has been able to move, but it hasn’t been razor-sharp so far even with all of the production.

The running game might be amazing – it’s No. 2 in the nation early on – but the passing attack is still coming into place. The interceptions have to stop – four so far – and there can’t be any more misfires in the red zone.

Swarm around the Gator quarterbacks and keep them from taking off, and you stop the offense – for now.

On the flip side, Bryce Young has been nothing short of perfect throwing the ball.

There might be a few missed reads here and there, and he’s not adding anything to the running game, but considering he’s a young player being thrown into one of the most pressure-packed positions in all of football, 71% for 571 yards and seven touchdowns and no picks is pretty good.

Yeah, there are a few problems for a team that’s been all but handed the national championship already, but they’re mostly the cute kind, like too many penalties and a lack of overall consistency.

Week 3 College Football Expert Picks

Why Florida Will Win

It’s Alabama. It’s obviously amazing, and it obviously has a ton of talent ready to go off to the next level, but are you really so sure that this is a be-all-end-all No. 1 team just because it blasted an – we’re adults here; we can say it – overloved Miami team and Mercer?

Nick Saban is wee bit right with his rants about how his team smells – at least by the unfairly high standards of Alabama and how the world perceives this team.

There really are too many penalties, a few too many plays are being allowed in the backfield, and the running game has been a giant bag of whatever.

Yes, stop Florida QBs Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson from getting into space, and there’s a problem here, but it doesn’t help the cause to be without NFL LB Christopher Allen – to what appears to be a season-ending foot injury – and with next-level hybrid pass rusher Will Anderson hobbling with a knee problem.

The Gators should be able to turn the pass rush loose on Young, there really should be explosion from the running game, and this might just be the moment when Jones rises up and rocks on the national stage.

However …

Week 3 College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

We’re not lucky enough to get a repeat of the thrilling 52-46 Alabama SEC Championship win over the Gators.

These are two almost completely different teams – at least at the offensive skill spots – from December, but there are still too many soft spots for Florida to pull this off.

The defense hasn’t been good enough on third downs. the passing game isn’t hitting enough throws, and the secondary that melted down in 2020 is too shaky.

That doesn’t mean this won’t be fun.

Florida will hang around – the running game will work – and the defense will take its game to another level of energy in the super-charged environment, but Young and the passing attack will hit the big plays that Jones and his guys won’t.

Week 2 NFL Expert Picks

Alabama vs Florida Prediction, Line

Alabama 38, Florida 30
Line: Alabama -15, o/u: 58.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 5

5: Steve is proud of you
1: Ordinary Joe

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Fearless Predictions of Every Game
Bowl Projections | Rankings

SEC Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 2

SEC college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 2 of the season.

SEC college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 2 of the season.


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Click on each game for game preview & prediction

Results So Far
SU: 13-2, ATS: 9-6, Point Total: 10-5

Saturday, September 11

Alabama State at Auburn

12:00, SEC Network
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Pitt at Tennessee

12:00, ESPN
Line: Pitt -3.5, o/u: 54.5

South Carolina at East Carolina

12:00, ESPN2
Line: South Carolina -2, o/u: 56

Week 2 College Football Expert Picks

Florida at USF

1:00, ABC
Line: Florida -28.5, o/u: 58.5

Texas A&M vs Colorado (in Denver)

3:30, FOX
Line: Texas A&M -17, o/u: 50

UAB at Georgia

3:30, ESPN2
Line: Georgia -24.5, o/u: 45.5

Mercer at Alabama

4:00, SEC Network
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

NC State at Mississippi State

7:00, ESPN2
Line: NC State -2.5, o/u: 55.5

Texas at Arkansas

7:00, ESPN
Line: Texas -6.5, o/u: 56

Austin Peay at Ole Miss

7:30, SEC Network/ESPN+
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
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Missouri at Kentucky

7:30, SEC Network
Line: Kentucky -5, o/u: 56.5

Week 1 NFL Expert Picks

McNeese at LSU

8:00, SEC Network/ESPN+
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
Sign up to watch this on ESPN+

Vanderbilt at Colorado State

10:00, CBS Sports Network
Line: Colorado State -7, o/u: 51

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CFN 1-130 Rankings | Bowl Projections

Alabama vs Mercer Prediction, Game Preview

Alabama vs Mercer prediction and game preview.

Alabama vs Mercer prediction and game preview.


Alabama vs Mercer Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 11
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
Network: SEC Network

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Alabama (1-0) vs Mercer (1-0) Game Preview


Why Mercer Will Win

Did Alabama win its opening game 69-0? No.

Did it run for 539 yards and seven touchdowns? No.

Mercer ripped up Point University 69-0 with close to 800 yards in total offense in the light scrimmage, and now it gets to bring the ground game to Tuscaloosa against an Alabama team whose head will already be in Gainesville for the showdown against Florida, and …

Week 2 College Football Expert Picks

Why Alabama Will Win

Yeah, Mercer has a slight step up in competition.

Bryce Young was brilliant in the 44-13 win over Miami, throwing for 344 yards and four touchdowns with big play after big play.

However, it was the defense that was the real star, allowing 266 yards and getting D’Eriq King and company off the field fast. Now it’s about tuning things up that much more – maybe get the ground attack rolling – and …

Week 1 NFL Predictions, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Don’t … get … anyone … hurt.

Alabama can win this by whatever score it wants to. All that matters is that it gets enough work in with the 1s to keep sharpening up early in the season, and then it’s depth development time.

Mercer really does have a good enough running game to at least come up with a decent drive or two, but just getting a score in this would be a victory.

Week 2 College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

Alabama vs Mercer Prediction, Line

Alabama 58, Mercer 0
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
ATS Confidence out of 5: COMING

Week 1 NFL Expert Picks

Must See Rating: 1

5: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Season 11
1: Vacation Friends

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Fearless Predictions of Every Game
Bowl Projections | Rankings

SEC Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 1

SEC college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 1 of the season.

SEC college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 1 of the season.


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Click on each game for game preview & prediction

Results So Far
SU: 1-0, ATS: 0-1, Point Total: 1-0

Thursday, September 2

Bowling Green at Tennessee

Prediction: Tennessee 48, Bowling Green 10
Line: Tennessee 35, o/u: 60.5
Final Score: Tennessee 38, Bowling Green 6

Week 1 College Football Expert Picks

Saturday, September 4

ULM at Kentucky

12:00, SEC Network
Line: Kentucky -29.5, o/u: 54.5

Rice at Arkansas

2:00, ESPN+/SEC Network
Line: Arkansas -20, o/u: 51.5

Alabama at Miami

3:30, ABC
Alabama -19.5, o/u: 61.5

Week 1 Schedule, Predictions For Every Game

Central Michigan at Missouri

4:00, SEC Network
Line: Missouri -13, o/u: 60.5

Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State

4:00, ESPNU
Line: Mississippi State -23.5, o/u: 52.5

Akron at Auburn

7:00, ESPN+/SEC Network
Line: Auburn -37, o/u: 55

Eastern Illinois at South Carolina

7:00, ESPN+/SEC Network
Line: No Line, o/u: No Line

Florida Atlantic at Florida

7:30, SEC Network
Line: Florida -23.5, o/u: 52.5

Georgia at Clemson

7:30, ABC
Line: Clemson -3, o/u: 52

East Tennessee State at Vanderbilt

8:00, ESPN+/SEC Network
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Kent State at Texas A&M

8:00, ESPNU
Line: Texas A&M -28.5, o/u: 68

LSU at UCLA

8:30, FOX
Line: LSU -3, o/u: 65

Week 1 NFL Expert Picks

Monday, September 6

Louisville vs. Ole Miss

8:00, ESPN
Line: Ole Miss -10, o/u: 76

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CFN 1-130 Rankings | Bowl Projections

Alabama vs Miami Prediction, Game Preview

Alabama vs Miami prediction and game preview. Saturday, September 4

Alabama vs Miami prediction and game preview.


Alabama vs Miami Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 4
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Network: ABC

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Alabama (0-0) vs Miami (0-0) Game Preview


Why Alabama Will Win

The linebackers. America, welcome to what might be the best position unit in all of college football.

Bama obviously has talent across the board, and over the last few years the wide receivers were the superstars, but the defensive side has the main men in 2021 with four future NFL starters in the linebacking corps.

The Miami offense improved by leaps and bounds in 2020 after a disastrous run in 2019, and most of it was due to QB D’Eriq King. Back from a knee injury suffered at the end of last season, he’s everything to the Hurricane offense, and Bama has the D to keep him in check.

The Canes are going to be good on the offensive line, and there are plenty of weapons, but there won’t be too many problems as long as those Tide linebackers make sure King is a pocket passer and keep him from taking off.

Week 1 Schedule, Predictions For Every Game

Why Miami Will Win

King has to be the best player on the field – and he might be.

Of course Miami knows Alabama wants to keep No. 1 from running – there aren’t any limitations on King’s knee – but he’s been around long enough to have seen it all. He’s not going to force anything, and he’s not going to make the big mistakes that could quickly end this with good Tide field position and easy scores.

King is the old veteran in this while his counterpart on the other side – Bryce Young – has all the pressure in the world to be amazing right out of the gate.

The Miami defense might be breaking in a slew of new parts, but the secondary is going to be great thanks to a pass rush that should be among the best in the ACC.

As talented as the Bama offense is, it’s still replacing offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, Mac Jones, Najee Harris, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and three offensive linemen. The Canes have the athleticism and speed to mess up the new guys.

Week 1 College Football Expert Picks

What’s Going To Happen

The last time these two met, George Teague came up with one of the greatest defensive plays in national championship history for a Crimson Tide D that dominated Miami 34-13 in the 1993 Sugar Bowl.

You want real dominance? Try Alabama in season openers.

The last loss was to UCLA back in 2001, and ever since beating Kent State in 2011, Nick Saban’s teams have faced Michigan, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin, USC, Florida State, Louisville, Duke, and Missouri.

9-0, all wins by double-digits, and the combined score of those nine victories … 351-113, or an average of 39-12.5. You have to go back to 2006 – a 25-17 win over Hawaii – for an Alabama season opener to be close.

Miami might be the second-best team in the ACC by the time the season is done – or at least in the top four – but even this rebuilt Alabama team is at a whole other level.

The Tide offense will be terrific, but it’ll be the defense that steals the show in Atlanta.

CFN 2021 Preview of all 130 teams

Alabama vs Miami Prediction, Line

Alabama 41, Miami 17
Alabama -18.5, o/u: 62
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 4

5: The Many Saints of Newark
1: Space Jam: A New Legacy

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Week 1 College Football Schedule

College Football’s Breakout Superstars: 21 For 2021 Preview Topics

21 for 2021 preseason topics: Five college football players who were already great, but are about to break out and become national stars.

21 for 2021 preseason topics: No. 11 The college football players who are already terrific, but are about to go to a whole other level. Here are five breakout national stars to watch for.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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You already know who most of the superstars should be going into the 2021 college football season, but which guys are about to go from very good to next-level amazing?

If you’re a die-hard fan you probably already know these five players below, and if you don’t, you’re about to.

They’re the great players about to go nuclear, and they’ll soon be a big part of your college football Saturdays – and most likely your NFL Sundays.

21 for 2021 Preview Topics (so far)  
21. Thoughts, Wishes, Hopes for 2021
20. Best Teams To Not Make CFP
19: Teams That Will Rebound Big
18. Teams That Will Fall Back
17: Every Power 5 Team’s Letdown Game
16. Expectations For New Head Coaches
15. Expectations For 2nd Year Head Coaches
14. Power 5 Hot Seat Coach Rankings
13. 21 Key Transfers You Need To Know
12. Group of 5 over Power 5 Upset Alerts

CFN 2021 Preview: All 130 Team Previews

How’d we do on these calls over the past few years? We didn’t exactly go out on a huge limb, but again, the goal was/is to highlight the good players who might take their respective games up a several notches.

2019 Breakout Star Predictions

5. S Grant Delpit, LSU
Thorpe Award winner for the epic national title team.

4. RB Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
Led the nation with 2,094 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

3. WR Laviska Shenault, Colorado
While he was okay, he didn’t blow up as expected with 56 catches for 764 yards and four scores.

2. QB Adrian Martinez, Nebraska
Martinez hit just 59% of his passes for 1,956 yards and ten touchdowns with nine picks in 2019, and he ran for 626 yards and seven touchdowns.

1. RB Najee Harris and/or Brian Robinson, Alabama
Harris turned it on to finish with 1,224 yards and 13 touchdowns, Robinson was second on the team with 441 yards and five scores. Harris also caught seven touchdown passes.

2020 Breakout Star Predictions

5. QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
He threw for close to 3,600 yards with 30 touchdowns and seven picks, and now he’s being talked about as a possible No. 1 overall draft pick.

4. LB Hamilcar Rashed, Oregon State
He couldn’t get his 2020 going – he was banged up all year and fought through injuries. A pass rushing terror in a a dominant 14-sack, 22.5-tackle for loss run in 2019, he failed to come up with a sack with 23 tackles and two tackles for loss.

3. DE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Opted out on the season, but he was still the 30th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

2. QB KJ Costello, Mississippi State
Yeah, this call didn’t work, but he’ll forever be remembered for the 623-yard, five-touchdown day to beat LSU to start the season.

1. RB Najee Harris, Alabama
Ww went back to the well from our 2019 No. 1 spot, thinking Harris would go up another whole level from his great 2019 season – and he did. The Doak Walker winner led the national champion Tide team with 1,466 rushing yards and 26 scores, along with 43 catches for 425 yards and four touchdowns.


Five (potential) College Football Breakout Superstars

5. DE George Karlaftis, Purdue

CFN 2021 Purdue Preview

The Big Ten is going to have to deal with him again.

Karlaftis started out his Purdue career as a dominant force with 54 tackles with 7.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in an All-Big Ten season. He was steady, sensational, and relentless with his sack production spread out over the 2019 season and with at 1.5 tackles for loss in eight games.

All primed and ready to roll for a massive 2020, he couldn’t get going with COVID issues along with a leg injury. He only saw time in three games, but he came up with a sack against both Iowa and Illinois to start the season, and then that was about it.

Now he’s back.

The 6-4, 275-pounder is a mortal lock to earn All-Big Ten honors both on the field and in the classroom, and he’s a repeat of the 2019 season away from being a sure-thing first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft – and possibly a top 15 selection.

He’ll get a few games to warm up before being part of the national discussion. Oregon State and UConn should be in big trouble before he’s turned loose on Notre Dame.

NEXT: Florida’s next amazing defensive back

SEC Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2021

The College Football News 2021 SEC preseason rankings along with a quick take on every team. 

The College Football News 2021 SEC preseason rankings along with a quick take on every team. 


This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to finish. This is based on how good we think the SEC teams are going into the 2021 season.

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2021 CFN SEC Preseason Rankings: East

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Quick Take: Georgia has recruited as well as anyone, it has the quarterback in JT Daniels, and the defense is as strong as any in America. There aren’t any real excuses – it’s all there to win the SEC Championship and potentially the national title.
Georgia Preview | Schedule

2. Florida Gators

Quick Take: The pressure will be off a bit after a phenomenal 2020 0 it should all be on Georgia in the East. It’s a stretch to call this a rebuilding year, but it’s asking a whole lot to get the passing game going like that again. The Gators are still more than good enough to shoot for at least another East title.
Florida Preview | Schedule

3. Kentucky Wildcats

Quick Take: It’s a rock-solid team that’s going to try to be a bit more explosive. The defense is sound, the running game will be good, and the coaching is top-drawer. Around a fantastic linebacking corps and great O line, the Cats will make some noise.
Kentucky Preview | Schedule

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4. Tennessee Volunteers

Quick Take: Josh Heupel has to get the offense going. As long as the Vols start to show more explosion and bring hope to the fan base, it’ll be a good year. There are enough good skill parts around a strong line to expect a quick improvement.
Tennessee Preview | Schedule

5. Missouri Tigers

Quick Take: After getting up to speed under Eliah Drinkwitz, now the Tigers are supposed to be far more consistent and efficient. The linebackers and D line will be the biggest plus, but the O needs to be more dangerous.
Missouri Preview | Schedule

6. South Carolina Gamecocks

Quick Take: Give it time. New head coach Shane Beamer should have a decent starting 22, and the team will be competitive, but it’s going to take a year to start building this all up. The defensive line and running game are good enough to beat the mediocre teams.
South Carolina Preview | Schedule

7. Vanderbilt Commodores

Quick Take: It’s going to be a long climb for new head coach Clark Lea. The receiving corps is good, and the secondary should grow into a plus. It’ll take something big to get an SEC win, but the Commodores miss most of the big boys from the West.
Vanderbilt Preview | Schedule

NEXT: 2021 CFN SEC Preseason Rankings: West

SEC Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2021

The College Football News SEC preseason predictions for every game, predicted order of finish, and lookahead to the 2021 season.

The College Football News SEC preseason predictions for every game, predicted order of finish, and lookahead to the 2021 season.


SEC Preseason Predictions: East

SEC East Predicted Finish

1. Georgia
2. Florida
T3. Kentucky
T3. Missouri
T3 .Tennessee
6. South Carolina
7. Vanderbilt

Florida Gators

2021 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2021 SEC Prediction: 5-3
2020: 8-4, Prediction: 10-2
2019: 11-2, Prediction: 11-2

Sept. 4 Florida Atlantic W
Sept. 11 at USF W
Sept. 18 Alabama  L
Sept. 25 Tennessee W
Oct. 2 at Kentucky W
Oct. 9 Vanderbilt W
Oct. 16 at LSU  L
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Georgia (in Jacksonville)  L
Nov. 6 at South Carolina W
Nov. 13 Samford W
Nov. 20 at Missouri W
Nov. 27 Florida State W
Florida 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

Georgia Bulldogs

2021 Preseason Prediction: 11-1
2021 SEC Prediction: 8-0
2020: 11-3, Prediction: 11-1
2019: 12-2, Prediction: 12-2

Sept. 4 Clemson (in Charlotte)  L
Sept. 11 UAB W
Sept. 18 South Carolina W
Sept. 25 at Vanderbilt W
Oct. 2 Arkansas W
Oct. 9 at Auburn W
Oct. 16 Kentucky W
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Florida (in Jacksonville) W
Nov. 6 Missouri W
Nov. 13 at Tennessee W
Nov. 20 Charleston Southern W
Nov. 27 at Georgia Tech W
Georgia 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

Kentucky Wildcats

2021 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2021 SEC Prediction: 3-5
2020: 5-6, Prediction: 7-5
2019: 8-5, Prediction: 7-5

Sept. 4 ULM W
Sept. 11 Missouri W
Sept. 18 Chattanooga W
Sept. 25 at South Carolina  L
Oct. 2 Florida  L
Oct. 9 LSU  L
Oct. 16 at Georgia  L
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Mississippi State  L
Nov. 6 Tennessee W
Nov. 13 at Vanderbilt W
Nov. 20 New Mexico State W
Nov. 27 at Louisville W
Kentucky 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

Missouri Tigers

2021 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2021 SEC Prediction: 3-5
2020: 5-5, Prediction: 6-6
2019: 6-6, Prediction: 6-6

Sept. 4 Central Michigan W
Sept. 11 at Kentucky  L
Sept. 18 SE Missouri State W
Sept. 25 at Boston College W
Oct. 2 Tennessee W
Oct. 9 North Texas W
Oct. 16 Texas A&M  L
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Vanderbilt W
Nov. 6 at Georgia  L
Nov. 13 South Carolina W
Nov. 20 Florida  L
Nov. 27 Arkansas (in Little Rock)  L
Missouri 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

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South Carolina Gamecocks

2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 SEC Prediction: 2-6
2020: 2-8, Prediction: 6-6
2019: 4-8, Prediction: 8-4

Sept. 4 Eastern Illinois W
Sept. 11 at East Carolina W
Sept. 18 at Georgia  L
Sept. 25 Kentucky W
Oct. 2 Troy W
Oct. 9 at Tennessee  L
Oct. 16 Vanderbilt W
Oct. 23 at Texas A&M  L
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 Florida  L
Nov. 13 at Missouri  L
Nov. 20 Auburn  L
Nov. 27 Clemson  L
South Carolina 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

Tennessee Volunteers

2021 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2021 SEC Prediction: 3-5
2020: 3-7, Prediction: 7-5
2019: 8-5, Prediction: 7-5

Sept. 4 Bowling Green W
Sept. 11 Pitt W
Sept. 18 Tennessee Tech W
Sept. 25 at Florida  L
Oct. 2 at Missouri  L
Oct. 9 South Carolina W
Oct. 16 Ole Miss W
Oct. 23 at Alabama  L
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 at Kentucky  L
Nov. 13 Georgia  L
Nov. 20 South Alabama W
Nov. 27 Vanderbilt W
Tennessee 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

Vanderbilt Commodores

2021 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2021 SEC Prediction: 0-8
2020: 0-9, Prediction: 4-8
2019: 3-9, Prediction: 4-8

Sept. 4 ETSU W
Sept. 11 at Colorado State  L
Sept. 18 Stanford  L
Sept. 25 Georgia  L
Oct. 2 UConn W
Oct. 9 at Florida  L
Oct. 16 at South Carolina  L
Oct. 23 Mississippi State  L
Oct. 30 Missouri  L
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 Kentucky  L
Nov. 20 at Ole Miss  L
Nov. 27 at Tennessee  L
Vanderbilt 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

NEXT: SEC Preseason Predictions: West

College Football News Preseason All-SEC Football Team: Preview 2021

Preview 2021: Previewing and looking ahead to the SEC season with the College Football News Preseason All-SEC Team & Top 30 players.

Preview 2021: Previewing and looking ahead to the SEC season with the College Football News Preseason All-SEC Team & Top 30 players. 


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Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews 

2021 SEC Team Previews
East Florida | GeorgiaKentucky
Missouri | South Carolina | Tenn | Vandy
West Alabama | Arkansas | Auburn
LSU | Miss State | Ole Miss | Texas A&M
2021 CFN Preseason All-SEC Team
2021 CFN SEC Top 30 Players


2021 Preseason CFN SEC Offensive Player of the Year

RB Kevin Harris, Jr. South Carolina

It was impossible to put together the SEC Top 30 Players list – it could’ve been a top 50 list and several great players would’ve been missing – and it’s just as nasty to try coming up with one signature preseason offensive star going into the season.

Texas A&M is loaded with weapons, Georgia will have its share of stars, and of course Alabama will replace the former all-time greats with new ones. For now, going into the season, Harris is the safe call – knowing that another Joe Burrow, or DeVonta Smith, or Mac Jones is right around the corner.

And there’s a chance Harris doesn’t even have to handle all the work with the expected return of MarShawn Lloyd from a knee injury. Even so, the 5-10, 225-pound Harris is a proven star for a team that needs as many reliable parts as it can get.

Harris ran for an SEC-best 114 rushing yards per game with 1,138 yards and 15 scores averaging over six yards per carry, and at least early on under Shane Beamer, he’s going to be the one to work the attack around.

2021 Preseason CFN SEC Defensive Player of the Year

CB Derek Stingley Jr., Soph. LSU

You’re going to probably need to go off of respect and sheer talent when it comes to acknowledging – arguably – the best player in college football this season. The future likely NFL Pro Bowl star might not have a whole lot to do with team after team staying away from him.

Blow off the stats – or the lack of them – going forward. He only made 27 tackles with five broken up passes and no picks last year, and that might be around what he does this season. The better passing teams will go at him once in a while – Eli Ricks is no picnic on the other side – but not often.

2021 CFN Preseason All-SEC Team
2021 CFN SEC Top 30 Players

NEXT: CFN 2021 Preseason All-SEC Team

Alabama Crimson Tide: CFN College Football Preview 2021

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Alabama football season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Alabama football season with what you need to know.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
Top Players | Keys To The Season
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Alabama Football Schedule Analysis
– Alabama Crimson Tide Previews
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

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2020 Record: 13-0 overall, 11-0 in SEC
Head Coach: Nick Saban, 15th year, 164-23 (255-65 overall)
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 1
2020 CFN Preview Ranking: 3
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 15

Alabama Crimson Tide College Football Preview 2021: Offense

No big whoop. Just replace the (likely) New England Patriot starting quarterback coming off one of the most efficient years in college football history (Mac Jones), a Heisman-winning wide receiver (DeVonta Smith), another wide receiver who’s probably even better (Jaylen Waddle), a running back who deserved the Heisman (Najee Harris), a first round offensive tackle (Alex Leatherwood), a second round center (Landon Dickerson), and another drafted guard (Deonte Brown).

Oh, and while you’re at it, replace the new head coach of the Texas Longhorns at offensive coordinator (Steve Sarkisian).

But it’s Alabama. That’s the cost of doing business for an offense that led the nation in passing efficiency, third down chances, and averaged 542 yards and 49 points per game against a schedule of all SEC teams, Notre Dame and Ohio State.

Again, it’s Alabama, so you go grab the (former) Houston Texans head coach to be your new offensive coordinator – Bill O’Brien is an incredible get, even for the Tide – and the machine is supposed to keep on rolling. However …

As good as new starting quarterback Bryce Young is supposed to be, he’s not going to be Mac Jones or Tua Tagovailoa throwing the ball right out of the gate. He’s a smallish 6-0, 194-pound former superstar recruit who’s going to add a more dynamic element to the offense.

Young will be great, but it’s asking too much to immediately match the greatest two-year run of wide receiver talent in college football history.

John Metchie, though, is next. Totally overshadowed by the Slim Reaper’s amazing year, Metchie finished second on the team with 55 catches for 916 yards and six scores, and averaged more yards per catch – 16.7 to 15.9 – than Smith.

Between inside target Slade Bolden and a whole lot of big-time talents ready to show what they can do – like sophomores Javon Baker and Traeshon Holden, and 6-3 freshman Agiye Hall – the passing game will be fine.

The tight end situation is just as promising. Jahleel Billingsley has NFL tools, and junior Cameron Latu is a terrific talent, too.

Najee Harris ran for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns and caught 43 passes for 425 yards and four scores as the glue to the unstoppable offense. Brian Robinson might not be the same talent, but he’s a future NFL back with 6-1, 228-pound size and a whole lot of experience in the rotation.

2020’s No. 3 back Jase McClellen is another excellent option, but the real riser is sophomore Roydell Williams – who ran for 71 yards in a limited role – coming off a strong offseason.

The line has three all-stars ready to work around with Evan Neal a franchise NFL tackle who’ll move from the right side to the left, and with guard Emil Ekiyor and center Chris Owens also future pro starters. There’s enough talented versatility to figure out the other two spots in fall camp without missing a beat.

– What You Need To Know: Defense
Top Players | Keys To The Season
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Alabama Football Schedule Analysis

NEXT: Alabama Crimson Tide College Football Preview 2021: Defense