College Football Roundup Week 5: What It All Means, Winners, Losers, Overrated, Underrated

College football Week 5 roundup with the 5 things that matter, winners and losers, and overrated and underrated parts of the weekend.

College football Week 5 roundup with the 5 things that matter, winners and losers, overrated and underrated parts of the weekend, and what it all means.


College Football Week 5 Roundup

Week 5 Roundup 
CFN 1-130 Rankings | Bowl Projections
Week 5 scoreboard, all the predictions
Week 6 opening lines | AP | Coaches
Big Game Reaction: Cincinnati, Oregon, more

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– Cincinnati & BYU: One Really Big Thing
– SEC teams: Most Overrated Thing
– Hello, Kentucky: Most Underrated Thing
– Who’s No. 3? What It All Means, Week 5

Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Winners & Losers From Week 5

Winner: Georgia pass defense

78.2. That’s the passer rating of the first five teams on the Georgia slate. The season isn’t halfway done, but by comparison, Northwestern was the only team last year to have a pass rating D under 100.

2011 Alabama was the last team to finish a season holding offenses to under 90, and no one has come close to that 83.7 mark over the last decade.

Clemson, UAB, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas have combined to hit 48% of their passes for 55 yards with one touchdown and seven picks against the Dawgs. Auburn is up next.

That’s one part of the state …

Loser: Georgia Southern pass defense

2016 Arizona State was the last team to finish a season allowing over 350 passing yards per game. Georgia Southern has a long way to go, but over the first five games it allowed an average of 351 per game with 18 touchdowns and four picks – all four interceptions were last week in the 59-33 win over Arkansas State.

Winner: Coastal Carolina

It’s not like there’s been a good team on the slate yet, but Coastal Carolina has kept the 2020 good vibes going by averaging 48 points per game in blowout after blowout.

Buffalo provided the one push – a 28-25 Chanticleer win – but everyone else has been hit by 49 points or more as the program is on a run of 17 straight regular season wins.

Loser: Wisconsin

The 1990 Badgers beat Ball State 24-7 in mid-September for their only win of the season. That was the last time the program started 1-3 until this season.

The blowout losses to Notre Dame and Michigan also mark the last back-to-back double-digit defeats since the 2009 team – that turned out to be terrific – dropped October dates to Ohio State and Iowa.

Winner: Accurate passers

14. That’s how many quarterbacks with at least 75 attempts are connecting on 70% or more of their throws. Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall leads the way at over 80%. Last year, seven QBs finished hitting the 70% mark, and as recently as 2017, just one passer even got past 68% for a season – Baker Mayfield finished completing 70% of his throws.

Loser: Missouri run defense

Mississippi State ran for 151 yards in the 2020 season finale win over Missouri, but that’s Mississippi State – it doesn’t run the ball. Before that, Georgia and Arkansas combined to run for well over 600 yards against the Tigers.

Tennessee ran for 458 yards in a 62-24 blowout in Columbia, marking the sixth time in the last eight games that Missouri allowed 275 rushing yards or more.

– Cincinnati & BYU: One Really Big Thing
– SEC teams: Most Overrated Thing
– Hello, Kentucky: Most Underrated Thing
– Who’s No. 3? What It All Means, Week 5

NEXT: The really big Week 5 thing was …

BYU vs Utah State Prediction, Game Preview

BYU vs Utah State prediction, game preview, how to watch: Friday, October 1

BYU vs Utah State prediction, game preview, how to watch: Friday, October 1


BYU vs Utah State How To Watch

Date: Friday, October 1
Game Time: 9:00 ET
Venue: Maverick Stadium, Logan, UT
How To Watch: CBS Sports Network
Record: BYU (4-0), Utah State (3-1)
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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

BYU vs Utah State Game Preview


Why BYU Will Win

So how is BYU doing this? How is it 4-0 with three wins over Pac-12 teams and a probably-better-than-it-seems victory over USF?

This isn’t the pounding running team of 2020, but it’s fine on the ground. There isn’t the passing game like it had when Zach Wilson was running it, but it’s efficient.

The offense isn’t turning the ball over enough to matter, and the defense is taking it away helped by a whole lot of pressure into the backfield.

The team isn’t screwing up – there aren’t a slew of penalties, the special teams are fine, and again, there aren’t a lot of giveaways.

How did Utah State lose to Boise State? 13 penalties, three turnovers, and a whole lot of pressure allowed by the Bronco defensive front.

Week 5 College Football Expert Picks

Why Utah State Will Win

Utah State might have screwed up a bit too much – and it only scored three points – but the offensive punch was there.

The Aggies remained almost perfectly balanced – they’re a 200-yard rushing/200-yard passing machine – with the 443 yards put up against the Broncos just fine. They just couldn’t translate the effort into points.

For all the great things BYU does, it’ll give up rushing yards, it’s not great at controlling the clock – Utah State goes fast and gets off the field in a hurry – and it can be run on a bit.

Utah averaged close to eight yards per carry against the Cougars, and Arizona State averaged five. Utah State has the firepower

Week 5 College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

The Cougars have been solid so far, but when it’s on, Utah State has been sensational. After a dud of a loss at home against Boise State, can the Aggie offense get its groove back?

Yes, and it won’t be enough.

Utah State will come out roaring with a few big early scoring drives, but the Cougars will hang around with a few key scores up until the early fourth. The BYU O line will take over, the offense will control the final ten minutes, and it’ll come down to one late defensive stop to get out with a tough win.

Week 4 CFN NFL Expert Picks

BYU vs Utah State Prediction, Line

BYU 27, Utah State 24
Line: BYU -9, o/u: 62
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: ‘The Low End Theory’ 30th anniversary
1: Not knowing how David Letterman rolls

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Fearless Predictions of Every Game
Bowl Projections | Rankings

BYU vs USF Prediction, Game Preview

BYU vs USF prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, September 25

BYU vs USF prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, September 25


BYU vs USF How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 25
Game Time: 10:15 ET
Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
How To Watch: ESPN2
Record: BYU (3-0), USF (1-2)
Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

BYU vs USF Game Preview


Why USF Will Win

Beating Florida A&M doesn’t mean everything is okay, now, but at least the offense started working a little bit.

USF might be a whole lot stronger than it seems – playing NC State and Florida is hardly a great indicator.

The Bulls have some decent playmakers, the offensive line has been okay in pass protection, and there haven’t been a whole lot of mistakes and turnovers.

As good as BYU has been in the 3-0 start, there hasn’t been a ton happening on the ground and there’s little to no downfield passing game. However …

Week 4 College Football Expert Picks

Why BYU Will Win

The Cougar defense has been terrific.

The leader in the Pac-12 South race – of course it’s not in the Pac-12, but it beat Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah – is living off of takeaways with seven so far, the offensive line has been excellent, and the team isn’t buckling when there are momentum shifts.

It faced the power of Utah and came through fine, and it dealt with the talent on an ASU team that really is good enough to actually win the Pac-12 South.

In this, grind and keep grinding. The USF defense was hit hard by Florida and NC State for over 650 yards in the first two games, and BYU’s line should take over.

Week 4 College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Don’t be shocked if all of a sudden USF starts to look a whole lot better.

It didn’t destroy Florida A&M, but the two other games might not be a proper indicator of where the program is at in Year Two under Jeff Scott.

BYU won’t get crazy here. It’ll run, take the safe and easy throws that are there, and it won’t force anything that’s not there.

The conservative gameplan will work.

Week 3 NFL Expert Picks

BYU vs USF Prediction, Line

BYU 34, USC 13
Line: BYU -23.5, o/u: 53.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

Must See Rating: 2

5: Muhammad Ali film by Ken Burns
1: Dear Evan Hansen

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Fearless Predictions of Every Game
Bowl Projections | Rankings

Arizona State vs BYU Prediction, Game Preview

Arizona State vs BYU prediction and game preview. Saturday, September 18

Arizona State vs BYU prediction and game preview.


Arizona State vs BYU Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 18
Game Time: 10:15 ET
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Network: ESPN
Sign up and stream college football all season long on ESPN+

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Arizona State (2-0) vs BYU (2-0) Game Preview


Why Arizona State Will Win

The team has gone through its warm-ups, and now it’s time to start the season.

Southern Utah and UNLV were but mere blips along the way to get ready for this, and then the Pac-12 season to kick in.

QB Jayden Daniels has been sharp – even if the franchise QB is running a bit much, taking off for 125 yards in the 37-10 win over UNLV – the ground game is working, and moving the chains hasn’t been any sort of a problem.

Again, it’s not like the competition has been anything to get fired up about, but the defense has been great, the pass rush is there, and again, the two games were good to get all the parts up to speed.

Week 3 College Football Expert Picks

Why BYU Will Win

No, this might not be the BYU of last year – not having the current New York Jet starting quarterback is a part of that – but if you’re beating a Utah team that’s good enough to win the Pac-12 South, you’re doing something right.

Give the Cougars credit. If the beef against the 2020 version was that they didn’t play any Power Five programs – certainly not their fault – then starting 2-0 against the Pac-12 with wins over Arizona and Utah matters.

The offense didn’t turn the ball over against Utah and did a terrific job of controlling the clock against a team that’s normally wonderful at dominating the tempo.

No one is supposed to be able to run against this Ute defensive front, and BYU averaged five yards per carry and took all the pressure off of QB Jaren Hall.

Keep control of the game, force Arizona State and Daniels to start pushing the ball down the field more, and don’t make mistakes. Do that, and BYU has this. And …

Week 3 College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Playing in Provo matters.

The home field advantage wasn’t a big deal for the program for a few years against the stronger teams, but everything has turned lately with that Utah game proving it.

BYU will play a tight game without screwing up, Arizona State will have to deal with a dangerous pass rush, and it’ll do a strong job of owning the time of possession battle against a team that’s been brilliant at that.

Week 2 NFL Expert Picks

Arizona State vs BYU Prediction, Line

BYU 27, Arizona State 24
Line: Arizona State -3.5, o/u: 51.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 4

5: Steve is proud of you
1: Ordinary Joe

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Fearless Predictions of Every Game
Bowl Projections | Rankings

Utah vs BYU Prediction, Game Preview

Utah vs BYU prediction and game preview. Saturday, September 11

Utah vs BYU prediction and game preview.


Utah vs BYU Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 11
Game Time: 10:15 ET
Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
Network: ESPN

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Utah (1-0) vs BYU (1-0) Game Preview


Why Utah Will Win

It wasn’t a perfect performance against Weber State in the 40-17 victory, but it was the type of game that might have worked a few things out.

The massive defensive front stopped up the Wildcat running game, and it’s going to be a brick wall against the BYU ground attack. The secondary allowed just over 200 yards through the air, but it wasn’t a problem.

More importantly, the new quarterback looked great. Baylor transfer Charlie Brewer threw a pick, but he was sharp overall. Throw in a good day for a ground game that needed some players to emerge, and it was what the team needed as a warm-up.

Meanwhile, BYU had to push through in a 24-16 win over a rebuilding Arizona. The Wildcats had their chances, but couldn’t capitalize late. Utah should be able to score when it gets those same shots. However …

Week 2 College Football Expert Picks

Why BYU Will Win

Utah did have its rough spots it has to prove it can get past.

There were problems against Weber State on third downs and missed on both fourth down tries, the two turnovers can’t happen in Provo, and there’s going to be pressure from the BYU defensive front to make Brewer and company press.

Cougar QB Jaren Hall isn’t Zach Wilson, but he had a strong day against Arizona and the running game was effective enough to get the win. It’ll be tougher sledding against the Utah defensive front, but the offense should be balanced enough to be in control for stretches.

Week 1 NFL Predictions, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

It’s always fun, it’s always a fight, and it’s always …

A Utah win.

At least the last nine and ten of the last 11 have gone to the Utes going back to the thriller late in the 2009 season.

BYU has the lines to hold up for stretches, but the problems will come as the game goes on. The Utah fronts will take over Brewer will outplay Hall, and even on the road in a rivalry battle it’ll be a great performance by the Pac-12er over the (likely) future Big 12er.

Week 2 College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

Utah vs BYU Prediction, Line

Utah 30, BYU 17
Line: Utah -7, o/u: 49
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Today’s Best Bet to Lock in Now

Must See Rating: 4

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

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Fearless Predictions of Every Game
Bowl Projections | Rankings

Arizona vs BYU Prediction, Game Preview

Arizona vs BYU prediction and game preview. Saturday, September 4

Arizona vs BYU prediction and game preview.


Arizona vs BYU Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 4
Game Time: 10:30 ET
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Network: ESPN

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Arizona (0-0) vs BYU (0-0) Game Preview


Why Arizona Will Win

The University of Arizona would like to play some defense now.

It hasn’t been a plus over the last several years – the 70-7 loss to Arizona State put an exclamation point on that – but new head coach Jedd Fisch has vowed to make the defensive side a priority, and it starts by getting Don Brown from Michigan as the defensive coordinator.

It might take a little while, but there’s experience in place and the D overall should be far better and far more aggressive against a BYU offense that’s starting over from the Zach Wilson era. It’s still a good Cougar attack, but losing the No. 2 overall pick in the draft – along with some of the stars on the line and a few targets – isn’t a plus.

The Arizona O line should be okay right away for new starting quarterback Gunner Cruz, but …

Week 1 College Football Expert Picks

Why BYU Will Win

It might take a little bit for Arizona to be sharp offensively.

Fisch is a quarterback coach who’ll eventually get the Wildcat attack going, but the parts aren’t there to keep up if BYU is hot right out of the gate.

Jaren Hall might not be another Zach Wilson, but he’s got enough experience to be okay, the receivers are big and talented, and like last year, the ground game should be punishing.

Yes, the Arizona defense is going to be better. It’s not going to be a brick wall.

The BYU D has to undergo a bit of an overhaul, but the linebackers are fantastic. Don’t expect too much from the Arizona running game against this group.

Week 1 NFL Expert Picks

What’s Going To Happen

This might not be the crushing BYU win it might appear to be.

The Cougars will get the W in Vegas, but the defense has to replace way too many top tacklers and the pass rush has to prove it can rise up and do enough to be a bother.

Arizona is totally rebuilding. Fisch appears to be the right guy for the gig, and there’s a whole lot of potential and promise, but BYU will have the lines and the ground game to get out with a win. It’s not going to be anything too flashy, but it’ll be a victory over a Pac-12 team to kickoff the post-Wilson era.

Week 1 Schedule, Predictions For Every Game

Arizona vs BYU Prediction, Line

BYU 31, Arizona 24
BYU -12.5, o/u: 54
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3

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

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CFN Preseason Rankings, Schedules, Projected Records For All 130 Teams

Independent Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2021

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

The College Football News 2021 Independent 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 Independent teams are going into the 2021 season.

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2021 CFN Independent Preseason Rankings

1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Quick Take: There’s a consistency to the Irish now under Brian Kelly with four straight double-digit win seasons and five in the last six, and this year’s team should get there again with a schedule that’s a wee bit easier than it looks. The defensive ends are good, S Kyle Hamilton is great, and the success will be there on offense even if it’s more steady than sensational.
Notre Dame Preview | Schedule

2. Liberty Flames

Quick Take: Just about everyone is back, the skill guys around star QB Malik Willis are outstanding, and there’s a buzz after a breakthrough 2020. Talent-wise it’s a good team, but there’s a little national roll-slowing needing to be done when comparing it to the top 25ish Power Five programs. However, with the veterans in place – and with a manageable schedule – another one-loss season is a doable goal.
Liberty Preview | Schedule

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3. BYU Cougars

Quick Take: If was the common refrain last year – “But they didn’t play a Power Five program.” Well, now they do – it wasn’t the Cougars’ fault that no one wanted to play them, by the way – and without Zach Wilson under center. This is still a terrific team with plenty of great parts, but the schedule is tougher – seven Power Five teams on the slate – and there’s some reloading to do.
BYU Preview | Schedule

4. Army Black Knights

Quick Take: Expect a fantastic record thanks to a manageable schedule, but, as always, the O will control the clock and tempo against just about everyone. Also, as always, they’re going to be a very, very tough out for the better teams on the schedule.
Army Preview | Schedule

5. New Mexico State Aggies

Quick Take: The Aggies had the benefit of a spring preseason with a few games to see what they have in place to work with. The answers weren’t all that great, but they have a few explosive parts and should have just enough of an offense to pull off a few wins.
New Mexico Preview | Schedule

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6. UConn Huskies

Quick Take: After not playing last year, this is almost a new team in several spots around a few terrific parts. There are just enough good players to build around, but it’s going to be a rough, rough run saved by two FCS games and a few more winnable dates.
UConn Preview | Schedule

7. UMass Minutemen

Quick Take: The bar is set at just scoring. The Minutemen went 0-4 last year against four Group of Five programs, and they were outscored 161-12 with just one touchdown. The defensive side has some decent parts, but it’s going to be a bloodbath offensively over the first half of the season before things ease up.
UMass Preview | Schedule

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Independent Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2021

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

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


Independent Preseason Predictions

Army Black Knights

2021 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2018: 11-2 2019: 5-8 2020: 9-3

Sept. 4 at Georgia State W
Sept. 11 WKU W
Sept. 18 UConn W
Sept. 25 Miami University W
Oct. 2 at Ball State W
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Wisconsin  L
Oct. 23 Wake Forest  L
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 Air Force (in Arlington, TX) W
Nov. 13 Bucknell W
Nov. 20 UMass W
Nov. 27 at Liberty  L
Dec. 4 OPEN DATE
Dec. 11 Navy (in East Rutherford, NJ) W
Army 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

BYU Cougars

2021 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2018: 7-6 2019: 7-6 2020: 11-1

Sept. 4 Arizona (in Las Vegas) W
Sept. 11 Utah  L
Sept. 18 Arizona State  L
Sept. 24 USF W
Oct. 1 at Utah State W
Oct. 9 Boise State W
Oct. 16 at Baylor  L
Oct. 23 at Washington State  L
Oct. 30 Virginia W
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 Idaho State W
Nov. 20 at Georgia Southern W
Nov. 27 at USC  L
BYU 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

Liberty Flames

2021 Preseason Prediction: 11-1
2018: 6-6 2019: 8-5 2020: 10-1

Sept. 4 Campbell W
Sept. 11 at Troy W
Sept. 18 Old Dominion W
Sept. 24 at Syracuse W
Oct. 2 at UAB W
Oct. 9 Middle Tennessee W
Oct. 16 at ULM W
Oct. 23 at North Texas W
Oct. 30 UMass W
Nov. 6 at Ole Miss  L
Nov. 13 OPEN DATE
Nov. 20 Louisiana W
Nov. 27 Army W
Liberty 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

New Mexico State Aggies

2021 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2018: 3-9 2019: 2-10 2020: 1-1

Aug. 28 UTEP  L
Sept. 4 at San Diego State  L
Sept. 11 at New Mexico  L
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 Hawaii  L
Oct. 2 at San Jose State  L
Oct. 9 at Nevada  L
Oct. 16 Dixie State W
Oct. 23 at Hawaii  L
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 Utah State  L
Nov. 13 at Alabama  L
Nov. 20 at Kentucky  L
Nov. 27 UMass W
NMSU 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

2021 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2018: 12-1 2019: 11-2 2020: 10-2

Sept. 5 at Florida State W
Sept. 11 Toledo W
Sept. 18 Purdue W
Sept. 25 Wisconsin (in Chicago) W
Oct. 2 Cincinnati W
Oct. 9 at Virginia Tech W
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 USC  L
Oct. 30 North Carolina W
Nov. 6 Navy W
Nov. 13 at Virginia W
Nov. 20 Georgia Tech W
Nov. 27 at Stanford  L
Notre Dame 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

UConn Huskies

2021 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2018: 1-11 2019: 2-10 2020: 0-0

Aug. 28 at Fresno State  L
Sept. 4 Holy Cross W
Sept. 11 Purdue  L
Sept. 18 at Army  L
Sept. 25 Wyoming  L
Oct. 2 at Vanderbilt  L
Oct. 9 at UMass W
Oct. 16 Yale W
Oct. 23 Middle Tennessee  L
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Clemson  L
Nov. 20 at UCF  L
Nov. 27 Houston  L
2021 UConn Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

UMass Minutemen

2021 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2018: 4-8 2019: 1-11 2020: 0-4

Sept. 4 at Pitt  L
Sept. 11 Boston College  L
Sept. 18 Eastern Michigan  L
Sept. 25 at Coastal Carolina  L
Oct. 2 Toledo  L
Oct. 9 UConn  L
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Florida State  L
Oct. 30 at Liberty  L
Nov. 6 Rhode Island W
Nov. 13 Maine W
Nov. 20 at Army  L
Nov. 27 at New Mexico State  L
UMass 2021 Preview
Full Schedule Analysis

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

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

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


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Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews 

2021 Independent Team Previews
Army | BYU | LibertyNMSU
Notre Dame | UConn | UMass
2021 CFN Preseason All-Independent Team
2021 CFN Independent Top 30 Players


2021 Preseason CFN Independent Offensive Player of the Year

QB Malik Willis, Jr. Liberty

The former Auburn Tiger has turned into a superstar and interesting pro prospect for Liberty. He’s not huge, but the 6-1, 215-pounder is one of the nation’s top dual-threat playmakers, throwing for well over 2,000 yards with 20 touchdowns along with 944 rushing yards and 14 scores last season. He’s got everyone around him to do even more.

2021 Preseason CFN Independent Defensive Player of the Year

S Kyle Hamilton, Jr. Notre Dame

Hamilton might not be the best defensive player in college football, but he’s not far off. When it comes to what you want in a next-level safety, here you go – 6-4, 219-pound size, big-time hitting skills, range, and the smarts and instincts to always be in the right position. He’s about to get an even higher profile as the star of a rebuilding Irish team.

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

NEXT: CFN 2021 Preseason All-Independent Team

BYU Cougars: CFN College Football Preview 2021

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

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


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– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
BYU Schedule Analysis
– BYU Previews
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

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2020 Record: 11-1  overall
Head Coach: Kalani Sitake, 6th year 38-26
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 13
2020 CFN Preview Ranking: 66
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 34

BYU College Football Preview 2021: Offense

– This isn’t going to be the same offense that finished third in the nation in scoring and steamrolled over just about everyone, but it’s still going to be very, very good.

For starters, Zach Wilson is off being a New York Jet, a slew of other key parts are gone, and the schedule is about to get a whole lot tougher. That doesn’t mean there won’t be production and the O won’t go, but it’s not going to be nearly as dominant.

It starts at quarterback, and the Cougars are okay. There isn’t another No. 2 overall pick in the draft, but both Baylor Romney and Jaren Hall are capable options who can each keep the attack going. They’re both experienced enough in the system to be ready to go, but it’s likely going to take all of fall camp to settle on the No. 1 guy.

It helps to get back a slew of good parts, even if top target Dax Milne is done. 6-3 junior Gunner Romney is a solid deep threat averaging close to 20 yards per catch last year, and Neil Pau’u is another big veteran who can stretch the field.

The real find last year was TE Isaac Rex, who stepped in for Matt Bushman and caught 37 passes with 12 scores. Throw in WRs Samson and Puka Nacua – they’re brothers – from the transfer portal, and this is one of the team’s biggest strengths.

It’s not going to be the steamroller of an O line it was last year – again, combination of talent loss and better schedule – but it’ll be more than fine. You don’t get better by losing a tackle like Brady Christensen to the Carolina Panthers, but he’s not the only replacement with just two starters back.

There’s enough size and depth to keep plowing away for 220-pound sophomore Tyler Allgeier – he ran for 1,130 yards and 13 scores – and 6-1, 210-pound Lopini Katoa.

– What You Need To Know: Defense
Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
BYU Schedule Analysis

NEXT: BYU College Football Preview 2021: Defense