Category: College Football Schedules

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

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21 Power Five vs Group of Five Upset Alerts: 21 For 2021 College Football Topics, No. 12

21 for 2021 college football topics. The most dangerous upset alert games for Power Five teams vs. Group of Five programs.

21 for 2021: 21 most dangerous upset alert games for Power Five teams vs. Group of Five programs.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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You want to make a statement as a Group of Five program? You want to sit at the lunch table with the cool kids? Beat the Power Five teams.

The Group of Five – American Athletic, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt – doesn’t have the success you might think it does against the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC.

The Gof5ers went 4-8 last season against the P5, and that’s after going 22-81 in 2019.

But they’re there. There are big wins to be had to cripple the seasons of the schools with the big money, bigger names, and snobby expectations.

Here are 21 Group of Five vs. Power Five games to watch out for.

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

– CFN 2021 Preview: All 130 Team Previews

21 College Football Group of Five vs. Power Five Upset Alerts

21. Syracuse at Ohio, Sept. 4

It’s a new era of Ohio football in the first game after the Frank Solich retirement, but there won’t be any sort of a slowdown. Syracuse is the better team, but it’s a road trip to start the season for a program that hasn’t blocked a pass rush in a few years.
Syracuse Preview | Ohio Preview

20. Georgia Southern at Arkansas, Sept. 18

Curveball game alert. It’s about as big a sandwich as this gets for Arkansas, playing Texas the week before and Texas A&M right after. Georgia Southern is 0-10 against Power Five programs since moving into the full-time FCS world in 2014 – more often than not getting stomped – but if the option attack starts to work like it did against Minnesota in 2019 and Alabama in 2011, this could be interesting.
Arkansas Preview | Georgia Southern Preview

19. Army at Wisconsin, Oct. 16

In theory, Wisconsin is the perfect team to destroy Army. Through the years, the Badgers generally have had problems with the better passing games and hurry-up attacks. Army’s slow, deliberate running game along with a smallish defensive front should be right in Bucky’s wheelhouse. However, if the knuckleball is working, and if Wisconsin is a bit off after playing Notre Dame, Michigan, and Illinois in the Bret Bielema game, there might be problems.
Army Preview | Wisconsin Preview

18. South Carolina at East Carolina, Sept. 11

Call this the puncher’s chance game. South Carolina will get a warm-up against Eastern Illinois to start the Shane Beamer era, but East Carolina should have a dangerous offense that might catch the Gamecocks looking ahead to the SEC road opener to Georgia up next. The last time ECU had a home game against a Power Five program, it rim-rocked North Carolina 41-19 in 2018.
East Carolina Preview | South Carolina Preview

17. Fresno State at Oregon, Sept. 4

Be very, very careful here. Fresno State has a Pac-12-caliber quarterback in Jake Haener leading a high-powered offense that’s going to keep on pushing. It might be the season opener for the Ducks, but their attention might already be on the monster date at Ohio State the following week. Speaking of Pac-12 vs. Big Ten focus …
Fresno State Preview | Oregon Preview

16. Arkansas State at Washington, Sept. 18

Can Washington hit the four-foot putt? The Huskies should be able to roll if they’re fully focused, but this comes right after the trip to Michigan and just before the Pac-12 opener against Cal. Ask 2020 Kansas State what Arkansas State can do – the Red Wolves pulled off a 35-31 shocker – and new head coach Butch Jones has a dangerous team. Speaking of Sun Belt road stunners …
Arkansas State Preview | Washington Preview

NEXT: Top 15 College Football Group of Five vs. Power Five Upset Alerts

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Expectations For The 2nd Year Head Coaches: 21 For 2021 College Football Topics, No. 15

21 for 2021 College Football Topics: What are the reasonable expectations for the second year college football head coaches this season?

21 for 2021 College Football Topics, No. 15: What are the reasonable expectations for the second year college football head coaches this season?

2nd Year Head College Football Coach Expectations For 2021

If you were a new head coach last season, there’s not much else that can be thrown at you after 2020.

Even the longtime veterans had to completely change up everything as they tried to navigate their way through the craziness and changes. Teams didn’t have a real offseason to get up and going, no one had the proper time to prepare, and just about everyone had to deal with the prospect of a cancelled season.

Combine the global pandemic with a revitalized era of social consciousness, and last year was anything but routine for the new head coaches. But now they all have a year to try getting their programs going.

21 for 2021 College Football Topics 
21: 21 Thoughts, Wishes, Hopes
20: 5 Best Programs To Not Make CFP
19: 5 Teams That Will Rebound
18: 5 Teams That Will Take A Step Back
17: Every Power 5 Team’s Letdown Game
16. Expectations For New Head Coaches

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What can fans hope for out of each second year head coach, and what can they look forward to over the next five seasons? Here’s the breakdown of all them in four categories.

– The rebuild continues
– Mild expectations … but go bowling
– Go bowling, and maybe do more
– 2020 is over … WIN NOW

Coaches in each category listed in alphabetical order

2021 2nd Year College Football Head Coach Expectations: Keep The Rebuild Going

These coaches took over impossible situations even if 2020 was normal. They get the equivalent of a redshirt year as they now try to build things back up.

Marcus Arroyo, UNLV

2020: It didn’t go well. UNLV is a much, much tougher gig than it seems, and Arroyo’s team struggled with the program’s first winless season since 1998. The Rebels went 0-6 losing all six game by double-digits.

Realistic Expectations In Year Two: Just start looking more dangerous. There should be a few wins coming, but UNLV will be the underdog in just about every game. Even so, there has to be a sign of life – especially defensively.

Realistic Expectations Over Next Five Years: Build the program up. UNLV has been a perennial doormat with just one winning season since 2000. Arroyo will get plenty of time, but there has to be incremental improvement starting with a bowl game in 2021.
– 2021 UNLV Preview

Danny Gonzales, New Mexico

2020: As 2-5 seasons go, it wasn’t all that bad. New Mexico was in total redo mode, but it was competitive in losses to Hawaii and Nevada and won its final two games at Wyoming and Fresno State. Gonzales did what all first year head coaches in tough situations need to do – he showed the potential for positive things to happen going forward.

Realistic Expectations In Year Two: Make a push for a bowl game. It’s still going to be a work in progress, but the Lobos have a few nice parts – getting Kentucky QB Terry Wilson helps – and there should be a built-in four wins as a base.

Realistic Expectations Over Next Five Years: Four bowl appearances over the next five years with one big push of a season at some point to get into Mountain West title contention.
– 2021 New Mexico Preview

Ricky Rahne, Old Dominion

2020: Everything was about to get going and then … nope. Old Dominion chose to opt out on the season.

Realistic Expectations In Year Two: It’s really Rahne’s first season at the helm. On the plus side, he had a full season to get settled in, and he’s got a salty bunch of players ready to go. At least four wins is a reasonable goal, but ODU is a true X factor team as it gets up and going again.

Realistic Expectations Over Next Five Years: Three bowl appearances and at least one push for the Conference USA East title. Overall, it’s going to be a heavy lift in the tougher of the two C-USA divisions.
– 2021 Old Dominion Preview

Jeff Scott, USF

2020: The Bulls went 1-8 with that lone victory coming over The Citadel from the FCS world. The offense perked up at times, but not enough to overcome a woeful defense.

Realistic Expectations In Year Two: It’s still going to be an uphill climb. USF might have even more offensive punch, but the D has to go from miserable to just mediocre. It’ll be ugly at times, but getting to four wins would be a step forward.

Realistic Expectations Over Next Five Years: Make the offense unstoppable. The Bulls need to quickly grow into a regular on the bowl circuit, be in the American Athletic title chase within three years, and come up with at least two wins over UCF.
– 2021 USF Preview

– Mild expectations … but go bowling
– Go bowling, and maybe do more
– 2020 is over … WIN NOW

NEXT: 2021 2nd Year College Football Head Coach Expectations: Mild Expectations, But Go Bowling

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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

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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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American Athletic Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2021

The College Football News American Athletic Conference preseason predictions for every game, order of finish, lookahead to the 2021 season.

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

American Athletic Preseason Predictions

American Athletic Predicted Finish

T1. Cincinnati
T1. UCF
T3. Houston
T3. Memphis
5. SMU
T6. East Carolina
T6. Houston
T6. Temple
T6. Tulane
T6. Tulsa
T11. Navy
T11. USF

Cincinnati Bearcats

2021 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2021 American Athletic Prediction: 7-1
2018: 11-2 2019: 11-3 2020: 9-1

Sept. 4 Miami University W
Sept. 11 Murray State W
Sept. 18 at Indiana W
Sept. 25 OPEN DATE
Oct. 2 at Notre Dame  L
Oct. 8 Temple W
Oct. 16 UCF  L 
Oct. 23 at Navy W
Oct. 30 at Tulane W
Nov. 6 Tulsa W
Nov. 13 at USF W
Nov. 20 SMU W
Nov. 27 at East Carolina W
Cincinnati 2010 Preview | Schedule

East Carolina Pirates

2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 American Athletic Prediction: 3-5
2018: 3-9 2019: 4-8 2020: 3-6

Sept. 2 Appalachian State (in Charlotte)  L
Sept. 11 South Carolina  L
Sept. 18 at Marshall W
Sept. 25 Charleston Southern W
Oct. 2 Tulane W
Oct. 9 at UCF  L
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Houston  L
Oct. 30 USF W
Nov. 4 Temple W
Nov. 13 at Memphis  L
Nov. 20 at Navy  L
Nov. 27 Cincinnati  L
ECU 2021 Preview | Schedule

Houston Cougars

2021 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2021 American Athletic Prediction: 5-3
2018: 8-5 2019: 4-8 2020: 3-5

Sept. 4 Texas Tech (in NRG Stadium)  L
Sept. 11 at Rice W
Sept. 18 Grambling State W
Sept. 25 Navy W
Oct. 1 at Tulsa W
Oct. 7 at Tulane  L
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 East Carolina W
Oct. 30 SMU W
Nov. 6 at USF  L
Nov. 13 at Temple  L
Nov. 19 Memphis W
Nov. 27 at UConn W
Houston 2021 Preview | Schedule

Memphis Tigers

2021 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2021 American Athletic Prediction: 5-3
2018: 8-6 2019: 12-2 2020: 8-3

Sept. 4 Nicholls W
Sept. 11 at Arkansas State W
Sept. 18 Mississippi State  L
Sept. 25 UTSA W
Oct. 2 at Temple W
Oct. 9 at Tulsa  L
Oct. 14 Navy W
Oct. 22 at UCF  L
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 SMU W
Nov. 13 East Carolina W
Nov. 19 at Houston  L
Nov. 27 Tulane W
Houston 2021 Preview | Schedule

Navy Midshipmen

2021 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2021 American Athletic Prediction: 2-6
2018: 3-10 2019: 11-2 2020: 3-7

Sept. 4 Marshall W
Sept. 11 Air Force  L
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 at Houston  L
Oct. 2 UCF  L
Oct. 9 SMU W
Oct. 14 at Memphis  L
Oct. 23 Cincinnati  L
Oct. 29 at Tulsa  L
Nov. 6 at Notre Dame  L
Nov. 13 OPEN DATE
Nov. 20 East Carolina W
Nov. 27 at Temple  L
Dec. 4 OPEN DATE
Dec. 11 Army (in East Rutherford)  L
Navy 2021 Preview | Schedule

SMU Mustangs

2021 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2021 American Athletic Prediction: 4-4
2018: 5-7 2019: 10-3 2020: 7-3

Sept. 4 Abilene Christian W
Sept. 11 North Texas W
Sept. 18 at Louisiana Tech W
Sept. 25 at TCU  L
Oct. 2 USF W
Oct. 9 at Navy  L
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 21 Tulane W
Oct. 30 at Houston  L
Nov. 6 at Memphis  L
Nov. 13 UCF W
Nov. 20 at Cincinnati  L
Nov. 27 Tulsa W
SMU 2021 Preview | Schedule

NEXT: American Athletic Predictions: Temple, Tulane, Tulsa, UCF, USF

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Pac 12 Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2021

The College Football News Pac 12 preseason predictions for every game, predicted order of finish, and lookahead to the 2021 season.

The College Football News Pac 12 preseason predictions for every game, predicted order of finish, and lookahead to the 2021 season.

Pac 12 Preseason Predictions

Pac-12 North Predicted Finish

T1. Oregon*
T1. Washington
T3. Cal
T3. Stanford
T5. Oregon State
T5. Washington State
*Oregon predicted to win the tie-breaker

Cal Golden Bears

2021 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 Pac 12 Prediction: 4-5
2020: 1-3, Prediction: 7-5
2019: 8-5, Prediction: 6-6

Sept. 4 Nevada W
Sept. 11 at TCU  L
Sept. 18 Sacramento State W
Sept. 25 at Washington  L
Oct. 2 Washington State W
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 15 at Oregon  L
Oct. 23 Colorado W
Oct. 30 Oregon State W
Nov. 6 at Arizona  L
Nov. 13 USC W
Nov. 20 at Stanford  L
Nov. 27 at UCLA  L
Cal 2021 Preview
Schedule Analysis

Oregon Ducks

2021 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2021 Pac 12 Prediction: 7-2
2020: 4-3, Prediction: 10-2
2019: 12-2, Prediction: 9-3

Sept. 4 Fresno State W
Sept. 11 at Ohio State  L
Sept. 18 Stony Brook W
Sept. 25 Arizona W
Oct. 2 at Stanford W
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 15 Cal W
Oct. 23 at UCLA  L
Oct. 30 Colorado W
Nov. 6 at Washington W
Nov. 13 Washington State W
Nov. 20 at Utah  L
Nov. 27 Oregon State W
Oregon 2021 Preview
Schedule Analysis

Oregon State Beavers

2021 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2021 Pac 12 Prediction: 2-7
2020: 2-5, Prediction: 6-6
2019: 5-7, Prediction: 3-9

Sept. 4 at Purdue  L
Sept. 11 Hawaii W
Sept. 18 Idaho W
Sept. 25 at USC  L
Oct. 2 Washington  L
Oct. 9 at Washington State  L
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Utah  L
Oct. 30 at Cal  L
Nov. 6 at Colorado  L
Nov. 13 Stanford W
Nov. 20 Arizona State W
Nov. 27 at Oregon  L
Oregon State 2021 Preview
Schedule Analysis

Stanford Cardinal

2021 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2021 Pac 12 Prediction: 4-5
2020: 4-2, Prediction: 7-5
2019: 4-8, Prediction: 8-4

Sept. 4 Kansas State (in Arlington) W
Sept. 11 at USC  L
Sept. 18 at Vanderbilt W
Sept. 25 UCLA W
Oct. 2 Oregon  L
Oct. 8 at Arizona State  L
Oct. 16 at Washington State W
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Washington  L
Nov. 5 Utah W
Nov. 13 at Oregon State  L
Nov. 20 Cal W
Nov. 27 Notre Dame W
Stanford 2021 Preview
Schedule Analysis

Washington Huskies

2021 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2021 Pac 12 Prediction: 7-2
2020: 3-1, Prediction: 9-3
2019: 8-5, Prediction: 9-3

Sept. 4 Montana W
Sept. 11 at Michigan  L
Sept. 18 Arkansas State W
Sept. 25 Cal W
Oct. 2 at Oregon State W
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 UCLA W
Oct. 22 at Arizona W
Oct. 30 at Stanford W
Nov. 6 Oregon  L
Nov. 13 Arizona State W
Nov. 20 at Colorado  L
Nov. 26 Washington State W
Washington 2021 Preview
Schedule Analysis

Washington State Cougars

2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Pac 12 Prediction: 2-7
2020: 1-3, Prediction: 6-6
2019: 6-7, Prediction: 8-4

Sept. 4 Utah State W
Sept. 11 Portland State W
Sept. 18 USC  L
Sept. 25 at Utah  L
Oct. 2 at Cal  L
Oct. 9 Oregon State W
Oct. 16 Stanford  L
Oct. 23 BYU W
Oct. 30 at Arizona State  L
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Oregon  L
Nov. 19 Arizona W
Nov. 26 at Washington  L
Washington State 2021 Preview
Schedule Analysis

NEXT: Pac-12 Preseason Predictions: South

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Big 12 Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2021

The College Football News Big 12 preseason predictions for every game, predicted order of finish, and lookahead to the 2021 season.

The College Football News Big 12 preseason predictions for every game, predicted order of finish, and lookahead to the 2021 season.

Big 12 Preseason Predictions

Big 12 Predicted Finish

1. Oklahoma
T2. Iowa State*
T2. Texas
T4. Oklahoma State
T4. TCU
T6. Kansas State
T6. West Virginia
T8. Baylor
T8. Texas Tech
10. Kansas
*Iowa State predicted to win tie-breaker with Texas for No. 2 spot

Baylor Bears

2021 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 Big 12 Prediction: 3-6
2020: 2-7, Prediction: 6-6
2019: 11-3, Prediction: 7-5

Sept. 4 at Texas State W
Sept. 11 Texas Southern W
Sept. 18 at Kansas W
Sept. 25 Iowa State  L
Oct. 2 at Oklahoma State  L
Oct. 9 West Virginia W
Oct. 16 BYU W
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Texas  L
Nov. 6 at TCU  L
Nov. 13 Oklahoma  L
Nov. 20 at Kansas State  L
Nov. 27 Texas Tech W
Baylor 2021 Preview
Schedule Analysis

Iowa State Cyclones

2021 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2021 Big 12 Prediction: 6-3
2020: 9-3, Prediction: 7-5
2019: 7-6, Prediction: 7-5

Sept. 4 Northern Iowa W
Sept. 11 Iowa W
Sept. 18 at UNLV W
Sept. 25 at Baylor W
Oct. 2 Kansas W
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Kansas State  L
Oct. 23 Oklahoma State W
Oct. 30 at West Virginia W
Nov. 6 Texas W
Nov. 13 at Texas Tech  L
Nov. 20 at Oklahoma  L
Nov. 27 TCU W
Iowa State 2021 Preview
Schedule Analysis

Kansas Jayhawks

2021 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2021 Big 12 Prediction: 1-8
2020: 0-9, Prediction: 4-8
2019: 3-9, Prediction: 3-9

Sept. 4 South Dakota W
Sept. 11 at Coastal Carolina  L
Sept. 18 Baylor  L
Sept. 25 at Duke  L
Oct. 2 at Iowa State  L
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Texas Tech  L
Oct. 23 Oklahoma  L
Oct. 30 at Oklahoma State  L
Nov. 6 Kansas State W
Nov. 13 at Texas  L
Nov. 20 at TCU  L
Nov. 27 West Virginia  L
Kansas 2021 Preview
Schedule Analysis

Kansas State Wildcats

2021 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 Big 12 Prediction: 4-5
2020: 4-6, Prediction: 7-5
2019: 8-5, Prediction: 6-6

Sept. 4 Stanford (in Arlington)  L
Sept. 11 Southern Illinois W
Sept. 18 Nevada W
Sept. 25 at Oklahoma State  L
Oct. 2 Oklahoma  L
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Iowa State W
Oct. 23 at Texas Tech  L
Oct. 30 TCU W
Nov. 6 at Kansas  L
Nov. 13 West Virginia W
Nov. 20 Baylor W
Nov. 27 at Texas  L
Kansas State 2021 Preview
Schedule Analysis

Oklahoma Sooners

2021 Preseason Prediction: 11-1
2021 Big 12 Prediction: 8-1
2020: 9-2, Prediction: 10-2
2019: 12-2, Prediction: 11-1

Sept. 4 at Tulane W
Sept. 11 Western Carolina W
Sept. 18 Nebraska W
Sept. 25 West Virginia W
Oct. 2 at Kansas State W
Oct. 9 Texas (in Dallas) W
Oct. 16 TCU W
Oct. 23 at Kansas W
Oct. 30 Texas Tech W
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Baylor W
Nov. 20 Iowa State W
Nov. 27 at Oklahoma State  L
Oklahoma 2021 Preview
Schedule Analysis

NEXT: Big 12 Preseason Predictions: Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, West Virginia

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Big Ten Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2021

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

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

Big Ten Preseason Predictions: East

Big Ten East Predicted Finish

1. Ohio State
T2. Michigan
T2. Penn State
4. Indiana
5. Michigan State
6. Rutgers
7. Maryland

Indiana Hoosiers

2021 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2021 Big Ten Prediction: 5-4
2020: 6-2, Prediction: 8-4
2019: 5-7, Prediction:  6-3

Sept. 4 at Iowa  L
Sept. 11 Idaho W
Sept. 18 Cincinnati  L
Sept. 25 at WKU W
Oct. 2 at Penn State  L
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Michigan State W
Oct. 23 Ohio State  L
Oct. 30 at Maryland W
Nov. 6 at Michigan  L
Nov. 13 Rutgers W
Nov. 20 Minnesota W
Nov. 27 at Purdue W
Indiana Preview | Schedule Analysis

Maryland Terrapins

2021 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2021 Big Ten Prediction: 1-8
2020: 2-3, Prediction: 3-9
2019: 3-9, Prediction: 6-6

Sept. 4 West Virginia W
Sept. 11 Howard W
Sept. 18 at Illinois W
Sept. 25 Kent State W
Oct. 2 Iowa  L
Oct. 9 at Ohio State  L
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Minnesota  L
Oct. 30 Indiana  L
Nov. 6 Penn State  L
Nov. 13 at Michigan State  L
Nov. 20 Michigan  L
Nov. 27 at Rutgers  L
Maryland Preview | Schedule Analysis

Michigan Wolverines

2021 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2021 Big Ten Prediction: 6-3
2020: 2-4, Prediction: 10-2
2019: 9-4, Prediction: 11-1

Sept. 4 Western Michigan W
Sept. 11 Washington W
Sept. 18 Northern Illinois W
Sept. 25 Rutgers W
Oct. 2 at Wisconsin  L
Oct. 9 at Nebraska W
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Northwestern W
Oct. 30 at Michigan State W
Nov. 6 Indiana W
Nov. 13 at Penn State  L
Nov. 20 at Maryland W
Nov. 27 Ohio State  L
Michigan Preview | Schedule Analysis

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Michigan State Spartans

2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Big Ten Prediction: 3-6
2020: 2-5, Prediction: 6-6
2019: 7-6, Prediction: 9-3

Sept. 4 at Northwestern W
Sept. 11 Youngstown State W
Sept. 18 at Miami  L
Sept. 25 Nebraska W
Oct. 2 WKU W
Oct. 9 at Rutgers  L
Oct. 16 at Indiana  L
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Michigan  L
Nov. 6 at Purdue  L
Nov. 13 Maryland W
Nov. 20 at Ohio State  L
Nov. 27 Penn State  L
MSU Preview | Schedule Analysis

Ohio State Buckeyes

2021 Preseason Prediction: 12-0
2021 Big Ten Prediction: 9-0
2020: 7-1, Prediction: 11-1
2019: 13-1, Prediction: 10-2

Sept. 2 at Minnesota W
Sept. 11 Oregon W
Sept. 18 Tulsa W
Sept. 25 Akron W
Oct. 2 at Rutgers W
Oct. 9 Maryland W
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Indiana W
Oct. 30 Penn State W
Nov. 6 at Nebraska W
Nov. 13 Purdue W
Nov. 20 Michigan State W
Nov. 27 at Michigan W
Ohio St Preview | Schedule Analysis

Penn State Nittany Lions

2021 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2021 Big Ten Prediction: 6-3
2020: 4-5, Prediction: 10-2
2019: 11-2, Prediction: 9-3

Sept. 4 at Wisconsin  L
Sept. 11 Ball State W
Sept. 18 Auburn W
Sept. 25 Villanova W
Oct. 2 Indiana W
Oct. 9 at Iowa  L
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Illinois W
Oct. 30 at Ohio State  L
Nov. 6 at Maryland W
Nov. 13 Michigan W
Nov. 20 Rutgers W
Nov. 27 at Michigan State W
Penn St Preview | Schedule Analysis

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Big Ten Prediction: 2-7
2020: 3-6, Prediction: 3-9
2019: 2-10, Prediction: 3-9

Sept. 4 Temple W
Sept. 11 at Syracuse W
Sept. 18 Delaware W
Sept. 25 at Michigan  L
Oct. 2 Ohio State  L
Oct. 9 Michigan State W
Oct. 16 at Northwestern  L
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Illinois  L
Nov. 6 Wisconsin  L
Nov. 13 at Indiana  L
Nov. 20 at Penn State  L
Nov. 27 Maryland W
Rutger Preview | Schedule Analysis

NEXT: Big Ten Preseason Predictions: West

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Conference USA Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2021

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

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

Conference USA Preseason Predictions: East

Conference USA East Predicted Finish

1. Marshall
T2. Florida Atlantic
T2. WKU
T4. FIU
T4. Middle Tennessee
T6. Charlotte
T6. Old Dominion

Charlotte 49ers

2021 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2021 Conference USA Prediction: 2-6
2018: 5-7 2019: 7-6 2020: 2-4

Sept. 4 Duke  L
Sept. 11 Gardner-Webb W
Sept. 18 at Georgia State  L
Sept. 25 Middle Tennessee W
Oct. 2 at Illinois  L
Oct. 9 at FIU  L
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Florida Atlantic  L
Oct. 30 at WKU  L
Nov. 6 Rice W
Nov. 13 at Louisiana Tech  L
Nov. 20 Marshall  L
Nov. 27 at Old Dominion  L
Charlotte 2021 Preview

Florida Atlantic Owls

2021 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2021 Conference USA Prediction: 6-2
2018: 5-7 2019: 11-3 2020: 5-4

Sept. 4 at Florida  L
Sept. 11 Georgia Southern W
Sept. 18 Fordham W
Sept. 25 at Air Force  L
Oct. 2 FIU W
Oct. 9 at UAB  L
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Charlotte W
Oct. 30 UTEP W
Nov. 6 Marshall W
Nov. 13 at Old Dominion W
Nov. 20 at WKU  L
Nov. 27 Middle Tennessee W
Florida Atlantic 2021 Preview

FIU Golden Panthers

2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Conference USA Prediction: 3-5
2018: 9-4 2019: 6-7 2020: 0-5

Sept. 2 Long Island W
Sept. 11 Texas State W
Sept. 18 at Texas Tech  L
Sept. 25 at Central Michigan  L
Oct. 2 at Florida Atlantic  L
Oct. 9 Charlotte W
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 WKU  L
Oct. 30 at Marshall  L
Nov. 6 Old Dominion W
Nov. 13 at Middle Tennessee  L
Nov. 20 North Texas W
Nov. 27 at Southern Miss  L
FIU 2021 Preview

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Marshall Thundering Herd

2021 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2021 Conference USA Prediction: 7-1
2018: 9-4 2019: 8-5 2020: 7-3

Sept. 4 at Navy  L
Sept. 11 NC Central W
Sept. 18 East Carolina  L
Sept. 25 at Appalachian State  L
Oct. 2 at Middle Tennessee W
Oct. 9 Old Dominion W
Oct. 16 at North Texas W
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 FIU W
Nov. 6 at Florida Atlantic  L
Nov. 13 UAB W
Nov. 20 at Charlotte W
Nov. 27 WKU W
Marshall 2021 Preview

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Conference USA Prediction: 3-5
2018: 8-6 2019: 4-8 2020: 3-6

Sept. 4 Monmouth W
Sept. 11 at Virginia Tech  L
Sept. 18 at UTSA  L
Sept. 25 at Charlotte  L
Oct. 2 Marshall  L
Oct. 9 at Liberty  L
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at UConn W
Oct. 30 Southern Miss W
Nov. 6 at WKU  L
Nov. 13 FIU W
Nov. 20 Old Dominion W
Nov. 27 at Florida Atlantic  L
Middle Tennessee 2021 Preview

Old Dominion Monarchs

2021 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2021 Sun Belt Prediction: 1-7
2018: 4-8 2019: 1-11 2020: 0-0

Sept. 4 at Wake Forest  L
Sept. 11 Hampton W
Sept. 18 at Liberty  L
Sept. 25 Buffalo  L
Oct. 2 at UTEP  L
Oct. 9 at Marshall  L
Oct. 16 WKU  L
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Louisiana Tech  L
Nov. 6 at FIU  L
Nov. 13 Florida Atlantic  L
Nov. 20 at Middle Tennessee  L
Nov. 27 Charlotte W
Old Dominion 2021 Preview

WKU Hilltoppers

2021 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2021 Conference USA Prediction: 6-2
2018: 3-9 2019: 9-4 2020: 5-7

Sept. 4 UT Martin W
Sept. 11 at Army  L
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 Indiana  L
Oct. 2 at Michigan State  L
Oct. 9 UTSA W
Oct. 16 at Old Dominion W
Oct. 23 at FIU W
Oct. 30 Charlotte W
Nov. 6 Middle Tennessee W
Nov. 13 at Rice  L
Nov. 20 Florida Atlantic W
Nov. 27 at Marshall  L
WKU 2021 Preview

NEXT: Conference USA Preseason Predictions: West

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