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College Football News team, conference, preview and schedule pages for the 2020 season.
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College Football News team, conference, preview and schedule pages for the 2020 season.
2020 College Football Preview pages to be added as they go up.
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20 for 2020, 20 key offseason topics: No. 11 The college football players who are already terrific, but are about to go to another level.
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20 for 2020 key offseason topics: No. 11 The college football players who are already terrific, but are about to go to a whole other level.
– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak
They were among the best players in college football in 2019, but they either flew a bit under the radar or they didn’t become household names. That’s about to change.
The perfect player who fits the description was on last year’s list. Oklahoma State RB Chuba Hubbard is back, but he’s an established superstar. These five are on the verge of being there.
He’s not all that big, and he’s not all that mobile, and he doesn’t have the biggest arm, but as a true freshman, he showed it.
Originally a key part of Willie Taggart’s 2019 Florida State recruiting class, Mack Brown and company swooped in and flipped Howell to be the main man to run the North Carolina offense. In a rebuilding job, the hope was for the true freshman to be ready right away, and then let him work through his mistakes as the team matured and the talent started to come in.
Instead, Howell came out rocking, bombing away for 245 yards and two touchdowns in the season-opening win over South Carolina, and hitting Miami for 274 yards and two scores with no picks in either one.
The Tar Heels won both games, and the season was off and running.
First Chapter 🎬
|| @MatthewFedder pic.twitter.com/6L6E2oeBTp— Sam Howell (@Sam_Howell2) March 6, 2020
There were a string of losses the middle of the season, but Howell handled himself like a seasoned pro in close game after close game.
There were a few multi-interception games – the two in the loss to Appalachian State were a problem – but he only threw seven picks on the season and had two or more touchdown passes in every game.
He needs to be more consistent, he took a few too many chances, and there were too many misfires in key moments, but for a true freshman to hit 61% of his passes for 3,641 yards and 38 touchdowns with just seven interceptions in his first year, he wasn’t bad.
Which SEC schools had the best and worst years in the two major sports – football and men’s basketball?
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Which SEC schools had the best and worst years in the two major sports – football and men’s basketball? Which fan bases got the glory, and which ones didn’t have any fun?
Contact @PeteFiutak
On the field and court – whose fans had the most fun?
Of course every school has sports outside of the big two that matter and generate revenue, but when it comes to what athletic departments need, it’s really all about college football and men’s basketball.
Which SEC schools had the best and worst seasons?
Here’s how these rankings work.
1) The top-ranked schools with teams that went to a bowl game and would’ve played in the NCAA Tournament.
2) The next group had stronger football seasons and were okay in basketball. The superstar basketball schools get credit, but football is football, especially in the SEC. Football is the bigger revenue generator.
3) One or the other. Usually there’s a disparity with one good season in one sport an a clunker in the other. It’s sort of a catch-all before …
4) The disasters. No bowl game, there wouldn’t have been a trip to the NCAA Tournament, no fun.
The worst-to-best SEC schools in 2019-2020 in college football and college basketball …
These schools suffered the indignity of failing to come up with a winning season in either of the two major sports. The fans didn’t get to have any fun.
Football: 3-9 overall, 1-7 in conference, 7th in SEC East
Basketball: 11-21 overall, 3-15 in conference, 14th in SEC
How Were The Football/Basketball Seasons? The football team never got anything going. There was a close win over a sleepy Missouri team, and that was about it with no offense and blowout loss after blowout loss.
Football was bad, but basketball was worse. At least the Commodores didn’t finish dead last in the conference in football. The hoops side finally won two SEC game in the final three, but overall it lost 17 of its last 20 games.
Football: 4-8 overall, 2-6 in conference, 6th in SEC West
Basketball: 15-17 overall, 6-12 in conference, 12th in SEC
How Were The Football/Basketball Seasons? The basketball team started out well and crashed badly. Just when there was a chance to pivot – at 13-11 on a three-game winning streak – it all went wrong with six losses in the final eight games.
While the bad football season led to landing Lane Kiffin, getting there was rough. Losing five games in the last six was rough enough, but the way it dropped the Egg Bowl at Mississippi State – the peeing dog antics and missed extra point – made it uglier.
Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 14 of the SEC season.
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Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 14 of the SEC season.
How are the SEC predictions so far?
Straight Up: 67-14, ATS 39-30-3, o/u: 34-37
Click on each game for game preview & prediction
7:30 ESPN | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Mississippi State -2.5, o/u: 58
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It's Thanksgiving week. You know what that means: #EggBowl time! @SethAustinTV is here to prep you for Thursday's Battle for the Golden Egg.
📰 https://t.co/x1WHVKkjKf#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/S3zzBZ5iEn
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 26, 2019
2:30 CBS | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Missouri -12, o/u: 53
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12:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Clemson -27.5, o/u: 51
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12:00 ABC | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Georgia -28, o/u: 46.5
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12:00 SEC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Kentucky -3, o/u: 53.5
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3:30 CBS | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Alabama -3.5, o/u: 50
Prediction: Alabama 27, Auburn 17
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4:00 SEC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Tennessee -21, o/u: 45.5
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One year ago today, @AggieFootball beat LSU 74-72 in SEVEN overtimes.
The highest scoring game in FBS history. pic.twitter.com/tCx2460v4X
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 24, 2019
7:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: LSU -17, o/u: 62.5
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7:30 SEC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Florida -17.5, o/u: 53.5
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– CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
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Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State fearless prediction and game preview.
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Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State fearless prediction and game preview.
Date: Thursday, November 28
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
Network: ESPN
– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
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The running game has become unstoppable.
It was working just fine here and there – hitting Vanderbilt for over 400 yards, and coming up with over 200 on a regular basis – and it ripped through New Mexico State for 447 yards a few weeks ago. That was hardly a shocker, and then …
44 carries, 402 yards, four scores against LSU.
Ole Miss lost, but offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez’s attack is ripping off yards in chunks, starting with freshman QB John Rhys Plumlee taking over and making the offense his, highlighted by his 212-yard day against LSU.
Unlike LSU, Mississippi State doesn’t have the offense to keep up the pace if this gets into any sort of a shootout.
The Bulldog run defense hasn’t been bad, but it’s not getting behind the line enough to stop the Rebel O before it gets started.
– “Go to the bank!” Today’s top pick of the day just released
Mississippi State isn’t as dynamic at running the ball as Ole Miss is, but it’s been almost as effective lately, and it’s been more deliberate doing it.
The Rebels might be fantastic when they get into their groove, but they don’t do anything to control the clock. Mississippi State might not have the most dynamic of offenses, but Kylin Hill and the ground attack can pound out yards, too, and they dictate the tempo.
The Bulldogs are running well lately, too. coming up with over 800 yards against Abilene Christian and Arkansas, averaging over five yards per pop against Alabama and hammering Texas A&M for 239 yards.
The quarterback rushing production isn’t the same as what Ole Miss is getting from Plumlee, but Tommy Stevens have been ripping off yards in chunks over his last few games, and Hill has hit the 150-yard mark in three of his last four games.
Both teams have something massive to play for.
Mississippi State becomes bowl eligible with a win, and even with a loss, it still has hope, just like Ole Miss does if it gets to 5-7 thanks to the potential of the APR provision.
If there aren’t enough bowl eligible teams, it’ll come down to the Academic Progress Rates of the 5-7 teams, and there’s a very, very, very distant chance that both the Rebels and Bulldogs can slip in.
Ole Miss is going to make it interesting, keeping its hot ground game going in what should be a bit of a firefight. The Rebels are a bit better against the run than Mississippi State is.
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Ole Miss 38, Mississippi State 34
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Mississippi State -2.5, o/u: 58
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
– Get Tickets For This Game
5: The fried chicken sandwich of your choice (and side)
1: All things Thanksgiving dinner
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Predicting The Rest of the Season
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Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 13 of the SEC season.
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Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 13 of the SEC season.
How are the SEC predictions so far?
Straight Up: 60-13, ATS: 34-27-3, o/u: 31-33
Click on each game for game preview & prediction
12:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
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12:00 SEC Network | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
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3:30 CBS | Get Tickets
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BetMGM Line: Georgia -13.5, o/u: 47
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3:30 SEC Network | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
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3:30 SEC Alternative | Get Tickets
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BetMGM Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
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7:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
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BetMGM Line: LSU -43.5, o/u: 71.5
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7:30 SEC Alternative | Get Tickets
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BetMGM Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
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BetMGM Line: Missouri -4, o/u: 45.5
– CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
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Mississippi State vs. Abilene Christian fearless prediction and game preview.
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Mississippi State vs. Abilene Christian fearless prediction and game preview.
Date: Saturday, November 23
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
Network: SEC Network Alternative
– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
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Here comes the pass rush.
The Wildcats are great against the run, they take the ball away, and they’re outstanding at getting into the backfield on a regular basis.
They might be struggling offensively, but the defensive front is among the best in the FCS with 35 sacks on the season with 17 forced fumbles – and it’s getting better.
The Mississippi State offensive line is good for the running game, and it’s not totally miserable in pass protection but if all-around playmaker Jeremiah Chambers and top pass rushers Kameron Hill and Temisan Kuyatsemi can get off early, they’ll halt what the Bulldogs can do down the field.
– “Go to the bank!” Today’s top pick of the day just released
Abilene Christian isn’t able to throw the ball down the field, either.
There isn’t a ton of explosion among the receivers, and there are too many picks being given away. If the Bulldogs can swarm around RB Tracy James, the ACU offense stops.
Offensively, this is where the MSU running game gets moving again.
It averaged over five yards per carry against Alabama, but the game got out of hand in a hurry and the running game stalled after one good drive.
This week, the offense that rumbled for 460 yards on the ground against Arkansas, and tore off 239 yards against Texas A&M, will hammer away from the start.
ACU has a terrific run defense – at least statistically thanks to the pass rush – but it’s about to give up over 200 yards.
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After losing five of its last six games, the 4-6 Bulldogs get the fifth win to set itself up for a shot at bowl eligibility when they face Ole Miss five days later.
Because of the short week, they’re going to want to get this done early and rest the main guys as soon as possible. That won’t be easy considering the ACU defense will keep this from getting out of hand, but the Bulldog defense will put this away by halftime.
Mississippi State 48, Abilene Christian 10
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COMING, o/u: COMING
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
ATS Confidence out of 5: COMING
– Get Tickets For This Game
5: Citizen K
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Predicting The Rest of the Season
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Quick thoughts and takes on every Week 12 SEC game.
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Quick thoughts and takes on every Week 12 SEC game.
It wasn’t anything pretty, and the Gators didn’t get the Georgia loss they needed to take the SEC East, but it was still a strong road win by double-digits. Kyle Trask threw for 282 yards and two scores, the offense was able to open it up a bit in the third quarter, and it was the win needed to keep hope alive for a New Year’s Six bowl game.
Missouri can’t score touchdowns. It managed two field goals, making it the second straight game without a touchdown and with just 27 points over the last four games. The passing game didn’t go anywhere, the running game finished with 52 yards, and the O wasted a strong effort from the D.
Quick highlights from our win over Missouri ⬇️#GoGators 🐊 pic.twitter.com/BMvNgHQyEm
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) November 16, 2019
The Tigers aren’t going bowling no matter what – thanks to NCAA violations – but it would nice to come up with a winning season. They get Tennessee up next before closing out at Arkansas.
Florida gets a week off before facing Florida State. The Sugar Bowl might be out with LSU, Alabama and Georgia all in the mix for the CFP and the top SEC bowl spots, but Orange is a possibility with a convincing win against the Noles and a 10-2 record.
Of course the season-ending injury to Tua Tagovailoa overshadowed everything else – a whole lot more on that coming over the next few days – but Mac Jones stepped in and was fine. The Tide only scored three points in the second half, but Jones hit 7-of-11 passes for 94 yards, the defense was great, and the shell-shocked team got through the rest of the game and got out. It was still a 31-point win on the road, even after all of that.
Najee Harris has picked a fantastic time to become amazing. He ran for 88 yards and three scores – and caught 51 yards worth of passes with a. score – the offensive line blasted away, and the receiving corps was its typical fantastic self. Everything was great except for that, and …
Tagovailoa’s injury also pushed out of the spotlight a leg injury to DT Raekwon Davis. The D was just fine against the Bulldogs, but Davis the guy the line couldn’t afford to lose.
Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes! God always has a plan 🙏🏽
— Tua. T 🇦🇸 (@Tuaamann) November 17, 2019
Mississippi State was able to run for just enough big dashes to average over five yards per carry. After a good early scoring drive, though, that was it. Tommy Stevens threw for 82 yards and a score, and he tore off a 46-yard run, but the O didn’t do much of anything with its 270 yards.
Alabama got a week against Arkansas to get Mac Jones up to speed in case he was needed against LSU. Now he gets a practice week against Western Carolina to get ready for the trip to Auburn. All is hardly lost in the CFP race – blow out the Tigers, and everything will be still on the table.
At 4-6, Mississippi State has to beat Abilene Christian and Ole Miss to get to six wins and bowl eligibility.
Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the SEC season.
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Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the SEC season.
How are the SEC predictions so far?
SU 58-16, ATS 32-30-3, o/u: 30-35
Results So Far: SU 54-13, ATS 28-27-3, o/u: 28-30
Click on each game for game preview & prediction
12:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Alabama -20.5, o/u: 62.5
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12:00 CBS | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Florida -6.5, o/u: 48.5
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Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
3:30 CBS | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Georgia -2.5, o/u: 43.5
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3:30 SEC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Kentucky -9.5, o/u: 43.5
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Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
There's something special going on in Baton Rouge … @LSUfootball is NINE AND EAUX. pic.twitter.com/7ScttqND5B
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 10, 2019
7:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: LSU -20.5, o/u: 63.5
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7:30 SEC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Texas A&M -10.5, o/u: 50.5
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Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
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Alabama vs. Mississippi State fearless prediction and game preview.
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Alabama vs. Mississippi State fearless prediction and game preview.
Date: Saturday, November 16
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
Network: ESPN
– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
If want in on this week’s games, sign up with BetMGM
Alabama is still hardly out of this.
On the flip side, the Crimson Tide now have to go on a tear to show the College Football Playoff types – and the rest of the world – the they really are among the four best teams. That only works with total destruction and annihilation the rest of the way.
The passing game continues to be unstoppable. Totally lost in the loss to LSU was how a hobbling Tua Tagovailoa threw for 418 yards and four scores with big play after big play. The Mississippi State defense doesn’t have the secondary to hold up.
The Bulldogs got picked clean by Auburn’s Bo Nix, allowed four teams in a row to hit 71% or more of their throws – up until Arkansas went Arkansas – and are getting hit by too many deep passes.
As long as Bama is deadly focused, it should be able to assault the MSU defense from the start.
– “Go to the bank!” Today’s top pick of the day just released
As LSU just proved, this isn’t the Alabama defense of the past.
It’s very good, very talented, and LSU is at a whole other level, but the Tide can be thrown on, and they have problems against strong, sturdy runners.
They’ve still only allowed over 200 rushing yards once – the blowout win over Ole Miss – and they’re still fantastic overall, but Mississippi State has to come out and establish Kylin Hill right away.
The junior ripped up Arkansas for 234 yards and three scores last week, nailed Texas A&M for 150 yards the week before, an has done a nice job of overcoming the lack of a steady passing game by pounding away.
The Bulldogs are great at taking the ball away, controlling the clock, and …
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They’re bad at getting to the quarterback.
Tagovailoa isn’t exactly a sitting duck, but he can’t be allowed to get comfortable. The Bulldogs don’t have the ability to knock No. 13 off his game.
Expect this to be the Jerry Jeudy game. He had a disappointing day against LSU with a few key drops, and he hasn’t blown up lately, outside of a good day against Arkansas.
11 straight. 2007 was the last time Mississippi State was able to pull off the win over the Tide. It won’t happen this week – Bama rolls as if the LSU game never even happened.
Alabama 48, Mississippi State 13
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Alabama -20.5, o/u: 62.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5
– Get Tickets For This Game
5: The Mandalorian (if it came out in 1984)
1: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
CFN Podcast: Who’s No. 4 in the CFP?
Bowl Projections | CFN Rankings
Predicting The Rest of the Season
Week 12 Expert Picks
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