Tag: 2020 college football preview

Big Ten Football Preview Keys To Every Team: Offense

With the Big Ten season finally about to get going, what are the keys to every team’s offense? What does each team have to work on?

With the Big Ten season finally about to get going, what are the keys to every team’s offense? What does each team have to work on?

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Big Ten Preview: Keys To Every Offense
Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Maryland | Michigan
Michigan State | Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern
Ohio State | Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

Biggest Key To The Illinois Fighting Illini Offense

Establish the run again. The 2018 Illinois running game worked. It came up with over 2,900 yards, averaged close to six yards per carry, and it found a groove from the start with 200 yards or more in nine of the first ten games.

That was the only time in the last eight years that the program ran for 1,900 yards or more.

The 1,874 yards Illinois ran for last season were the second-most in a season since 2011, but it was still ugly. There were four 200-yard rushing days – the Illini won three of them – with the shootout loss to Nebraska the only time the ground game averaged over five yards per pop.

The offensive line is better, but the running backs have to emerge in a hurry. Statistically, the pass protection has to be there, too, with the numbers depending a bit on who takes the quarterback gig.

– Big Ten Preview Keys To Every Team: Defense

Biggest Key To The Indiana Hoosiers Offense

It was this simple for the Hoosiers, at least last year – run well, win football games. Being able to run for any relatively arbitrary number wouldn’t have mattered in losses to Ohio State and Michigan, but IU was 8-0 last season when it ran for 100 yards, and 0-5 when it didn’t.

How much does 100 rushing yards matter to the Hoosiers? November 3rd, 2012. That was the last time they won when going under the mark, beating Iowa 24-21. They’re 0-23 since then when the ground game doesn’t hit triple-digits.

For a team that finished seventh in the nation in time of possession, run well, rely on your accurate passer to move the chains, control the tempo.

Big Ten Preview: Keys To Every Offense
Iowa | Maryland | Michigan | Michigan State
Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern | Ohio State
Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

NEXT: Iowa Hawkeyes, Maryland Terrapins

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Big Ten Football Preview Keys To Every Team: Defense

With the Big Ten season finally about to get going, what are the keys to every team’s defense? What does each team have to work on?

With the Big Ten season finally about to get going, what are the keys to every team’s defense? What does each team have to work on?

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Big Ten Preview: Keys To Every Defense
Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Maryland | Michigan
Michigan State | Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern
Ohio State | Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

Biggest Key To The Illinois Fighting Illini Defense

Stop the run. Lost a bit in the shocking win over Wisconsin was the job done all day by the Illini D, holding Jonathan Taylor and company to just 156 yards on the ground.

Illinois needed an epic comeback against Michigan State – getting gouged for 275 yards on the ground – and went 1-4 on the season when allowing 200 rushing yards ore more. Since beating Rutgers in the middle of the 2016 season, Illinois is 1-22 when giving up two bills.

Fortunately, Nebraska is the only team on the first half of the slate that has any semblance of a ground game.

Biggest Key To The Indiana Hoosiers Defense

More big plays would be nice. Helped by an offense that kept the chains moving and stayed on the field, the defense was able to do just enough to stay in most games. There’s enough experience returning, though, to start turning games around.

The pass rush was okay, but hardly anything special, especially in Big Ten play. The Hoosiers failed to generate more than one sack in five of the last nine games, and 14 of the 27 sacks overall came against Ball State, Eastern Illinois, UConn and Rutgers.

Partly because of the lack of steady pressure, the interceptions didn’t come with just seven on the season and three in the first nine games.

Big Ten Preview: Keys To Every Defense
Iowa | Maryland | Michigan | Michigan State
Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern | Ohio State
Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

NEXT: Iowa Hawkeyes, Maryland Terrapins

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Big Ten Football Preview: Quick Overview Of Every Team

The Big Ten football season is finally here. We get you ready with a quick overview of every team before it all starts up on Friday.

The Big Ten football season is finally here and it’s finally happening. We get you ready with a quick overview of every team before it all starts up on Friday.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Big Ten Preview Quick Overviews of Every Team
Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Maryland | Michigan
Michigan State | Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern
Ohio State | Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

Illinois Fighting Illini

– The Illinois offense wasn’t exactly a smoothly run organization. The running game was okay at times, and the passing attack came through late when it had to in a few huge upsets, but for the most part, it was a struggle.

The Illini finished 112th in the nation in total offense, but it made the yards count with a not-awful 26.7 points per game. However, the O almost never had the ball – long, sustained drives were a rumor – and the attack fell flat late in the season.

There’s hope for a boost, though, with four starters back on what should be a good line, a deep group of quarterbacks to play around with, and with almost all of the key targets back.

– It’s been one of the stranger disappointments in the Lovie Smith era. He’s an elite defensive football coach who crafted some killers in the NFL, and yet he hasn’t been anything special at Illinois. It’s his D – he’s the coordinator – and it’s been great at forcing takeaways and getting into the backfield – but it’s been blasted too easily against the run and it’s been way too inconsistent overall.

Fortunately, the linebackers are great and the secondary is going to be a plus. Now the thump has to come from the interior.

Indiana Hoosiers

– The offense quietly started to work really, really well. It might not have been able to keep up enough to overcome the occasional defensive issues, and the firepower wasn’t there to do anything against the Ohio States and Michigans of the world, but at least the attack was able to keep things moving.

The running game needs to be stronger, but the passing attack was the second-best in the Big Ten. With the potential of eight starters returning – along with some parts that missed time last year – the league’s No. 3 offense should be every bit as strong under rising star QB Michael Penix.

– The defense couldn’t handle the better offenses, and it struggled too often late in the year, but it was hardly awful. It allowed 352 yards and 32 points per game, was serviceable at getting into the backfield, and it didn’t have any one glaring issue other than not being able to pick off enough passes.

The D line needs to be better at getting to the quarterback, but there’s a nice blend of bulk and experience across the front four.

Big Ten Preview Quick Overviews of Every Team
IIowa | Maryland | Michigan | Michigan State
Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern | Ohio State
Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

NEXT: Iowa Hawkeyes, Maryland Terrapins

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Sun Belt Preseason Predictions For Every Game

What’s going to happen this season in the Sun Belt? The schedules and predictions for each team and every game. 

What’s going to happen this season in the Sun Belt?  The schedules and predictions for each team and every game. 

Sun Belt Preseason Predicted Finish

East
1. Appalachian State
2. Georgia Southern
3. Troy
4. Georgia State
5. Coastal Carolina

West
1. Louisiana
2. Arkansas State
3. ULM
4. South Alabama
5. Texas State

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Sun Belt Championship Prediction

Louisiana over Appalachian State

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Sun Belt East Schedules

Appalachian State Football Schedule

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2020 Preseason Sun Belt Prediction: 7-1
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 13-1, 2018: 11-2
2020 Appalachian State Preview

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 Charlotte W
Sept. 19 at Marshall W
Sept. 26 Campbell W
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 7 Louisiana W
Oct. 14 at Georgia Southern W 
Oct. 24 Arkansas State L
Oct. 31 at ULM W
Nov. 7 at Texas State W
Nov. 14 Georgia State W
Nov. 21 at Coastal Carolina W
Nov. 28 Troy W

Coastal Carolina Football Schedule

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 4-7
2020 Preseason Sun Belt Prediction: 2-6
2019 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2019: 5-7, 2018: 5-7
2020 Coastal Carolina Preview

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 at Kansas L
Sept. 19 Campbell W
Sept. 26 OPEN DATE
Oct. 3 Arkansas State L
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 at Louisiana L
Oct. 24 Georgia Southern L
Oct. 29 at Georgia State L
Nov. 7 South Alabama W
Nov. 14 at Troy L
Nov. 21 Appalachian State L
Nov. 28 at Texas State W
Dec. 5 Liberty W 

Georgia Southern Football Schedule

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 8-3
2020 Preseason Sun Belt Prediction: 6-2
2019 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2019: 7-6, 2018: 10-3
2020 Georgia Southern Preview

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 Campbell W
Sept. 19 Florida Atlantic W
Sept. 26 at Louisiana L
Oct. 3 at ULM W
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 14 Appalachian State L
Oct. 24 at Coastal Carolina W
Oct. 31 South Alabama W
Nov. 7 Troy W
Nov. 14 Texas State W
Nov. 21 at Army  L
Nov. 28 at Georgia State W

Georgia State State Football Schedule

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 3-7
2020 Preseason Sun Belt Prediction: 3-5
2019 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2019: 7-6, 2018: 2-10
2020 Georgia State Preview

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 OPEN DATE
Sept. 19 Louisiana L
Sept. 26 at Charlotte L
Oct. 3 East Carolina L
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 15 at Arkansas State L
Oct. 24 at Troy L
Oct. 29 Coastal Carolina W
Nov. 7 ULM W
Nov. 14 at Appalachian State L
Nov. 21 at South Alabama W
Nov. 28 Georgia Southern L

Troy Football Schedule

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2020 Preseason Sun Belt Prediction: 5-3
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 5-7, 2018: 10-3
2020 Troy Preview

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 OPEN DATE
Sept. 19 at Middle Tennessee L
Sept. 26 at BYU L
Oct. 3 at South Alabama W
Oct. 8 Texas State W
Oct. 17 Eastern Kentucky W
Oct. 24 Georgia State W
Oct. 31 at Arkansas State L
Nov. 7 at Georgia Southern L
Nov. 14 Coastal Carolina W
Nov. 21 Middle Tennessee L
Nov. 28 at Appalachian State L
Dec. 5 ULM 
W

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College Football News Preview 2020: SMU Mustangs

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the SMU Mustangs season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the SMU Mustangs season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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

2019 Record: 10-3 overall, 6-2 in
Head Coach: Sonny Dykes, 3rd year, 15-11 overall
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 46
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 28
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 84

5. College Football News Preview 2020: SMU Mustangs Offense 3 Things To Know

– The SMU offense that was good under head coach Sonny Dykes ramped things up a bit last year. QB Shane Buechele came over from Texas and rocked the passing attack from the start, the receiving corps was terrific, and Xavier Jones was a machine for the ground attack. A whole slew of the key parts are gone, but nothing stops. The system is sound, the coaching staff knows how to generate production, and Buechele is back.

CFN in 60 Video: SMU Mustangs Preview
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– The passing attack went from 3,260 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2019 to 4,017 yards and 35 scores last year. There were more big plays downfield, but star target James Proche is now gone after making 204 grabs with 27 scores over the last two seasons. However, Reggie Roberson is back after missing the second half of last year with a foot injury, and tight end Kylen Granson has all-star talent coming off a 43-catch, 721-yard, nine-touchdown season. The air show continues, and it might have to do more, because …

– Xavier Jones and Ke’Mon Freeman are gone from the backfield. The two combined for close to 1,800 rushing yards with Jones scoring 23 touchdowns on the ground. Sophomore TJ McDaniel should be the next man up, but it’s an all-underclassmen running back group that will likely operate in a rotation for a bit.

On the plus side, the offensive line should be terrific. Four starters are expected back, starting with left tackle Jaylon Thomas. Give credit to the offensive system that gets the ball out of the quarterback’s hands in a hurry, but also give some love to a line that was just that good, allowing the fewest sacks in the conference.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: SMU Mustangs Defense 3 Things To Know

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College Football News Preview 2020: Kansas State Wildcats

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Kansas State Wildcats season with what you need to know

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Kansas State Wildcats season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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

2019 Record: 8-5 overall, 5-4 in Big 12
Head Coach: Chris Klieman, 2nd year, 8-5 at KSU
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 32
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 41
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 31

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Kansas State Wildcats Offense 3 Things To Know

– The offense had its moments. The running game was okay, the passing attack was efficient, and … there wasn’t enough consistent scoring. The O fell flat early on in the Big 12, and it couldn’t come up with that one big drive in close losses to Texas, West Virginia and Navy. But as head coach Chris Klieman said from the start of his tenure last year, this is going to be a work in progress.

On the plus side, Kansas State started to do Kansas State things. It controlled the clock better than any team in the Big 12, the turnovers were kept to a bare minimum, and for the most part, it was able to keep things at its own pace.

Now it has to score more.

CFN in 60 Video: Kansas State Wildcats Preview
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– Skylar Thompson isn’t going to be a threat to break any passing records, but he’s a solid veteran who runs well, doesn’t throw a ton of picks, and can keep things moving. He’s the experience leader the offense needs, but the explosion has to be there from the receiving corps.

Leading target Dalton Schoen is done, but he only caught 37 passes. Malik Knowles is a decent veteran, and kick return superstar Josh Youngblood needs the ball in his hands more as a receiver. Five of the top six pass catchers are back – Thompson will spread it around.

– The offensive line is going to be the biggest early concern. Last year’s group loses four starters but gets back crushing left guard Josh Rivas. It’s going to be a young front five, and the backs it’ll be blocking for are even more inexperienced.

Former Louisville transfer Harry Trotter is the leading returning back, and Tyler Burns will be an early option in the rotation, but redshirt freshmen Joe Ervin and Jacardia Wright had the biggest upside.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Kansas State Wildcats Defense 3 Things To Know

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CFN AAC Preview 2020: Top Players, Games, Thoughts On Each Team

The 2020 AAC Preview with the top players, biggest games, most important transfers, and thoughts on each team.

The 2020 AAC Preview with the top players, biggest games, most important transfers, and thoughts on each team.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

5. AAC 2020 Preview

Don’t start worrying about the College Football Playoff – that will be what it’s going to be.

Of course, with the Big Ten and Pac-12 out of the picture, this is the perfect time for a Group of Five team to finally break through the ceiling, but the same unspoken rules are still likely going to apply.

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Fair or not, it still will likely take nothing short of an undefeated championship season to get into the club – and it would help if there’s a multi-loss champ among the Power 5 programs.

But again, don’t use this of all seasons to obsess about that. This could be the year when the national spotlight shines on the conference for more than just one big Saturday night game.

With UConn taking off for life as an independent – it’s postponing football until 2021 – this now becomes a tight 11-team league with a season that should see a whole slew of twists and turns on the way to coming up with the top two.

Tulsa beat UCF last year and almost pulled off wins over Memphis and SMU. This year’s version is better, so if that’s the possible weakest team, look out.

The stars are still the stars. UCF and Memphis are going to be fantastic, Cincinnati has top 25 upside no matter who was going to play this year, and it’s possible that Houston really was on to something last season when it used the campaign as one big practice for this year.

Navy is still fantastic, Temple is going to be a problem for the top teams, the SMU offense isn’t taking any sort of a step back, and Tulane is solid across the board.

East Carolina has a fun, dangerous offense, and USF has a whole lot of talent in place for new head man Jeff Scott.

So yeah, if a team can get through all of that unbeaten and win the American Athletic Conference title, the CFP types really will take notice … maybe.

CFN AAC Preview 
Teams: Surprise, Disappointments | Top Games
Players To Watch | One Thought On Each Team
– CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews

NEXT: AAC Teams That Will Surprise, Disappoint

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CFN SEC Preview 2020: Top Players, Games, Thoughts On Each Team

The 2020 SEC Preview with the top players, biggest games, most important transfers, and thoughts on each team.

The 2020 SEC Preview with the top players, biggest games, most important transfers, and thoughts on each team.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

5. SEC 2020 Preview

Quick Note: Like everyone, we’re still waiting to see what’s going to happen in this unprecedented time of college football turmoil. We’re not completely delusional, but let’s have a little fun with what might happen if the season is safely played … somehow.

It took a nightmare to get here, but to set the dial to fun for a moment, football-wise, isn’t the SEC getting its dream world of an all-SEC world?

All SEC football games. All the time.

Don’t get too into this because it’s probably never happening again unless the conference has to keep everything in-house, but there’s no fluff, no waste, and every game will take on an even greater intensity than normal. And why?

There’s no Eastern Illinois, East Tennessee State, Alcorn State or UT Martin to fatten up the win totals.

Quick, off of the top of your head. How many SEC teams had a winning conference record in 2019?

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Six.

Seven SEC programs had losing conference records and Texas A&M went 4-4. So no, the league isn’t getting rid of non-conference games for good – the mid-range teams need the fluff in this killer league to get to 6-6 overall – and soon the longtime rivalry dates with the ACC at several places will come back.

But for one year with no Big Ten or Pac-12 in the mix, this becomes even more interesting than just watching SEC teams beat up on each other. For many, it’s going to be a fight for survival to not go 4-6.

And then there’s the top of the SEC chain. If you want two or even three SEC teams in the College Football Playoff, this is the season.

The formula will probably still hold – win your Power Five conference title with one loss or fewer, and you’re in – but there are only three P5 leagues playing. There might be a bone thrown to an unbeaten Group of Five champion, but don’t count on it.

Alabama, LSU, Georgia and Florida are all top-five worthy teams – especially with no Ohio State, Penn State and Oregon in the rankings – coming into the season, and Auburn and Texas A&M are good enough to battle hard in the SEC West race.

The idea of bowl games is still murky, but Kentucky is strong enough to get to at least 5-5, and Tennessee and South Carolina had better get there.

We get two of the more – to understate it – interesting coaches in college football entering the fun in Mike Leach at Mississippi State and Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, and Eliah Drinkwitz is a rising star that Missouri got early in his career.

Four new head coaches, at least five true national title contenders, and fans at close to half of the league’s schools hoping for an SEC title, with or without the realistic expectations.

In other words, it’s business as usual for the SEC.

CFN SEC Preview 
Teams: Surprise, Disappointments | Top Games
Players To Watch | One Thought On Each Team
– CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews

NEXT: SEC Teams That Will Surprise, Disappoint

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Big 12 Predictions For Every Game: 2020 Revised Football Schedule

What’s going to happen this season in the Big 12 with the revised schedule? The schedules and predictions for each team and every game. 

What’s going to happen this season in the Big 12 – if it’s able to make the season go? The schedules and predictions for each team and every game. 

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Big 12 Predictions, 2020 Revised Schedules

2020 Big 12 Team Previews, 5 Things To Know
Baylor | Iowa State | Kansas | Kansas State
Oklahoma | Oklahoma State | TCU | Texas
Texas Tech | West Virginia

2020 Baylor Football Schedule

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 4-6
2019 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2019: 11-3, 2018: 7-6
2020 Baylor Preview

Sept. 12 COMING
Sept. 19 COMING W 
Sept. 26 Kansas W 
Oct. 3 at West Virginia L
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 Oklahoma State L
Oct. 24 at Texas L
Oct. 31 TCU W 
Nov. 7 at Iowa State L
Nov. 14 at Texas Tech L
Nov. 21 OPEN DATE
Nov. 28 Kansas State W 
Dec. 5 at Oklahoma L

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2020 Iowa State Football Schedule

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 6-4
2019 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2019: 7-6, 2018: 8-5
2020 Iowa State Preview

Sept. 12 Louisiana
W 
Sept. 19 OPEN DATE
Sept. 26 at TCU
 L
Oct. 3 Oklahoma
 L
Oct. 10 Texas Tech
W
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24 at Oklahoma State
 L
Oct. 31 at Kansas
W
Nov. 7 Baylor
W
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 Kansas State
W
Nov. 28 at Texas
 L
Dec. 5 West Virginia W

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2020 Kansas Football Schedule

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 1-9
2019 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2019: 3-9, 2018: 3-9
2020 Kansas Preview

Sept. 12 COMING
Sept. 19 COMING
W
Sept. 26 at Baylor
L
Oct. 3 Oklahoma State L
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 at West Virginia
L
Oct. 24 at Kansas State
L
Oct. 31 Iowa State L
Nov. 7 at Oklahoma L
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 Texas
L
Nov. 28 TCU L
Dec. 5 at Texas Tech L

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2020 Kansas State Football Schedule

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 5-5
2019 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2019: 8-5, 2018: 5-7
2020 Kansas State Preview

Sept. 12 Arkansas State
W
Sept. 19 OPEN DATE
Sept. 26 at Oklahoma L
Oct. 3 Texas Tech
W
Oct. 10 at TCU L
 
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24 Kansas W
Oct. 31 at West Virginia L
Nov. 7 Oklahoma State
W
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at Iowa State L
Nov. 28 at Baylor L
Dec. 5 Texas W

2020 Oklahoma Football Schedule

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2019 Preseason Prediction: 11-1
2019: 12-2, 2018: 12-2
2020 Oklahoma Preview

Sept. 12 Missouri State
W
Sept. 19 OPEN DATE
Sept. 26 Kansas State
W
Oct. 3 at Iowa State
W
Oct. 10 Texas (in Dallas)
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24 at TCU
W
Oct. 31 at Texas Tech
W
Nov. 7 Kansas
W
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 Oklahoma State
W
Nov. 28 at West Virginia L
Dec. 5 Baylor W

NEXT: Big 12 Schedules, Predictions, Part 2

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CFN ACC Preview 2020: Top Players, Games, Thoughts On Each Team

The 2020 ACC Preview with the top players, biggest games, most important transfers, and thoughts on each team.

The 2020 ACC Preview with the top players, biggest games, most important transfers, and thoughts on each team.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

5. ACC 2020 Preview

The ACC puffed its chest out after the 2016 season, and rightly so.

Clemson had won the national title, Florida State and Louisville were rolling,  Miami was back, Virginia Tech was great, Georgia Tech won nine games, and 11 of the 14 programs won seven games or more. But just as the ACC was starting to feel it, it all started to slip.

Clemson was still Clemson, and the conference was still okay, but it wasn’t dominant league many thought it could be. There wasn’t that push past the Big Ten to challenge the SEC for college football supremacy.

This year might just change all of that.

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No, the ACC won’t be as deep or as talented as the SEC, and no, it doesn’t have as many high-end powers as the Big Ten, but it also doesn’t have a Rutgers.

And it has a Notre Dame.

CFN ACC Preview 
Teams: Surprise, Disappointments | Top Games
Players To Watch | One Thought On Each Team
– CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews

Clemson is obvious star, but the league needs a No. 2. The SEC has several of those teams in the mix for whatever the No. 1 is in a given year, and Penn State, Wisconsin, and to a certain extent, Michigan, are there to be Ohio State’s Robin.

With Florida State down over the last few years – and with Miami, Virginia Tech and others being okay, but not killers – the league has been missing the overall oomph.

That just changed.

With Notre Dame a part of the ACC Championship mix this year, there’s the No. 2 team. There’s the real challenger to at least push Clemson, and best of all, there are more able to really and truly make things interesting.

Duke, Syracuse, Georgia Tech and Boston College are all just okay – to be nice – but it wouldn’t be in any way stunning if any of them were able to beat a Pitt, or Virginia, or North Carolina, etc. All 15 teams are at the very least interesting, if not solid.

It’s going to be a weekly battle with crazy twist after crazy twist on the way to coming up with the top two teams out of the 15 to play for the title, and best of all, it’s all going to be played at the high level we hopes was coming a few years ago.

NEXT: ACC Teams That Will Surprise, Disappoint

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