Tag: 2021 college football schedule

Here’s how to watch the Sooners’ home opener versus Western Carolina

The Sooners’ home opener versus Western Carolina will be broadcast on pay-per-view. Here’s how to watch it.

Oklahoma has announced that its September 11th home opener versus Western Carolina will be broadcast on pay-per-view for $54.99. The game’s coverage will begin at 5:00 p.m. CT on the “Sooners Sports Game Day” pregame show, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Confirmed providers include DirectTV, U-Verse, Cox, and Vyve, with more expected to be announced later.

Sling TV users, Dish Network customers, and owners of streaming devices may need to watch the broadcast on Soonersports.TV or directly through the Oklahoma Sooners app, as announced in Monday’s press release.

“Please Note: Providers NOT expected to carry the PPV game include DISH and Sling. If you are unsure whether your provider is carrying the game, please contact your provider directly. The game will also not be available on the Oklahoma Sooners Roku app due to Roku’s in-app purchasing requirements. The Oklahoma Sooners app is also not supported on the Amazon Fire TV Cube or Google Chromecast.”

The second-week matchup will be the first-ever meeting between the Sooners and WCU. The Catamounts will make their first appearance against a Big 12 program in 28 years since they opened the season with a 46-3 loss at Kansas in 1993.

Oklahoma’s first nationally televised game is on Saturday, September 18th, versus Nebraska as part of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 A.M on Fox.

Didn’t see your TV provider listed? Click here for a complete list of pay-per-view providers.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions.

Pair of Sooners marquee matchups among top 10 games to watch in 2021

Two games on the Oklahoma Sooners schedule among the top 10 games to watch in 2021.

The Oklahoma Sooners 2021 football schedule has its fair share of top games for 2021. OU will have its usual rivalry battle with Oklahoma State for Bedlam. Plus, an old rivalry with the Nebraska Cornhuskers is rekindled in Norman in a Week 3 showdown.

According to 247Sports, two games on the Oklahoma schedule are among the top 10 games to watch in college football. The countdown starts at No. 8 with one of the best border wars in the sport.

No. 8: The Red River Rivalry

(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

What 247Sports Says…

Texas is a top-10 team heading into the season, according to the oddsmakers in Las Vegas, even in a year of transition that will be defined by a new coach (Steve Sarkisian) and quarterback. Would you believe it’s been 13 years since Oklahoma and Texas entered the rivalry game ranked in the top 10? The Sooners will be the favorite to win a seventh straight conference title, but the Longhorns can play spoiler and possibly jump into the conference race with a victory in October.

The Longhorns might not be as talented as the Sooners on paper but running back Bijan Robinson figures to be a superstar. And do not discount the Sarkisian factor. The Longhorns’ offense should not struggle, even with a new quarterback. If that defense improves, Texas should finish with a record worthy of top-15 consideration.

Any time Oklahoma and Texas get together on the football field, it is a must-watch game. The Sooners are enjoying a three-game win streak in the series since the last Texas win at the Cotton Bowl in 2018. Now it will be Steve Sarkisian’s turn to see if he can earn consistent wins in the rivalry series. Texas hasn’t won back-to-back games against Oklahoma since the 2008 and 2009 games. The first task will be getting into the win column in 2021. To do that, he will need a heavy dose of Bijan Robinson and his defense to get to Spencer Rattler early and often.

Next, a top-five matchup in college football

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

ESPN Announces Early College Football Game Times, Networks

ESPN released game times and network for several early season college football games.

ESPN released game times and network for several early season college football games.

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Early ESPN College Football Schedule

All Times Eastern, biggest games in BOLD

Saturday, August 28

Hawaii at UCLA, 3:30, ESPN

Wednesday, September 1

UAB vs. Jacksonville State, 7:30, ESPN

Thursday, September 2

Boise State at UCF, 7:00, ESPN
Citadel at Coastal Carolina, 7:00, ESPN+
Long Island at FIU, 7:00, ESPN3
Wagner at Buffalo, 7:00, ESPN3
Western Illinois at Ball State, 7:00, ESPN+
East Carolina vs Appalachian State (in Charlotte), 7:30, ESPNU
UC Davis at Tulsa, 7:30, ESPN+
USF at NC State, 7:30, ACC Network
Bowling Green at Tennessee, 8:00, SEC Network
UT Martin at WKU, 8:00, ESPN+

Friday, September 3

North Carolina at Virginia Tech, 6:00, ESPN
Old Dominion at Wake Forest, 7:00 ACC Network
St. Francis at Eastern Michigan, 7:00, ESPN3
South Dakota at Kansas, 8:00, ESPN+
Michigan State at Northwestern, 9:00, ESPN 

Sept. 4

Colgate at Boston College, 12:00, ACC Network
Oklahoma at Tulane, 12:00, ABC
ULM at Kentucky, 12:00, SEC Network
Western Michigan at Michigan, 12:00, ESPN

Alabama vs. Miami (in Atlanta), 3:30, ABC
Miami University at Cincinnati, 3:30, ESPN+
Northern Iowa at Iowa State, 3:30, ESPN+
West Virginia at Maryland, 3:30, ESPN

Central Michigan at Missouri, 4:00, SEC Network
Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State, 4:00, ESPNU
UMass at Pitt, 4:00, ACC Network

Campbell at Liberty, 6:00, ESPN3
Gardner-Webb at Georgia Southern, 6:00, ESPN3

Abilene Christian at SMU, 7:00, ESPN+
Baylor at Texas State, 7:00, ESPN+
Central Arkansas at Arkansas State, 7:00, ESPN3
Missouri State at Oklahoma State, 7:00, ESPN+
Monmouth at Middle Tennessee, 7:00, ESPN3
Nicholls at Memphis, 7:00, ESPN+
Norfolk State at Toledo, 7:00, ESPN3
Southern at Troy, 7:00, ESPN3
Texas Tech vs. Houston (in NRG Stadium, Houston), 7:00, ESPN

Florida Atlantic at Florida, 7:30, SEC Network
Georgia vs. Clemson (in Charlotte), 7:30, ABC
Northern Illinois at Georgia Tech, 7:30, ACC Network
Northwestern State at North Texas, 7:30, ESPN3
William & Mary at Virginia, 7:30, ESPN3

Kent State at Texas A&M, 8:00, ESPNU
Southern Miss at South Alabama, 8:00, ESPN+
Duquesne at TCU, 8:00, ESPN+

Bethune-Cookman at UTEP, 9:00, ESPN3

BYU vs Arizona (in Las Vegas), 10:30, ESPN

[lawrence-related id=531875]

Sunday, September 5

Notre Dame at Florida State, 7:30, ABC

Monday, September 6

Louisville vs. Ole Miss (in Atlanta), 8:00, ESPN

Friday, September 10

Kansas at Coastal Carolina, 7:30, ESPN2
North Carolina A&T at Duke, 8:00, ACC Network

Saturday, September 11

Illinois at Virginia, 11:00, ACC Network
VMI at Kent State, 11:30, SEC Network

Alabama State at Auburn, 12:00, SEC Network
Florida at USF, 12:00, ABC
Kennesaw State at Georgia Tech, 12:00, ESPN3
Miami University at Minnesota, 12:00, ESPNU
Norfolk State at Wake Forest, 12:00, ACC NetworkX
Pitt at Tennessee, 12:00, ESPN
South Carolina at East Carolina, 12:00, ESPN2

Wyoming at Northern Illinois, 1:30, ESPN+

Duquesne at Ohio, 2:00, ESPN3
Middle Tennessee at Virginia Tech, 2:00, ACC NetworkX
Rutgers at Syracuse, 2:00 ACC Network

Robert Morris, at Central Michigan, 3:00, ESPN3

Cal at TCU, 3:30, ESPNU
Iowa at Iowa State, 3:30, ABC
Murray State at Cincinnati, 3:30, ESPN+
Temple at Akron, 3:30, ESPN+
UAB at Georgia, 3:30, ESPN2

Mercer at Alabama, 4:00, ACC Network
South Alabama at Bowling Green, 4:00, ESPN+

Illinois State at Western Michigan, 5:00, ESPN3
Long Island at West Virginia, 5:00, ESPN+
South Carolina State at Clemson, 5:00, ACC Network

Gardner-Webb at Charlotte, 6:00, ESPN3
Lamar at UTSA, 6:00, ESPN3

Bethune-Cookman at UCF, 6:30, ESPN+
North Carolina Central at Marshall, 6:30 ESPN+

Eastern Kentucky at Louisville, 7:00, ACC NetworkX
Grambling at Southern Miss, 7:00, ESPN3
Hampton at Old Dominion, 7:00, ESPN3
Liberty at Troy, 7:00, ESPN+
Memphis at Arkansas State, 7:00, ESPN+
Morgan State at Tulane, 7:00, ESPN+
Nicholls at Louisiana, 7:00, ESPN3
North Texas at SMU, 7:00, ESPN+
SE Louisiana at Louisiana Tech, 7:00, ESPN3
Southern Illinois at Kansas State, 7:00, ESPN+
Stephen F. Austin at Texas Tech, 7:00, ESPN+
Texas at Arkansas, 7:00, ESPN
Texas Southern at Baylor, 7:00, ESPN+
Texas State at FIU, 7:00, ESPN+

Georgia State at North Carolina, 7:30, ESPN3
Missouri at Kentucky, 7:30, SEC Network
Washington at Michigan, 7:30, ABC

Jacksonville State at Florida State, 8:00, ACC Network

Utah at BYU, 10:15, ESPN 

UNLV at Arizona State, 10:30, ESPN2

Thursday, September 16

Ohio at Louisiana, 8:00, ESPN

Friday, September 17

UCF at Louisville, 7:30, ESPN

Saturday, September 18

Albany at Syracuse, 12:00, ACC Network
New Mexico at Texas A&M, 12:00, SEC Network
Western Michigan at Pitt, 12:00, ESPN3

Nevada at Kansas State, 2:05, ESPN+

Baylor at Kansas, 3:30, ESPN+
Bryant at Akron, 3:30, ESPN3
Elon at Appalachian State, 3:30, ESPN+
Long Island at Miami University, 3:30, ESPN+

Colorado State at Toledo, 4:00, ESPNU
Georgia Southern at Arkansas, 4:00, SEC Network
Mississippi State at Memphis, 4:00, ESPN2
Northwestern at Duke, 4:00, ACC Network

Murray State at Bowling Green, 5:00, ESPN3

Fordham at Florida Atlantic, 6:00, ESPN3
Middle Tennessee at UTSA, 6:00, ESPN3
Old Dominion at Liberty, 6:00, ESPN3

Charlotte at Georgia State, 7:00, ESPN+
FIU at Texas Tech, 7:00, ESPN+
Florida A&M at USF, 7:00, ESPN+
Grambling at Houston, 7:00, ESPN+
Incarnate Word at Texas State, 7:00, ESPN3
South Carolina at Georgia, 7:00, ESPN
Troy at Southern Miss, 7:00, ESPN+

Auburn at Penn State, 7:30, ABC
Central Michigan at LSU, 7:30, SEC Network
Furman at NC State, 7:30, ESPN3
Virginia at North Carolina, 7:30, ACC Network

Alcorn State at South Alabama, 8:00, ESPN3
Jackson State at ULM, 8:00, ESPN3
Rice at Texas, 8:00, Longhorn Network
Stanford at Vanderbilt, 8:00, ESPNU
Tulane at Ole Miss, 8:00, ESPN2

Arizona State at BYU, 10:15, ESPN

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21 For 2021 College Football Topics, No. 17: Letdown Game For Every Power Five Team

21 for 2021 College Football Topics, No. 17: The letdown or sandwich game for every Power Five team. 

21 for 2021 College Football Topics, No. 17: The letdown or sandwich game for every Power Five team. 

Fans assume a win, the players see it as just another game, and coaches lose sleep over everyone not taking it seriously.

They’re overlooked by the general public, and then they lead SportsCenter when the upset happens.

They’re the letdown games, or maybe they’re the sandwiches – the games in between the two supposedly more important, bigger battles.

On each Power Five team’s slate, there’s at least one game that should be a mail-it-in moment, but a bad day could screw up the entire season.

These all should be easy wins, but …

You’ve been warned.

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– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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

Letdown Game For Every Power 5 Team 
Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC

ACC Atlantic

Boston College Eagles

Letdown/Sandwich Game: at Temple, Sept. 18
Game Before: at UMass
Game After: Missouri

There won’t be any problems against UMass the week before, but it’ll at least generate local interest. The focus will be on the big statement moment against Missouri coming up, but Temple should be more dangerous this year, especially at home.
– Full Schedule Analysis

Clemson Tigers

Letdown/Sandwich Game: Wake Forest, Nov. 20
Game Before: UConn
Game After: at South Carolina

At this point, Clemson should have the ACC Championship and more in its sights, but it’ll have to gear it up for the ACC regular season finale against the Demon Deacons. The UConn game will be a scrimmage, and all focus might be on the return of the rivalry date with South Carolina.
– Full Schedule Analysis

Florida State Seminoles

Letdown/Sandwich Game: at Boston College, Nov. 20
Game Before: Miami
Game After: at Florida

The Noles have a whole slew of sandwich/letdown games, but Boston College will be the most dangerous moment. Not only will it be in between the home showdown against Miami and with Florida to follow, but the Florida team has to go to Boston in late November.
– Full Schedule Analysis

Louisville Cardinals

Letdown/Sandwich Game: Syracuse, Nov. 13
Game Before: Clemson
Game After: at Duke

It’s not just that the Cardinals have to play Clemson the week before facing Syracuse, and it’s not really about going to Duke the week after. It’s about the timing, with the Duke game coming up five days after hosting SU and with the Kentucky showdown looming.
– Full Schedule Analysis

NC State Wolfpack

Letdown/Sandwich Game: Furman, Sept. 18
Game Before: at Mississippi State
Game After: Clemson

It’ll take something special for the Paladins from the FCS world to pull off the upset over NC State, but the Pack will be coming off the fun date against Mike Leach and the Mississippi State offense, and the ACC opener against Clemson is up next.
– Full Schedule Analysis

Syracuse Orange

Letdown/Sandwich Game: Wake Forest, Oct. 9
Game Before: at Florida State
Game After: Clemson

It’s not like Syracuse is going to overlook anyone, but before going to Florida State it has to deal with a Liberty team that one last year’s game in the dome, and Clemson comes the week after dealing with the Demon Deacons.
– Full Schedule Analysis

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Letdown/Sandwich Game: Duke, Oct. 30
Game Before: at Army
Game After: at North Carolina

Playing two road games in the second half of the season is tough enough, but the Duke game comes after dealing with the Army offense – defensive linemen legs are never happy after stopping the option attack.
– Full Schedule Analysis

– ACC 2021 Predictions: Spring Version

ACC Coastal

Duke Blue Devils

Letdown/Sandwich Game: Kansas, Sept. 25
Game Before: Northwestern
Game After: at North Carolina

Duke will be in for a battle against Northwestern at home with a chance to make a statement, and opening the ACC season down the road at North Carolina is going to be the focus. Losing to what should be a miserable Kansas team would be devastating.
– Full Schedule Analysis

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Letdown/Sandwich Game: Boston College, Nov. 13
Game Before: at Miami
Game After: at Notre Dame

Call this as much of a letdown moment as it is a sandwich. Georgia Tech can’t drop a game against anyone, but the visit from BC is the calm before the final storm with Notre Dame and Georgia finishing things up.
– Full Schedule Analysis

Miami Hurricanes

Letdown/Sandwich Game: Appalachian State, Sept. 11
Game Before: Alabama (in Atlanta)
Game After: Michigan State

Overall the schedule isn’t all that bad. However, the Canes should be beaten up a bit after starting out against Alabama and with a fun game against Michigan State to follow. Appalachian State will be good enough to pull this off.
– Full Schedule Analysis

North Carolina Tar Heels

Letdown/Sandwich Game: Georgia State, Sept. 11
Game Before: at Virginia Tech
Game After: Virginia

The Tar Heels have a whole lot of big fish to fry, and that includes dealing with the two Virginia teams to start ACC play. The two games are wrapped around a dangerous home opener against a Georgia State team loaded with veterans and a strong offense.
– Full Schedule Analysis

Pitt Panthers

Letdown/Sandwich Game: Western Michigan, Sept. 18
Game Before: at Tennessee
Game After: New Hampshire

A letdown more than a sandwich game, the Panthers will be coming off a trip to Tennessee. One way or another, it’ll be hard to get up for a Western Michigan team with just enough talent to win the MAC.
– Full Schedule Analysis

Virginia Cavaliers

Letdown/Sandwich Game: at Pitt, Nov. 20
Game Before: Notre Dame
Game After: Virginia Tech

Going to Pitt won’t be any sort of a letdown, but between the home date with Notre Dame and with Virginia Tech to finish, it’s about as sandwichy a game as it gets.
– Full Schedule Analysis

Virginia Tech Hokies

Letdown/Sandwich Game: Middle Tennessee, Sept. 11
Game Before: North Carolina
Game After: at West Virginia

Starting the season off against North Carolina will set the tone either way, and going to West Virginia will be a big statement moment for the season. Middle Tennessee shouldn’t be a threat, but the Hokies can’t just mail it in.
– Full Schedule Analysis

Letdown Game For Every Power 5 Team 
Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC

NEXT: Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

2021 College Football Predictions For All 130 Teams: Spring

College football schedules and spring predictions for all 130 teams with the realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis.

College football schedules and spring predictions for all 130 teams with the realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis.

Contact @ColFootballNews

2021 Early College Football Predictions, Schedules
American Athletic | Big Ten
Big 12 | C-USA | Independents
MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12
SEC | Sun Belt

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ACC Atlantic

– ACC Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– ACC 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Boston College Eagles

There’s a lot to like in Year Two under Jeff Hafley, the pass-heavy team should be stronger, and there’s a nice three game tune-up to get ready for the start of the real season that should under with one big thud. The Eagles will win one they shouldn’t lose one they shouldn’t, and go bowling with at least six wins.

2018: 7-5 2019: 6-7 2020: 6-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Colgate
Sept. 11 at UMass
Sept. 18 at Temple
Sept. 25 Missouri
Oct. 2 at Clemson
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 NC State
Oct. 23 at Louisville
Oct. 30 at Syracuse
Nov. 5 Virginia Tech
Nov. 13 at Georgia Tech
Nov. 20 Florida State
Nov. 27 Wake Forest
– Full Schedule Analysis

Clemson Tigers

It’s all up to the opener against Georgia. That’s the one realistic shot at a loss with a relatively easy-looking ACC slate with no North Carolina or Miami. With a polite nod to Alabama, this should be the best team in college football with nothing more than the annual way-too-close-call brain cramp – maybe at Louisville or Pitt – to worry about.

2018: 15-0 2019: 14-1 2020: 10-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 12-0
Realistic Worst Case Record: 9-3
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 12-0

Sept. 4 Georgia (in Charlotte)
Sept. 11 South Carolina State
Sept. 18 Georgia Tech
Sept. 25 at NC State
Oct. 2 Boston College
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 15 at Syracuse
Oct. 23 at Pitt
Oct. 30 Florida State
Nov. 6 at Louisville
Nov. 13 UConn
Nov. 20 Wake Forest
Nov. 27 at South Carolina
– Full Schedule Analysis

Florida State Seminoles

It’s Florida State – at some point it has to be good again. It’s not like the ACC is anything killer this year – the Noles will drop the road games to the strong Clemson and North Carolina teams – and there won’t be a win over Florida or Notre Dame. Start with those four losses and hope to push for six wins with few home blips and a win in one of the 50/50 road dates against Wake Forest or Boston College.

2018: 5-7 2019: 6-7 2020: 3-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 5 Notre Dame
Sept. 11 Jacksonville State
Sept. 18 at Wake Forest
Sept. 25 Louisville
Oct. 2 Syracuse
Oct. 9 at North Carolina
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 UMass
Oct. 30 at Clemson
Nov. 6 NC State
Nov. 13 Miami
Nov. 20 at Boston College
Nov. 27 at Florida
– Full Schedule Analysis

Louisville Cardinals

Considering Clemson is a home date, there isn’t a game on the slate the Cardinals can’t win. However, there are more than enough tough battles that could go either way to be concerned. There has to be a win over UCF, Virginia or Kentucky at home, or against Ole Miss in Atlanta to kick things off.

2018: 2-10 2019: 8-5 2020: 4-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 6 Ole Miss (in Atlanta)
Sept. 11 Eastern Kentucky
Sept. 17 UCF
Sept. 25 at Florida State
Oct. 2 at Wake Forest
Oct. 9 Virginia
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Boston College
Oct. 30 at NC State
Nov. 6 Clemson
Nov. 13 Syracuse
Nov. 18 at Duke
Nov. 27 Kentucky
– Full Schedule Analysis

NC State Wolfpack

There are enough winnable games to assume a bowl season, but can the Pack beat Mississippi State? Can they come off of their off week to beat Boston College on the road? It’ll take a big run late to go bowling, but they’ll get there.

2018: 9-4 2019: 4-8 2020: 8-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 2 USF
Sept. 11 at Mississippi State
Sept. 18 Furman
Sept. 25 Clemson
Oct. 2 Louisiana Tech
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Boston College
Oct. 23 at Miami
Oct. 30 Louisville
Nov. 6 at Florida State
Nov. 13 at Wake Forest
Nov. 20 Syracuse
Nov. 26 North Carolina
– Full Schedule Analysis

Syracuse Orange

Can the Orange block anyone? The O line has to come together fast. The season should come down to two home games – Rutgers and Liberty. There will be a few ACC wins, but the difference between a solid season or another dud will come down to the early September games. Go at least 3-1 to start, or there’s going to be a problem even with a relatively okay slate.

2018: 10-3 2019: 5-7 2020: 1-10
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 at Ohio
Sept. 11 Rutgers
Sept. 18 Albany
Sept. 24 Liberty
Oct. 2 at Florida State
Oct. 9 Wake Forest
Oct. 15 Clemson
Oct. 23 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 30 Boston College
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Louisville
Nov. 20 at NC State
Nov. 27 Pitt
– Full Schedule Analysis

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

You know exactly how this works under Dave Clawson. The Demon Deacons will overachieve and win a few ACC games in fun shootouts, they won’t have enough in a few of the bigger road games, and they’ll somehow work their way to six-to-eight wins on the way to a bowl game. However, there’s one big concern – North Carolina. It’s technically a non-conference game instead of playing some cream-puff to boost up the record.

2018: 7-6 2019: 8-4 2020: 4-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 3 Old Dominion
Sept. 11 Norfolk State
Sept. 18 Florida State
Sept. 24 at Virginia
Oct. 2 Louisville
Oct. 9 at Syracuse
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Army
Oct. 30 Duke
Nov. 6 at North Carolina*
Nov. 13 NC State
Nov. 20 at Clemson
Nov. 27 at Boston College
*Not considered an ACC game
– Full Schedule Analysis

ACC Coastal

– ACC Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– ACC 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Duke Blue Devils

There’s a base of three wins built into the cake – Charlotte, North Carolina A&T and Kansas – but where else are the Blue Devils going to make any noise without a massive overall improvement? There will be one win somewhere – like against Georgia Tech – and there will probably be an upset or two along the way, but they’ll be double-digit dogs for most of the ACC season.

2018: 8-5 2019: 5-7 2020: 2-9
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 4-8

Sept. 4 at Charlotte
Sept. 11 North Carolina A&T
Sept. 18 Northwestern
Sept. 25 Kansas
Oct. 2 at North Carolina
Oct. 9 Georgia Tech
Oct. 16 at Virginia
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Wake Forest
Nov. 6 Pitt
Nov. 13 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 18 Louisville
Nov. 27 Miami
– Full Schedule Analysis

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Have things started to turn under Geoff Collins? The Yellow Jackets should have more pieces in place, but it’s going to take a few upsets to push for a winning season. Playing Clemson, Notre Dame and Georgia are three losses and going to Miami and Virginia doesn’t help. At least North Carolina and Virginia Tech are at home.

2018: 7-6 2019: 3-9 2020: 3-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 4-8

Sept. 4 Northern Illinois
Sept. 11 Kennesaw State
Sept. 18 at Clemson
Sept. 25 North Carolina
Oct. 2 Pitt
Oct. 9 at Duke
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Virginia
Oct. 30 Virginia Tech
Nov. 6 at Miami
Nov. 13 Boston College
Nov. 20 at Notre Dame
Nov. 27 Georgia
– Full Schedule Analysis

Miami Hurricanes

Start with a loss to Alabama to kick things off, and be afraid of Appalachian State and Michigan State to follow. However, if this is going to be a great season, the Canes need to beat the Mountaineers and Spartans in Hard Rock. There’s no Clemson on the slate, going to Florida State shouldn’t be too tough, and there’s a week off before dealing with North Carolina.

2018: 7-6 2019: 6-7 2020: 8-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 Alabama (in Atlanta)
Sept. 11 Appalachian State
Sept. 18 Michigan State
Sept. 25 Central Connecticut
Sept. 30 Virginia
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at North Carolina
Oct. 23 NC State
Oct. 30 at Pitt
Nov. 6 Georgia Tech
Nov. 13 at Florida State
Nov. 20 Virginia Tech
Nov. 27 at Duke
– Full Schedule Analysis

North Carolina Tar Heels

It’s a weird-tough slate for the loaded Tar Heels. There isn’t anyone on the schedule they can’t beat – they don’t have to play Clemson – but Georgia State is the only non-ACCish non-conference game with the date at Notre Dame and home game against Wake Forest both not counting in the ACC standings.

2018: 2-9 2019: 7-6 2020: 8-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 2 at Virginia Tech
Sept. 11 Georgia State
Sept. 18 Virginia
Sept. 25 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 2 Duke
Oct. 9 Florida State
Oct. 16 Miami
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Notre Dame
Nov. 6 Wake Forest*
Nov. 11 at Pitt
Nov. 20 Wofford
Nov. 26 at NC State
*Not considered an ACC game
– Full Schedule Analysis

Pitt Panthers

It’s going to be another dangerous Pitt team that will be just good enough to shock someone along the way, and just off enough to not be 100% certain of anything special. It should come down to road games at Tennessee and Virginia Tech and home dates with Clemson, Miami, and North Carolina. The Panthers have to win at least two of those.

2018: 7-7 2019: 8-5 2020: 6-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 UMass
Sept. 11 at Tennessee
Sept. 18 Western Michigan
Sept. 25 New Hampshire
Oct. 2 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 23 Clemson
Oct. 30 Miami
Nov. 6 at Duke
Nov. 11 North Carolina
Nov. 20 Virginia
Nov. 27 at Syracuse
– Full Schedule Analysis

Virginia Cavaliers

It’s a dangerous schedule for a good team that’s going to have a hard time pushing for anything special. Win at home against William & Mary, Illinois, Wake Forest, Duke and Georgia Tech, and it’ll easily be a winning season. However, going to BYU won’t be a breeze, but there are only two road games after October 9th.

2018: 8-5 2019: 9-5 2020: 5-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 William & Mary
Sept. 11 Illinois
Sept. 18 at North Carolina
Sept. 24 Wake Forest
Sept. 30 at Miami
Oct. 9 at Louisville
Oct. 16 Duke
Oct. 23 Georgia Tech
Oct. 30 at BYU
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 Notre Dame
Nov. 20 at Pitt
Nov. 27 Virginia Tech
– Full Schedule Analysis

Virginia Tech Hokies

It’s the Xiest of X factor teams with so many new parts and so much uncertainty. Starting the season with North Carolina doesn’t help and going to West Virginia is a problem, but it’s not that bad an ACC slate even with four of the last five games on the road.

2018: 6-7 2019: 8-5 2020: 5-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 2 North Carolina
Sept. 11 Middle Tennessee
Sept. 18 at West Virginia
Sept. 25 Richmond
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 Notre Dame
Oct. 16 Pitt
Oct. 23 Syracuse
Oct. 30 at Georgia Tech
Nov. 5 at Boston College
Nov. 13 Duke
Nov. 20 at Miami
Nov. 27 at Virginia
– Full Schedule Analysis

2021 Early College Football Predictions, Schedules
American Athletic | Big Ten
Big 12 | C-USA | Independents
MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12
SEC | Sun Belt

Next: American Athletic

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Pac-12 Football Schedule 2021: Winners, Losers, 5 Things You Need To Know

Pac 12 football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? What are the five things that matter?

Pac 12 football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? What are the five things that matter?

Pac-12 Football Schedule 2021: 5 Things You Need To Know

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2021 Pac-12 Schedules, Analysis 
North Cal | Oregon | Oregon State
Stanford | Washington | Washington State
South Arizona | Arizona State | Colorado
UCLA | USC | Utah

The Pac-12 had a shortened 2020 season, but it was a whole lot of fun stuffed into a small package of games. Now we get the full thing back, and it looks like it’s going to be a blast.

Here are five things about the schedule that matter including who misses the big teams from the other division, the non-conference analysis, the one big difference in this year’s slate, the winners and losers, and starting out with …

5.  Who gets the rested teams?

Almost every team – looking at you, Wazzu – plays a restaurant quality Power Five game from another league. Who gets the weeks off when, and who gets hit with the game against the rested teams?

Almost every team – fist bump, Stanford – has a layup game, too, to go along with that week off. When are the scrimmages?

Pac-12 North

Cal
The open date: Oct. 9 before at Oregon
The layup non-conference game: Sept. 18 Sacramento State before at Washington

Oregon
The open date: Oct. 9 before Cal
The layup non-conference game: Sept. 18 Stony Brook before Arizona  

Oregon State
The open date: Oct. 16 before Utah
The layup non-conference game: Sept. 18 Idaho before at USC

Stanford
The open date: Oct. 23 before Washington
The layup non-conference game: (it’s relative) Sept. 18 at Vanderbilt before UCLA

Washington
The open date: Oct. 9 before UCLA
The layup non-conference game: Sept. 4 Montana before at Michigan

Washington State
The open date: Nov. 6 before at Oregon
The layup non-conference game: Sept. 11 Portland State before USC

Pac 12 South 

Arizona
The open date: Oct. 2 before UCLA
The layup non-conference game: Sept. 18 Northern Arizona before at Oregon

Arizona State
The open date: Oct. 23 before Washington State
The layup non-conference game: Sept. 2 Southern Utah before UNLV

Colorado
The open date: Oct. 9 before Arizona
The layup non-conference game: Sept. 3 Northern Colorado before Texas A&M

UCLA
The open date: Sept. 11 before Fresno State, and Nov. 6 before Colorado
The layup non-conference game: Sept. 18 Fresno State before at Stanford

USC
The open date: Oct. 16 before at Notre Dame
The layup non-conference game: Sept. 4 San Jose State before Stanford

Utah
The open date: Oct. 2 before at USC
The layup non-conference game: Sept 2 Weber State before at BYU

– The games against the teams from the other division

NEXT: Who misses the big boys from the other division?

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Big 12 Football Schedule 2021: 5 Things You Need To Know, Winners, Losers

Big 12 football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? What are the five things that matter?

Big 12 football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? What are the five things that matter?

Big 12 Football Schedule 2021: 5 Things You Need To Know

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Big 12 Schedules, Analysis, Best/Worst Scenarios
Baylor | Iowa State | Kansas | Kansas State
Oklahoma | Oklahoma State | TCU | Texas
Texas Tech | West Virginia

The 2021 Big 12 football schedule is out – here are five things about the schedule that matter including who catches the schedule breaks, the non-conference analysis, the one big difference in this year’s slate, the winners and losers, and starting out with …

5.  Who gets the rested teams?

And when does everyone get a week off?

Not everyone is equal when it comes to the open dates, and it matters with rest, momentum, and everything that goes into getting that one break in the slate. Where is every Big 12 team’s week off and who has to deal with the teams that get two weeks to prepare?

Baylor
The open date comes before: Texas, Oct. 30
Remaining games (all in a row): 5

Iowa State
The open date comes before: at Kansas State, Oct. 16
Remaining games (all in a row): 7

Kansas
The open date comes before: Texas Tech, Oct. 16
Remaining games (all in a row): 7

Kansas State
The open date comes before: Iowa State, Oct. 16
Remaining games (all in a row): 7

Oklahoma
The open date comes before: at Baylor, Nov. 6
Remaining games (all in a row): 3

Oklahoma State
The open date comes before: at Texas, Oct. 16
Remaining games (all in a row):  7

TCU
The open date comes before: SMU
Remaining games (all in a row): 10

Texas
The open date comes before: at Baylor, Oct. 30
Remaining games (all in a row): 5

Texas Tech
The open date comes before: Iowa State, Nov. 13
Remaining games (all in a row): 3

West Virginia
The open date comes before: at TCU, Oct. 23
Remaining games (all in a row): 6

– Who catches the schedule breaks
– Non-conference analysis
– One big difference in this year’s slate
– Big 12 schedule winners and losers

 NEXT: Who gets the Big 12 schedule breaks?

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Big Ten Football Schedule 2021: Winners, Losers, 5 Things You Need To Know

Big Ten football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? What are the five things that matter?

Big Ten football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? What are the five things that matter?

Big Ten Football Schedule 2021: 5 Things You Need To Know

[jwplayer JL8gE85Q]

Big Ten Schedules, Analysis, Best/Worst Scenarios
East Indiana | Maryland | Michigan
Michigan St | Ohio St | Penn St | Rutgers
West Illinois | Iowa | Minnesota | Nebraska
Northwestern | Purdue | Wisconsin

Here are five things about the 2021 Big Ten football schedule that matter including who misses the big teams from the other division, the non-conference analysis, the one big difference in this year’s slate, the winners and losers, and starting out with …

5.  Who gets the rested teams?

The Big Ten does a terrific job of not letting any one team’s schedule get loaded up with games against teams that get a break. If possible, everyone would love to have an extra week to rest and prepare for Ohio State, Wisconsin, or Penn State, but that doesn’t happen.

Ask Alabama over in the SEC what it’s been like over the years to seemingly get everyone with fresh legs.

Every team gets at least one week off, and every team has at least one total layup against an FCS team or against a lightweight FBSer. What teams then get hit with the relaxed opponents?

Again, the Big Ten does a good job of this. It’s relatively fair.

Big Ten East

Indiana
The open date comes before: Michigan State, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: Idaho, Sept. 11 before Cincinnati

Maryland
The open date comes before: at Minnesota, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: Howard, Sept. 11 before at Illinois

Michigan
The open date comes before: Northwestern, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: (none, so easiest game …)  Northern Illinois, Sept. 18 before Rutgers

Michigan State
The open date comes before: Michigan, Oct. 30
The FCS scrimmage:  Youngstown State, Sept. 11 before at Miami

Ohio State
The open date comes before: at Indiana, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: (none, so easiest game …)  Akron, Sept. 25 before at Rutgers

 Penn State
The open date comes before: Illinois, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: Villanova, Sept. 25 before Indiana

Rutgers
The open date comes before: at Illinois, Oct. 30
The FCS scrimmage: Delaware, Sept. 18 before at Michigan

Big Ten West

Illinois
The open date comes before: at Penn State, Oct. 23; at Iowa, Nov. 20
The FCS scrimmage: (none, so easiest game …)  Charlotte before Wisconsin

Iowa
The open date comes before: at Wisconsin, Oct. 30
The FCS scrimmage: (none, so easiest game …) Kent State before at Colorado State

Minnesota
The open date comes before: Nebraska, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: (none, so easiest game …) Bowling Green before at Purdue

Nebraska
The open date comes before: Buffalo, Sept. 11; Purdue, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: SE Louisiana, Nov. 13 before at Wisconsin

Northwestern
The open date comes before: Rutgers, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: Indiana State, Sept. 11 before at Duke

Purdue
The open date comes before: at Iowa, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: (none, so easiest game …) at UConn, Sept. 11 before at Notre Dame

Wisconsin
The open date comes before: Notre Dame (in Chicago), Sept. 25
The FCS scrimmage: (none, so easiest game …) Eastern Michigan, Sept. 11 before Notre Dame two weeks later

– The games against the teams from the other division

NEXT: Who misses the big boys from the other division?

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

ACC Football Schedule 2021: Winners, Losers, 5 Things You Need To Know

ACC football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? Who are the ACC football schedule winners and losers?

ACC football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? What are the five things that matter?

ACC Football Schedule 2021: 5 Things You Need To Know

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ACC Schedules, Analysis, Best/Worst Scenarios
Atlantic: Boston College | Clemson | Florida St
Louisville | NC State | Syracuse | Wake Forest
Coastal: Duke | Georgia Tech | Miami
North Carolina | Pitt | Virginia | Virginia Tech

And now we’re back to normal … we hope. There’s a real ACC schedule with all of the big games we’re used to (yay!) and there’s no Notre Dame as an official member this time around (boo!).

Here are five things about the schedule that matter including who misses the big teams from the other division, the non-conference analysis, the one big difference in this year’s slate, the winners and losers, and starting out with …

5.  Who gets the rested teams?

Give (almost) every ACC team credit for at least having one nasty non-conference game on the schedule. Okay, that might be a bit much.

Give (almost) every ACC team credit for at least having one Power Five game of note on the slate to go along with the regular conference schedule. More on that in Part 3 of this, but that one key non-ACC battle gives every team at least a little bit of cover for one paycheck sure-win game against Cupcake A&M.

That game against an FCS team matters, and so does the midseason off-week. The time of those dates matter as much as the games/week off themselves.

ACC Atlantic

Boston College
The open date comes before: NC State, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: Colgate, Sept. 4 before at UMass

Clemson
The open date comes before: at Syracuse, Oct. 15
The FCS scrimmage: South Carolina State, Sept. 11 before Georgia Tech

Florida State
The open date comes before: at UMass, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: Jacksonville State, Sept. 11 before at Wake Forest

Louisville 
The open date comes before: Boston College, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: Eastern Kentucky, Sept. 11 before UCF

NC State 
The open date comes before: at Boston College, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: Furman, Sept. 18 before, Clemson

Syracuse
The open date comes before: at Louisville, Nov. 13
The FCS scrimmage: Albany, Sept. 18 before Liberty

Wake Forest
The open date comes before: at Army, Sept. 23
The FCS scrimmage: Norfolk State, Sept. 11 before Florida State

ACC Coastal

Duke
The open date comes before: at Wake Forest, Oct. 30
The FCS scrimmage: North Carolina A&T, Sept. 11

Georgia Tech 
The open date comes before: at Virginia, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: Kennesaw State, Sept. 11 before at Clemson

Miami
The open date comes before: at North Carolina, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: Central Connecticut, Sept. 25 before Virginia

North Carolina
The open date comes before: at Notre Dame, Oct. 30
The FCS scrimmage: Wofford, Nov. 20 before at NC State

Pitt
The open date comes before: at Virginia Tech, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: New Hampshire, Sept. 25 before at Georgia Tech

Virginia
The open date comes before: Notre Dame, Nov. 13
The FCS scrimmage: William & Mary, Sept. 4 before Illinois

Virginia Tech
The open date comes before: Notre Dame, Oct. 9
The FCS scrimmage: Richmond, Sept. 25 before Notre Dame

– The games against the teams from the other division

NEXT: Who misses the big boys from the other division?

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

SEC Football Schedule 2021: Winners, Losers, 5 Things You Need To Know

SEC football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? What are the five things that matter?

SEC football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? What are the five things that matter?

SEC Football Schedule 2021: 5 Things You Need To Know

[jwplayer haqs7Wlr]

SEC Schedules, Analysis, Best/Worst Scenarios
East Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Missouri
South Carolina | Tennessee | Vanderbilt
West Alabama | Arkansas | Auburn | LSU
Mississippi State | Ole Miss | Texas A&M

The 2021 SEC football schedule was released. There’s anger, excitement, and a whole lot of looking ahead to what should be a full schedule again this fall as if 2020 never happened.

Here are five things about the schedule that matter including who misses the big teams from the other division, the non-conference analysis, the one big difference in this year’s slate, the winners and losers, and starting out with …

5.  Who gets the rested teams?

There was a time not all that long ago when SEC teams took an Alabamacation.

You have the Crimson Tide on the schedule? Okay … just make sure you get a week off to rest up and get ready first. In the end that time off usually didn’t matter much, but that’s changed now.

Every SEC team has one off week and one light scrimmage against an FCS or some other cream-filled pastry of a paycheck game, but this year, that easy date isn’t always coming before a key SEC date. That matters, too – sometimes it’s nice to get a few easy games to gear up.

SEC East

Florida
The open date comes before: Georgia, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: Samford before at Missouri, Nov. 20

Georgia
The open date comes before: Florida, Oct. 30
The FCS scrimmage: Charleston Southern before at Georgia Tech, Nov. 27

Kentucky
The open date comes before: at Mississippi State, Oct. 30
The FCS scrimmage: Chattanooga before at South Carolina, Sept. 25

Missouri
The open date comes before: at Vanderbilt, Oct. 30
The FCS scrimmage: SE Missouri State before at Boston College, Sept. 25

South Carolina
The open date comes before: Florida, Nov. 6
The FCS scrimmage: Eastern Illinois before at East Carolina, Sept. 11

Tennessee
The open date comes before: at Kentucky, Nov. 6
The FCS scrimmage: Tennessee Tech before at Florida, Sept. 25

Vanderbilt
The open date comes before: Kentucky, Nov. 13
The FCS scrimmage: East Tennessee State before at Colorado State, Sept. 11

SEC West

Alabama
The open date comes before: LSU, Nov. 6
The FCS scrimmage: Mercer before at Florida, Sept. 18

Arkansas
The open date comes before: Mississippi State, Nov. 6
The FCS scrimmage: Arkansas-Pine Bluff before – and here’s one of the SEC’s most interesting schedule quirks – the Oct. 30 week off

Auburn
The open date comes before: Ole Miss, Oct. 30
The FCS scrimmage: Alabama State before at Penn State, Sept. 18

LSU
The open date comes before: at Alabama, Nov. 6
The FCS scrimmage: McNeese State before Central Michigan, Sept. 18

Mississippi State
The open date comes before: Alabama, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: Tennessee State before Ole Miss, Nov. 27

Ole Miss
The open date comes before: at Alabama, Oct. 2
The FCS scrimmage: Austin Peay before Tulane, Sept. 18

Texas A&M
The open date comes before: Auburn, Nov. 6
The FCS scrimmage: Prairie View before at LSU, Nov. 27

NEXT: Who misses the big boys from the other division?

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