Tag: college football predictions 2020

Georgia Southern (6-3) vs Georgia State (4-4) Game Preview

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Why Georgia Southern Will Win

The Eagles are a late collapse against Army away from coming into this on a four-game winning streak with the only losses coming to Louisiana and Coastal Carolina – the stars of the Sun Belt.

The running game continues to be a killer – the team is 6-0 when it runs for more than 175 yards – and the defense leads the conference thanks to a run defense that’s not allowing a thing.

More than anything else, the Eagles should control the clock – they keep the ball for 34 minutes a game and should have it for at least ten more minutes. However …

Why Georgia State Will Win

Here comes the Georgia State pass rush.

The Georgia Southern attack doesn’t rely enough on the passing game to matter, but it does need time and space to get the option attack going. Georgia State is great at firing into the backfield, and it’s getting better with 22 tackles for loss in the last two games.

Yeah, Georgia Southern is unbeaten when it runs for 175 yards or more, but it has yet to win when it runs for fewer. Georgia State was hammered by Louisiana and Coastal Carolina’s running games, but no one else has been able to do much else.

CFN Rankings 1-127 | CFN Bowl Projections
20 Most Important College Football Thoughts Ever

What’s Going To Happen

Georgia State allowed 131 rushing yards or fewer in every game but the two key losses, and it’s giving up only 3.4 yards per carry. However, Georgia Southern is about to change that.

The Eagles will have a hard time putting the game away, but it’s doing enough to control the clock and come up with third down stops to pull off the rivalry win in a fun game.

Georgia Southern vs Georgia State Prediction, Line

Georgia Southern 30, Georgia State 27
Bet on Georgia Southern vs Georgia State with BetMGM
Georgia Southern -1.5, o/u: 52.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3

5: Thanksgiving beef tenderloin
1: Thanksgiving turkey

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Florida Atlantic vs Middle Tennessee Prediction, Game Preview

Florida Atlantic Owls vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Prediction, Game Preview

Florida Atlantic vs Middle Tennessee prediction and game preview.

Florida Atlantic vs Middle Tennessee Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 1:30 ET
Venue: Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium, Murfreesboro, TN
Network: CBS Sports Network

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Florida Atlantic (5-1) vs Middle Tennessee (3-6) Game Preview

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Why Florida Atlantic Will Win

It hasn’t always been pretty, but Florida Atlantic has managed to win four in a row and five of its six games with a killer pass rush, an efficient defense that’s not allowing much to happen through the air, and with an offense that’s not giving the ball away.

It might not be an explosive or amazing attack, but it’s only given it up four times – it doesn’t give teams anything easy to work with. On the flip side, Middle Tennessee has a major turnover problem, can’t stop the run, and …

Why Middle Tennessee Will Win

The Blue Raiders have the passing game and offense that FAU doesn’t.

Asher O’Hara has rushed for over 600 yards with seven touchdowns, but it’s been his sharp passing that helped turn the season around over the second half.

The Blue Raiders have won three of their last five games – O’Hara connected on 73% of his passes in the win over Rice – he was connecting on everything deep – and was amazing last week in the 20-17 win over Troy, hitting 83% of his throws for 210 yards.

If he’s hot and can bomb away from the start, FAU doesn’t have the pop to keep up.

CFN Rankings 1-127 | CFN Bowl Projections
20 Most Important College Football Thoughts Ever

What’s Going To Happen

Yeah, the Florida Atlantic defense has been great, but it helped to play WKU, FIU, and UMass – all three have miserable offenses – over the last few weeks. However, it’ll have the pass rush to bother the Blue Raider backfield.

The Owls will be +2 in turnover margin to get out with another low-scoring, effective win.

Florida Atlantic vs Middle Tennessee Prediction, Line

Florida Atlantic 26, Middle Tennessee 16
Bet on FAU vs MT with BetMGM
Florida Atlantic -6.5, o/u: 48.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 2

5: Thanksgiving beef tenderloin
1: Thanksgiving turkey

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UTSA vs North Texas Prediction, Game Preview

UTSA Roadrunners vs North Texas Mean Green prediction and game preview.

UTSA vs North Texas prediction and game preview.

UTSA vs North Texas Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 3:00 ET
Venue: Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Network: Stadium

[jwplayer bNaQ4rAF]

CFN Rankings 1-127 | CFN Bowl Projections
20 Most Important College Football Thoughts Ever

UTSA (6-4) vs North Texas (3-3) Game Preview

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Why UTSA Will Win

The Roadrunners have found their groove.

They’ve won three of their last four games thanks to a running game that exploded over the past two weeks to go along with a passing attack that somehow has shown a bit of a spark a few weeks ago.

The O has been wildly inconsistent – the passing game exploded in the win over UTEP, and struggled a week later against Southern Miss – but now it gets to deal with a two-foot-putt of a North Texas defense.

The Mean Green couldn’t stop the run for most of the season, and then couldn’t deal with the Rice passing game in the win last week. However …

Why North Texas Will Win

The North Texas offense is a blast.

It’s been let down time and again by the defense, but it was able to pick up the running game again after being off for almost a month – rumbling for 269 yards against Rice – helped by an O line that’s one of the best in Conference USA at keeping teams out of the backfield.

The UTSA defense is okay, but its secondary has problems when pushed.

What’s Going To Happen

North Texas is finally on the road again. It was good in its one game away from Denton – blowing out Middle Tennessee with 768 yards of total offense – but that’s not happening in San Antonio.

The Roadrunners are playing well, they 4-1 at home, and they’re going to get enough out of the defense to take the ball away enough to pull away in the second half.

UTSA vs North Texas Prediction, Line

UTSA 34, North Texas 24
Bet on UTSA vs North Texas with BetMGM
UTSA -3, o/u: 67
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5

Must See Rating: 2

5: Thanksgiving beef tenderloin
1: Thanksgiving turkey

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UTEP vs Rice Prediction, Game Preview

UTEP vs Rice prediction and game preview.

UTEP vs Rice prediction and game preview.

UTEP vs Rice Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Rice Stadium, Houston, TX
Network: ESPN3

[jwplayer riZRN32G]

CFN Rankings 1-127 | CFN Bowl Projections
20 Most Important College Football Thoughts Ever

UTEP (3-4) vs Rice (1-2) Game Preview

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Why UTEP Will Win

UTPE might not be winning, but that’s partly because it’s been on the road for the last four games.

Okay, so this is a fifth-straight road trip, but the passing game has been fine, the offense is moving the chains better than it has in years, and the defense is doing a decent job of keeping games in range – the UTSA blowout loss a few weeks ago notwithstanding.

Rice doesn’t have enough of a running game to worry about, there’s zero pass rush whatsoever and no pressure from the defensive front, and there are way too many turnovers. The Miners will create their own breaks.

Why Rice Will Win

The Rice passing game is going to be a problem. Michael Collins is a solid veteran quarterback, and he’s getting good seasons out of his underappreciated receiving corps.

Austin Trammell is one of the best deep threats in Conference USA, Jake Bailey is dangerous, and now the whole group just needs the ball a bit more.

For all the good things UTEP has been able to do – at least compared to past seasons – it’s coming off a rough day against a UTSA passing game that’s hardly Alabama’s. The Miners gave up over 300 yards and couldn’t stop anything, and now …

What’s Going To Happen

The Rice passing game will take over.

The Owls somehow managed to score just 17 points against a horrendous North Texas defense, and they’re not going to blow up on the Miners, but they’ll have enough of a deep passing game and do a strong enough job controlling the clock to get out with the second win of a rough and shortened season.

UTEP vs Rice Prediction, Line

Rice 27, UTEP 21
Bet on UTEP vs Rice with BetMGM
Rice -11.5, o/u: 44
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5

Must See Rating: 2

5: Thanksgiving beef tenderloin
1: Thanksgiving turkey

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Nevada vs Hawaii Prediction, Game Preview

Nevada Wolf Pack vs Hawaii Rainbow Warriors prediction and game preview.

Nevada vs Hawaii prediction and game preview.

Nevada vs Hawaii Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 11:00 pm ET
Venue: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI
Network: Spectrum

[jwplayer ZrQkNTE2]

Nevada (5-0) vs Hawaii (2-3) Game Preview

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Why Nevada Will Win

The passing game has been on fire.

San Diego State has a terrific pass defense and held the Wolf Pack to 288 yards, but there weren’t any problems against anyone else with 340 yards or more in each of the first four games. Hawaii’s pass defense hasn’t been bad, but it got hit for big plays against Boise State and now it’s about have a whole lot of issues with the deep play ability of the Pack attack.

Defensively, Nevada has been great on third downs and the defense has been able to hold up at key moments to hang on.

The Rainbow Warrior offensive line has had problems in pass protection, and the defensive front isn’t generating enough of a pass rush to bother QB Carson Strong and the Nevada backfield.

Why Hawaii Will Win

Nevada’s defense hasn’t faced a high-octane offense yet.

San Diego State is terrific, but it doesn’t have a big-time O with a dangerous passing game. Wyoming isn’t all that dangerous offensively, and UNLV, Utah State and New Mexico are all awful.

Hawaii might not be the Hawaii of the past offensively, but the passing game has the upside to explode after hitting 200 yards or more against everyone but Wyoming on the road.

The defense is great at taking the ball away – it leads the Mountain West in interceptions – and the secondary can tackle. Nevada might be hitting the midrange-to-long passes, but it’s doing a great job at generating yards after the catch.

CFN Rankings 1-127 | CFN Bowl Projections
20 Most Important College Football Thoughts Ever

What’s Going To Happen

Can Hawaii finally start to take full advantage of the home field advantage? It’s been a fight to generate any offensive consistency, but it should have enough success against the relatively untested Wolf Pack defense to make this a fight.

However, here comes the Nevada O. It’s for real, the receiving corps is great, and the Pack will keep the pressure on all game long to make Hawaii press.

Nevada vs Hawaii Prediction, Line

Nevada 34, Hawaii 26
Bet on Nevada vs Hawaii with BetMGM
Nevada -7, o/u: 60.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: Thanksgiving beef tenderloin
1: Thanksgiving turkey

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Boise State vs San Jose State Prediction, Game Preview

Boise State Broncos vs San Jose State Spartans prediction and game preview.

Boise State vs San Jose State prediction and game preview.

Boise State vs San Jose State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
Network: FOX

[jwplayer ZrQkNTE2]

Boise State (4-1) vs San Jose State (4-0) Game Preview

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Why San Jose State Will Win

How is San Jose State doing it so far in its historic season?

The passing game has been solid with Nick Starkel taking over the quarterback duties, the running backs are doing enough to get by, and the team is getting tremendous defensive play with a good pass rush leading to the league’s best scoring defense.

The offense isn’t screwing up with just three takeaways, and Boise State isn’t taking it away. As long as the SJSU passing game stays consistent, and if it can control the tempo, it’ll stay in this, but …

Why Boise State Will Win

Boise State is back on track – at least defensively.

The offense still isn’t getting enough of a running game, but the passing attack has hit 200 yards in every game while the defense is held up against the ground games.

BYU was able to run well from the word go, and Air Force is Air Force on the ground ,but Colorado State and Hawaii couldn’t move. San Jose State will throw and should move the chains a bit, but the ground attack has been stuffed over the last two weeks.

With QB Hank Bachmeier back, Boise State is hitting the downfield plays, the offense is smoother, and now the San Jose State secondary that hasn’t been tested yet by a strong passing game is about to have problems.

CFN Rankings 1-127 | CFN Bowl Projections
20 Most Important College Football Thoughts Ever

What’s Going To Happen

This isn’t the Boise State team of the last several years. The lines aren’t quite as strong, the running game hasn’t been working yet, and the defense hasn’t been a rock.

However, it’s 4-1, the offense hasn’t had an issue scoring – other than the BYU game – now it’s all going to work against a San Jose State defense that has yet to face an offense that’s anything special.

Boise State vs San Jose State Prediction, Line

Boise State 38, San Jose State 24
Bet on Boise State vs SJSU with BetMGM
Boise State -11, o/u: 58
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Thanksgiving beef tenderloin
1: Thanksgiving turkey

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Colorado vs San Diego State Prediction, Game Preview

Colorado Buffaloes vs San Diego State Aztecs prediction and game preview.

Colorado vs San Diego State prediction and game preview.

Colorado vs San Diego State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 5:00 ET
Venue: Folsom Field, Boulder, CO
Network: Pac-12 Network

[jwplayer bNaQ4rAF]

Colorado (2-0) vs San Diego State (3-2) Game Preview

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Why San Diego State Will Win

The Aztecs have had a wee bit more time to pivot – for whatever that’s going to be worth.

They were supposed to play Fresno State, but that was off earlier in the week, while USC and Colorado got whacked just a few hours before this game was put together.

The Aztecs ran well in the three wins and didn’t in the two losses. The defeat to San Jose State was a bit weird – too many key mistakes – with the ground game only coming up with 101 yards. It only amassed 109 against Nevada, and rolled for 287 or more in the other three games.

Colorado’s run defense has been fine so far, but it had problems with UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The line doesn’t get to the quarterback and this is a bend-and-break D that doesn’t hold on late in drives. But …

Why Colorado Will Win

San Diego State might have lost the two games it couldn’t/didn’t run, but the bigger problem was a pass defense that allowed over 200 yards in each of the last two games.

The Aztecs want and need to run well, control the clock, and let the defense take over, especially against the run. Colorado’s offense has been balanced in the first two games, it’s been great on third downs, and there aren’t any big mistakes with just one turnover.

This has been a surprisingly clutch Buff team right out of the gate in the Karl Dorrell era. It proved it could hold on in tight games against good teams. San Diego State hasn’t.

CFN Rankings 1-127 | CFN Bowl Projections
20 Most Important College Football Thoughts Ever

What’s Going To Happen

Even with the crazy-quick change and need to gameplan for a totally different style than USC, Colorado will hang on in yet another entertaining, tight game.

San Diego State’s lines will hold up fine, and the defensive front is the toughest Colorado has faced – especially against the run. But the Buff defense will hold up just fine and get off the field easier.

Colorado vs San Diego State Prediction, Line

Colorado 27, San Diego State 21
Bet on Colorado vs San Diego State with BetMGM
Coming, o/u: Coming
ATS Confidence out of 5:Coming

Must See Rating: 3

5: Thanksgiving beef tenderloin
1: Thanksgiving turkey

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SMU vs East Carolina Prediction, Game Preview

SMU Mustangs vs East Carolina Pirates prediction and game preview.

SMU vs East Carolina prediction and game preview.

SMU vs East Carolina Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC
Network: ESPN+

[jwplayer riZRN32G]

CFN Rankings 1-127 | CFN Bowl Projections
20 Most Important College Football Thoughts Ever

SMU (7-2) vs East Carolina (2-6) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why SMU Will Win

It took a brutal finish and a brilliant overall performance from Tulsa for SMU to lose a few weeks ago – Cincinnati was the only other loss.

Against everyone else, the offense exploded for well over 400 yards – over 540 yards in each of the six wins over FBS teams. The offense is balanced, there aren’t a ton of mistakes, and the line is giving everyone time to work.

As good as the Mustang passing game is, the ground attack is about to be the star against an East Carolina defensive front that isn’t getting into the backfield enough and allows over five yards per carry.

The Pirates are about to allow more than 200 yards for the third time in five games.

Why East Carolina Will Win

The running game is rolling.

The Pirates haven’t had any problems putting up yards – especially through the air over most of the season – but the ground attack has taken over with two straight 200-yard games, starting with the emergence of freshman Keaton Mitchell who’s averaging over 110 yards and 7.5 yards per carry over the last two weeks.

ECU has to get hot. The defense isn’t all that great overall, but it’s solid on third downs and it’s not bad at taking the ball away, forcing 15 takeaways on the year. Run for over 200 yards for the sixth time, and the Pirates have a chance, but …

What’s Going To Happen

East Carolina has a turnover problem.

The defense might make up for it with takeaways, but it’s not enough. SMU will get the offense going however it needs to, it’ll come up with three turnovers, and a high-scoring, high-flying game will go SMU’s way as it tries making up for the tough loss to Tulsa.

SMU vs East Carolina Prediction, Line

SMU 41, East Carolina 27
Bet on SMU vs ECU with BetMGM
SMU -12.5, o/u: 67
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: Thanksgiving beef tenderloin
1: Thanksgiving turkey

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Memphis vs Navy Prediction, Game Preview

Memphis Tigers vs Navy Midshipmen prediction and game preview.

Memphis vs Navy prediction and game preview.

Memphis vs Navy Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD
Network: CBS Sports Network

[jwplayer riZRN32G]

CFN Rankings 1-127 | CFN Bowl Projections
20 Most Important College Football Thoughts Ever

Memphis (5-2) vs Navy (3-4) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Memphis Will Win

The punting game is outstanding.

Memphis might be known for its high-powered offense that’s second in the AAC and tenth in the nation in total offense – it has the balance and versatility to do a little of anything it needs to do – but in a game like this, being able to tilt the field is a huge deal.

The run defense has enough good parts to handle the one-dimensional Midshipmen without getting rolled over, but it’s Adam Williams who needs to be the real star. The junior averages 44 yards per kick for the AAC’s best punting game, and Navy is just okay at returning kicks.

Memphis can score immediately. Navy has to be methodical.

Why Navy Will Win

Too many teams don’t commit to the run against Memphis because they can’t. Either they can’t do it well enough, or the game gets out of hand and they have to get throwing to keep up.

Even with the Tiger offense rocking and rolling, the defense keeps having problems putting games away. It’s getting the job done, but the D is one of the worst in the conference allowing 477 yards per game – and that’s after having no problems with the anemic USF and Stephen F. Austin offenses over the last few weeks.

The Navy offense isn’t just about running now – it’s been able to throw for over 200 yards in each of the last two games and it’s showing more balance than it had in years, but …

What’s Going To Happen

Navy doesn’t have the horses.

The program rocks and rolls when the running game is crushing everyone, and it’s not. It’s okay, but it’s not coming up with enough big plays and it’s not dominating the time of possession battle.

Navy is 3-0 this year when it runs for 200 yards, and 0-4 when it doesn’t. For all of the problems on the Memphis D, the run defense hasn’t been all that bad. It had issues with the Cincinnati ground game, but everyone does.

No one else has hit 200 on the Tigers.

Memphis vs Navy Prediction, Line

Memphis 40, Navy 31
Bet on Memphis vs Navy with BetMGM
Memphis -13.5, o/u: 62
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: Thanksgiving beef tenderloin
1: Thanksgiving turkey

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Central Michigan vs Eastern Michigan Prediction, Game Preview

Central Michigan Chippewas vs Eastern Michigan Eagles prediction and game preview

Central Michigan vs Eastern Michigan prediction and game preview.

Central Michigan vs Eastern Michigan Broadcast

Date: Friday, November 27
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti, MI
Network: CBS Sports Network

[jwplayer ZrQkNTE2]

Central Michigan (2-1) vs Eastern Michigan (0-3) Game Preview

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Why Central Michigan Will Win

The Chippewas might have given up a ton of points to Western Michigan in the 52-44 loss, and the secondary has had a whole slew of issues, but the run defense has been solid so far and the offense has been almost perfectly balanced.

CMU has run for 640 yards, thrown for 626, and it’s not turning the ball over with just one giveaway in the first three games.

Eastern Michigan has failed to run for more than 61 yards in two of the three games, it’s having problems on third downs, and the downfield passing game is struggling, but …

Why Eastern Michigan Will Win

The Eagles are doing a good job of making the passing game go. It’s not explosive, and it’s more functional than phenomenal, but it’s good enough to go for 250 yards.

The Eagles aren’t bad at taking the ball away, the defense is good on third downs, and the team is playing just a wee bit better than its 0-3 record.

Central Michigan is doing a lot of things right, it’ll give up big plays through the air, the third down defense is just okay, and the secondary is giving up 262 yards per game.

EMU QB Preston Hutchinson has to avoid throwing picks, but he’s got the air to keep pushing the attack.