Category: EVERYTHING

College Football Picks & Predictions For Every Game – Week One

College Football’s week one won’t be the monster 80+ game slate that was originally scheduled, but we’ll take the nine games that we have because for a while it seemed as if there wouldn’t be a season at all. The week kicks off Thursday with a pair of games featuring Conference USA heavyweights. We’ll get six games on Saturday, highlighted by a G5 heavyweight showdown between Arkansas State and Memphis, and the week will be capped off by a Labor Day tilt between BYU and Navy. Let’s get into the picks.

2019 Record

Straight Up: 660-178 (79%)
Against The Spread Best Bets: 102-90-4 (+2.82 units)

Thursday, September 3rd

Central Arkansas (1-0) @ UAB
8 PM ET, ESPN3
Vegas Line: UAB –21.5

The Central Arkansas Bears picked up a big win last week in the season opener over fellow FCS for Austin Peay. In week one for the FBS, they take on the prohibitive Conference USA favorites, the UAB Blazers. UCA’s win over Austin Peay wasn’t pretty, but I do think there is an advantage to getting the first game mistakes out of the system. Nevertheless, this should be a pretty safe win for the Blazers at home, although perhaps slightly closer than the experts think.

Edit: Some late money has come in heavily on UAB, enough to move the line up over the key number of 21 to 21.5. UCA’s game last week was sloppy, but against a UAB offense that struggled at times last season, the Bears should be able to hold this one to within three touchdowns. Give me Central Arkansas +21.5 as my first best bet of the year (and the first best bet of an FCS team in this site’s history!)

CSD Pick: UAB 33, Central Arkansas 14

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Central Arkansas +21.5

South Alabama @ Southern Miss
9 PM ET, CBSSN
Vegas Line: Southern Miss -12.5

A couple of teams that had a rough year in the passing game will meet in the only FBS vs FBS game Thursday night. I think South Alabama is a team with a lot of potential, but they will struggle out of the gate on the road here. The USM rush game, led by QB Jack Abraham, is one of the best in Conference USA, and it should lead them to an easy victory in week one.

CSD Pick: Southern Miss 31, South Alabama 16

Saturday, September 5th

Eastern Kentucky @ Marshall
1 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: Marshall -24.5

Marshall QB Isaiah Green transfers out, but star RB Branden Knox is back, as are a few key pieces on the defense. The talent gap will just be too wide here in the first flagship-televised game featuring an FBS team. Give me Marshall, big.

CSD Pick: Marshall 34, Eastern Kentucky 14

Middle Tennessee @ Army
1:30 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: Army -3.5

We will see if home-field advantage really does matter in 2020 in this matchup of two evenly-matched teams. Based on data coming out of the MLB, I’m wagering that it does. MTSU QB Asher O’Hara may be the best player on the field, but the Army offense is a well-oiled machine, and with limited time to prep for the unique option offense, I don’t like the Blue Raiders’ chances.

CSD Pick: Army 29, Middle Tennessee 23

SMU @ Texas State
4:30 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: SMU -22.5

SMU beat the Bobcats by 30 last year, and I expect the same result here. QB Shane Buechele is back for the Mustangs, as are his top targets, and the best parts of an already bad Texas State defense are gone. This could get ugly, so ugly that I’ll lay the 22.5 and take the Mustangs against the spread as well.

CSD Pick: SMU 46, Texas State 16

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – SMU -22.5

Houston Baptist @ North Texas
7:30 PM ET on ESPN3
Vegas Line: North Texas -27.5

North Texas loses QB Mason Fine, one of the best players in school history, but they should have no trouble with FCS Houston Baptist to start off the year. There are some talented pieces on the HBU offense, but the defense is abysmal. The Mean Green should roll.

CSD Pick: North Texas 40, Houston Baptist 14

Arkansas State @ #18 Memphis
8 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: Memphis -19

The only game of the week featuring a top 25 team naturally gets the ESPN primetime slot as Memphis hosts Arkansas State to kick off their year. The Tigers got some bad news late this week, as stud RB Kenneth Gainwell opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns over COVID-19. Four of Gainwell’s family members have passed away from the virus.

Even without Gainwell, this Memphis offense will be electric. Led by Brady White, new HC Ryan Silverfield’s boys are probably a top ten offense in America, and I don’t see Arkansas State as likely to be able to catch up. One storyline to watch for the Red Wolves is the QB situation, I prefer Layne Hatcher to Logan Bonner, although I’d expect Bonner, as the more experienced option, to likely get the start. This will be a fun, high-scoring affair, and while I hope ASU is able to keep this one close for a while, expect Memphis to pull away late.

CSD Pick: Memphis 47, Arkansas State 25

Stephen F. Austin @ UTEP
9 PM ET on ESPN3
Vegas Line: UTEP -8.5

It is so tempting to take Stephen F. Austin as an FCS upset special here. The Lumberjacks aren’t half-bad, and they’ll be going up against the worst team in the FBS, UTEP, a program with just two wins in as many years. However, there is some young talent on this UTEP team, and I expect the Miners, at home and desperate for a win, to pull this one out in a poorly-played, low scoring slugfest, but it won’t be pretty.

CSD Pick: UTEP 23, Stephen F. Austin 19

Monday, September 7th

BYU at Navy
8 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: BYU -1.5

An ESPN labor day tilt between BYU and Navy caps off a thin week one. This should be a good one, clearly the best of the week, and Vegas has it as a virtual coin flip. I’d agree. Navy has the home edge, and the tough to deal with option style, but Malcolm Perry is a huge loss at QB, and BYU has the experience at the second level to deal with it. The Cougars also return star QB Zach Wilson, while the Midshipmen still don’t know who will be starting under center. In a coin flip, take the team that actually knows who their quarterback will be. Give me BYU.

CSD Pick: BYU 31, Navy 30

September 3, 2020
2020 Independents Football Preview

Check out the CSD preview for the three independents in this loaded preview, featuring in-depth coverage of everything you need to know about each team including projected records based on thousands of computer simulations and more!

Three independents will play as independents this year: Army, BYU, and Liberty. Notre Dame has announced it will join the ACC for this season, and three teams: UMass, UConn, and New Mexico State will not play.

1. BYU

Head Coach: Kalani Sitake
2019 Record: 7-6
Average Projected 2020 Record: 6.6 wins, 1.4 losses

Schedule

Sept. 7 at Navy
Sept. 12 OPEN DATE
Sept. 19 at Army
Sept. 26 Troy
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 10 UTSA
Oct. 16 Houston
Oct. 24 Texas State
Oct. 31 WKU
Nov. 7 OPEN DATE
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 North Alabama
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE

There’s a lot to like about this BYU team, QB Zach Wilson (2,382 yards, 11 touchdowns, nine interceptions, three rushing touchdowns in nine games) is an inconsistent passer, but a great leader who can also make plays with his feet. Wilson returns after a 2019 season where he missed four games due to injuries. The receiving corps is decimated, with the top three wideouts gone along with TE Matt Bushman (injury). Gunner Romney and Dax Milne combined for more than 50 catches last year, but finding a #3 will be key to avoiding a dropout in the passing game. On the line, all five starters are back, with plenty of depth.

The Cougars also boast what could be a top-five offensive line in the country. On defense, almost everyone is back; 13 of the top 15 tacklers return, and they also return a few guys that faced injuries last year, highlighted by 2018 starter LB Zayne Anderson. The pass rush is suspect, as is the lack of a true #1 running back, but this should be a really good team and one that will be favored in every game this year if preseason projections hold, mostly thanks to an easy schedule. An undefeated season isn’t out of the question.

2. Army

Head Coach: Jeff Monken
2019 Record: 5-8
Average Projected 2020 Record: 5.8 wins, 5.2 losses

Schedule

Sept. 5 Middle Tennessee
Sept. 12 ULM
Sept. 19 BYU
Sept. 26 at Cincinnati
Oct. 3 Abilene Christian
Oct. 10 The Citadel
Oct. 17 at UTSA
Oct. 24 Mercer
Oct. 31 OPEN DATE
Nov. 7 OPEN DATE (maybe Air Force)
Nov. 14 at Tulane
Nov. 21 Georgia Southern
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Dec. 5 OPEN DATE
Dec. 12 Navy (in Philadelphia)

Last year, Army rushed for 3,863 yards and 45 touchdowns. They went 5-8. For a team like Army that almost never throws the ball, anything under 4,000 yards (an unheard of number for most teams) is disappointing. Star QB Kelvin Hopkins is gone, although junior Jabari Laws (484 yards, four touchdowns) feels like as good of a replacement as you could find. Leading tailback Artice Hobbs returns, and while the line sees a lot of turnover, that’s fairly normal for Army. The Black Knights have proven that they are one of the most consistently solid teams in the nation on the offensive line over the past few years, so I’m not worried there. On defense, I’m much less confident, as three of the top four tacklers are gone from a group which wasn’t that good to begin with. This will likely be a rebuilding year for Jeff Monken, although the fact that they play three FCS opponents will likely lead them to finish with a winning record nonetheless.

3. Liberty

Head Coach: Hugh Freeze
2019 Record: 8-5
Average Projected 2020 Record: 3.8 wins, 6.2 losses

Schedule

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
 Sept. 12 OPEN DATE
Sept. 19 at WKU
Sept. 26 FIU
 Oct. 3 North Alabama
Oct. 10 ULM
 Oct. 17 at Syracuse
Oct. 24 Southern Miss
 Oct. 31 OPEN DATE
Nov. 7 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 14 Western Carolina
 Nov. 21 at NC State
 Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
 Dec. 5 at Coastal Carolina

In year one, shady football coach Hugh Freeze shined at an even more shady school, Liberty University. The Flames went 8-5 in year one under Freeze, but the passing game duo of QB Stephen Calvert and WR Antonio Gandy-Golden is gone, as is RB Frankie Hickson. The Flames add in an Auburn transfer at QB in Malik Willis and an interesting threat in the passing game in freshman wideout CJ Yarbrough, which could be the new Calvert-Gandy-Golden duo for 2020.

A trio of seniors: RB Joshua Mack, WR DJ Stubbs, and WR Kevin Shaa add in a few more experienced weapons for Willis to turn to. Mack especially was awesome in his limited snaps last year. On defense, the pass rush, led by Jayod Sanders, looks great, although the secondary is suspect, with four key guys leaving along with the top three tacklers from the defense as a whole. A few transfers will plugin at some of the holes, but the defense will probably struggle. There is talent on this team, but facing a relatively tough schedule and losing some of your best players will normally lead to significant regression.

September 3, 2020
2020 Conference USA Football Preview

Check out the CSD preview for Conference USA’s 2020 season in this loaded preview, featuring in-depth coverage of everything you need to know about all 13 teams, projected records based on thousands of computer simulations, the projected all-conference team, awards, and more!

The league has announced that it plans to play the normal eight conference games and that its teams are allowed to play up to four non-conference opponents. However, league member Old Dominion independently decided to cancel their season. Thus, the eight teams that were scheduled to play ODU will have only seven conference games on their schedule.

EAST

Defending conference champions Florida Atlantic ran away with the East title last year (and in 2017). However, the coach that led the Owls to those two conference championships, Lane Kiffin, has moved up and out to a job in the SEC at Ole Miss. With Kiffin gone, this is shaping up to be one of the tightest division races in the country.

T1. Western Kentucky

Head Coach: Tyson Helton
2019 Record: 9-4 (6-2 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 6.9 wins, 4.1 losses (4.7 wins, 2.3 losses C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 at Louisville
Sept. 19 Liberty
Sept. 26 OPEN DATE
Oct. 3 at Middle Tennessee
Oct. 10 Marshall
Oct. 17 at UAB
Oct. 24 Chattanooga
Oct. 31 at BYU
Nov. 7 at Florida Atlantic
Nov. 14 Southern Miss
Nov. 21 FIU
Nov. 28 at Charlotte

Western Kentucky, a once-mighty G5 program, underwent a bit of a rebuild in the late 2010s, but last year, year one coach Tyson Helton seemed to figure out a way to turn it around. Things started off on the wrong track with a loss to Central Arkansas, but after that, the Hilltoppers just started winning. Thanks to a kickass defense that could contend with the best in the G5, WKU beat a UAB team that went on to win the West and also destroyed SEC foe Arkansas to close out the year. All in all, it was a nine-win year the season after a nine-loss year, and the Hilltoppers should be even better in 2020. 13 of the top 15 tacklers are back from that excellent defense, including monster edge rusher DeAngelo Malone (11.5 sacks) and the best safety duo in the conference: Antwon Kincade and Devon Key.

The offense was suspect in 2019, but WKU will bring in a Maryland transfer at QB in Tyrell Pigrome. Top rusher Gaej Walker (1,208 yards) is also back, and while Lucky Jackson is gone, the rest of the receiving corps returns. This is one of the most experienced teams in the country and they get Marshall at home, the Hilltoppers will be one of the favorites in the conference.

T1. Marshall

Head Coach: Doc Holliday
2019 Record: 8-5 (6-2 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 5.8 wins, 3.2 losses 4.7 wins, 2.3 losses)

Schedule

Sept. 5 Eastern Kentucky
Sept. 12 OPEN DATE
Sept. 19 Appalachian State
Sept. 26 OPEN DATE
Oct. 3 Rice
Oct. 10 at WKU
Oct. 17 at Louisiana Tech
Oct. 24 Florida Atlantic
Oct. 31 at FIU
Nov. 7 OPEN DATE
Nov. 14 Middle Tennessee
Nov. 21 Charlotte
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE

Marshall won’t be the most creative or exciting team this year, but they will be solid. The Herd has stayed the course on a rebuild, and this is the year we will see if it pays off. This will be one of the most experienced teams in the country, boasting the best offensive line in the G5 and a talented RB in Brendan Knox (1,387 yards, 11 touchdowns, C-USA Offensive Player of the Year). QB Isaiah Green is gone, but almost the entire offense returns in his absence. Freshman Grant Wells will be the starter at QB, and Wells will have the benefit of throwing to a receiving corps that returns four of the top five. The front seven is the one area where Marshall loses a lot, but talented edge rusher Darius Hodge (7 sacks) returns, and they bring in Deleware State transfer Brian Cavicante (17 TFL). This team showed potential last year, being the only C-USA team to beat Florida Atlantic, and they should contend for a conference title this year.

3. Florida Atlantic

Head Coach: Willie Taggart
2019 Record: 11-3 (7-1 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 5.9 wins, 3.1 losses (4.5 wins, 2.5 losses C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 OPEN DATE
Sept. 19 at Georgia Southern
Sept. 26 USF
Oct. 3 Charlotte
Oct. 10 at Southern Miss
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24 at Marshall
Oct. 31 UTSA
Nov. 7 WKU
Nov. 14 at FIU
Nov. 21 OPEN DATE
Nov. 28 at Middle Tennessee

Head Coach Lane Kiffin is gone from the defending conference champs, and much of the conference championship-winning team is as well. QB Chris Robinson, Mackey Award-winning TE Harrison Bryant, dangerous slot Deangelo Antoine, a pair of all-conference offensive linemen, almost the entire defense, including stud LB Akileis Leroy. All. Gone. A new coaching staff and major roster turnover is not a good recipe in a year when offseason practice was limited. There is one key piece left over for former Florida State head coach Willie Taggart, though: Malcolm Davidson. The Owls’ top back dealt with injuries all throughout last year, but when he was healthy he was excellent, averaging nearly seven yards per carry. I loved Taggart’s defensive coordinator hire, Jim Leavitt, formerly DC at Oregon, and while a lot of last year’s starters are gone, the Owls bring back a ton of depth and have recruited better than anyone in the conference, so the talent is still there, enough that a repeat conference title isn’t out of the question. I just think this is not the year for an inexperienced squad to make a run.

4. Charlotte

Head Coach: Will Healy
2019 Record: 7-6 (3-5 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 5.2 wins, 5.8 losses (4.1 wins, 2.9 losses C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 at Appalachian State
Sept. 19 at North Carolina
Sept. 26 Georgia State
Oct. 3 at Florida Atlantic
Oct. 10 at North Texas
Oct. 17 FIU
Oct. 24 UTEP
Oct. 31 at Duke
Nov. 7 at Middle Tennessee
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at Marshall
Nov. 28 WKU

Charlotte head coach Will Healy is a rising star in the coaching ranks. In his very first year at the helm, Healy led the 49ers to their first bowl bid in school history and a winning record on the backs of one of the more creative offenses in the G5. OC Alex Atkins, a rising star in his own right, is now the OC at Florida State, but he left some pieces for Healy to work with. Back-to-back 1,000+ yard rusher Benny LeMay is gone as is a lot of the offensive line, but NIU transfer Tre Harbison (1,021 yards) comes in to fill that gap, and monster dual-threat QB Chris Reynolds (2,564 passing yards, 767 rushing yards) is back, along with his top pass-catcher, junior Victor Tucker (909 yards, seven touchdowns). A couple of pieces are gone on defense, although star S Ben DeLuca returns from a shoulder injury that cost him his 2019. I worry a lot about the front seven and offensive line, but this team has a ton of potential, and they could surprise with a winning record, even without an FCS game on their schedule.

5. Middle Tennessee

Head Coach: Rick Stockstill
2019 Record: 4-8 (3-5 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 4.2 wins, 5.8 losses (2.7 wins, 4.3 losses C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 5 at Army
Sept. 12 OPEN DATE
Sept. 19 Troy
Sept. 26 OPEN DATE
Oct. 3 WKU
Oct. 10 at FIU
Oct. 17 North Texas
Oct. 24 at Rice
Oct. 31 OPEN DATE
Nov. 7 Charlotte
Nov. 14 at Marshall
Nov. 21 at Troy
Nov. 28 Florida Atlantic

Middle Tennessee has been incredibly consistent under longtime coach Brent Stockstill. Prior to last year’s 4-8 mark, the Blue Raiders had made a bowl seven years in a row. As they look to improve on that four-win total, the star of last year’s campaign, QB Asher O’Hara, is back. O’Hara was arguably the best rushing quarterback in the nation last year, and the Blue Raiders add in a pair of P5 transfers at running back in Martell Pettaway (WVU) and Amir Rasul (FSU) to help him out. The receiving corps is great, and a line that got decimated with injuries last year means that they return a ton of guys that played a least a little last year.

Things look up for the Blue Raiders on offense. On defense, it’s a different story. MTSU will lose seven of their top 12 tacklers from a defense that was already one of the worst in the nation, and the Blue Raiders will struggle once again both in pass coverage and in getting to the quarterback. I’m still iffy on O’Hara’s passing abilities, and that combined with the woeful defense makes me feel that another bowl miss is likely in the works.

6. FIU

Head Coach: Butch Davis
2019 Record: 6-7 (3-5 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 2.6 wins, 5.4 losses (2.1 wins, 4.9 losses C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 OPEN DATE
Sept. 19 OPEN DATE
Sept. 26 at Liberty
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 10 Middle Tennessee
Oct. 17 at Charlotte
Oct. 24 OPEN DATE
Oct. 31 Marshall
Nov. 7 at UTEP
Nov. 14 Florida Atlantic
Nov. 21 at WKU
Nov. 28 Louisiana Tech

Before Butch Davis took over, FIU had been to two bowls, ever. In Butch Davis’ three years at the helm, they added three more. That’s incredible, right? The former Miami coach will have a hard time extending that streak this year, but that is none the less incredibly impressive.

Star QB James Morgan is gone; dual-threat Kaylan Wiggins looks to be the replacement, but Morgan, now a New York Jet, will be hard to replace. The receiving corps is a mixed bag, with very little returning in 2019 production but some interesting recruits and a Georgia transfer added to the mix. The Panthers also boast one of the best offensive lines in the conference, and one of the best secondaries in the G5, led by the Dames twins, Rishard and Richard. The front seven loses their two best players, Teair Tart and Sage Lewis, although FIU does add in Boise State transfer Tyson Maeva. There is clear potential on this team, but with a question mark at quarterback and no pass rush to speak of, I think they’ll be fighting to get out of the cellar in what is a very deep East division of Conference USA.

WEST

The West division of Conference USA is not as balanced as the East, although it does boast a trio of consistent contenders in North Texas, Louisiana Tech, and UAB, the last of which seems poised for a threepeat as division champs this year.

1. UAB

Head Coach: Bill Clark
2019 Record: 9-5 (6-2 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 8.3 wins, 2.7 losses (6.0 wins, 1.0 loss C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 5 Central Arkansas
Sept. 10 at Miami
Sept. 19 OPEN DATE
Sept. 26 at South Alabama
Oct. 3 UTSA
Oct. 10 at Rice
Oct. 17 WKU
Oct. 23 Louisiana
Oct. 31 at Louisiana Tech
Nov. 7 OPEN DATE
Nov. 14 North Texas
Nov. 21 at UTEP
Nov. 28 Southern Miss

After back-to-back West Division title teams that fell short in the C-USA Championship Game, Bill Clark’s 2020 UAB squad enters the year as a heavy favorite to win the conference outright. This may be the best defense in the G5, including AAC powers like Cincinnati. Dy’John Turner and Brontae Harris are a top ten corner duo in the nation bar-none, edge rusher Jordan Smith is excellent, and RB Spencer Brown has averaged over 1,000 yards a year over his three seasons with the program. Leading receiver Austin Watkins (1,092 yards, six touchdowns) is back, along with four of five on the offensive line. My only question is at the quarterback spot where junior Tyler Johnston has been incredibly inconsistent, but everything around Johnston is so good that the Blazers are clear favorites to win the conference, and have a real shot to upset Miami in week one.

2. Louisiana Tech

Head Coach: Skip Holtz
2019 Record: 10-3 (6-2 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 7.2 wins, 3.8 losses (5.3 wins, 2.7 losses C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 at Baylor
Sept. 19 at Southern Miss
Sept. 26 Houston Baptist
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 10 UTEP
Oct. 17 Marshall
Oct. 24 at UTSA
Oct. 31 UAB
Nov. 7 at North Texas
Nov. 14 Rice
Nov. 21 ULM (in Shreveport)
Nov. 28 at FIU

Louisiana Tech, one of the most storied low-level programs of the past thirty years, comes into 2020 off of six straight bowl wins, and six straight winning records. Now, this will be a rebuilding year relative to last year’s ten-win squad, but if anyone can keep that streak alive, its Skip Holtz. A lot is gone from last year’s team, including a couple of coordinators, star QB J’Mar Smith, and the entire secondary, but some pieces do remain.

2019 backup QB Aaron Allen has shown very little in his limited appearances, although he’ll be helped out on offense by RB Justin Henderson (1,100 yards, 14 touchdowns) along with speedy slot man Cee Jay Powell. On defense, the Bulldogs return a strong group of edge rushers and not much else. With a retooled offensive line, four starters gone in the secondary, and no more J’Mar Smith, a step back is inevitable for 2020, although a pretty easy conference schedule may allow LTU to sneak into second place in the West.

3. Southern Miss

Head Coach: Jay Hopson
2019 Record: 7-6 (5-3 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 8.2 wins, 3.8 losses (5.1 wins, 2.9 losses C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 3 South Alabama
Sept. 12 OPEN DATE
Sept. 19 Louisiana Tech
Sept. 26 Tulane
Oct. 3 at North Texas
Oct. 10 Florida Atlantic
Oct. 17 at UTEP
Oct. 24 at Liberty
Oct. 31 Rice
Nov. 7 North Alabama
Nov. 14 at WKU
Nov. 21 UTSA
Nov. 28 at UAB

I actually would rate Southern Miss as the #2 team in the West talent-wise (ahead of Louisiana Tech), but the Golden Eagles faced a tough draw in scheduling, getting UAB and Western Kentucky on the road, and drawing FAU as their other East crossover opponent. Yikes. Star receiver Quez Watkins is gone to the NFL, but QB Jack Abraham (3,469 yards) is back after taking a big step forward in 2019. Four starters are back from what was an awful offensive line in 2019, but the added experience should help. Also returning is a trio of backs that will take some of the offensive load off of Abraham. The defense is the superior unit on the team, and they return most of the key pieces, including the dynamic edge duo of Jacques Turner and Eriq Kitchen. This should be a very good team, and one has an outside shot at contending for a conference title.

4. Rice

Head Coach: Mike Bloomgren
2019 Record: 3-9 (3-5 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 3.4 wins, 4.6 losses (3.4 wins, 4.6 losses C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 OPEN DATE
Sept. 19 OPEN DATE
Sept. 26 OPEN DATE
Oct. 3 at Marshall
Oct. 10 UAB
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24 Middle Tennessee
Oct. 31 at Southern Miss
Nov. 7 UTSA
Nov. 14 at Louisiana Tech
Nov. 21 at North Texas
Nov. 28 UTEP

Rice will find themselves as the lone Conference-USA team not to be playing any non-conference games this year. On the one hand, they’ll be more well-rested, but they also lose the opportunity to work out any kinks before conference play begins.

This team ended 2019 on the right track, with three straight wins to close out the year, mostly on the backs of the defense, because the offense wasn’t much to speak of. To help matters on the weak offense… the top two rushers from last year’s team are gone. Oof. TCU transfer Michael Collins should improve the QB situation, which was dreadful last year, and I do like the receiving corps, but this will still be a very subpar offense. On defense, however, almost everyone is back from a pretty good group. The lone departures come from the pass rush group, which was the weakest unit on the defense in 2019. Between the improved QB situation and what should be a solid defense, this will be an improved team that might have a shot at .500 after being one of the worst squads in the FBS for years.

5. UTSA

Head Coach: Jeff Traylor
2019 Record: 4-8 (3-5 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 4.1 wins, 7.9 losses (2.2 wins, 4.8 losses C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 at Texas State
Sept. 19 Stephen F. Austin
Sept. 26 Memphis
Oct. 3 at UAB
Oct. 10 at BYU
Oct. 17 Army
Oct. 24 Louisiana Tech
Oct. 31 at Florida Atlantic
Nov. 7 at Rice
Nov. 14 UTEP
Nov. 21 at Southern Miss
Nov. 28 North Texas

Since moving up to the FBS level, UTSA’s offense has struggled mightily. In comes new coach Jeff Traylor this year, and along with him, a new option at QB in New Mexico State transfer Josh Adkins (27 touchdowns, 24 interceptions over the last two years). Adkins is probably better than those numbers let on, but QB is still a massive hole for the Roadrunners in Traylor’s year one. On defense, a ton of experience returns. Senior Jaylon Haynes (12.5 TFL) is a difference-maker, and UTSA adds in Oklahoma State transfer JayVeon Cardwell to an already solid group. This will be a reset button year as Traylor, an excellent recruiter in the state of Texas, gets his guys in, but there is enough talent that the defense should be able to carry them to a year matching 2019’s 4-8 mark.

6. North Texas

Head Coach: Seth Littrell
2019 Record: 4-8 (3-5 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 3.2 wins, 7.8 losses (2.1 wins, 5.9 losses C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 5 Houston Baptist
Sept. 12 OPEN DATE
Sept. 19 SMU
Sept. 26 at Houston
Oct. 3 Southern Miss
Oct. 10 Charlotte
Oct. 17 at Middle Tennessee
Oct. 24 OPEN DATE
Oct. 31 at UTEP
Nov. 7 Louisiana Tech
Nov. 14 at UAB
Nov. 21 Rice
Nov. 28 at UTSA

After back-to-back nine-win seasons, North Texas fell off of a cliff last year to 4-8, in a large part due to “best player in school history” QB Mason Fine (12,505 yards, 93 touchdowns in career) being riddled with injuries all year long. Well, now Fine is gone for good, along with 2018’s top receiver, another guy that battled injuries in 2019, WR Rico Bussey. Outside of the QB situation, the secondary and the offensive line are also losing a lot, although the front seven on defense is stacked with NT Dion Novil (13 TFL) holding down the middle and LB Tyreke Davis (14 TFL, 4.5 sacks) leading an excellent second level. RB Tre Siggers return, along with a much of the rest of the receiving corps sans-Bussey. A question mark at QB and an inexperienced offensive line is a huge red flag, but there is talent elsewhere on this team, and Littrell is the guy to make it work.

7. UTEP

Head Coach: Dana Dimel
2019 record: 1-11 (0-8 C-USA)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 2.1 wins, 9.9 losses (1.0 win, 7.0 losses C-USA)

Schedule

Sept. 5 Stephen F. Austin
Sept. 12 at Texas
Sept. 19 Abilene Christian
Sept. 26 at ULM
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 10 at Louisiana Tech
Oct. 17 Southern Miss
Oct. 24 at Charlotte
Oct. 31 North Texas
Nov. 7 FIU
Nov. 14 at UTSA
Nov. 21 UAB
Nov. 28 at Rice

In two years at UTEP, head coach Dana Dimel has won exactly two games, and the Miners come into 2020 as my lowest-rated team in the country. Now, if there’s any good news, its that this team is incredibly young, so they should take a big step forward in 2021, whether Dimel survives until then may be a different question. The top two receivers are back, and the backfield is deadly, with four or five guys likely to take significant snaps, that’s about where the positives end. At QB, 2019 redshirt Gavin Hardison is probably the man. Hardison was not good in limited snaps last year, and the lack of spring practices really hurt any chance he had at development. On defense, the top three tacklers are gone, as are starters at every level. The good news is that losing a bunch of pieces from a bad defense doesn’t hurt as much as losing pieces from a good defense. The bad news? The replacements might be worse, as Dimel frantically signing almost a dozen JUCOs on defense proves. This will be a bad team, and one that will probably lose to an FCS foe. However, this year is probably more about laying the groundwork for 2021 anyways.

Conference USA Title Game Pick: UAB over Western Kentucky

All-Conference-USA Team

QB – Asher O’Hara, Middle Tennessee
RB – Spencer Brown, UAB
RB – Brenden Knox, Marshall
WR – Victor Tucker, Charlotte
WR – Austin Watkins Jr., UAB
TE – Joshua Simon, WKU
C – Kody Russey, Louisiana Tech
OL – Arvin Fletcher, Southern Miss
OL – Jordan Meredith, WKU
OL – Desmond Noel, Florida Atlantic
OL – Marquice Robinson, Florida Atlantic

DL – Jaylon Haynes, UTSA
DL – Dion Novil, North Texas
DL – Deangelo Malone, WKU
DL – Jordan Smith, UAB
LB – Kristopher Moll, UAB
LB – Blaze Alldredge, Rice
LB – Kyle Bailey, WKU
DB – Brontae Harris, UAB
DB – Reed Blankenship, Middle Tennessee
DB – Rishard Dames, FIU
DB – Ben DeLuca, Charlotte

Most Appearances by Team:

UAB – 5
WKU – 4
Florida Atlantic – 2
Middle Tennessee – 2
Charlotte – 2
Marshall – 1
Louisiana Tech – 1
Southern Miss – 1
North Texas – 1
Rice – 1
FIU – 1
UTSA – 1

Offensive Player of the Year: RB Brenden Knox, Marshall
Defensive Player of the Year: CB Brontae Harris, UAB
Coach of the Year: Bill Clark, UAB
Coach on the Hot Seat: Dana Dimel, UTEP
Freshman of the Year: WR Jawaun Johnson, Louisiana Tech
Game of the Year: Western Kentucky @ UAB (October 17)

September 2, 2020
2020 Sun Belt Football Preview

Check out the CSD preview for the Sun Belt Conference’s 2020 season in this loaded preview featuring in-depth coverage of everything you need to know about all ten teams, projected records based on thousands of computer simulations, the projected all-conference team, awards, and more!

The league has announced that it plans to play the normal eight conference games and that its teams are allowed to play up to four non-conference opponents.

EAST

After picking up Georgia Southern and Appalachian State from the FCS following the last round of G5 conference realignment, the Sun Belt East, won by Appalachian State the past two years, has been a sneaky good division at the G5 level. In fact, last year, over half of the division (Appalachian State, Georgia State, and Coastal Carolina) scored a major upset win against a power-five opponent. App State will be favored again, but a few teams could surprise.

1. Appalachian State

Head Coach: Shawn Clark
2019 Record: 13-1 (7-1 Sun Belt)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 10.1 wins, 0.9 losses (7.3 wins, 0.7 losses Sun Belt)

Schedule

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

Former offensive line coach Shawn Clark has a high bar to clear. From Mack Brown to Scott Satterfield and Elijah Drinkwitz, Appalachian State has been a G5 coaching star machine, and while the Mountaineers feel due for a dud in the coaching department, Clark filled in well during the bowl game win against UAB. As for his team, the Mountaineers have outright-won or shared four straight conference titles, and they return QB Zac Thomas (2,178 yards, 28 touchdowns, six interceptions, seven rushing touchdowns) from last year’s talented squad. Thomas has struggled with accuracy in the past, but he’s a good leader and can make plays with his feet.

App State does lose perhaps their best player from last year’s team, TB Darrynton Evans, who averaged well over 1,000 yards a year in his short career at the program. The receiving corps is loaded with the top four guys back, including a pair of All-Sun Belt pass-catchers in Thomas Hennigan and Corey Sutton.

The defense is a little more suspicious, as they lose a couple of truly special players in LB Akeem Davis-Gaither and S Desmond Franklin, but the ‘Eers will return one of the best CB duos at the G5 level in Shemar Jean-Charles and Shaun Jolly. With the new coach and some significant losses, a step back may be inevitable, but App State remains the favorites in the Sun Belt and could contend for a New Year’s Six bowl slot thanks to a pretty easy schedule.

2. Georgia Southern

Head Coach: Chad Lunsford
2019 Record: 7-6 (5-3 Sun Belt)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 6.9 wins, 4.1 losses (5.0 wins, 3.0 losses Sun Belt)

Schedule

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

2019 was quite the up-and-down year for Georgia Southern, nearly upsetting eventual national contender Minnesota early in the year, then almost losing to Maine, handing Appalachian State their only loss of the season, and losing their bowl game to Liberty. That is the way it goes sometimes with an option team. The Eagles were one of the most fun teams to watch last year, thanks to a three-headed rushing monster of QB Shai Werts (740 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns), RB Wesley Kennedy (824 yards, 11 touchdowns), and RB JD King (804 yards, eight touchdowns). The three were Georgia Southern’s offense. Werts isn’t much of a passer, not that he was really allowed to try, the top receiver on the year had just 20 catches.

The offensive line returns three starters, and the defensive line might be the most talented group in the Sun Belt. The Eagles return a pair of studs in the pass rush in edge rusher Raymond Johnson III and C.J. Wright, however, the secondary will struggle following the departure of their brilliant pair of corners, Kindle Vildor and Monquavion Brinson. All in all, the gap between Georgia Southern and Appalachian State for 1-2 in the East will probably widen this year, but if there is a bowl season, I’d bet on Georgia Southern making it, also, they’ll be fun to watch again, so at least there’s that.

3. Troy

Head Coach: Chip Lindsey
2019 Record: 5-7 (3-5 Sun Belt)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 5.8 wins, 6.2 losses (3.9 wins, 4.1 losses Sun Belt)

Schedule

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

Troy will look to rebound after missing a bowl for the first time in four years, and they will have to do so without long-time QB Kaleb Barker (3.628 yards, 30 touchdowns). It’s a big hole, but outside of a couple of question marks on the offensive line, if they can fill it, this could be the best offense in the Sun Belt. 2019 backup Gunnar Watson only threw 22 passes last year, and he’s getting a challenge from Vanderbilt transfer Jacob Free and a JUCO transfer, Parker McNeil. Whoever the quarterback is will be blessed with the best receiving corps in the conference. Everyone is back from last year’s group, including vertical threat/return man Reggie Todd and 2019 leader Kaylor Geiger Sr. (77 catches, 873 yards, five touchdowns).

The offense also brings back their top running back from last year’s team, DK Billingsley (899 yards, ten touchdowns), along with the top back from the 2018 team, BJ Smith (1,186 yards, 13 touchdowns in 2018) who missed last year due to injury. The offense should be excellent as long as they find a serviceable QB, but the defense is a different story. The secondary is extraordinarily young and is apt to get burnt frequently. The Trojans do boast a pair of excellent linebackers in Carlton Martial (126 tackles, 18.5 TFL) and KJ Robertson, but losing your one playmaker (Will Sunderland) from an already weak back four hurts. It’s hard to get a read on this team, one with some obvious strengths (WR, RB, LB) and big weaknesses (QB, CB, S). A bowl game berth feels like a tossup.

4. Georgia State

Head Coach: Shawn Elliott
2019 Record: 7-6 (4-4 Sun Belt)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 3.9 wins, 6.1 losses (3.3 wins, 4.7 losses Sun Belt)

Schedule

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

Georgia State made waves in 2019, upsetting Tennesse 38-30 in Knoxville in a win that put the program on the map. The two keys to that game, however, QB Dan Ellington and stud RB Tra Barnett, are both gone. A pair of backups at running back, Destin Coates and Seth Paige, showed flashes last year and could step up into the hole Barnett left. The QB situation is a different story, though. 2019 backup Cornelious Brown was not good in limited playing time, and incoming freshman Mikele Colasurdo was ruled out for the year due to long-term effects from a heart problem after contracting COVID-19 (There’s one for the “young people will be fine” crowd). If Brown or perhaps Vanderbilt transfer Jamil Muhammad can step up, there is talent around them. The receiving corps has some names, including Cornelius McCoy Jr. (70 catches, 757 yards, five touchdowns), and four starters return on the line. The defense struggled last year but should be a lot more experienced, bringing back nine starters and adding in transfers from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. As long as the Panthers can sort out the QB spot, this could be an above .500 team again, but that’s a big if.

5. Coastal Carolina

Head Coach: Jamey Chadwell
2019 Record: 5-7 (2-6 Sun Belt)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 4.8 wins, 6.2 losses (2.7 wins, 5.3 losses Sun Belt)

Schedule

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

Seconds away from bowl eligibility and a win over a power five team? Not a bad start to your first season as the (official) head coach, Mr. Jamey Chadwell. Now the Chants need to follow it up. Stud RB CJ Marable could be the best weapon in the conference. He racked up 14 touchdowns between the rushing and receiving game last year, and the speedy Marable also served as an excellent return man for the Chants. The slow-paced rushing attack of CCU might not be the most fun to watch, but that will likely be the route Chadwell goes again in 2020, as the quarterback situation still looks dreary. Rushing threat Bryce Carpenter and Fred Payton split snaps last year. I prefer Carpenter thanks to his talent in the run game and Payton’s “let it fly” turnover-producing attitude, but neither will light your world on fire. The defense is still extraordinarily young, and they lose their best playmaker in Chandler Kryst (five INTs). The Chants were probably lucky to win five games last year, and with an inexperienced defense, a tough QB situation, and one fewer game on the schedule, I think that’s a good goal for 2020 as well.

WEST

After one of the best seasons in program history, Louisiana will see if lightning can in fact strike twice. The Ragin’ Cajuns will face a tough test from perennial West contender Arkansas State, but not anyone else, lopsided divisions have placed the conference’s bottom three teams all in the West.

1. Louisiana

Head Coach: Billy Napier
2019 Record: 11-3 (7-1 Sun Belt)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 8.5 wins, 2.5 losses (6.7 wins, 1.3 losses Sun Belt)

Schedule

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 at Iowa State
Sept. 19 at Georgia State
Sept. 26 Georgia Southern
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 7 at Appalachian State
Oct. 17 Coastal Carolina
Oct. 23 at UAB
Oct. 31 at Texas State
Nov. 5 Arkansas State
Nov. 14 South Alabama
Nov. 21 Central Arkansas
Nov. 28 at ULM

Billy Napier is a coaching star. The former Clemson OC has taken a once-great ULL program that was on their way down when he took over and taken them to back-to-back Sun Belt West titles, including perhaps the best season in school history last year. Many of the key pieces return from that team, including one of the best 1-2 punches in the country at halfback with Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas (combined 1,967 yards, 27 touchdowns). QB Levi Lewis (3,050 yards, 26 touchdowns) also returns. Lewis had a tendency to make bad throws and get bailed out by bad Sun Belt DB play in 2019, his four-interception number probably should’ve been higher, but he’s a talented QB nonetheless. If he can tighten up his risk-taking a little, he could be one of the better QBs in the conference,

Lewis will lose his top playmaker from last year’s team, WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, along with a couple of pieces from what was maybe the best offensive line in the G5, but this offense should contend for best in the conference despite the losses thanks mostly to the duo at halfback. On defense, they struggle in size on the line and lose leading tackler Jacques Bourdeaux from the linebacking corps, but get seven starters back in all, including what should be a very good secondary by Sun Belt standards. The holes in run defense along with the fact that ULL will have to travel to Boone to play Appalachian State in the regular season (and thus likely the title game as well) make me lean App State as the Sun Belt favorite in 2020, but ULL is a very close #2, and a clear favorite in the West.

2. Arkansas State

Head Coach: Blake Anderson
2019 Record: 8-5 (5-3 Sun Belt)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 6.7 wins, 5.3 losses (5.1 wins, 2.9 losses Sun Belt)

Schedule

Sept. 5 at Memphis
Sept. 12 at Kansas State
Sept. 19 Central Arkansas
Sept. 26 Tulsa
Oct. 3 at Coastal Carolina
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 15 Georgia State
Oct. 24 at Appalachian State
Oct. 31 Troy
Nov. 5 at Louisiana
Nov. 14 ULM
Nov. 21 at Texas State
Nov. 28 South Alabama

This team won’t have any trouble putting points up on the board. The problem? The other team won’t either. QB Layne Hatcher (66%, 2,946 yards in ten games) is back after an excellent freshman season, although he will get a challenge from the man he replaced, Logan Bonner, who was injured last year with a thumb injury. The Red Wolves do lose their top playmaker, WR Omar Bayless (1,653 yards, 17 touchdowns), however, Jonathan Adams Jr. (851, five) will step up nicely into the #1 receiver role. The line wasn’t great last year but should be much improved as they age into the experience.

On defense, however, the Red Wolves take a hit to an already suspect group. The top three tacklers (and six of the top nine) are gone from one of the worst defenses in the nation, including a bevy of out-transfers highlighted by star pass rusher William Bradley-King. This will be a high-variance year thanks to the lopsided talent gap between the offense and the defense, but there is enough talent that the program should go bowling for a 10th (!) straight year, assuming we have anything resembling a normal bowl season.

3. South Alabama

Head Coach: Steve Campbell
2019 Record: 2-10 (1-7 Sun Belt)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 3.0 wins, 8.0 losses (2.7 wins, 5.3 losses Sun Belt)

Schedule

Sept. 3 at Southern Miss
Sept. 12 Tulane
Sept. 19 OPEN DATE
Sept. 26 UAB
Oct. 3 Troy
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 Texas State
Oct. 22 ULM
Oct. 31 at Georgia Southern
Nov. 7 at Coastal Carolina
Nov. 14 at Louisiana
Nov. 21 Georgia State
Nov. 28 at Arkansas State

Alright, this is still probably a bottom five or ten team in the country, but you can start to see some potential with this South Alabama team, can’t you? At least if you squint? The schedule isn’t bad, as they get some of their most winnable games at home, and they bring back QB Desmond Trotter, who took over late last year as a freshman and threw eight touchdowns to just two interceptions. Six of the top seven wideouts are back, along with four of five on the offensive line. They lose their RB, Tra Minter, but anchored by NFL prospect Jacob Shoemaker, the line will probably propel even a replacement-level RB to a good year.

The defense is exciting, as seven of the top eight tacklers are back from one of the more improved Ds in the country. The linebacking duo of Riley Cole (nine TFL) and excellent coverage back AJ DeShazor is excellent, not to mention the team’s leading tackler, LB Nick Mobley (91). I’ve really talked myself into South Alabama looking at this team, and I think they’ll improve on last year’s two-win total despite fewer games and no FCS opponent.

4. ULM

Head Coach: Matt Viator
2019 Record: 5-7 (4-4 Sun Belt)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 3.3 wins, 8.7 losses (1.9 wins, 6.1 losses)

Schedule

Sept. 5 OPEN DATE
Sept. 12 at Army
Sept. 19 Texas State
Sept. 26 UTEP
Oct. 3 Georgia Southern
Oct. 10 at Liberty
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 22 at South Alabama
Oct. 31 Appalachian State
Nov. 7 at Georgia State
Nov. 14 at Arkansas State
Nov. 21 Louisiana Tech (in Shreveport)
Nov. 28 Louisiana
Dec. 5 at Troy

After a 2019 season that was heartbreakingly close to bowl-worthy, the WarHawks now stare down the barrel of a rebuild. QB Caleb Evans, one of the best players in program history, is gone, along with his offensive coordinator, the top two receivers, and four starting lineman. Yikes. ULM does return one of the best backs in the conference in Josh Johnson (1,298 yards), but with little around him, it will be a tough hill to climb to get close to 2019’s five wins. JUCO Jeremy Hunt should be the man at QB, but the WarHawks may favor sophomore Colby Suits thanks to his longer tenure with the team. Suits struggled in limited dropbacks last year, but with limited spring practices, teams may be tempted to stick with players that know the system.

The offense is going to be bad, but there are signs of life on defense. CB Corey Straughter is one of the best corners in the country, he had almost as many PBUs/Interceptions (11) as he had catches allowed (12), a nearly unheard of statistic. Edge rusher Ty Shelby is a utility man that can play anywhere on the field. ULM will lose top tackler Cortez Sisco from a front seven that already really struggled against the run, but the pieces are there to potentially improve there too. 2020 will be a step back for ULM, but Johnson and Straughter are two of the best players at the G5 level, so chances to surprise someone are there.

5. Texas State

Head Coach: Jake Spavital
2019 Record: 3-9 (2-6 Sun Belt)
Average Projected 2020 Record: 1.7 wins, 10.3 losses (1.3 wins, 6.7 losses Sun Belt)

Schedule

Sept. 5 SMU
Sept. 12 UTSA
Sept. 19 at ULM
Sept. 26 at Boston College
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 8 at Troy
Oct. 17 at South Alabama
Oct. 24 at BYU
Oct. 31 Louisiana
Nov. 7 Appalachian State
Nov. 14 at Georgia Southern
Nov. 21 Arkansas State
Nov. 28 Coastal Carolina

Texas State will lose much of their talent from a team that went 3-9 last year, leading the Bobcats to take on a waterfall of transfers to try and save this season from complete disaster. QB Tyler Vitt was bad last year (although actually improved a lot in the back half of the year), he’ll have to beat out Memphis transfer Brady McBride to keep his job. Whoever ends up at QB will be throwing to a receiving corps that loses its #1 pass-catcher, Hutch White, although brings back almost everyone else. Jah’Marae Shread is a speedy slot threat that can burn Sun Belt corners with ease, look for him to step up if the Bobcats want anything close to a decent year.

Three starters are gone up front, and the defense isn’t much better, with much of the back seven gone, including excellent LBs Bryan London and Frankie Griffin. Khambrail Winters, an undersized but firey corner, returns, but the other three starters from the secondary are gone. Unless a few of the bevy of P5 transfers really overdeliver, this will be another rebuilding year in what has been almost a decade of them for Texas State.

Sun Belt Title Game Pick: Appalachian State over Louisiana

All-Sun Belt Team

QB – Zac Thomas, Appalachian State
RB – Elijah Mitchell, Louisiana
RB – Josh Johnson, ULM
WR – Kaylon Geiger, Troy
WR – Jonathan Adams, Arkansas State
TE – Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
C – Noah Hannon, Appalachian State
OL – Cooper Hodges, Appalachian State
OL – Baer Hunter, Appalachian State
OL – O’Cyrus Torrence, Louisiana
OL – Max Mitchell, Louisiana

DL – Raymond Johnson III, Georgia Southern
DL – Demetrius Taylor, Appalachian State
DL – Zi’Yon Hill, Louisiana
DL – Tarron Jackson, Coastal Carolina
LB – Carlton Martial, Troy
LB – AJ Deshazor, South Alabama
LB – Joe Dillon, Louisiana
DB – Corey Straughter, ULM
DB – Shaun Jolly, Appalachian State
DB – Shemar Jean-Charles, Appalachian State
DB – Percy Butler, Louisiana

Most Appearances by Team:

Appalachian State – 7
Louisiana – 6
Troy – 2
ULM – 2
Coastal Carolina – 2
Arkansas State – 1
Georgia Southern – 1
South Alabama – 1

Offensive Player of the Year: Zac Thomas, QB, Appalachian State
Defensive Player of the Year: Corey Straughter, CB, ULM
Coach of the Year: Shawn Clark, Appalachian State
Coach on the Hot Seat: Jake Spavital, Texas State
Top Freshman: Reginal Johnson, WR, Louisiana
Top Newcomer: Brady McBride, QB, Texas State
Comeback Player: Forrest Merrill, DL, Arkansas State
Sleeper Team: South Alabama
Game To Watch: Lousiana @ Appalachian State (October 7th)

September 1, 2020

The CSD Prime Computer Model Preseason Rankings – From Alabama to UTEP

A note, four conferences (The Big Ten, Pac-12, Mountain West, and MAC) along with Old Dominion, UMass, New Mexico State, and UConn, have canceled their fall football seasons. Thus, these rankings only include the 76 teams playing this fall.

Note: This post was updated September 1st as a tweak was made to better address players opting out of the college football season

Rank	Team	Conf
1	Alabama	SEC
2	Clemson	ACC
3	Georgia	SEC
4	Oklahoma	Big 12
5	Florida	SEC
6	Texas A&M	SEC
7	Louisiana State	SEC
8	Auburn	SEC
9	Texas	Big 12
10	Notre Dame	ACC
11	Oklahoma State	Big 12
12	North Carolina	ACC
13	Virginia Tech	ACC
14	Cincinnati	AAC
15	Iowa State	Big 12
16	Tennessee	SEC
17	Central Florida	AAC
18	Louisville	ACC
19	Memphis	AAC
20	Kentucky	SEC
21	Florida State	ACC
22	Miami (FL)	ACC
23	Baylor	Big 12
24	Mississippi	SEC
25	Pittsburgh	ACC
26	Texas Christian	Big 12
27	Appalachian State	Sun Belt
28	Virginia	ACC
29	Kansas State	Big 12
30	South Carolina	SEC
31	Southern Methodist	AAC
32	Mississippi State	SEC
33	Louisiana	Sun Belt
34	West Virginia	Big 12
35	Wake Forest	ACC
36	Missouri	SEC
37	Houston	AAC
38	North Carolina State	ACC
39	Texas Tech	Big 12
40	Brigham Young	Ind
41	Alabama-Birmingham	CUSA
42	Boston College	ACC
43	Navy	AAC
44	Duke	ACC
45	Georgia Tech	ACC
46	Western Kentucky	CUSA
47	Tulane	AAC
48	Syracuse	ACC
49	Temple	AAC
50	Marshall	CUSA
51	Arkansas	SEC
52	Florida Atlantic	CUSA
53	Southern Mississippi	CUSA
54	Louisiana Tech	CUSA
55	Arkansas State	Sun Belt
56	Charlotte	CUSA
57	Tulsa	AAC
58	Georgia Southern	Sun Belt
59	South Florida	AAC
60	East Carolina	AAC
61	Vanderbilt	SEC
62	Army	Ind
63	Middle Tennessee State	CUSA
64	Georgia State	Sun Belt
65	Troy	Sun Belt
66	Rice	CUSA
67	Kansas	Big 12
68	Florida International	CUSA
69	Coastal Carolina	Sun Belt
70	Liberty	Ind
71	Texas-San Antonio	CUSA
72	South Alabama	Sun Belt
73	North Texas	CUSA
74	Louisiana-Monroe	Sun Belt
75	Texas State	Sun Belt
76	Texas-El Paso	CUSA

Average Rank By Conference

Conference	AVG. RANK
SEC	21st
big 12	26th
ACC	27th
American	39th
independents	58th
conference usa	59th
sun belt	59th

August 31, 2020

Final 2020 Bracketology

The most accurate bracketology over the past two seasons according to bracketmatrix.com returns! Let’s take a peek into what the bracket would look like if the season ended today as we head into Conference Championship week.

GREEN – Moved up one or more seed line
RED – Moved down one or more seed line
BLUE – New to bracket
Italicized – Team will play in First Four play-in game

Seed List

Note: The furthest left team is considered to be the highest ranked on the seed line and the furthest right is considered to be the lowest ranked

1 Seeds: Kansas, Baylor, Gonzaga, Dayton
2 Seeds: San Diego State, Florida State, Creighton, Villanova
3 Seeds: Duke, Michigan State, Maryland, Seton Hall
4 Seeds: Kentucky, Oregon, Louisville, Wisconsin
5 Seeds: Ohio State, Auburn, Butler, BYU
6 Seeds: West Virginia, Penn State, Iowa, Michigan
7 Seeds: Virginia, Illinois, Colorado, Houston
8 Seeds: Arizona, Saint Mary’s, LSU, Providence
9 Seeds: Florida, USC, Marquette, Rutgers
10 Seeds: Indiana, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Texas Tech
11 Seeds: Utah State, Wichita State, Stanford, Xavier, East Tennessee State
12 Seeds: Richmond, Cincinnati, Stephen F. Austin, Liberty, Yale
13 Seeds: Vermont, North Texas, Akron, New Mexico State
14 Seeds: Belmont, Hofstra, Colgate, Bradley
15 Seeds: UC Irvine, Eastern Washington, North Dakota State, Arkansas-Little Rock
16 Seeds: Northern Kentucky, Winthrop, St. Francis (PA), Siena, Prairie View A&M, North Carolina Central

BUBBLE WATCH

Last Four Byes
Oklahoma
Arizona State
Texas Tech
Wichita State
Last Four In
Stanford
Xavier
Richmond
Cincinnati
First Four Out
UCLA
Texas
Mississippi State
NC State
Next Four Out
Northern Iowa
Purdue
Memphis
Arkansas

March 10, 2020
College Football Predictions For Conference Championship Weekend

This post is using the CFP 25, but you can check out the current CSD Prime Computer Rankings here.

Note: Because the CSD Prime model does not rate FCS teams, no score prediction will be made for FBS vs FCS games.

Last Week’s Picks

OVERALL RECORD

Straight Up: 652-176 (79%)
Against The Spread Best Bets: 100-88-4 – profit 🙂

Best Bets For Conference Championship Week

Utah (-3) vs Oregon in Santa Clara, CA – Friday, 8 PM ET, ABC
Baylor (+10) vs Oklahoma in Arlington, TX – 12 PM ET, ABC
Central Michigan (-2.5) vs Miami (OH) in Detroit, MI – 12 PM ET, ESPN2
LSU (-3.5) vs Georgia in Atlanta, GA – 4 PM ET, CBS

Conference Championship Weekend Picks

Pac-12 Championship Game in Santa Clara, CA
#5 Utah (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12) vs. #13 Oregon (10-2, 8-1 Pac-12)

Friday, December 6th at 8 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: Utah -3

CSD Prime Pick: Utah 25, Oregon 19

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Utah -3

Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington, TX
#7 Baylor (11-1, 8-1 Big 12) vs. #6 Oklahoma (11-1, 8-1 Big 12)

Saturday, December 7th at 12 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: Oklahoma -10

CSD Prime Pick: Oklahoma 33, Baylor 28

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Baylor +10

Sun Belt Championship Game
Louisiana (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt) @ #21 Appalachian State (11-1, 7-1 Sun Belt)

Saturday, December 7th at 12 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: Appalachian State -6

CSD Prime Pick: Appalachian State 30, Louisiana 27

MAC Championship Game in Detroit, MI
Miami (OH) (7-5, 6-2 MAC) vs. Central Michigan (8-4, 6-2 MAC)
Saturday, December 7th at 12 PM ET on ESPN2
Vegas Line: Central Michigan -2.5

CSD Prime Pick: Central Michigan 31, Miami (OH) 22

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Central Michigan -2.5

Conference USA Championship
UAB (9-3, 6-2 C-USA) @ Florida Atlantic (9-3, 7-1 C-USA)
Saturday, December 7th at 1:30 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: Florida Atlantic -9

CSD Prime Pick: Florida Atlantic 29, UAB 21

American Athletic Conference Championship Game
#20 Cincinnati (10-2, 7-1 AAC) @ #17 Memphis (11-1, 7-1 AAC)

Saturday, December 7th at 3:30 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: Memphis -9.5

CSD Prime Pick: Memphis 32, Cincinnati 29

SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, GA
#4 Georgia (11-1, 7-1 SEC) vs. #2 LSU (12-0, 8-0 SEC)

Saturday, December 7th at 4 PM ET on CBS
Vegas Line: LSU -3.5

CSD Prime Pick: LSU 28, Georgia 21

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – LSU -3.5

Mountain West Championship Game
Hawai’i (9-4, 5-3 MW) @ #19 Boise State (11-1, 8-0 MW)
Saturday, December 7th at 4 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: Boise State -14

CSD Prime Pick: Boise State 39, Hawai’i 26

ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, NC
#23 Virginia (9-3, 6-2 ACC) vs. #3 Clemson (12-0, 8-0 ACC)

Saturday, December 7th at 7:30 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: Clemson -28.5

CSD Prime Pick: Clemson 41, Virginia 15

Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis, IN
#1 Ohio State (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) vs. #8 Wisconsin (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten)

Saturday, December 7th at 8 PM ET on FOX
Vegas Line: Ohio State -16

CSD Prime Pick: Ohio State 35, Wisconsin 19

December 7, 2019

CSD Prime Computer Rankings After Week 14 – Oklahoma Back In Front Of Utah

Rank	Team	Conf	Change (LW)	Change (YTD)
1	Alabama	SEC	0	0
2	Clemson	ACC	0	1
3	Ohio State	Big Ten	1	2
4	Louisiana State	SEC	-1	0
5	Georgia	SEC	0	-3
6	Oklahoma	Big 12	3	0
7	Auburn	SEC	1	5
8	Michigan	Big Ten	-2	-1
9	Utah	Pac-12	-2	19
10	Florida	SEC	0	-2
11	Wisconsin	Big Ten	8	16
12	Notre Dame	Ind	0	-2
13	Baylor	Big 12	3	37
14	Oregon	Pac-12	-3	3
15	Texas A&M	SEC	0	-4
16	Penn State	Big Ten	-3	-7
17	Iowa	Big Ten	5	2
18	Texas	Big 12	2	-4
19	Washington	Pac-12	-2	-4
20	Tennessee	SEC	-2	19
21	Appalachian State	Sun Belt	12	31
22	Iowa State	Big 12	2	9
23	Minnesota	Big Ten	-9	15
24	Southern California	Pac-12	1	-1
25	Memphis	AAC	-4	5
26	Kansas State	Big 12	0	28
27	Central Florida	AAC	1	-5
28	Kentucky	SEC	8	8
29	Air Force	MWC	-2	68
30	Temple	AAC	5	40
31	Texas Christian	Big 12	-8	-6
32	Indiana	Big Ten	-2	29
33	Virginia Tech	ACC	-2	4
34	Oklahoma State	Big 12	-2	-8
35	Mississippi State	SEC	-6	-22
36	North Carolina	ACC	15	26
37	Oregon State	Pac-12	8	64
38	West Virginia	Big 12	12	4
39	Boise State	MWC	-2	-7
40	California	Pac-12	13	16
41	Mississippi	SEC	7	7
42	Nebraska	Big Ten	-4	-13
43	Brigham Young	Ind	-4	15
44	Louisiana	Sun Belt	-10	44
45	Florida State	ACC	7	-11
46	Boston College	ACC	15	18
47	Tulane	AAC	9	37
48	Texas Tech	Big 12	1	12
49	Western Kentucky	CUSA	-6	56
50	Wake Forest	ACC	17	5
51	Virginia	ACC	9	-6
52	Washington State	Pac-12	6	-11
53	Miami (FL)	ACC	-11	-35
54	Missouri	SEC	1	-38
55	Central Michigan	MAC	11	67
56	Louisville	ACC	-16	36
57	Purdue	Big Ten	11	-14
58	Arizona State	Pac-12	-17	-25
59	Buffalo	MAC	5	41
60	Southern Methodist	AAC	-6	29
61	Colorado	Pac-12	2	2
62	Pittsburgh	ACC	-18	-9
63	Navy	AAC	8	47
64	Cincinnati	AAC	5	-20
65	Michigan State	Big Ten	-19	-45
66	Florida Atlantic	CUSA	-9	13
67	Northwestern	Big Ten	31	-27
68	Tulsa	AAC	5	30
69	Colorado State	MWC	1	34
70	South Carolina	SEC	-8	-49
71	Wyoming	MWC	3	19
72	Syracuse	ACC	-13	-26
73	San Diego State	MWC	2	-7
74	Ohio	MAC	6	-2
75	Alabama-Birmingham	CUSA	11	16
76	UCLA	Pac-12	-11	-27
77	Arizona	Pac-12	17	-30
78	Florida International	CUSA	18	5
79	Stanford	Pac-12	-1	-55
80	Army	Ind	4	-2
81	Kansas	Big 12	-9	15
82	Southern Mississippi	CUSA	5	0
83	Western Michigan	MAC	8	3
84	Illinois	Big Ten	-37	-3
85	Hawaii	MWC	-2	17
86	Charlotte	CUSA	9	28
87	South Florida	AAC	-2	-12
88	Louisiana Tech	CUSA	-9	-1
89	Ball State	MAC	8	24
90	Utah State	MWC	3	-17
91	Kent State	MAC	11	20
92	San Jose State	MWC	-11	24
93	Troy	Sun Belt	-17	-16
94	Louisiana-Monroe	Sun Belt	9	15
95	Fresno State	MWC	5	-44
96	Nevada	MWC	-7	-1
97	Eastern Michigan	MAC	-20	9
98	Maryland	Big Ten	8	-39
99	Miami (OH)	MAC	-11	0
100	Georgia Southern	Sun Belt	-1	-7
101	Duke	ACC	7	-30
102	Houston	AAC	-12	-37
103	North Carolina State	ACC	-21	-68
104	Nevada-Las Vegas	MWC	1	4
105	Marshall	CUSA	-13	-38
106	Middle Tennessee State	CUSA	7	-12
107	Liberty	Ind	-3	14
108	Arkansas	SEC	3	-40
109	Arkansas State	Sun Belt	-8	-33
110	Georgia Tech	ACC	-3	-41
111	East Carolina	AAC	-2	-4
112	Vanderbilt	SEC	5	-55
113	Rice	CUSA	5	14
114	Georgia State	Sun Belt	1	6
115	North Texas	CUSA	-5	-35
116	Texas State	Sun Belt	6	-4
117	Toledo	MAC	-3	-43
118	Northern Illinois	MAC	-2	-33
119	South Alabama	Sun Belt	2	4
120	Texas-San Antonio	CUSA	0	-1
121	New Mexico	MWC	-2	-4
122	Coastal Carolina	Sun Belt	-10	6
123	New Mexico State	Ind	0	2
124	Rutgers	Big Ten	2	-20
125	Old Dominion	CUSA	-1	-10
126	Texas-El Paso	CUSA	-1	4
127	Connecticut	AAC	0	2
128	Bowling Green State	MAC	0	-10
129	Akron	MAC	0	-3
130	Massachusetts	Ind	0	-6

December 3, 2019

College Football Predictions For Every Game Week 14 – RIVALRY WEEK

This post is using the CFP 25, but you can check out the current CSD Prime Computer Rankings here.

Note: Because the CSD Prime model does not rate FCS teams, no score prediction will be made for FBS vs FCS games.

Last Week’s Picks

OVERALL RECORD

Straight Up: 603-160 (79%)
Against The Spread Best Bets: 94-75-4 (+19 units profit)

BEST BETS WEEK 14

Akron (+28) vs Ohio – Tuesday, 6 PM ET, ESPN+
Virginia Tech (+1) @ Virginia – Friday, 12 PM ET, ABC
Troy (+13) vs Appalachian State – Friday, 6 PM ET, ESPN+
Michigan (+9.5) vs Ohio State – 12 PM ET, FOX
Syracuse (+6) vs Wake Forest – 12:30 PM ET, ACC Network Extra
UTEP (+7) vs Rice – 3 PM ET, ESPN3
Minnesota (+3.5) vs Wisconsin – 3:30 PM ET, ABC
Alabama (-3.5) @ Auburn – 3:30 PM ET, CBS
Miami (-4.5) @ Duke – 3:30 PM ET, ESPN2
UAB (+1) @ North Texas – 4 PM ET, Stadium Video
New Mexico (+11.5) vs Utah State – 4 PM ET, Facebook Video
Georgia State (+7.5) @ Georgia Southern – 6 PM ET, ESPN+
Kansas State (+5.5) vs Iowa State – 7 PM ET, FS1
Houston (+9) vs Navy – 7 PM ET, ESPN2
NC State (+10) vs North Carolina – 7 PM ET, ACC Network
UL Monroe (+21) @ Louisiana – 7:30 PM ET, ESPNU
Oklahoma State (+13.5) vs Oklahoma – 8 PM ET, FOX
San Diego State (+6) vs BYU – 9 PM ET, CBSSN
San Jose State (+3) vs Fresno State – 10:30 PM ET, ESPN2

WEEK 14 PICKS

Ohio (5-6, 4-3 MAC) @ Akron (0-11, 0-7 MAC)
Tuesday, November 26th at 6 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Ohio -28

CSD Prime Pick: Ohio 39, Akron 20

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Akron +28

Western Michigan (7-4, 5-2 MAC) @ Northern Illinois (4-7, 3-4 MAC)
Tuesday, November 26th at 7 PM ET on ESPNU
Vegas Line: Western Michigan -7.5

CSD Prime Pick: Western Michigan 32, Northern Illinois 22

Ole Miss (4-7, 2-5 SEC) @ Mississippi State (5-6, 3-4 SEC)
Thursday, November 28th at 7:30 PM ET on ESPNU
Vegas Line: Mississippi State -3

CSD Prime Pick: Mississippi State 33, Ole Miss 32

Texas Tech (4-7, 2-6 Big 12) @ Texas (6-5, 4-4 Big 12)
Friday, November 29th at 12 PM ET on FOX
Vegas Line: Texas -10

CSD Prime Pick: Texas 37, Texas Tech 28

#24 Virginia Tech (8-3, 5-2 ACC) @ Virginia (8-3, 5-2 ACC)
Friday, November 29th at 12 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: Virginia -1

CSD Prime Pick: Virginia Tech 26, Virginia 23

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Virginia Tech +1

Bowling Green (3-8, 2-5 MAC) @ Buffalo (6-5, 4-3 MAC)
Friday, November 29th at 12 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Buffalo -28.5

CSD Prime Pick: Buffalo 41, Bowling Green 14

Kent State (5-6, 4-3 MAC) @ Eastern Michigan (6-5, 3-4 MAC)
Friday, November 29th at 12 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Eastern Michigan -5

CSD Prime Pick: Eastern Michigan 36, Kent State 34

Miami (OH) (7-4, 6-1 MAC) @ Ball State (4-7, 3-4 MAC)
Friday, November 29th at 12 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: Ball State -3

CSD Prime Pick: Ball State 28, Miami (OH) 25

Toledo (6-5, 3-4 MAC) @ Central Michigan (7-4, 5-2 MAC)
Friday, November 29th at 12 PM ET on ESPNU
Vegas Line: Central Michigan -9.5

CSD Prime Pick: Central Michigan 38, Toledo 30

#17 Iowa (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) @ Nebraska (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten)

Friday, November 29th at 2:30 PM ET on BTN
Vegas Line: Iowa -5

CSD Prime Pick: Iowa 30, Nebraska 24

Missouri (5-6, 2-5 SEC) @ Arkansas (2-9, 0-7 SEC)
Friday, November 29th at 2:30 PM ET on CBS
Vegas Line: Missouri -12

CSD Prime Pick: Missouri 28, Arkansas 20

#19 Cincinnati (10-1, 7-0 AAC) @ #18 Memphis (10-1, 6-1 AAC)

Friday, November 29th at 3:30 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: Memphis -11

CSD Prime Pick: Memphis 34, Cincinnati 24

#20 Boise State (10-1, 7-0 MW) @ Colorado State (4-7, 3-4 MW)
Friday, November 29th at 3:30 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: Boise State -13.5

CSD Prime Pick: Boise State 34, Colorado State 24

Washington State (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12) @ Washington (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12)
Friday, November 29th at 4 PM ET on FOX
Vegas Line: Washington -7

CSD Prime Pick: Washington 36, Washington State 27

West Virginia (4-7, 2-6 Big 12) @ TCU (5-6, 3-5 Big 12)
Friday, November 29th at 4:15 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: TCU -13.5

CSD Prime Pick: TCU 26, West Virginia 16

Arkansas State (7-4, 5-2 Sun Belt) @ South Alabama (1-10, 0-7 Sun Belt)
Friday, November 29th at 5 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Arkansas State -12.5

CSD Prime Pick: Arkansas State 33, South Alabama 24

#25 Appalachian State (10-1, 6-1 Sun Belt) @ Troy (5-6, 3-4 Sun Belt) Friday, November 29th at 6 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Appalachian State -13

CSD Prime Pick: Appalachian State 36, Troy 28

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Troy +13

USF (4-7, 2-5 AAC) @ UCF (8-3, 5-2 AAC)
Friday, November 29th at 8 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: UCF -24

CSD Prime Pick: UCF 40, USF 22

#1 Ohio State (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) @ #13 Michigan (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten)

Saturday, November 30th at 12 PM ET on FOX
Vegas Line: Ohio State -9.5

CSD Prime Pick: Ohio State 29, Michigan 24

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Michigan +9.5

#3 Clemson (11-0) @ South Carolina (4-7)
Saturday, November 30th at 12 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: Clemson -27.5

CSD Prime Pick: Clemson 39, South Carolina 14

#4 Georgia (10-1) @ Georgia Tech (3-8)
Saturday, November 30th at 12 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: Georgia -28.5

CSD Prime Pick: Georgia 35, Georgia Tech 11

Texas State (3-8, 2-5 Sun Belt) @ Coastal Carolina (4-7, 1-6 Sun Belt)
Saturday, November 30th at 12 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Coastal Carolina -7

CSD Prime Pick: Coastal Carolina 36, Texas State 26

Tulsa (3-8, 1-6 AAC) @ East Carolina (4-7, 1-6 AAC)
Saturday, November 30th at 12 PM ET on ESPNU
Vegas Line: Tulsa -5.5

CSD Prime Pick: Tulsa 37, East Carolina 31

FIU (6-5, 3-4 C-USA) @ Marshall (7-4, 5-2 C-USA)
Saturday, November 30th at 12 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: Marshall -7.5

CSD Prime Pick: Marshall 29, FIU 22

Louisville (7-4) @ Kentucky (6-5)
Saturday, November 30th at 12 PM ET on SEC Network
Vegas Line: Kentucky -2.5

CSD Prime Pick: Louisville 25, Kentucky 24

Northwestern (2-9, 0-8 Big Ten) @ Illinois (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten)
Saturday, November 30th at 12 PM ET on FS1
Vegas Line: Illinois -8.5

CSD Prime Pick: Illinois 26, Northwestern 15

Indiana (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) @ Purdue (4-7, 3-5 Big Ten)
Saturday, November 30th at 12 PM ET on ESPN2
Vegas Line: Indiana -7

CSD Prime Pick: Indiana 30, Purdue 26

Wake Forest (8-3, 4-3 ACC) @ Syracuse (4-7, 1-6 ACC)
Saturday, November 30th at 12:30 PM ET on ACC Network Extra
Vegas Line: Wake Forest -6

CSD Prime Pick: Wake Forest 38, Syracuse 35

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Syracuse +6

Middle Tennessee (4-7, 3-4 C-USA) @ Western Kentucky (7-4, 5-2 C-USA)
Saturday, November 30th at 2 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Western Kentucky -8.5

CSD Prime Pick: Western Kentucky 30, Middle Tennessee 18

Charlotte (6-5, 4-3 C-USA) @ Old Dominion (1-10, 0-7 C-USA)
Saturday, November 30th at 2 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Charlotte -9.5

CSD Prime Pick: Charlotte 26, Old Dominion 19

Wyoming (7-4, 4-3 MW) @ Air Force (9-2, 6-1 MW)
Saturday, November 30th at 2 PM ET on Facebook Video
Vegas Line: Air Force -11

CSD Prime Pick: Air Force 25, Wyoming 16

New Mexico State (2-9) @ Liberty (6-5)
Saturday, November 30th at 2 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Liberty -14

CSD Prime Pick: Liberty 40, New Mexico State 28

Rice (2-9, 2-5 C-USA) @ UTEP (1-10, 0-7 C-USA)
Saturday, November 30th at 3 PM ET on ESPN3
Vegas Line: Rice -7

CSD Prime Pick: Rice 24, UTEP 21

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – UTEP +7

UNLV (3-8, 1-6 MW) @ Nevada (7-4, 4-3 MW)
Saturday, November 30th at 3 PM ET on AT&T Sports Network
Vegas Line: Nevada -7

CSD Prime Pick: Nevada 30, UNLV 20

#5 Alabama (10-1, 6-1 SEC) @ #15 Auburn (8-3, 4-3 SEC)

Saturday, November 30th at 3:30 PM ET on CBS
Vegas Line: Alabama -3.5

CSD Prime Pick: Alabama 29, Auburn 18

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Alabama -3.5

Rutgers (2-9, 0-8 Big Ten) @ #10 Penn State (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
Saturday, November 30th at 3:30 PM ET on BTN
Vegas Line: Penn State -40

CSD Prime Pick: Penn State 43, Rutgers 8

#12 Wisconsin (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) @ #8 Minnesota (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten)

Saturday, November 30th at 3:30 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: Wisconsin -3.5

CSD Prime Pick: Minnesota 25, Wisconsin 21

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Minnesota +3.5

#9 Baylor (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) @ Kansas (3-8, 1-7 Big 12)
Saturday, November 30th at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: Baylor -14

CSD Prime Pick: Baylor 33, Kansas 21

UConn (2-9, 0-7 AAC) @ Temple (7-4, 4-3 AAC)
Saturday, November 30th at 3:30 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: Temple -27

CSD Prime Pick: Temple 38, UConn 12

Southern Miss (7-4, 5-2 C-USA) @ Florida Atlantic (8-3, 6-1 C-USA)
Saturday, November 30th at 3:30 PM ET on NFL Network
Vegas Line: Florida Atlantic -9

CSD Prime Pick: Florida Atlantic 33, Southern Miss 24

UTSA (4-7, 3-4 C-USA) @ Louisiana Tech (8-3, 5-2 C-USA)
Saturday, November 30th at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Louisiana Tech -20.5

CSD Prime Pick: Louisiana Tech 37, UTSA 20

Boston College (5-6, 3-4 ACC) @ Pittsburgh (7-4, 4-3 ACC)
Saturday, November 30th at 3:30 PM ET on ACC Network
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -9.5

CSD Prime Pick: Pittsburgh 28, Boston College 20

Miami (6-5, 4-3 ACC) @ Duke (4-7, 2-5 ACC)
Saturday, November 30th at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN2
Vegas Line: Miami -4.5

CSD Prime Pick: Miami 28, Duke 18

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Miami -4.5

Maryland (3-8, 1-7 Big Ten) @ Michigan State (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten)
Saturday, November 30th at 3:30 PM ET on FS1
Vegas Line: Michigan State -22

Oregon State (5-6, 4-4 Pac-12) @ #14 Oregon (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12)
Saturday, November 30th at 4 PM ET on Pac-12 Network
Vegas Line: Oregon -19

CSD Prime Pick: Oregon 39, Oregon State 20

#16 Notre Dame (9-2) @ Stanford (4-7)
Saturday, November 30th at 4 PM ET on FOX
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -16.5

CSD Prime Pick: Notre Dame 30, Stanford 15

Tulane (6-5, 3-4 AAC) @ SMU (9-2, 5-2 AAC)
Saturday, November 30th at 4 PM ET on ESPNU
Vegas Line: SMU -4

CSD Prime Pick: SMU 41, Tulane 36

Vanderbilt (3-8, 1-6 SEC) @ Tennessee (6-5, 4-3 SEC)
Saturday, November 30th at 4 PM ET on SEC Network
Vegas Line: Tennessee -22.5

CSD Prime Pick: Tennessee 34, Vanderbilt 11

UAB (8-3, 5-2 C-USA) @ North Texas (4-7, 3-4 C-USA)
Saturday, November 30th at 4 PM ET on Stadium Video
Vegas Line: North Texas -1

CSD Prime Pick: UAB 26, North Texas 19

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – UAB +1

Utah State (6-5, 5-2 MW) @ New Mexico (2-9, 0-7 MW)
Saturday, November 30th at 4 PM ET on Facebook Video
Vegas Line: Utah State -11.5

CSD Prime Pick: New Mexico 31, Utah State 30

Georgia State (7-4, 4-3 Sun Belt) @ Georgia Southern (6-5, 4-3 Sun Belt)
Saturday, November 30th at 6 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Georgia Southern -7.5

CSD Prime Pick: Georgia Southern 25, Georgia State 24

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Georgia State +7.5

Texas A&M (7-4, 4-3 SEC) @ #2 LSU (11-0, 7-0 SEC)

Saturday, November 30th at 7 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: LSU -16.5

CSD Prime Pick: LSU 40, Texas A&M 25

#23 Iowa State (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) @ Kansas State (7-4, 4-4 Big 12)

Saturday, November 30th at 7 PM ET on FS1
Vegas Line: Iowa State -5.5

CSD Prime Pick: Kansas State 29, Iowa State 26

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Kansas State +5.5

Navy (8-2, 6-1 AAC) @ Houston (4-7, 2-5 AAC)
Saturday, November 30th at 7 PM ET on ESPN2
Vegas Line: Navy -9

CSD Prime Pick: Navy 32, Houston 28

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Houston +9

North Carolina (5-6, 3-4 ACC) @ NC State (4-7, 1-6 ACC)
Saturday, November 30th at 7 PM ET on ACC Network
Vegas Line: North Carolina -10

CSD Prime Pick: North Carolina 29, NC State 25

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – NC State +10

Colorado (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12) @ #6 Utah (10-1, 7-1 Pac-12)
Saturday, November 30th at 7:30 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: Utah -28.5

CSD Prime Pick: Utah 36, Colorado 11

Florida State (6-5) @ #11 Florida (9-2)
Saturday, November 30th at 7:30 PM ET on SEC Network
Vegas Line: Florida -17

CSD Prime Pick: Florida 34, Florida State 14

UL Monroe (5-6, 4-3 Sun Belt) @ Louisiana (9-2, 6-1 Sun Belt)
Saturday, November 30th at 7:30 PM ET on ESPNU
Vegas Line: Louisiana -21

CSD Prime Pick: Louisiana 45, UL Monroe 31

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – UL Monroe +21

#7 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) @ #21 Oklahoma State (8-3, 5-3 Big 12)

Saturday, November 30th at 8 PM ET on FOX
Vegas Line: Oklahoma -13.5

CSD Prime Pick: Oklahoma 36, Oklahoma State 35

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Oklahoma State +13.5

BYU (7-4) @ San Diego State (8-3)
Saturday, November 30th at 9 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: BYU -6

CSD Prime Pick: San Diego State 19, BYU 18

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – San Diego State +6

Arizona (4-7, 2-6 Pac-12) @ Arizona State (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12)
Saturday, November 30th at 10 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: Arizona State -14

CSD Prime Pick: Arizona State 38, Arizona 29

Cal (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12) @ UCLA (4-7, 4-4 Pac-12)
Saturday, November 30th at 10:30 PM ET on FS1
Vegas Line: UCLA -2.5

CSD Prime Pick: UCLA 29, Cal 21

Fresno State (4-7, 2-5 MW) @ San Jose State (4-7, 1-6 MW)
Saturday, November 30th at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN2
Vegas Line: Fresno State -3

CSD Prime Pick: San Jose State 36, Fresno State 31

☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – San Jose State +3

Army (5-6) @ Hawai’i (8-4)
Saturday, November 30th at 11:59 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: Hawai’i -3

CSD Prime Pick: Hawai’i 31, Army 28

November 26, 2019
Projected College Football Playoff Rankings After Week 13 – Utah, Oklahoma, Alabama Battle for #5

#25 – Appalachian State (10-1, LW: 24)

Appalachian State took care of business this week, but they’ll be passed by Virginia Tech.

#24 – Virginia Tech (8-3, LW: NR)

Virginia Tech has looked dominant in recent weeks, crushing Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh by a combined score of 73-0, and with a win over rival Virginia this week they’ll likely be off to the Orange Bowl.

#23 – Iowa State (7-4, LW: 22)

The Cyclones struggled with Kansas this week and will get jumped by USC.

#22 – USC (8-4, LW: 23)

USC’s win over Utah is looking better and better, and the Trojans are technically still alive for a Rose Bowl bid, a Colorado win over the Utes this week would send the Trojans to the Pac-12 title game.

#21 – Oklahoma State (8-3, LW: 21)

Oklahoma State has won four in a row, next up: a shot at Oklahoma.

#20 – Boise State (10-1, LW: 20)

Boise State has struggled a little in recent weeks, but they dominated Utah State to get to the Mountain West title game, where they’ll face Hawai’i in two weeks, they’ll need Cincinnati and Memphis to split to make it to the New Year’s Six.

#19 – Cincinnati (10-1, LW: 19)

The Bearcats look really shaky right now, but they still control their own destiny to the New Year’s Six.

#18 – Memphis (10-1, LW: 18)

Memphis continues to dominate and I feel very comfortable calling them the G5’s best team, beat Cincinnati the next two weeks, and they’ll lock up a Cotton Bowl bid.

#17 – Iowa (8-3, LW: 17)

Iowa had a little trouble with a decent Illinois team, but with all three losses to higher-ranked teams, they’ll continue to be high for a three-loss team.

#16 – Oregon (9-2, LW: 6)

I expect Oregon to drop quite a lot after the loss to Arizona State, but the Ducks still control their own destiny to a Rose Bowl bid.

#15 – Notre Dame (9-2, LW: 16)

Notre Dame probably needs some help to make it to the New Year’s Six, but they’ll need to beat Stanford this week first.

#14 – Auburn (8-3, LW: 15)

Auburn probably could sneak into the New Year’s Six and spoil their rival’s playoff chances with a win against Alabama this week.

#13 – Baylor (10-1, LW: 14)

The Bears bounced back to beat Texas this week, and I don’t think a playoff bid is *completely* dead, although they’ll need massive amounts of help.

#12 – Michigan (9-2, LW: 13)

Michigan looks to be playing great football right now, and a win over Ohio State this week would put them on a path to the Rose Bowl.

#11 – Wisconsin (9-2, LW: 12)

Wisconsin still controls their own destiny to the Rose Bowl, but beating Minnesota and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks is a tough ask.

#10 – Florida (9-2, LW: 11)

This team is assured a New Year’s Six spot if they win this week, their second under Dan Mullen in as many years, not a bad start.

#9 – Penn State (9-2, LW: 8)

A road loss by 11 to Ohio State won’t drop the Nittany Lions far. A Rose Bowl isn’t out of the question, Penn State would likely need Ohio State to beat Michigan and then Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game.

#8 – Minnesota (10-1, LW: 10)

The Gophers have slid off the national radar a little bit but beat Wisconsin this week and then Ohio State in the Big Ten title game and this team is in the playoff. The Gophers are likely one of only five teams (the other being the top four) that can with 100% certainty say they control their own destiny.

#7 – Oklahoma (10-1, LW: 9)

The Sooners have hardly been impressive in recent weeks, struggling with TCU and Iowa State. A win over Oklahoma State this week and then Baylor in the Big 12 title game would give the Sooners a shot at a playoff spot, but they’d need some help.

#6 – Utah (10-1, LW: 7)

Utah has looked dominant recently, but Oregon’s loss to Arizona State this week means that the potential win the Utes would score over the Ducks in the Pac-12 title game means a lot less. I still think the Utes make it if they win out, but I’m a lot less confident now.

#5 – Alabama (10-1, LW: 5)

Alabama now has to sit back and wait. Beat Auburn this week, hope you can stave off Utah and Oklahoma in the final rankings, and this team could still make the playoff without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

#4 – Georgia (10-1, LW: 4)

Georgia picked up a resume booster against Texas A&M this week, but the playoff spot will ultimately come down to a matchup with #1 LSU in the SEC title game.

#3 – Clemson (11-0, LW: 3)

Clemson still has no wins over a ranked team, but they’ll hold onto the #3 spot.

#2 – Ohio State (11-0, LW: 2)

The Buckeyes have a great resume, and the win over Penn State only adds to it. I still think LSU stays #1, but should the Buckeyes beat Michigan this week they could pass the Tigers for the top spot.

#1 – LSU (11-0, LW: 1)

After looking a little shaky early, LSU dominated Arkansas. The Tigers have a sneaky good Texas A&M team this week and will then square off with Georgia in the SEC title game, but the resume is good enough that they should make the playoff even if they split the two games.

November 26, 2019

Category: EVERYTHING

Thursday, September 3rd

Saturday, September 5th

Monday, September 7th

1. BYU

2. Army

3. Liberty

EAST

T1. Western Kentucky

T1. Marshall

3. Florida Atlantic

4. Charlotte

5. Middle Tennessee

6. FIU

WEST

1. UAB

2. Louisiana Tech

3. Southern Miss

4. Rice

5. UTSA

6. North Texas

7. UTEP

Conference USA Title Game Pick: UAB over Western Kentucky

All-Conference-USA Team

EAST

1. Appalachian State

2. Georgia Southern

3. Troy

4. Georgia State

5. Coastal Carolina

WEST

1. Louisiana

2. Arkansas State

3. South Alabama

4. ULM

5. Texas State

Sun Belt Title Game Pick: Appalachian State over Louisiana

All-Sun Belt Team

Average Rank By Conference

Seed List

BUBBLE WATCH

Conference Championship Weekend Picks

Pac-12 Championship Game in Santa Clara, CA#5 Utah (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12) vs. #13 Oregon (10-2, 8-1 Pac-12)

Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington, TX#7 Baylor (11-1, 8-1 Big 12) vs. #6 Oklahoma (11-1, 8-1 Big 12)

Sun Belt Championship GameLouisiana (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt) @ #21 Appalachian State (11-1, 7-1 Sun Belt)

American Athletic Conference Championship Game#20 Cincinnati (10-2, 7-1 AAC) @ #17 Memphis (11-1, 7-1 AAC)

SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, GA#4 Georgia (11-1, 7-1 SEC) vs. #2 LSU (12-0, 8-0 SEC)

ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, NC#23 Virginia (9-3, 6-2 ACC) vs. #3 Clemson (12-0, 8-0 ACC)

Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis, IN#1 Ohio State (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) vs. #8 Wisconsin (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten)

WEEK 14 PICKS

#17 Iowa (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) @ Nebraska (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten)

#19 Cincinnati (10-1, 7-0 AAC) @ #18 Memphis (10-1, 6-1 AAC)

#1 Ohio State (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) @ #13 Michigan (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten)

#5 Alabama (10-1, 6-1 SEC) @ #15 Auburn (8-3, 4-3 SEC)

#12 Wisconsin (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) @ #8 Minnesota (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten)

Texas A&M (7-4, 4-3 SEC) @ #2 LSU (11-0, 7-0 SEC)

#23 Iowa State (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) @ Kansas State (7-4, 4-4 Big 12)

#7 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) @ #21 Oklahoma State (8-3, 5-3 Big 12)

Pac-12 Championship Game in Santa Clara, CA
#5 Utah (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12) vs. #13 Oregon (10-2, 8-1 Pac-12)

Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington, TX
#7 Baylor (11-1, 8-1 Big 12) vs. #6 Oklahoma (11-1, 8-1 Big 12)

Sun Belt Championship Game
Louisiana (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt) @ #21 Appalachian State (11-1, 7-1 Sun Belt)

American Athletic Conference Championship Game
#20 Cincinnati (10-2, 7-1 AAC) @ #17 Memphis (11-1, 7-1 AAC)

SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, GA
#4 Georgia (11-1, 7-1 SEC) vs. #2 LSU (12-0, 8-0 SEC)

ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, NC
#23 Virginia (9-3, 6-2 ACC) vs. #3 Clemson (12-0, 8-0 ACC)

Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis, IN
#1 Ohio State (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) vs. #8 Wisconsin (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten)